Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1522 - 524: The Death of Little Black
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
High above the Summer Sea.
Shortly thereafter, the Imperial Airship fleet directly confronted Elder Ivan and his pair of Dragon Knights, who soared atop enormous dragons.
For their initial glimpse of Rein, Elder Ivan alongside the other two Dragon Knights swiftly found themselves amazed at Rein's young visage and the immense yet restrained spiritual energy flowing from his form.
Truthfully, Rein had purposefully restrained a portion of his spiritual energy, displaying solely the atmosphere and essence of a Middle Stage Dawn Wizard.
"Lord Rein, you're far younger than the tales describe, and far mightier than they implied," Elder Ivan commented with a grin once he shook off his first astonishment.
"Thank you, Elder Ivan."
...
Once exchanges of courtesy wrapped up, Rein discovered that Elder Ivan held even greater seniority compared to Prince Menia in years of service, and while lacking direct ties to the royal blood, he served as an uncle-like figure to Menia. The other pair possessed a far-removed royal heritage yet shared the current Emperor's age group.
Their journey's core purpose revolved around Prince Menia, of course.
Thus, following a modest shared meal, Rein withdrew to his personal quarters, granting them privacy for their discussion.
Under the glowing moonlight at midnight across the Summer Sea, a handful of Imperial Airships raced forward at top velocity.
Inside an opulent chamber, Rein abruptly snapped his eyes open from slumber, roused by a sudden system notification:
[Host’s ferocious beast ’Swift Horned Antelope’ has endured a deadly strike and is now perished!]
[Ding! The number of pets the Host can contract has risen, currently (2/4)]
"Blackie has died?"
"Has trouble arisen back home?"
"No, should anything have occurred at home, even if Blood Feather escaped, the Spiritual Greyhound Qu Qi would definitely face peril as well."
"With me away, scarce few could coax Blackie into venturing out; Cleya stands as one option, Anna as another... Might harm have befallen them?"
"No, during my absence, Cleya possesses a carriage, and Anna can shift her form, rendering it highly unlikely they'd take Blackie for a ride."
"Therefore, the probable truth... Blackie fell victim in the estate's stables!" Gradually steadying his thoughts, Rein weighed each option and grasped that the crisis fell short of his first grim assumptions.
"Perhaps the Imperial City proves too risky for striking at my kin directly? Hence, they slew the mount to sow terror among my family?" Rein's gaze sharpened in contemplation.
Mulling it through, Rein swung open the door and instructed the sentry stationed outside:
"Messenger, relay to the bridge to advance at maximum speed toward the Imperial City."
"At once, Lord Rein. Though..." Rein caught the sentry's doubtful look.
"Should Prince Menia inquire, state it came from me," Rein declared firmly.
By protocol, he did not lead the Empire Delegation, and accelerating the airship fleet to full throttle typically demanded Menia's approval.
"Understood, Lord Rein!" The sentry saluted sharply and departed in haste.
...
As the airship surged ahead at utmost pace.
Come ten o'clock the following morning, the Empire Delegation reached the Capital Tamriel without incident.
Post the lavish reception rite, Prince Menia headed back to the Imperial Palace amid the throng, whereas Rein voiced his intent to head home first prior to conferring with Marshal Alfred, then climbed into the awaiting lavish carriage.
Within the carriage.
Rein positioned himself across from Major General Tatia and the capable Olivia.
"Olena, could you update me on home affairs and Empire-wide developments?" Observing Olena's composed manner, Rein sensed some ease and posed the question deliberately.
"I've gathered the key Empire events for your perusal, Lord Rein. Feel free to examine them whenever." Olena produced a dossier of papers and offered it to Rein with deference.
"That said... concerning your household..." Olena's tentative look prompted Rein to accept the dossier as his grin slowly vanished.
"You see... right after your disappearance began, rumors swirled everywhere, so I opted against alerting your family straightaway. I reached out to Lord Luther and Lord Halowin, potential insiders, urging them to withhold it from your kin for the interim."
"I figured that learning of it would plunge your family into deep distress."
Hearing Olena's explanation, Rein gave a measured nod.
On rational grounds, Olena had accounted for his parents' civilian status, and opting to hide it briefly to spare needless anxiety and sorrow made sound sense.
"Yet I failed to account for Miss Cleya; she's at the Imperial Royal Academy with access to numerous channels, and she uncovered the matter via alternative means. Consequently, your family... learned of your ordeal, and Aunt Emma took ill..."
"It's not on you, Olena," Rein reassured her.
Cleya's discovery amounted to mere misfortune, and Olena bore no responsibility for it.
"I appreciate your leniency, Lord Rein."
"Moreover, last night brought a horse-slaying event at your estate. The Imperial City's guards have stepped in, yet no clues have surfaced so far."
"Miss Cleya clashed with the culprit, appearing as a woman of enigmatic agility and superior strength to Miss Cleya," Olena reported gravely.
Rein inclined his head.
This matched the system alert from the previous night.
"Have you no inkling of the assailant's identity?"
"Lord Rein, I could contribute a detail on this issue," Major General Tatia, seated nearby, sat up straighter and offered.