Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1527 - 525: Shadow Shifting (Part 3)

At the Sword Bearers Branch's airship landing area, a group of individuals had gathered in anticipation, with Admiral Edward at their forefront.

"Admiral Edward, it's been ages." Rein greeted him cheerfully.

"Lord Rein..."

"Hold on, Admiral Edward—you're like a senior to me and you've always looked out for me, so just use Rein," Rein interrupted, gesturing dismissively to stop Admiral Edward mid-sentence.

"Fine, Rein, would you like a quick update on things?"

"That's not necessary, Admiral Edward—prepare some tea for me, and we'll chat afterward."

Right after those words left his mouth, Rein vanished right in front of the assembled crowd.

Admiral Edward himself stared in shock, scanning the surroundings, yet no sign of him remained.

"What... what sort of sorcery was that?"

"Didn't spatial magic fade into obscurity ages ago?"

Some folks nearby murmured softly.

Meanwhile.

Rein materialized abruptly on a nearby road, close to the grand and imposing Church Temple.

Gazing upon the recognizable Ionic pillars, sculptures, and oval-shaped fountain, Rein realized he'd teleported straight there via his freshly acquired 'Shadow Shifting'.

"So, it lets me slip into some kind of alternate dimension for travel—truly an exceptional skill, though it drains a ton of spiritual power." Rein pondered for a moment, grasping the essence of this fresh power.

The structure ahead stood ready for battle, heavily fortified, boasting patrols at every five paces and watchmen every ten. Rein even picked up on a handful of known auras inside.

"With Jennifer and Lagaray safe, it's time to tackle the source of all this trouble."

Now that Rein's spiritual power had reached the late phase of Dawn Stage, even a casual probe revealed multiple concealed guards blending with civilians.

Still, those watchers weren't what he sought.

When Rein concentrated briefly, his vast spiritual energy spread out like a scanning wave, extending over hundreds of meters. In contrast to visual sight, this spiritual scan offered far more profound insight.

If the foe couldn't block it, Rein could accurately perceive whatever details he desired, ranging from a person's inner heartbeat to the texture of their skin's tiniest openings.

"Got it—it's right there."

In the instant that followed, Rein faded away from his spot.

....

Within an opulent estate a few hundred meters distant, Marquis Oronz sat with three companions, engaging in relaxed conversation.

"Marquis, should we keep holding out?"

"An entire day gone by, and no sign of the Drum Family folks. I say we strike tonight without delay. Once that lovely lady inks the stock handover deal, hand her over for my pleasure."

"Even as a mere commoner, she's stunning—such a shame to end her life right away." The advanced Knight who'd badly wounded Viery chuckled loudly.

"Patience, we'll handle it smoothly when the Drum Family shows up. By the clock, they ought to arrive any minute now." Marquis Oronz took a sip of the Bordeaux brew and grinned.

Before long, he'd seize back the forfeited stakes in the Axon Auction House's Mingster outpost.

"Personally, I find the Barbarian Tribe lass more collectible. If she's free for the taking, count me in." A Crystallization Wizard of the Isodre School smirked as well.

All at once, the quartet experienced a sudden chill of dread, prompting the pair of Crystallization Wizards to spring from the supple deerskin couch, their expressions filled with terror as they exclaimed:

"This... this intensity of spiritual power scan—which Dawn Wizard from the Empire has come to Mingster?"

"It surpasses even the Sect Leader's strength!"

The Earth Element Crystallization Wizard appeared equally stunned and confused!

"Yet the crucial point is, absent any crisis, not even the Imperial Guardian would unleash such an extensive spiritual power sweep."

"Relax, it surely isn't Rein, is it?" The High Rank Knight paused to consider, then eased up once more, chuckling.

"Even supposing he possessed such might, he's trapped by the Nether Sea Goddess."

"Perhaps a manifestation of the Evil God has arrived?"

"In that case, the Goddess Church and Duke of Minter would be the ones sweating, ha-ha."

Marquis Oronz, on the other hand, grew grave, rising to his feet and declaring, "No, this doesn't feel right; that spiritual power pulse appears aimed straight at us."

For the moment the crushing spiritual energy brushed against them, it vanished completely.

To put it simply, they could be the intended focus!

"Spot on, but no prize for you."

A spectral voice resounded through the chamber.

...