Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1577 - 544: The Advent of the Gods

Prince Menia appeared oblivious to the aura's presence, continuing his speech at a leisurely pace: "The second newly appointed Imperial Guardian is Lambert..."

Abruptly, Rein lifted his gaze, fixing it intently on the heavens above.

Out of nowhere, a majestic and crushing aura materialized in the sky, intensifying rapidly with every passing instant.

A colossal shadow exceeding a hundred meters in height slowly took shape and solidified; it depicted a robust figure clad in dark leather armor, twin battle axes hanging from his belt, gripping a massive ebony bow.

"The Avatar of Luen, God of Hunting!"

"This has to be at the Demigod level, doesn't it?"

"Rein, Crown, it looks like we'll have to unleash our full might in this battle!" Detecting the immense force radiating from the foe, Sword Saint Lambert, positioned close by, shed his earlier grin and declared gravely.

"No, it's just a fraction away; to be precise, the enemy remains at Epic Peak."

While Lambert had only recently attained the Sword Saint rank, Rein had already climbed to the pinnacle of Dawn Wizard. Upon thorough examination, he realized the avatar that had descended fell short of Demigod status.

Yet the grim reality was that this avatar lacked only the slightest step to reach Demigod.

When likened to a peak Dawn Wizard, the embodiment of Hunting God Luen ahead had advanced to 98% or perhaps 99% in its essence, claiming the ultimate summit of that realm.

"I understand now; this is why His Majesty the Emperor decided to ascend in the next couple of days." In an instant, Rein comprehended the piece of the puzzle that had eluded him earlier.

"Menia spoke truly; time stands against us."

"If a few more days elapse, the avatars the Divine can send down might soar straight to Demigod. At that point, even with every Guardian of the empire assembled, our plight won't improve much, though the casualties will undoubtedly multiply."

Within this brief span, numerous imposing shadows and expansive auras materialized from the skies in diverse directions.

A colossal serpent of apocalyptic scale, stretching hundreds of meters, emerged in the western expanse, bearing three massive tormented human visages along its throat...

"That's the Devouring Snake revered by the Secret Snake Sect..."

Furthermore, Hela, the Goddess of the Nether Sea whom Rein knew well, manifested in the southern skies right then.

In addition, embodiments of various other Divine entities surfaced in the atmosphere.

This horrifying spectacle, reminiscent of doomsday, swiftly chilled the once-celebratory mood, leaving the nobles hushed in terror.

"More divine avatars descending?"

"We're doomed, seek cover now!"

"Quiet down, keep in mind, with all these Imperial Guardians here, what's there to fear!"

"Ah!"

All at once, a noble in the stands let out a piercing cry, as the woman attired as his noble wife beside him revealed a manic expression, seizing a dagger and driving it into her spouse's belly.

The palace guards surged ahead without delay.

However, such incidents erupted across the stands in quick succession.

In that instant, it remained uncertain if this was a coordinated assault by the Cultists or if the divine avatars' arrival had ignited madness within the spirits.

At that juncture, Menia halted his speech, murmuring softly: "Ladies and gentlemen, kindly take your seats and remain calm; recall, you embody the Empire's nobility, upholding its honor and grandeur. Guards, execute any who defy commands immediately."

Menia's utterance, infused with spiritual energy, remarkably quelled the disorder on site through mere sentences.

For a fleeting moment, the nobles displayed the full spectrum of human character; certain ones scrambled for concealment, others wore looks of utter despair, whispering to themselves, whereas a few upheld the poise of Imperial Nobles, staying composed and unruffled...

The Imperial Guardians, after a quick survey, directed their focus entirely skyward.

Up there awaited the enemies demanding their utmost effort.

Those grand silhouettes in the air were also witnessed by the residents of the Imperial City Tamriel’s Second Ring and Third Ring.

"Hurry, get to the cellar."

"Don’t look!" A mother urgently shielded a young boy's eyes, dragging him indoors.

Fortuitously, her action came just in time, for the boy had merely glimpsed Hunting God Luen, causing his delicate spirit to warp instantly, his eyes darkening as he exuded a savage, animalistic glare.

Thanks to the short exposure, the child soon recovered his usual state once sheltered inside.

...

Within Rein Mansion.

Sister Bo He and mother Emma, who had been enjoying the front yard, were hurriedly guided into the chamber by the barbarian girl Lagaray.

"Don’t look at the Divine beings in the sky."

"Never gaze directly at the Divine!"

Cleya halted the guards about to scout the exterior, issuing her warning with utmost seriousness.

Though startled, the women avoided outright panic, owing in part to Rein's prior warnings and in part to his foresight in preparations. Currently, the established witch array softened the distant Divine pressure and effects.

...

Above the Imperial City.

In stark contrast to the common folk's responses stood the empire's defensive forces overhead.

Be it the formations of Griffin Knights or the fortified airships bristling with ominous dark cannons along their flanks, all rushed toward the Imperial Palace.

"Roar!!!"

Around the palace.

One by one, enormous dragons launched into the firmament, including some Rein recognized and others unfamiliar.

Figures like Reginald alongside his dragon partner Ted were among them.

As was Elder Ivan mounted on his red dragon.

Not even Pantoscoke, bearer of the 'Storm Cloud' moniker, shied from the fray, astride his green dragon Hazas as he advanced...

Over the palace, an immense shield of five-hued energy materialized, and Rein perceived that its defensive potency far surpassed the 'Crystal Barrier' safeguarding Ferdinand Elf Main City.