Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1605 - 555: A One-Man Team
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
More than an hour had passed.
The Imperial City of Tamriel.
Within the lush Imperial Palace Garden, Rein strolled alongside Menia.
"Rein, I'm thinking of putting together a squad that includes several Guardians."
"The old setup, with just one Imperial Guardian posted in a province or area, feels outdated now that the Evil God is rising again and the Cult's influence is expanding so quickly."
"Should the Cult unleash a major assault, it would be far too risky for a lone Imperial Guardian to manage."
"What I propose is forming teams of at least three or more Guardians to oversee bigger territories. Take, for instance, a Western Guardian squad that handles various provinces in the Empire's western regions..."
Rein kept nodding in agreement, especially as reports of the intensifying energy surge prompted the Empire to ramp up its defenses.
Right after reaching the Imperial Palace, Menia brought up this matter with him.
"Sigh, we still don't have enough Imperial Guardians." Menia let out a sigh while passing a file over to Rein.
"Here's a joint venture suggestion from the Federation—they want us to dispatch seven to ten Imperial Guardians for the delve into the Floating City Ruins."
"Seven to ten? Rein's eyebrow arched involuntarily.
In peaceful times, dispatching that many Imperial Guardians for a ruins expedition would be acceptable; in fact, it would highlight the Empire's might.
However, the current circumstances have shifted dramatically. With stability hanging by a thread, the existing Imperial Guardians are already overburdened, making it impossible to spare so many.
"Well, I've figured it out—the Empire can afford to send no more than four Guardians at most. Rein, does that seem sufficient to you?" Menia gazed at Rein with her striking eyes.
Truthfully, even freeing up three Guardians strains the Empire, but with Rein joining, Menia aimed to include as many as feasible.
While others might not realize it, Menia knew full well that the perils of the ancient Floating City, haunted by the Fiend Demon, rivaled the intensity of the recent Imperial City clash.
Upon hearing Menia's suggestion, Rein's brow furrowed a bit, and he held off on answering right away.
After pondering briefly, Rein stated, "That's unnecessary. I'll handle it solo."
"Solo?" Menia's lovely eyes widened in astonishment.
"Rein, do you mean that?"
"Indeed."
"Yet even with your pact to 'Mad Wings' Metheus, venturing alone seems overly..."
"Menia, my power may surpass what you believe, so there's no cause for concern over my well-being." Rein offered a faint smile, while subtly unveiling the spiritual energy he'd kept somewhat hidden.
A wave of intense, abyssal spiritual force emanated from Rein, vanishing just as swiftly.
Rein swiftly masked it once more.
Even in that fleeting instant, Menia detected Rein's actual prowess.
Her elegant eyes grew wide, her delicate lips parted slightly, and the regal poise clashed vividly with her stunned look, producing an uncommon air of contrast.
"Rein, could it be... have you attained the Dawn Peak?" Without their shared consciousness link, Menia might have wondered if an Evil God had overtaken Rein.
This rate of power growth is shockingly swift—no, utterly frightening!
"That's right, so Menia, put your mind at ease."
At that moment, Rein understood that given his current level, figures like Reginald of the 'Earth’s Pulse' or Elder Ivan from the Imperial Royal Family offered him scant aid.
True allies worthy of the name would have to be powerhouses like the 'Red Dragon King' Straz or Wocmas, the Dawn Peak Imperial Guardian.
Yet both represented the Empire's elite forces; their absence from imperial lands would spell grave risks.
Rein had no desire or intention to pursue that path.
Moreover, Rein figured that since he planned to breakthrough in the Floating City Ruins, it might prove wiser without unfamiliar companions.
"Very well, if that's your decision, we'll proceed accordingly." Menia considered it briefly and gave a nod.
"When will you set off?"
"I'll swing by home first and then depart. Straight to the Federation's Ressero Canyon."
"Understood, I'll liaise with the Federation."
....
The following morning.
The Federation's Anthool.
An urgent high-level conference unfolded inside the majestic Parliament Building.
Over a dozen stern-faced Federation generals occupied the rear section of the extended table, as prominent congressmen filled the front seats, with Vice Speaker Bertrand positioned immediately to the right. At the table's forefront sat the elderly Federation Speaker Lawson Powell, puffing on his pipe.
At this juncture, a mustached middle-aged admiral was delivering his report with booming voice:
"In the afternoon of September 28 on the Federation Calendar, a revived Giant Beast emerged along the Federation's West Coast, towering more than eighty meters, sporting jagged horns like a swordfish. The Military Department dubbed it the Spiky Monster, and it ravaged Westin City, leading to over a thousand deaths."
"That same evening of September 28, another revived Giant Beast surfaced in the Federation's heartland, akin to a massive frog, bearing a venom pouch beneath its jaw, a tongue resembling flower petals, capable of unleashing huge volumes of poison, and it struck Obedin, resulting in over two thousand fatalities."
"...."
"Generals, the crisis grows dire due to the..." The pipe-smoking Federation Speaker Lawson Powell halted mid-sentence.
"Energy surge." Vice Speaker Bertrand prompted quietly right away.