Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1524 - 524: The Death of Little Black (Part 3)

Ever since discovering the misfortune that befell Rein, Cleya had been filled with intense concern and opted to reside extendedly within the Rein Mansion, providing reassurance to Rein's parents along with his sister Bo He.

Meanwhile, updates from her family arrived concerning her father, Count Habs of Meister, who lately endured frequent cautions from numerous Great Nobles.

Evidently, Count Habs faced tremendous strain as well. In his correspondence, he advised her to ponder her prospects and possibly rethink the Marquis who once courted her...

Putting that matter on hold for the moment; during the previous night, as she rested alongside Bo He, the piercing whinny of the swift-hoofed stallion Xiao Hei echoed through the darkness.

Arriving at the stables, she discovered Rein's old mount Xiao Hei slain right there. A short clash occurred with the intruder—a female clad in leather armor—before she got pushed back. By the time guards rushed in, the assailant had vanished without a trace.

And she left behind a warning that they would strike again this evening.

Though the Imperial City's patrol forces showed up, they deemed the incident overly complicated, appearing beyond their ability to resolve, and once escalated, it led nowhere.

A cascade of troubles burdened her mind, leaving her feeling on the verge of breaking down.

As a result, she deliberately summoned Rein's companions—Luther and Halowin—today to brainstorm countermeasures.

"Miss Cleya, from this day forward, Lord Halowin and I will alternate shifts guarding the mansion. That said, based on what you've shared, even with Lord Halowin's help, we're not confident about capturing the offender."

Luther and Halowin shared a glance, spotting the shared uncertainty in one another's gaze.

Cleya's prowess matched their own, yet according to her account, the foe possessed a special Talent Ability that enabled instantaneous disappearance. Hence, should they intervene, victory remained far from guaranteed.

It had barely passed since Lord Rein's calamity struck, and already the powers that once cowered before him like prey began to surface boldly.

These adversaries showed no qualms in targeting the Mingster’s Warhammer and Rose Commerce, and they even boldly slaughtered Lord Rein's previous horse as a taunt. Such audacity was intolerable!

"Thank you, both of you. I'll go see to little Bo He right away; she got quite scared during the night."

The moment Cleya rose to her feet, a well-known imposing silhouette emerged at the doorway as the guest room's entrance creaked wide.

"Rein!!!" Cleya cried out, her feelings surging in a whirlwind of joy and relief!

"Lord Rein!"

"Amazing, Lord Rein, you've returned!" Luther and Halowin stood up promptly to salute, their expressions mixing astonishment, delight, and incredulity.

"Cleya, why the tears?" Rein offered a soft smile, tenderly brushing away the droplets from Cleya's lovely cheeks.

"Rein, forgive me."

"Thanks, Cleya; I'll take charge of things now." Rein drew Cleya into a gentle hug.

...

After a mere ten minutes of grasping the events, Rein ascended to his sister Bo He’s chamber.

Stepping inside, he beheld his sibling from the prior night's terror now dozing soundly upon the spiritual greyhound Qu Qi.

"Woof woof!"

Rein planned a silent exit, yet Qu Qi appeared to detect his presence and let out an eager bark.

"Qu Qi, let me rest longer!"

The hound's stirring roused Bo He. She wiped her puffy eyes and peered at the entrance, only for her gaze to expand in shock the instant after.

"Brother!"

Rein grinned while scooping up his charging sister Bo He, also patting the spiritual greyhound Qu Qi that bumped insistently at his leg.

"Brother, Xiao Hei got killed..." Bo He whimpered.

"I know, yes. I'll ensure the guilty one faces justice. Behave now, and stop the tears."

"Alright!"

Somehow, her brother's presence let Bo He unwind entirely. Following a short talk, she drifted off once more.

Next, Rein called upon his mother Emma and his father, the elder Rein.

Witnessing Rein's secure homecoming, Emma's condition mended substantially, even as she couldn't avoid the typical senior scoldings and counselings.

...

Back in his quarters, Rein reached out and rapidly sketched an elaborate pattern through the atmosphere. A rune pulsing with spiritual power materialized floating ahead of him.

"Rein?"

Moments afterward, Menia’s voice transmitted via the elaborate rune.

For High Rank Wizards, sharing their personal Communication Marks permitted talks over specific distances. Rein and Menia had swapped those marks earlier at the Molten Lava Lake.

"Menia..." In short order, Rein outlined the circumstances concisely.

Rein’s aim was straightforward; upcoming clashes with Second Prince Everton loomed, so notifying Menia—Everton’s aunt—proved essential.

Much like alerting elders prior to correcting a youngster.

"Rein, with Everton involved here, I'll manage it. Beyond delivering the offender and issuing a direct apology, what more do you require?"

"Simply turning over the offender suffices; no apology needed."

Should Menia compel a remorse, it would ring hollow anyway, so Rein held zero interest.

...

Several minutes passed.

Second Prince Mansion, upper level.

"Bang!!!"

Second Prince Everton's visage darkened as he smashed his hand down on the sturdy wooden table, causing the dozing white cat perched there to bolt away in fright.

Buchanan caught the noise from within and rapped on the door, announcing,

"Your Highness?"

"Enter!" Everton commanded in a low growl.

"Yes, Your Highness." Buchanan stepped inside and at once noted the Second Prince's evident fury.

As the Second Prince's longtime Butler, Buchanan knew his employer's ways intimately. That scowl clearly signaled boiling rage.

"Aunt Menia stepped in directly for Rein, insisting I surrender Quinna and offer a personal apology."

"What!" Buchanan recoiled in shock at the revelation.

Everyone knew the 'Red Queen' Menia commanded immense respect in the Imperial Royal Family. Yet she usually showed indulgence toward the youth, seldom voicing stern criticisms, much less requiring apologies.

"It stems from Rein's exceptional feats in the Empire Delegation's Sea God Sect assault event, gaining Aunt Menia's approval and praise." Everton reflected, his voice grave once composure returned.

"Buchanan, escort Quinna there yourself, head to the Rein Mansion, and deliver the apology."

"Immediately?"

"Yes, right away."

"As you wish, Your Highness. However... Quinna..." Buchanan displayed reluctance.

Quinna carried the uncommon Shadow Dragon Bloodline, boasting the strongest such lineage concentration among Dragon Scale Brotherhood's present ranks. Yielding her to Rein felt like a needless loss.

Otherwise, the Second Prince wouldn't have mobilized the Sword Bearers personally just days prior to retrieve her.

Besides, broaching this with Quinna would prove challenging, as it resembled dispatching her to doom.

"Deliver Quinna to Rein, though if she slips away, that's on them," Everton remarked with icy amusement, while passing Buchanan a flask of crimson fluid aglow with shimmering particles.

"The Bloodline Burst Potion? Got it, Your Highness."

"I'll depart at once!"

Buchanan took hold of it and found himself smirking faintly.

Post-rescue, Quinna received a 'Dragon Vein Evolution Potion' as reward, elevating her strength near Epic Strongman levels.

Upon ingesting the 'Bloodline Burst Potion', her Shadow Dragon Bloodline powers would surge dramatically for a time. He merely had to feign handing Quinna to Rein, assured she'd swiftly break free.

...