Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1589 - 549: Mad Wings

"Mr. Speaker, everyone, please think about this first: if the Divine’s descent that struck the Imperial City Tamriel were to strike our Federation once more, could we possibly endure it?"

"On this occasion, the Empire overcame a band of Evil Gods, yet it came at the heavy price of Crown Carlos II's demise." Vice Speaker Bertrand avoided outright approval or rejection, opting instead to raise his own query.

"This..." Numerous congress members displayed contemplative looks on their faces.

Just then, a middle-aged figure sporting a golden monocle uttered in a grave tone:

"Vice Speaker, that's precisely why we must hasten our investigation into the Floating City Ruins. In my view, armed with the legendary ancient Floating City capable of defying the True Gods, we'll undoubtedly possess the means to oppose them."

"However, that doesn't imply we should ally with the Empire." The man appeared to sense Bertrand’s underlying aims and stressed the point firmly.

Bertrand cast a look toward the man. This particular congressman went by Bode Blake, his lineage tracing back to nobles cast out from the Empire, which naturally fueled his desire for the Dragan Empire's downfall.

Offspring, affiliated groups, or representatives stemming from those banished nobles held a substantial share of positions in the Federation Congress today. This factor also explained the ongoing conflicts and strains between the Federation and the Empire amid the current lull in the energy tide.

The man with the golden monocle pressed on, his face etched with resentment:

"Furthermore, consider what's written in the report: 'hopes the congress will agree to invite Lord Rein of the Empire to join the Floating City exploration, with appropriate compensation...' How does this serve the Federation’s best interests?"

"Naturally, I hold personal respect and admiration for those few powerful figures in the Federation, yet it's evident they lack a true grasp of political intricacies."

Bertrand had evidently foreseen such pushback well in advance. He took a steady sip of his red tea and replied evenly, "For an ordinary ruin, Congressman Bode's point might hold water. Yet you may not realize that it's now verified: the black mist manipulating the ancient goblin corpses inside the Floating City is none other than Fiend Demon!"

"What! Fiend Demon?" An older congressman found himself unable to suppress his widened eyes in shock.

Certain congress members unfamiliar with the implications of Fiend Demon quickly flipped to the supplementary document tucked beneath the main report.

"To put it plainly, should we attempt to delve into the Floating City Ruins using only the Federation’s own forces, the toll could prove immense, and outright failure remains a real risk."

"On top of that, time works against us—or more accurately, against all of humanity. I firmly believe the moment has arrived for united efforts." Bertrand declared solemnly.

In an instant, silence enveloped the conference room.

"Vice Speaker, if Fiend Demon truly proves as dreadful and mighty as described, then even alongside the Dragan Empire, success in the exploration isn't guaranteed. Still, since you advocate so strongly, I can support a form of restricted collaboration."

Congressman Bode, his golden monocle glinting, remained opposed to full-scale partnership and cut in with his objection.

"I support restricted collaboration, and whatever benefits we extract from the Floating City will hinge on the caliber of the team dispatched by the Empire this time."

"I agree."

"I concur."

Following a brief period of reflection, Federation Speaker Lawson Powell tapped his pipe decisively and wrapped up the discussion:

"Very well, limited cooperation it is."

Seated next to him, the captivating woman Trena eyed her fellow colleagues with a sense of exasperation.

'Sigh, if things proceed along these lines and the Empire deploys a squad under Lord Rein's command, the Federation probably won't snag even a drop of the broth. What a group oblivious to the bigger picture.'

Yet this reflected the prevailing sentiment in the Federation, and not even her words could sway the outcome.

Vice Speaker Bertrand’s prior address had covered the matter comprehensively, but shifting the tide proved challenging.

After all, the deep-seated animosity and prejudices against the Empire weren't born from a single era, but from countless ones...

...

Imperial City Tamriel.

Menia and Rein lingered at the threshold of the Black Dragon Azurax’s den, carrying on their discussion without venturing inside.

"Among the Five-Colored Dragons, the Black Dragon’s disposition ranks as the most volatile. Azurax pales in comparison to Metheus’s irascibility—no one's selected it in nearly two centuries." Menia remarked, a trace of wry amusement in her smile.

"Two hundred years?" Rein responded, visibly taken aback.

Even at the Extremely Old Dragon Level, one might anticipate a scarcity of qualified dragon knights, but zero selections over two centuries struck as unprecedented.

"Is there an issue with it?"

"Indeed, Metheus carries the moniker 'Mad Wings' in dragon circles. Rumor has it that in its youthful dragon phase, it was fiercely aggressive and eager for conflict. Afterward, a brutal head injury from some clash left it prone to frenzy during intense battles."

"Its last Dragon Knight perished from the chaos it unleashed mid-combat, even after they triumphed over the Flame Demon. The knight later perished from wounds sustained."

"I understand." Rein acknowledged with a nod.

The bond between dragons and their knights mirrors that of riders and their warhorses.

Harmony is essential between knight and mount, yet mounting a dragon that defies orders or ignores the Dragon Knight's directives spells disaster on the battlefield.

That said, for Rein, such concerns didn't apply.

His own formidable skills formed one basis for his assurance; the other stemmed from the strength of his system’s Battle Pet Contract.

"Menia, regarding fighting ability, does this 'Mad Wings' Metheus rank superior?"