Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1519 - 523: Jennifer’s Crisis

A couple of hours passed, and the dazzling stars lit up the path back home.

The Empire Delegation was already days behind schedule on their return, so Menia turned down the Federation's invitation to linger and promptly chose to guide the team on their way back.

Aboard the Imperial Airship flagship 'Queen'.

Reginald could scarcely accept it as he gazed at the grinning Menia and inquired, "Prince Menia, have you and Lord Rein truly established a romantic bond?"

He wasn't prying out of curiosity or meddling, yet Menia had only just directed Reginald to hold off on announcing her connection with Rein for now.

Her position carried delicate implications, and going public would spark a wave of backlash almost instantly.

Naturally, she'd talked it over with Rein, and he raised no issues.

To him, the bond mattered as long as he and Menia acknowledged it; publicity or secrecy changed little for his world.

His standing came from personal power and skill, never from flattering the mighty or latching onto influence.

"Yes, even with a few unexpected twists along the way, I see Rein as warm-hearted and attentive toward me..."

Hearing Menia's explanation, Reginald sensed the woman nearby wasn't the Empire's famed 'Red Queen,' but rather a smitten young lady lost in affection.

In that instant, it felt like a herd of a thousand stampeding oxen rampaged across his chest...

'Warm-hearted and attentive? Don't millions of Empire guys fit that bill? That's the reason?!'

Reginald stood mute, itching to blurt out, 'Truth is, I could manage those qualities as well. But after all this time...'

"Fine! Prince Menia, I fully support your wish and will guard this secret."

"Thanks, Reginald."

"Oh, and are Elder Ivan and the rest heading out already?"

"Yeah, they'll hit the road within a few hours."

"Mmm."

Having vowed to Menia to keep their link hidden for the moment, Rein couldn't linger excessively in her quarters.

Thus, after depositing the ancient mermaid girl with Menia, he headed back to his own quarters.

....

At the same time.

Within the Dragan Empire's Mingster.

In an opulent residence near the Axon Auction House.

The stunning Jennifer continued her late-night toil in the upstairs study, tallying ledgers, joined by the barbarian lass Lagaray absorbing lessons in business, plus Georgia of the Ice Claw Bear Mercenary Group.

Georgia started out as Jennifer's bodyguard, yet upon witnessing the lady's sharp commercial instincts, she became thoroughly awed.

As a result, beyond her protective role, Georgia shadowed Jennifer to pick up essential trading know-how.

Regarding Lagaray, she aimed to learn business from the lady for a couple of months, grasp vital operations, then head back to the Norton Tribe to aid Clan Leader Dalius and High Priest Rom in boosting external commerce.

Her core aim, of course, was to ease the tough existence faced by her kin.

Though Rein had earlier reached out to the Snyder family—Luther's kin—to assist the Norton Tribe in marketing pelts, the Frostwind Prairie offered additional worthwhile goods. Supplying them straight to Jennifer promised hefty earnings.

Likewise, should the auction house acquire certain scarce ores, buying them up and hauling them home for crafting would greatly bolster the tribe's elite fighters' protection and fighting prowess.

This setup allowed trade gains to fund rare ores directly, cutting out brokers and optimizing resource use.

"Madam, lately our key caravans have faced assaults from mysterious assailants. Could Lord Luther's prior warning hold truth?" Georgia voiced her concern anxiously.

Her sibling, Fandar, head of the Ice Claw Bear Mercenaries, had stepped up to investigate. Despite her firm trust in his skills, worry gnawed at her.

"Regardless, we'll depart Mingster at dawn tomorrow. Whoever's using us to pressure Rein must wield serious clout." Just that day, Jennifer got a covert note from the Duke of Minter.

It boiled down to a top-tier conflict at play, urging her swift return to the Imperial City for protection.

However, Jennifer managed multiple direct trading groups and had deals to hash out with fellow traders, alongside auction house matters, so rushing off to the Imperial City wasn't feasible right away.

Above all, Jennifer figured the situation lacked true urgency, especially since they were in Mingster, not some remote spot.

Moreover, the elegant woman felt baffled.

Reason being, given Rein's climbing rank in the Empire and his swift power growth, no major force ought to be reckless enough to menace him via seizing or grabbing them.

Should Rein learn of it, even if briefly outmatched, he'd definitely strike back hard once his might surged.