Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1523 - 524: The Death of Little Black (Part 2)

~3 minute read · 873 words
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
The Imperial Airships met Elder Ivan and two Dragon Knights above the Summer Sea, where they marveled at Rein's youthful vigor and restrained spiritual power as a Middle Stage Dawn Wizard. After exchanging pleasantries and a shared dinner, Rein retired to his cabin, only to awaken at midnight to a grim system alert: his contracted beast, the Swift Horned Antelope known as Little Black, had been fatally attacked in the estate stables, likely a targeted act to intimidate his family. Hastening the fleet's return to the Imperial City at full speed, Rein arrived amid a grand ceremony and learned from Olena of the concealed worries over his earlier disappearance—which reached his family through Cleya, leaving Aunt Emma ill—and the night's horse-killing incident, where Cleya clashed with a mysterious, superior female assailant, as Major General Tatia prepared to offer further insight.

"A couple of days earlier, the Second Prince reached out directly and applied pressure on the Marshal. Quinna, who had been detained at headquarters while carrying the Shadow Dragon Bloodline, was whisked away."

"I suspect the furious slaying of the mount right at your home was probably the doing of this Quinna."

"The Second Prince? Shadow Dragon Bloodline?" Rein felt a slight jolt of surprise; he hadn’t anticipated things turning out this way.

"Got it."

"Furthermore, Lord Rein, an incident unfolded in Mingster." Major General Tatia hesitated for a moment before sharing the next troubling update.

"Mingster? Has something gone wrong with Jennifer and Lagaray?" Rein’s eyes sharpened, an innate commanding presence radiating from his figure.

This caught Major General Tatia off guard!

It looked like Lord Rein’s power had surged once more. Word had spread that Lord Rein and Prince Menia got beaten and locked up by the Nether Sea Goddess Hela, yet that tale now rang utterly false.

Such a rapid boost in strength was truly alarming!

"Madam Jennifer and Miss Lagaray faced an assault, yet thanks to the safeguards from the Sword Bearers Branch and the Goddess Church, they remain secure. Still, they’ve been housed temporarily inside the Mingster Goddess Church. I’ve dispatched staff from headquarters to assist," Tatia explained, her face grave.

"The Duke of Minter dispatched reinforcements too, only to get halted by some mysterious power."

Learning that Madam Jennifer and the wild Lagaray girl were safe eased Rein’s tension a bit.

Yet, realizing they were trapped inside the Mingster Goddess Church chapel, too afraid to venture out, ignited Rein’s fury!

"Do we have any idea which group launched the attack?" Rein’s voice grew icy.

"Um... the probe is ongoing, but we’re sure two figures were involved—both Third Level Crystalization Earth Wizards. They appear linked to the Isodre School."

The Sword Holders Headquarters keeps tabs on powerful players across the Empire’s groups. Earth Wizards aren’t rare, but Crystalization Level ones showing up, especially two powerhouses at once, stands out sharply.

The Isodre School?

That name rang a vague bell, stirring Rein’s mind as a memory surfaced. He voiced it: "You mean the major Wizard School tied to the ’Carver’ Harold?"

"That’s right, Lord Rein, spot on. None but them could dispatch two elite Crystallization Earth Witchcraft Wizards so effortlessly," Tatia confirmed with a nod.

Rein gave a nod in return.

Ah, so it was those folks—now it made sense.

Since the day he took down the ’Carver’ Harold, hailed as the top Legendary powerhouse, that side had kept venting grudges nonstop. It only stopped after Rein unveiled his Epic-level fighting prowess.

Were they seeking payback now, figuring he wouldn’t come back?

"You spoke of two people earlier. Any more?" Rein inquired, his tone heavy.

"Two additional ones, identities unclear for now. The inquiry continues, but trusted intel points to Marquis O’Lence and his Guard Captain."

"On top of that, we’ve verified Marquis O’Lence and his Guard Captain departed the Imperial City the day before last, and their location remains a mystery," Tatia relayed.

The O’Lence clan?

Another ’old acquaintance.’ A good chunk of Jennifer’s stake in the Axon Auction House had stemmed from the O’Lence family originally.

"Are the people you named still hanging around Mingster?"

"Er... they’re keeping a low profile, but we know at least one lingers there."

"I see. Major General Tatia, relay to the Marshal that our scheduled talk might have to wait. Also, set up a swift airship for me to head to Mingster in two hours."

"Well... the airship can be sorted easily, Lord Rein. But this situation could be more tangled than it seems, with the Bavarian and Snyder families getting cautions from a few ancient Empire Great Nobles."

"We’re pretty sure the Drum Family pulled the strings."

"And even... the Second Prince’s Shadow..." Tatia added, her look intensely serious.

Next to her, Olena let out a quiet gasp, her hand lightly over her lips.

No surprise the Sword Holders Headquarters just ramped up security at Lord Rein’s place without launching a full hunt for the killers of that swift mount.

"The foes’ backgrounds don’t count for much," Rein replied, shaking his head deliberately.

"What counts is if they pulled it off."

"Lord Rein, on the Drum Family front, we don’t have solid proof," Tatia conceded.

"Proof doesn’t matter. What does is my conviction they’re behind it—that settles everything."

"I’ll take care of it."

Tatia and Olena traded looks after Rein’s declaration, at a loss for words briefly.

Still, both knew one truth: a tempest was brewing over the Imperial City.

....

As Rein stepped up to his residence’s gate, the nearby diminutive Matteo lit up with delight.

But Rein’s brow furrowed—he caught voices drifting from the nearby parlor. He signaled Matteo to stay quiet.

"That assailant last night was a skilled woman; even I couldn’t hold her back."

"I sense the death of Rein’s old mount, Little Black, aimed mainly at spreading terror through the household," Cleya remarked, sounding a touch fatigued.