Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1478 - 508: Return Journey and Upheaval

A heavy silence fell over the cave camp as those present processed the spectacle they had just witnessed.

Neither the Dawn Wizard Elwin nor the Sword Saint Tyrio were individuals one could easily ignore; they were both giants in their own right. No one in the vicinity possessed the status required to step between them.

With a dark expression, Elwin watched Tyrio depart before turning his gaze toward the gathering, his voice booming with authority:

"Which of you has actually stepped foot inside the ruins?"

Elwin was aware that he couldn't simply charge into the Floating City ruins without the detailed intelligence Tyrio had refused to provide. He required more specific data from those who had survived the interior.

His arrogance was undeniable, yet he was no fool.

A foolish man would never have ascended to the rank of a Dawn Wizard.

"Uh... Your Excellency Elwin, a few of us were part of the team that entered with Director Haleem." Several figures clad in Wizard Robes spoke up, their posture hesitant as they raised their hands.

These individuals belonged to the group rescued during the previous expedition, representing the Federation Mechanical Research Institute. They had remained to continue their work after Haleem’s departure.

"Is that so? You serve the Federation Mechanical Research Institute?"

"And you were the ones who got stuck inside and had to be pulled out last time?" Elwin’s face softened slightly upon hearing their confession.

Having people who had actually seen the interior was a stroke of luck.

He was well aware that Haleem was no longer at the camp, otherwise, he would have confronted him long ago.

"That is correct, Your Excellency Elwin," the researchers answered with deep respect. Privately, however, they felt a sting of annoyance. They thought to themselves, 'Lord Elwin certainly lacks tact. Trapped? Could he not have phrased it as us returning successfully?'

"Follow me. I am taking command of this camp now," Elwin declared to the nearby Federation soldiers. He then led the researchers into a private tent to extract every detail they knew.

"So, you are claiming that one can simply avoid the auditory hallucinations inside by becoming deaf?"

"Yes, Your Excellency Elwin."

"How remarkably straightforward."

Elwin let out a short laugh.

Arriving late had its perks; the trials of those who went before him served as a valuable map, sparing him from potentially fatal mistakes.

It appeared that Sword Saint Tyrio’s group hadn't been completely useless; they had at least mapped out some of the Floating City’s mechanics.

"When those goblin corpses are slain, do they release black insects from their skulls, or is it a black mist?" Elwin asked, focusing on a point of personal interest.

"Well... we have only personally witnessed the black insects," the lead researcher replied after a moment of hesitation.

"Hmm? If that's the case, why did Haleem’s official report describe entities composed of black mist?" Elwin’s eyes narrowed with suspicion as he looked at them.

"The truth is... we didn't see that part ourselves. Even Director Haleem didn't witness it. That specific intel was provided by the young Lord Rein after he explored the second basement level on his own."

The researchers looked at one another and spoke with total honesty.

"Oh?" Elwin found this revelation quite intriguing.

So that was the situation.

He considered the two paths: either Rein was lying to stall the Federation’s progress, or he was telling the truth. If it were the latter, it actually favored Elwin, as his Fire Witchcraft was uniquely suited to incinerating both black insects and misty shadows.

With this realization, the irritation Elwin felt from his spat with Tyrio began to evaporate.

"Your Excellency Elwin, Lord Garrett has arrived at the camp." A petite woman armed with a dagger—one of Elwin’s four personal retainers—entered the tent to deliver the news.

"Excellent. Let us go out and greet him." Elwin stood up and nodded.

At the entrance of the cave camp.

A middle-aged man wearing a blue robe adorned with gold thread arrived, flanked by a unit of female warriors. They were clad in gleaming silver Chain Armor, wielding spears and shields.

In stark contrast to Elwin's harsh aura, this man carried a gentle, smiling presence that felt as refreshing as a spring breeze.

The people in the camp looked upon him with profound admiration.

This was Garrett, an Air Element Wizard specializing in the rare Thunder System—a discipline even more elusive than the Water Element’s Ice branch.

His rarity was comparable to that of Rein, who specialized in the Metal Series.

"Welcome, Lord Garrett!"

"Your Excellency Elwin, it has been quite some time."

.....

Following a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two dignitaries took their seats within the camp’s central command tent.

"I am told Lord Tyrio has departed?" Garrett asked, his brow furrowing slightly at the news.

The loss of a Sword Saint would undoubtedly complicate the upcoming mission into the Floating City ruins.

"Do not let it trouble you, Lord Garrett. I have already sent word to the military; Lord Guiterrez is expected to arrive by dawn tomorrow."

"Furthermore, these researchers from the Federation are survivors of the first team. They have been briefing me on the internal layout of the ruins," Elwin explained casually, gesturing toward the nearby researchers.

"I see. If Lord Guiterrez is joining us, he can certainly fill the gap left by Tyrio." Seeing that Elwin had already secured a replacement, Garrett’s expression cleared, and he nodded in approval.