Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1556 - 536: Showdown (Part 2)

"Crown Reginald, you're the one who knows young Lord Rein better than anyone—why don't you give us an introduction?"

"Haha, Crown Whitaker, there's no need for me to say too much. Before long, all of you will get to see Lord Rein's true strength firsthand."

Naturally, Reginald felt zero concern over whether Rein would triumph or fall short.

"Oh? Crown Reginald, it looks like you place great faith in this young Lord Rein," cut in an elder clad in a blue Wizard Robe. "Care for a little bet?"

"Sure, Crown Perkins, if you're keen on it, count me in without a second thought."

This opponent stood as a staunch member of the Conservative Party, sharing a typically tense rapport with Reginald, which prompted his instant acceptance.

Yet, Reginald's quick consent left Perkins momentarily taken aback, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.

...

Rein pressed on toward the arena's heart, his eyes locking briefly with those of the three women before he gave them a subtle nod. Positioning himself at the arena's central-right spot, he tilted his head skyward.

Right then, the influential allies beside Reginald shifted their gazes upward as well.

Though the heavens seemed empty, a subtle force of oppression swiftly pressed down. Dust billowed high from the arena's middle as a concealment spell abruptly dissolved, unveiling a gigantic emerald form before the assembled onlookers.

In order to spare the common folk any alarm, Imperial Dragon Knights often traverse cities while hiding their shapes in flight.

The arrival hailed from Imperial Guardian Pantoscoke, known as ’Storm Cloud,’ accompanied by his emerald dragon partner Hazas.

The spectacle of man and beast together drew gasps from numerous nobles:

"How come this green dragon looks enormous?"

"Yeah, I recall spotting Crown Pantoscoke's green dragon before; it sure wasn't nearly this size then."

.....

Shock rippled even through the elite nobles, with several powerhouses in Reginald's circle showing clear astonishment.

"No way! Pantoscoke's green dragon Hazas is more than a century junior to my Yellow Dragon—yet it reached the elder dragon phase ahead?"

"Might it involve a special artifact? Still, whispers of Pantoscoke venturing into old ruins lately have been absent."

"Tsk tsk, Rein's luck with timing feels truly unlucky, clashing right as Pantoscoke's dragon makes its breakthrough?"

Such developments prompted Perkins, the one who'd laid the original stake against Reginald, to chuckle and remark, "Haha, Crown Reginald, your chances appear slim at this point. Still want to press on with our bet?"

"Hehe, of course—let's see how it plays out," Reginald shot back, steadying himself after that first jolt of surprise.

"Does Crown Reginald truly believe young Lord Rein stands a shot at victory still?" Perkins prodded with a smirk.

Perkins's comment swiftly drew every eye in the gathering toward Reginald.

Before Reginald could respond, voices rose from the arena's two combatants.

A faint smile graced Rein's lips as he declared, "So, this is your ace in the hole? A green dragon at elder level?"

Rein's unflappable demeanor made Pantoscoke's eyes tighten. Following a brief silence, he offered counsel in a kindly, elder-like manner,

"Young fellow, there's still opportunity to withdraw at this stage."

"Maybe someday, once you've earned your place as a full Imperial Dragon Knight with a dragon at your side, facing off against me would suit better."

Spoken away from prying ears, those lines could carry genuine intent, yet broadcast to this throng, they rang utterly hollow.

Truth be told, with both now planted firmly in the arena, backing away proved no simple task for Rein or Pantoscoke alike.

"A green dragon of elder level won't push me to yield so easily. Conveniently, I've got a dragon of my own along," Rein replied, his grin laced with enigma.

"You?" Disbelief mingled with astonishment on Pantoscoke's features.

Considering every scrap of intel at hand, the youth opposite him lacked any dragon bond. He'd even joined the Imperial Dragon Knight Reserve trials not long ago—how then could a dragon appear out of nowhere?

Rein gestured toward the gateway he'd come through, drawing in a huge wheeled chest hauled by eight burly oxen.

The display seized the spectators' focus in an instant.

"What... just what is that?"

"Doesn't seem like anything alive."

.....

"Snap!"

With the latches undone, the crate's sides dropped open, exposing a fierce mechanical colossus that shimmered with a steely glow beneath the sun!

"What on earth is that?" Shock widened the eyes of countless nobles.

Its sheer bulk and razor-edged steel talons alone hinted that, should this monster stir to life, the havoc it could wreak would chill the blood.

Folks from Reginald's faction quickly identified the roots of Rein's ’Mechanical Tyrannosaurus.’

"This... it's a mechanical construct shaped like dinosaurs from antiquity."

"Looks akin to tech from ancient goblins?"

"Yes, I encountered a matching account while delving into goblin ruins of old."

....

Witnessing Rein's Mechanical Demon Dragon, Pantoscoke's face eased into amusement. "Ah, so that's where your boldness stems from. Haha, Lord Rein, you'll quickly learn the vast gap between a contraption and a living dragon."

"Hazas, time to welcome young Lord Rein properly," Pantoscoke announced, stroking the green dragon Hazas's flank, as the pair of man and mount launched skyward.