Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1441 - 493: Decision (Part 2)

A series of sharp, metallic "click-click" noises echoed from dozens of meters behind him if one listened closely.

The rhythmic clatter didn't resemble the steps of any living creature or human.

Instead, it sounded like blocks of metal striking the earth in sequence.

Moments later.

Seven or eight mechanical contraptions, each standing over three meters tall, emerged onto the same stretch of road.

These mechanisms were shaped like massive land birds. Under normal circumstances, even the finest machinery should have decayed into ruins after thousands of years without upkeep.

Strangely, however, these devices appeared to be in excellent condition.

But that was not the most bizarre part.

The truly unsettling sight was the goblin corpses, dressed in uniform attire, perched eerily upon the backs of these mechanical birds.

Indeed!

They were nothing but corpses!

Their skin had shriveled into deep, dark wrinkles, and their expressionless eyes showed only the whites as they manipulated the machines to hunt down the fleeing Federation man.

"Damn it, there is no way out. I’ll have to fight to the death!"

The stout man, wearing the uniform of a Federation Major, was drenched in sweat. His face was flushed crimson, a clear sign that his physical endurance had reached its breaking point.

Faced with the exhaustion and the looming shadow of death, he couldn't help but replay the team's entire expedition in his mind.

This cursed place had seemed ordinary at the start.

However, once they crossed into a certain deeper region, a pervasive whispering began—sounding as if a woman were constantly murmuring directly into their ears.

Such a phenomenon would drive a normal person to insanity in less than ten minutes.

Despite their rigorous training, the team members grew irritable and hostile before eventually descending into madness.

Then, those grotesque things behind him began to materialize out of nowhere to launch their assault.

Dead bodies?

Mechanical monstrosities?

The combination possessed terrifying combat power. Combined with the relentless whispering, he was now the sole survivor of a twelve-man squad.

The current crisis was that he had lost his way, and any hope of escape seemed to have vanished.

"I can't go out like this! The intelligence hasn't been delivered yet!" the Federation Major whispered with deep regret.

He was only able to keep his thoughts coherent and clear amidst the whispers because he wore a Soothing Talisman.

As the squad leader, he understood that if he failed to report the situation, the deaths of his comrades and himself would be meaningless.

If the Federation dispatched another investigation team later, they would undoubtedly meet the same fate.

This location was simply too unnatural and frightening.

"Swish!"

Suddenly, the air beside him rippled like the surface of a pond. A hand reached out from the distortion and yanked the Federation Major inside.

In an instant, the Major vanished, leaving no trace of his existence behind.

In a space hidden from the naked eye.

"Shh!"

"Keep quiet!"

The Federation Major realized he was now in a clearing. He was surrounded by cylindrical magnetic devices, and intricate witch arrays were etched into the ground. Six or seven individuals were working busily.

Standing in the center was an elderly man draped in a silver-gray Wizard Robe. He was the one who had pulled him in and was now observing him thoughtfully.

"You... you are Lord Haleem!" the surviving Major gasped.

The entire team had been shown a portrait of this man before the mission. As the dean of the Federation Mechanical Research Institute, he was easily recognized.

"It seems my assumption was wrong; you were likely sent here to find us," Haleem remarked, nodding with a faint smile.

"Yes, Lord Haleem. Since you are safe, why haven't you sent word back?" the captain asked, his eyes reddening.

His elite squad had been decimated until only he remained, all for the sake of finding Lord Haleem.

Regardless of the man's high status, he felt he deserved an answer!

"It isn't a matter of will, but of capability," Haleem replied calmly, unfazed by the captain's blunt tone.

"These are magnetic shielders. Had I not brought this equipment with me, I would have likely met a grim end as well," Haleem said, gesturing to the four cylinders at the edge of the clearing.

"What?" The captain was baffled for a moment.

"The entire ruins are blanketed by an Ancient Goblin detection system. How else do you think those goblin corpses were able to track you so accurately?" Haleem countered.

It made sense!

The Federation Major had been confused by that very issue.

Several times, his men had sacrificed themselves to lead the monsters away, yet the creatures always returned quickly in even greater numbers.

It had been incomprehensible, but now he understood the cause.

"Without this shield, we couldn't have remained hidden here for so long. However, once it is active, all forms of communication are cut off," Haleem explained.

"I understand... but Lord Haleem, with your power, couldn't you simply fight your way out?" the Major asked, his mood softening once his doubts were cleared.

Before the mission, he had heard that Lord Haleem possessed immense strength, second only to the Federation Guardian Level.

"Breaking through the corpses and mechanical birds you saw isn't actually that difficult. But they aren't the most terrifying thing here."

"You've heard the constant whispers in your ears, haven't you?"

"I have. They seem to corrupt the mind. If not for this Soothing Talisman, I would have ended up like my men..." The Major’s voice cracked with emotion.

"A Soothing Talisman? You are lucky indeed."

"Look, this isolation witch array on the floor is designed to block out the whispers of an unknown, ancient Evil God," Haleem noted, pointing to the complex patterns on the ground.

"I blame myself. I believed that with the support of Prototype No. 1, we could safely withdraw even if the exploration failed. I didn't expect the prototype to lose control so soon after we went deeper."

...

Meanwhile.

In a small meeting room within the Parliament Building at the heart of the Federation Capital.

Bertrand, Trena, and several high-ranking officials were deep in discussion.

Because Trena’s report involved the newly found ruins of the Ancient Goblin Empire, Vice Speaker Bertrand had invited officers from both the Military and Industry Departments.

"No! I refuse to agree! That site is likely the capital of the Ancient Goblin Empire. Allowing an Empire genius to explore it risks leaking their ancient technology," a Federation General stated firmly.

"Especially since this genius hasn't committed to joining the Federation yet," added an Elder, puffing on a notable pipe.

"If we refuse him, I can guarantee we will lose any chance of the young and powerful Lord Rein joining our side," Trena countered.

She spoke with a calm, matter-of-fact tone.

Remembering Rein's expression when he spoke, Trena knew the young man wasn't making idle threats.

"Geniuses appear every year. Perhaps next year we will find someone even more compatible with the Federation than Rein," the Elder said, tapping the ash from his pipe.

"But there is only one ruins of the Ancient Goblin capital. If the advanced technology inside is leaked, we lose our leverage against the Empire."

"This is simply a matter of risk management, and furthermore..." Trena tried to argue.

"I simply don't believe the risk is necessary."

"Enough! Colleagues, I believe I understand both of your perspectives." Vice Speaker Bertrand tapped the table, ending the argument between Trena and the Elder.

He paused to think for a moment before declaring:

"In principle, I agree to let Lord Rein visit the newly discovered ruins."

The General and the Elder frowned, looking as though they wanted to object, but Bertrand raised a hand to silence them.

"However, he cannot go alone. Trena, ask Sword Saint Terrio and Crown Hernandez if they are willing to accompany him."

"With those two present, even if Rein intends to seize ancient goblin technology, he won't have the opportunity."

"What are your thoughts?"

...