Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1597 - 551: Secrets Hidden in the Murals (Part 3)

Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...

In the hidden cave beneath Graham's laboratory, Rein, Moria, and Bradley examined ancient murals depicting fierce battles from millennia past, where human warriors and wizards clashed with Evil Gods like the Nether Sea Goddess Hela and the God of Hunting Luen. The scenes shifted to humans gaining ground under a divine leader's guidance, only for later panels to reveal even the gods struggling against a colossal Fiend Demon, challenging Rein's assumptions about its alliance with the Evil Gods. Upon returning to the Isodre School Station, Rein reunited with his mentor Mogaro and a delegation of Elves, including the enthusiastic Anna, who embraced him warmly, accompanied by Elder Nasha to express gratitude for rescuing their clansmen and Anna's recovering mother, Darien Yueling, eager to meet him.

Not long before, Rein had saved one of the elven ladies from the hidden domain controlled by the Dragon Scale Brotherhood.

From her bearing and movements, it appeared she had made a full recovery, most likely thanks to Elder Nasha's extra care after arriving in the Imperial City, which hastened her healing.

"Hello, Elder Nasha."

"Ms. Daryn, you're looking far healthier now." With that in view, Rein quickly moved ahead and offered a light bow as his greeting.

Even though Rein outranked the two women in power and standing inside the Dragan Empire, since they served as Anna's seniors, he had to pay respects to them first out of custom.

This custom showed proper manners, along with honor toward Anna.

"Your Highness Rein, such politeness from you. Well done on earning the title of the Dragan Empire's youngest Guardian," Elder Nasha replied with her own polite gesture right away.

"Rein, many thanks." Darien Yueling kept her gentle smile, eyeing Rein closely like she was sizing up a potential son-in-law.

For an instant, Rein sensed the weight of her stare, feeling it heavier than confronting a Divine Incarnation.

Once the short exchanges wrapped up, everyone headed into the residence's conference chamber and took seats.

Taking the chance, the efficient aide Olena approached, passing a note to Rein and murmuring softly, "Sir, Prince Menia wishes for your return to the Imperial City within the coming days."

"Oh?" Rein took the note from Olena, unfolded it, and swiftly read over what it said.

The message came straight to the point; Menia had gotten a formal invitation from the Federation, basically stating their wish to team up with the Empire for delving into the Floating City ruins amid the dire circumstances, urging the Empire to dispatch skilled individuals without delay.

As Menia was aware of Rein's prior venture into the Floating City ruins, he sought his thoughts on the proposal.

Yet Rein started mulling over the situation deeply.

Rein certainly desired to venture into the Floating City ruins, since the deeper sections could hold the full 'Steel Heart' Advanced Meditation Method.

In the end, the Ancient Goblins represented the source of the 'Steel Heart,' but... timing-wise, he hadn't intended to go there quite yet.

Rein originally planned to hold off until reaching Fifth Level Full Moon Wizard, then tackle the Ancient Goblins' Floating City ruins for greater safety, considering the fiends lurking within proved rather tough opponents.

"Hold on, maybe the ideal spot for my breakthrough that I've been hunting for lies inside the Floating City ruins!"

All at once, a spark of insight hit Rein's thoughts, striking like thunder shattering the clouds.

Earlier, he had weighed options like the submerged Molten Lava Lake, a school's basement, or even crafting a room in Shirendil, but after reflection, none felt completely safe.

After all, even Empire Emperor Carlos II, with the bolstered barriers and Witch Arrays guarding the Dragan Empire Palace, still drew notice from numerous Evil Gods during his demigod rise, who sent down avatars to interfere.

Let alone those other spots mentioned.

When it came to secret realms, they suited even less; Rein had pored over various old scrolls and accounts on the topic lately.

Attempting a breakthrough in a secret realm could cause wild shifts in understanding from the missing spatial rules in the ascension, plus a strong chance of wrecking the secret realm entirely, alerting the Evil Gods right away.

Thus, one of Rein's backup ideas had been heading to Monsoon and the Goddess Church for the breakthrough there.

To sum it up, borrowing the monsoon forces and the Goddess's essence to hide the turmoil of his ascension.

Of course, problems existed; the Goddess Church in the Imperial City may refuse, since the Pope there wasn't the known Bishop Shion.

Besides, a major concern loomed: beneath the Imperial City's Cologne Cathedral, a chunk of the fiend demon's form remained sealed.

Should he rely on the Goddess's might in that spot to veil the ascension surges, it could fail to fully contain the Demon Power, sparking unexpected troubles, like... an escape?

That said, these ancient murals from the medieval age hinted that the old Floating City, tainted by fiend demons, could block detection from the Evil Gods.

Or maybe, should the Evil Gods detect the ascension surges, they might hesitate near that location and struggle to unleash their full might on him.

"The Floating City could prove the superior option, though first, I must confirm if the mural's scenes hold truth," Rein reflected inwardly.

And for that issue, a handy expert stood available now.

On medieval events, humans might uncover only scattered notes, yet elves differed; as an enduring species, many of their writings endured intact.

Rein turned to Elder Nasha nearby with a grin, "Elder Nasha, your arrival couldn't be timelier; I'd like to ask you about certain things..."

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