Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1502 - 516: Ancient Sea Beast Glasers (Part 2)

"Hmm, based on your deduction, the probability is extremely high. Consequently, we must take command of this island immediately!" Sword Saint Terrio gestured toward the island up ahead, which looked as though a meteorite had slammed into it, leaving a massive crater in its wake.

"Precisely! Lord Terrio, our proximity to the Federation is significant. Could you perhaps reach out to the Federation high command and request that they dispatch additional reinforcements?"

"Certainly, that is no issue." Terrio gave a firm nod of agreement.

...

Zetaya.

On the top floor of the city hall, the first lavish office located on the right side of the hallway served as the temporary headquarters for Vice Speaker Bertrand during his visit.

Bertrand was currently engaged in a discussion with Councilwoman Trena regarding the safety protocols for the upcoming exploration of the Floating City Ruins.

Their conversation was interrupted by an attendant who knocked frantically on the door before entering.

"Vice Speaker, an urgent military dispatch! The Empire's delegation fell into an ambush by the Sea God Sect during their return trip. The avatar of the Nether Sea Goddess has personally manifested. The delegation is in dire peril!"

"What did you say!" Vice Speaker Bertrand was momentarily paralyzed by the report. He then surged to his feet, his face pale with shock and fury as he bellowed:

"Hurry! Command the nearest Imperial Navy patrol ships and airship fleets to provide backup! We must save the Empire delegation at any cost!"

"Understood!" The attendant gave a quick salute and raced out of the office.

"Bang!"

Overwhelmed by frustration, Bertrand slammed his fist onto the heavy mahogany desk and hissed through clenched teeth, "The Sea God Sect!!"

Standing nearby, Congresswoman Trena watched the Vice Speaker lose his composure. It was a rare sight, yet she felt no surprise.

As a councilwoman of the Federation, she realized the catastrophic implications of this event immediately!

If... the consequences would be unthinkable!

A divine avatar leading an ambush?

Despite her immense faith in Rein’s martial prowess, their foe was a literal god!

This realization cast a dark shadow over Trena’s heart.

Still, the full details were unknown; there was a slim chance for a reversal of fortune.

However, less than two minutes later, a second intelligence report arrived that nearly caused Bertrand to collapse.

"Report! New intelligence suggests that Prince Menia of the Empire is presumed dead, Lord Rein is currently missing, and only ’Earth Pulse’ Reginald has survived. Furthermore, the Empire’s airship fleet has been almost entirely wiped out," the attendant reported breathlessly.

Trena stood frozen, silenced by the news for a long moment. However, she quickly caught the ambiguity in the phrasing. Knowing that military intelligence must be precise, she sharply questioned:

"What is the meaning of 'presumed'? And what do you mean by 'missing'?! Is there no concrete confirmation?"

Trena’s interrogation seemed to revive Bertrand. He snapped back to attention and added, "What are the intelligence agencies doing? I want a definitive confirmation! Do you understand?"

"Sirs, this... this data has been verified by Lord Sword Saint Terrio himself." Bertrand’s shouting had rattled the attendant, but he managed to provide the crucial detail.

"Lord Terrio is already on the scene?" Bertrand’s expression softened slightly.

"Yes, Sir. Lord Terrio is currently engaged in a brutal struggle against the Sea God Sect alongside Lord Reginald of the Empire. They are fighting to take control of Reef Island."

"Reef Island?"

This was the first time Bertrand had ever heard the name of that island.

"Yes, Sir. Reef Island served as the final battlefield where Prince Menia and Lord Rein faced the Nether Sea Goddess’s avatar. It is Lord Terrio’s professional opinion that we must secure Reef Island to fully verify the status of the missing parties."

"However, the Sea God Sect refuses to retreat. They are funneling more elite warriors and powerful experts into the fray, causing intense battles to break out on both sides."

"Issue my command: immediately mobilize all nearby Federation units around Zetaya and have them rush to support... what was it..."

"Reef Island," the attendant whispered as a reminder.

"Yes, to Reef Island! Furthermore, contact the Federation’s Second Fleet and the Seventh Airship Squadron stationed here in Zetaya to assist Lord Terrio at once."

"Yes, Sir!" The attendant sprinted out once again.

As the orders rippled through Zetaya, Federation warships began sounding their horns and departing the docks. Combat airship squadrons filled the sky as the massive gears of the Federation's military machine began to turn rapidly.

...

At the same time.

Deep within a sea cavern hundreds of meters below Reef Island.

Rein remained oblivious to the chaos unfolding on the surface.

His attention was fixed on an ancient mermaid girl. Her lifelike beauty was a rare sight, but even more astounding was her seemingly indestructible, delicate body—something he had never encountered before.

After a thorough inspection, Rein shook his head and ceased his efforts.

He lacked expertise in this area and knew nothing of the legends or secrets surrounding ancient mermaids. He hoped that Prince Menia might have some insights once she regained consciousness.

After a moment of thought, Rein performed a Metal Morphing Spell. He transformed the magic-infused silver on his wrist into a thin ribbon, binding her small frame.

This wasn't intended as a true prison, but rather an early warning system.

Even though she was out cold, this precaution would give him time to react if something unexpected happened.

Suddenly, Rein turned his gaze toward Menia, who was deep in her healing meditation. He could feel the fire element energy particles in the air being drawn toward her.

"Hmm, does her recovery process require the consumption of massive amounts of fire element energy?"

Rein observed that nearly all the ambient fire element energy was being sucked in by Menia.

Her slightly pinched brow suggested that the current supply of fire element energy was insufficient for her needs.

Rein understood that this was different from active witchcraft, where one uses spiritual power to pull energy from subspace. Since Menia was in an unconscious state of deep meditation, she couldn't tap into subspace for fire element energy.

After a brief thought, Rein activated the Fire Witchcraft 'High Temperature Force Field'.

As the fire element energy gathered, the tension in Menia’s brow began to fade.

However, Rein hadn't anticipated that her healing process would take so long; half a day passed without any sign of her waking.

Rein stayed by her side, continuously maintaining the 'High Temperature Force Field' to channel fire element energy to her.

"This isn't sustainable. I can't get anything else done at this rate."

"Wait, this island was created by an underwater volcano. Whether it is dormant or active, there should be a pool of magma further down."

"Prince Menia would recover much faster near magma, similar to the ancient fire dragon ’Anguskin’."

"In such extreme environments, the density of fire element energy particles is far higher than normal. That is why fire dragons love to submerge themselves in magma."

Rein’s eyes lit up at the idea, and he resolved to test it.

Having mastered the metal-based dawn killing move ’Blade-toothed Disc’, his ability to excavate was dozens of times more efficient than any modern machinery. Digging a tunnel would be trivial.

Rein stepped back, crouched, and pressed his palm to the floor. With a shimmer of dark silver metal, a spinning disc materialized and began to drill into the earth at high speed.

It cut through the rock as easily as a hot knife through butter!

"Hiss!"

Minutes later.

Rein felt the disc break through into a hollow space below, and a wave of intense heat billowed up from the shaft.

"There it is—a magma chamber!"

Before acting, Rein returned to Menia and set up a basic concealing witch array. Then, he dove into the tunnel he had just created.

He wouldn't risk moving Menia down there without scouting the area for danger first.

...

High above the Summer Sea.

An airship decorated with the Imperial dragon emblem was racing toward the Empire's borders.

This was the Storm, the sole vessel from the delegation that had not turned back, tasked with delivering an emergency report to the Empire.

Inside the bridge, the atmosphere was frantic.

"Move! Toss out all non-essential cargo! We need maximum speed!"

...