Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1485 - 510: Origin of the Black Mist (Part 2)

"What? A Fiend Demon!" Menia’s elegant features shifted once more, her expression instantly turning grave.

"Rein, are you certain the ancient wizards identified that dark vapor as the Fiend Demon?"

"I am positive, Prince Menia." Rein gave a firm nod.

"Recount the details of your clash with the Fiend Demon to me." Menia spoke in a heavy tone after a brief moment of reflection.

Rein nodded in agreement. He understood that Menia needed to verify if the entity he had faced was truly the legendary Fiend Demon.

"It began with a type of black parasite attached to the skull of a goblin corpse. After I dispatched it, I noticed something peculiar; the creature dissolved into black smoke and vanished... Later, within the second-floor underground dungeon, I fought an ancient minotaur that was enveloped in a black mist..."

As Rein told his tale, the seriousness on Menia’s delicate face only deepened.

"Based on your account, it appears to truly be a Fiend Demon..."

"It seems the chronicles in the ancient texts might be accurate—that the sudden onslaught of the Fiend Demon was the catalyst for the fall of the Ancient Goblin Empire." Menia remarked with a nod.

"Prince Menia, what exactly is the nature of this Fiend Demon?" Rein was driven by curiosity to ask.

"The history of the Fiend Demon is incredibly old and difficult to confirm. According to ancient lore from eras past, the Fiend Demon is described as a malevolent entity birthed by the Void Overlord. Every time one emerges, it brings about massive chaos in the world."

"The Fiend Demon lacks a permanent physical shape. When several Fiend Demons encounter a powerful adversary, they will coalesce, merging into medium or large Fiend Demons with significantly amplified strength."

"In truth, battling the Fiend Demon is not just our responsibility; it is a primary objective of the Goddess Church."

"The Goddess Church?"

"Indeed. You likely observed that Fire Witchcraft is quite potent against Fiend Demons, but the most efficient way to destroy them is actually through Divine Power."

"Divine Power?"

"Yes, Rein. Since you have already encountered the Fiend Demon, I can reveal a secret to you. Deep beneath the Koen Cathedral in the Imperial City, a portion of a Fiend Demon’s corpse is kept under seal."

"Because of that, the duty of protecting those Fiend Demon remains has occupied most of the epic-level experts within the Goddess Church."

"I understand now." Rein nodded, a look of realization dawning on him.

It was no wonder that while other cults were active, the Imperial Swordsmen and the royal family handled the suppression while the Goddess Church remained quiet—they were busy preventing the Fiend Demon's return.

"From the information you brought, it seems that although the goblin capital fell, they managed to seal or suppress the Fiend Demon, reaching a state of equilibrium. Otherwise, it would have broken out of the ruins and devastated the Federation long ago."

"However, the Federation's excavations... might disturb that balance..." Menia suddenly realized something, her beautiful eyes sharpening with a cold light.

"Adjutant, send word to the Federation. Tell them to exercise extreme caution regarding the Fiend Demon and to prioritize their defenses." Menia turned and signaled to her nearby adjutant.

"As you command, Your Highness."

....

At that moment, looking down from the perspective of the Imperial Airship fleet, one would see numerous fishing vessels of all sizes scattered across the blue ocean.

Such boats are a common sight along the shores of both the Empire and the Federation.

Yet, on one particular boat, several individuals were engaged in work that had nothing to do with fishing. One man held a brass, pendulum-style monocular, tracking the Imperial Delegation's airships in the sky while reciting numbers:

"Elevation 65°"

"3"

"2"

"1"

"Elevation 63°"

The device he held was a sextant, a tool used by sailors to measure the angle between the stars and the horizon to find their position. He was currently recording data on the Imperial fleet's flight path.

"Confirmed, a 2-degree angle shift. We are two nautical miles away from the ’Bachelors’." Another man stated, scribbling calculations into a ledger with a quill.

"Initial estimate: speed is 80 knots, heading is..." A string of data points followed from his lips.

In reality, observers on the shore had been watching the Zetaya airship fleet since the moment they launched.

Furthermore, many more ships were tracking the fleet besides this one. Just ahead was another vessel disguised as a fishing boat—the aforementioned 'Bachelors,' which was actually a small pirate ship.

These men were recruited from minor pirate bands and maritime mercenaries who had sworn loyalty to the Sea God Sect.

Their mission was straightforward: monitor the Imperial Delegation's return path and speed, and report the data immediately.

Somewhere in the depths of the ocean.

"Pope, a report has arrived from the front. The Imperial fleet has departed Federation Zetaya at 80 knots..." A man in black robes, adorned with a strange sea-beast crest, reported with deep respect.

"Very good. We shall commence the prayer ritual now. The timing must align with their departure from Federation waters..."

Egil, the Pope of the Sea God Sect, led a group of High Rank Wizards and Evil Sorcerers into the ritual chamber.

A crowd of black-clad monks was already prepared, surrounded by intricate witch array patterns on the floor, ready for activation.

"Great Goddess of the Nether Sea, the tsunami is Your throne, the tempest is Your voice..."

Pope Egil began the prayer in a low, resonant voice, while the sea god cultists behind him prostrated themselves upon the witch array, chanting softly in unison.