Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1483 - 509: Pride and Prejudice_3

Was it possible for a Fourth Level Dawn Wizard to perish so abruptly?

In truth, a series of coincidences had aligned to seal his fate. Elvin was currently channeling a Fire Element Dawn Killing Move, a technique requiring a prolonged casting period. He had never anticipated an assault originating from beneath the metallic floor.

Ultimately, his downfall was rooted in an over-reliance on the martial prowess of his two subordinate Heavy Knights. In the heat of the moment, they failed to delay the enemy for even a heartbeat, providing him no window to retreat!

Consequently, the encounter resulted in what was practically an instantaneous execution.

At that precise moment, the jarring, screeching sound of massive metal plates being distorted echoed from the depths.

Through the freshly severed gap in the floor, a colossal mechanical dinosaur skull emerged from the thick subterranean layers, radiating a brilliant crimson glow.

The sheer scale of this metallic head was staggering, easily rivaling the size of a steam locomotive.

...

Zetaya.

Meanwhile, the Empire Delegation reached the end of their Federation itinerary, concluding a half-day tour of Zetaya.

At the Zetaya airship docks, the Federation reception committee, spearheaded by Vice Speaker Bertrand, was seeing off the 'Red Queen' Menia, along with Rein and Reginald.

“I offer my thanks to the Vice Chairman for the thoughtful arrangements and the gracious hospitality shown to us during our stay,” Menia remarked with a polite smile.

“The honor is mine, Prince Menia. I anticipate our paths crossing again in the future,” Bertrand answered, offering a shallow bow.

However, just as Bertrand finished speaking and Menia turned to board the vessel, an Attendant with a grim countenance rushed to Bertrand’s side and whispered a few brief words.

Though Bertrand merely nodded in silence, Rein noticed a slight tremor in the man’s posture, and his smile instantly froze into a wooden mask.

It was clear that a catastrophe had occurred.

The moment Menia, Rein, and the rest of the Imperial party were safely inside the airship, Bertrand’s expression turned stormy. He issued a sharp command to the Attendant behind him:

“Inform Congressman Nelson and General Randall immediately. Summon them for an emergency meeting!”

“Also, check if Haleem has departed. If he is still here, command him to attend as well.”

The elegant female congresswoman, Trena, overheard Bertrand’s orders. Her brow furrowed as she asked softly, “Vice Chairman, what has happened?”

Bertrand waved away the surrounding staff and officials before letting out a heavy sigh.

“Congresswoman Trena, word has just arrived regarding the Military Department’s exploration of the Floating City Ruins. Crown Elvin was killed instantly. Sword Saint Guiterrez was brought back to camp with fatal wounds and has passed away. Currently, only Crown Garrett and a handful of others have made it out alive.”

“What!” Trena cried out, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.

It had been an age since the Federation had endured the loss of two Epic-level powerhouses at the same time.

...

Thirty minutes later, a high-level emergency session convened within the secure conference chamber of the Zetaya administrative hall.

Once the report was delivered, a heavy, suffocating silence filled the room.

Eventually, Trena broke the stillness: “The news of the two Crowns’ sacrifice has left me deeply shaken and grieved!”

“However, I must ask: why did the Military Department launch this exploration so hastily after our previous meeting, moving in the very next day? General Randall, was this operation preceded by a comprehensive investigation and proper preparation?”

“The three Federation experts possess vast combat experience. Furthermore, they studied Lord Haleem’s findings before entering the Floating City Ruins. While a next-day deployment was aggressive, I do not believe the timing was the issue.”

“That said, given these events, we have reason to suspect that the Empire’s Lord Rein may have interfered with the second basement level.” General Randall’s voice was like ice as he spoke.

The loss of two Federation Epic-level elites with military ties was a devastating blow to the military faction’s influence.

He had never envisioned such a disastrous outcome.

“That is impossible!”

Haleem, who was seated at the far end of the table, could not remain silent.

Strictly speaking, a man of his rank should not have been speaking so freely in such a high-level gathering, but his indignation boiled over.

“Lord Rein explicitly warned us against entering the prison area recklessly. I included this warning in my report, and it was highlighted specifically...”

Nelson tapped his pipe against the table, cutting Haleem off. He narrowed his eyes and said:

“That is precisely where Lord Rein’s cunning lies. He gave that warning intentionally, knowing our Federation experts would be driven to explore it anyway. He reverse-engineered a trap and waited for us to walk right into it.”

“I strongly disagree!” a mature female voice interjected.

“By your logic, Lord Nelson, if Lord Rein had said nothing, would you not be accusing him of deliberate concealment?”

“If that is the case, isn't it completely unfair to attack Lord Rein regardless of whether he offers a warning or not?”

Trena’s sharp rebuttal left Nelson momentarily speechless.

“It is painfully obvious that the Military Department’s own recklessness caused this tragedy. To blame someone’s honest warning is nothing short of shameless,” Haleem said, standing up in a fit of rage.

“To those blinded by bias, everything they see is filtered through prejudice!”

“Gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I am returning to Antuol immediately to prepare for my advancement. Goodbye!” Haleem turned and walked out without looking back.

General Randall’s face turned purple with rage, and he moved to reprimand Haleem for his insolence. However, upon hearing the words 'preparation for advancement,' he froze, his mouth hanging open in silence.

Aside from Bertrand, who had learned the news two days prior, the other officials stared in shock at the departing Director of the Mechanical Research Institute.

No political faction wanted to make an enemy of a Dawn Wizard on the verge of a breakthrough.

This was especially true when that individual was the Federation’s foremost scientific researcher.

...