Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1618 - 559: Advancement in Progress (2)
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
"Indeed, the witch array in these barracks maintains a steady temperature and humidity, which allowed them to be preserved by good fortune. Still, certain parts of the text may remain indistinct," Rein remarked from nearby.
Previously, he had noticed certain diagrams upon the workbench in the second basement layer, yet they disintegrated upon the slightest contact.
"Lord Haleem, what revelations does the diary hold?" Otto inquired curiously as he drew near at that instant.
"Wait a moment; I'll render the translation for all to hear."
Gathering close, the group listened as Haleem, the expert in Ancient Goblin tongue, softly recited:
"...I've long sensed something amiss about the Divine relics Great Sage Tamriel presented to His Majesty the Emperor... Yet, after scrutiny from over a dozen scholars, it was verified beyond doubt as remnants of a primordial Divine from the Earth Spirit era."
"Earth Spirit era?" Rein queried, puzzled.
"Correct, an age predating even the Ancient Goblin Empire by tens of thousands of years, where scarcely any traces endure, rendering it utterly mysterious," Haleem clarified.
Rein gave a nod of acknowledgment.
In terms of chronology, the Ancient Goblin epoch precedes the murals unearthed earlier on Shirendil Plateau by roughly twenty thousand years, to say nothing of the Earth Spirit era.
Haleem proceeded with his reading:
"...Emperor Solson has skipped palace assemblies for days on end... Rumors hold that he and Great Sage Tamriel are deeply engrossed in examining the Divine relic... Not even Princess Amora can sway them..."
"...Over half a month has elapsed, and matters grow ever more dire... Though she is the Emperor's cherished Princess Amora, an edict has confined her to imprisonment!"
"I slipped covertly into the Imperial Palace and at last encountered the Emperor, yet he appeared... utterly deranged... Great Sage Tamriel too..."
"...That alleged Divine relic harbors grave problems... No, I have to free Princess Amora; solely she possesses the means to wield the Divine Artifact and redeem the Emperor!"
"This..." As these words sank in, the listeners traded uneasy looks.
Judging by the conclusion, General Angerik evidently failed to liberate the princess.
Alternatively, perhaps she was freed, yet proved no adversary for the Fiend Demon.
Suddenly struck by a notion, Rein posed the question, "Lord Haleem, what power does the Goblin Great Sage wield?"
"Lord Rein, from records uncovered in various ruins, the Goblin Great Sage ranks as a Demigod-level Full Moon Wizard, though whether Middle Stage or Late Stage remains uncertain," Haleem responded promptly.
As the Federation's leading Metal Series Wizard, he possessed deep insight into Ancient Goblin artifacts and history.
Furthermore, Haleem had assembled pertinent documents prior to this venture.
The revelation sparked a wave of hushed discussions among those present!
A grave look settled upon Rein's face.
'Should a Demigod-level Full Moon Wizard succumb to corruption, then the Fiend Demon lurking below exceeds my direst fears in horror.'
'The fourth basement layer could prove perilously hazardous.'
'Now is the moment to press onward in the third basement layer.'
...
In unison, the rest advanced and voiced their concerns:
"Lord Rein, Lord Terrio, perhaps we ought to retreat for now?"
"Circumstances have surpassed even my grimmest forecasts."
"Assuming the diary's truth, our united might falls short against the Fiend Demon beneath."
Representing the Federation, Sword Saint Terrio refrained from hasty judgment and sought Rein's view once more:
"Lord Rein, what do you propose?"
"I'd prefer to linger in the third basement layer for deeper investigation, though the rest of you are free to withdraw," Rein pondered briefly before stating.
"Alright... Lord Rein, we'll remain to stand by your side." Unexpectedly, Otto of the Twin Flame Spirits offered this without prompting.
Otto's words prompted nods from the others, their consensus surprisingly firm.
This...
Amusement flickered in Rein's thoughts.
Evidently, he had instilled excessive faith in them.
Though he himself harbored doubts about confronting the mightier Fiend Demon ahead, they trusted in his capability.
"All of you, should I proceed solo, retreat remains straightforward even in defeat. However, if..." Rein trailed off there.
"We'll heed Lord Rein's guidance," Sword Saint Terrio grasped the implication and declared.
"Very well, Lord Rein, take utmost care," the group urged successively.
"My gratitude."
As the others ascended, a subtle gleam entered Rein's gaze.
Should he proceed routinely, it could swiftly summon the Evil God's avatars, while simultaneously rousing the Fiend Demon from below.
Thus, turmoil and fierce combat loomed with great likelihood.
In that scenario, Terrio and companions would offer scant aid, potentially courting utter destruction instead.
Better they fortify defenses above, enabling his swift escape should he falter.
"Metheus, Dorick, you both ascend to the level above too." Rein commanded gravely after reflection.
"As you wish, master."
Rein stationed the Twin Dragons at the prison's fissure, ideally set for offense or withdrawal.
With arrangements complete, Rein turned his concentration to the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Method.
To date, his fifth-layer advancement had reached five hundred and ten Will Runes, merely two short of the full five hundred and twelve.
These final pair, Rein had deliberately postponed.
Inhaling steadily, Rein initiated the concluding etchings.
The initial one...
....
The five hundred and eleventh...
The five hundred and twelfth!
Then, an odd sensation stirred within him, and within the mental sea, the intricate four-layer crystal encased in orb-shaped amber underwent alteration.
The base circle beneath the four-layer crystal expanded and grew denser once more, far beyond prior measures.
The spiritual power, now condensed into amber-like spherical solidity, fractured abruptly with myriad fissures, resembling a star on the verge of eruption, riddled with splits.
Concurrently, system alerts flashed in quick array:
[You have cultivated the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Method’s fifth layer, enhancing related comprehension!]
[Your skill Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Method has improved, experience +20]
...
[Ding! Host’s solidification progress 100%, beginning advancement... continuous transformation in progress...]
[Ding! Host lacks Fifth Level Full Moon Witchcraft, can choose to deduce Dawn Killing Move ’Steel Forest’ or ’Blade-toothed Disc’ into Fifth Level Full Moon Witchcraft, yes/no deduce?]
[Note: Deducing Metal Series Dawn Killing Move ’Steel Forest’ requires 784 Golden Skill Points.]
[Note: Deducing Metal Series Dawn Killing Move ’Blade-toothed Disc’ requires 912 Golden Skill Points.]
Consume 312 Golden Skill Points to complete the deduction?
"Precisely as anticipated, matching the chronicles."
"For Fifth Level innate wizardry, tomes describe how, beyond employing standard Fifth Level witchcraft, numerous Full Moon Wizards elevate their personal Dawn Killing Moves to that rank."
This explained Rein's lack of concern over absent Fifth Level Metal Series Witchcraft.
Truthfully, he had sought such Fifth Level Metal Series Witchcraft, yet neither Dragan Empire nor Eagle Federation archives mentioned any.
Hence, self-deduction stood as his sole avenue.
On the selection.
The system had subtly indicated the optimal path.
’Blade-toothed Disc’ demanded more Golden Skill Points than ’Steel Forest’, signifying its derived Fifth Level Witchcraft would assuredly eclipse in potency.
Thus, Rein opted for ’Blade-toothed Disc’ with scant delay.
As Rein affirmed "yes", a torrent of witchcraft cultivation recollections inundated his consciousness...
"First Level Metal Series witchcraft ’Metal Morphing Spell’."
"Second Level Metal Series witchcraft ’Cutting Net’."
"Third Level Metal Series witchcraft ’Sawtooth Ring’."
"Fourth Level Metal Series witchcraft ’Blade Flying Disc’."
...
The foundational Dawn Killing Move ’Blade-toothed Disc’ reverted to its four core witchcraft.
At that juncture, Rein's thoughts churned, fused, and swelled within his mind. After an unknowable span, a system chime resounded:
[Ding! Deduction successful! Host comprehends Metal Series Fifth Level Witchcraft "High-frequency Cutting"!]
[Advancement in progress...]
...