Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1655 -

Simultaneously.

Deep underground within Hammerfall Tunnel, in the Molten Spider Nest, a colossal molten spider, its shell a vivid red and black pattern, rapidly approached Graham, its limbs moving with speed. It emitted a series of hisses.

"Easy there, my dear. What troubles you? Speak your mind," Graham soothed, placing a palm on the spider's fiery red, furry forehead.

He could better grasp the creature's agitated state through their telepathic link. While he understood the gist of the spider's hisses, their language was too rudimentary to convey specifics. It could only vaguely indicate the opponent's power level, not their exact identity.

"It's... It's an Epic Lava Dog! And not just one, but two!" Graham's eyes snapped wide open in the next moment as he perceived the images in the molten spider's mind, his voice trembling, nearly a shriek.

Excitement and disbelief radiated from him.

"Wait a moment, how can this be?" It took Graham several seconds to shake off the shock and realize something was amiss.

"I've never heard of two Lava Dogs fighting to the death," he murmured.

"Even if it was a dispute over mating rights, they'd typically just drive off the loser once victory was clear, not engage in mutual destruction. This is..."

A primal sense of unease washed over Graham!

"Could it be a trap?"

Yet, he quickly dismissed the notion.

It seemed highly improbable. Who would possess the resources to fell two Epic Lava Dogs merely to ensnare him?

If such power were available, eliminating him directly would undoubtedly be a far simpler endeavor.

"In that case... hmm... Have the molten spiders thoroughly scout the perimeter. If no traps are found, I will proceed to the location immediately."

Graham reached a decision swiftly.

...

A few minutes later.

After dozens of molten spiders meticulously scoured the area surrounding the Molten Lava Lake and confirmed the absence of any ambushes, Graham's cautious figure emerged near the two 'tragically dispatched' Lava Dogs.

Once more assuring himself that no danger lurked, Graham turned his full attention to the formidable beasts.

Examining the gruesome, crisscrossing scars adorning the Lava Dogs, Graham compared them with their massive claws. Without a doubt, the marks matched perfectly.

"The claw marks were indeed inflicted by each other!"

"What a stroke of luck! To stumble upon such a fortuitous event!"

Graham's eyes gleamed with surprise and elation!

On his journey, he had ceaselessly contemplated this peculiar scenario.

If it had been a trap, it would likely have detonated the instant he approached the fallen creatures.

"Someone orchestrated this? Impossible! Once I formally invoke the descent of His Majesty Nerub'Akan, any conceivable trap would amount to child's play."

"Besides... who could possibly set such an elaborate snare?"

"Two Epic Lava Dogs! That is no small feat! Furthermore, without the inherent 'beacon' of the Lava Dog race, locating even a single one amidst the labyrinthine underground rivers of magma would be a near-impossible task."

Without further hesitation, Graham commanded the assembled molten spiders to transport the two gargantuan Lava Dog carcasses back to their nest.

Upon their return to the Molten Spider Nest, the immense bodies of the two Lava Dogs were promptly positioned beside the Epic Magma Giant. The colossal molten spider let out a series of excited hisses.

"Magnificent! This accelerates our plans by years!"

"Rein, your downfall is assured this time! Fortune will not forever smile upon you!"

"For defiling the great His Majesty Nerub'Akan, death shall be your ultimate reward!"

With a triumphant smirk, Graham made preparations to initiate the 'Spider Spirit Ceremony.'

...

Meanwhile.

Imperial City, Tamriel.

In the heavens, a relentless barrage of darkness clashed head-on with a vibrant onslaught. A Dragon Knight met an infected Giant Dragon, while a Griffin Knight engaged an infected Flying Knight in a fierce aerial duel.

"Load all cannons with incendiary rounds!" On the Federation's Armed Airship, commands flew thick and fast.

"Target the infected Giant Dragon, commence firing!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

In mere moments, dozens of small mushroom clouds blossomed across the body of an infected Green Dragon. Its hide was pockmarked, erupting in flames.

Yet, it appeared impervious to pain, a torrent of dark Qi surging from its form, dousing the flames before it resumed its relentless charge towards Elder Ivan.

Clearly, the malevolent Qi festering within the Giant Dragon, both in its potency and concentration, was beyond the capacity of ordinary fire to overcome.

However, a smaller, infected Flying Knight, struck just once, burst into flames, instantly transforming into a smoldering husk and plummeting from the sky!

...

King against king, general against general.

Rein definitely would not subject Menia to the fiend demon's true form; he had already engaged the hundreds-of-meters-tall fiend demon from afar.

Utilizing the adaptable energy form of his full moon killing move, 'High-Frequency Blade,' which could extend and reshape at will, Rein now appeared to be brandishing a silver-gray chainsaw exceeding a hundred meters in length, carving at the fiend demon from multiple directions!

The sheer destructive force of the 'High-Frequency Blade,' even as the fiend demon's black, mantis-like limbs attempted to parry, managed to shave off a small fragment with every impact.