Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1523 - 524: The Death of Little Black (Part 2)

"Just two days prior, the Second Prince himself reached out and exerted pressure on the Marshal. Quinna, who had been detained at headquarters with the Shadow Dragon Bloodline, was whisked away."

"I suspect that the furious slaughter of the mount right at your home was probably carried out by this very Quinna."

"The Second Prince? Shadow Dragon Bloodline?" Rein felt a slight jolt of surprise; he hadn't anticipated things unfolding this way.

"I see."

"Furthermore, Lord Rein, an incident has occurred in Mingster." Major General Tatia hesitated for a moment before sharing the next troubling update.

"Mingster? Has something befallen Jennifer and Lagaray?" Rein's eyes sharpened, an innate commanding presence radiating from his form.

This caught Major General Tatia off guard!

It looked like Lord Rein's power had surged once more. Word had spread earlier that Lord Rein and Prince Menia fell to the Nether Sea Goddess Hela and ended up captured, yet that tale seemed utterly false now.

Such a rapid boost in might was truly alarming!

"Lady Jennifer and Miss Lagaray faced an assault, yet thanks to the safeguards from the Sword Bearers Branch and the Goddess Church, they're both secure. Still, they've been housed temporarily inside the Mingster Goddess Church. I've dispatched staff from headquarters to assist," Tatia explained, her face grave.

"The Duke of Minter dispatched reinforcements too, only to get obstructed by some mysterious power."

Learning that Lady Jennifer and the wild Lagaray girl remained unscathed eased Rein's tension a bit.

Yet, realizing they were confined to the Mingster Goddess Church chapel, too afraid to venture out, ignited Rein's fury!

"Do we have any idea which group launched the attack?" Rein's voice grew icy.

"Um... investigations are ongoing, but we're sure two people were involved—both Third Level Crystallization Earth Wizards. They appear to hail from the Isodre School."

The Sword Holders Headquarters keeps tabs on powerful members across the Empire's groups. Earth Wizards aren't rare, but deploying two at Crystallization rank with that level of prowess is unusual.

The Isodre School?

That name rang a distant bell, stirring Rein's mind as a memory surfaced, prompting him to ask, "You mean the major Wizard School linked to the 'Carver' Harold?"

"Precisely, Lord Rein. None other than them could casually deploy two expert Crystallization Earth Witchcraft Wizards," Tatia confirmed with a nod.

Rein gave a nod in return.

Ah, so it was those folks—no surprise there.

Since the day he slew the 'Carver' Harold, hailed as the mightiest Legendary being, their side had repeatedly voiced desires for payback. It was only after Rein unveiled his Epic-level fighting prowess that the threats of vengeance faded away entirely.

Are they seeking retribution now, assuming I won't come back?

"You spoke of two people earlier. Are there more?" Rein inquired, his tone deep and steady.

"Yes, two additional ones, identities unverified for now. Our probes continue, but credible intel points to Marquis O’Lence and his Guard Captain."

"We've also verified that Marquis O’Lence and his Guard Captain departed the Imperial City the day before last, and their locations remain unknown," Tatia added.

The O’Lence clan?

Another 'old acquaintance.' A good chunk of Jennifer's stake in the Axon Auction House had originally stemmed from the O’Lence family.

"Are the people you named still lingering in Mingster?"

"Er... their actions are shrouded in secrecy, but we know at least one remains there."

"Got it. Major General Tatia, relay to the Marshal that our scheduled talk might have to wait. Also, prepare a swift airship for me to head to Mingster in two hours."

"Well... securing the airship won't be an issue, Lord Rein. But this situation could prove complicated, with the Bavarian and Snyder families receiving cautions from various ancient Empire Great Nobles."

"We're fairly convinced the Drum Family is pulling the strings."

"And even... the shadow of the Second Prince..." Tatia stated gravely.

Next to her, Olena let out a soft gasp, her hand rising to her lips.

That explained why the Sword Holders Headquarters had only bolstered security around Lord Rein’s home without launching a full-scale hunt for the killers of the swift mount.

"The foes' backgrounds don't matter," Rein replied, shaking his head deliberately.

"What counts is if they've committed the deed."

"Lord Rein, on the Drum Family front, we don't possess solid proof," Tatia conceded.

"Proof means little. The key is my conviction that they're responsible—that's enough."

"I'll take care of it."

Tatia and Olena shared a look after Rein's declaration, at a loss for words in that instant.

Still, both women knew one undeniable truth: a tempest was brewing over the Imperial City.

....

As Rein reached the gate of his estate, the diminutive Matteo nearby lit up with delight.

Rein's brow furrowed, though, catching murmurs from the drawing room not far off. He signaled Matteo to keep quiet.

"The assailant last night was a skilled female fighter; even I failed to halt her."

"I sense that slaying Rein’s old mount, Little Black, aimed mainly to instill terror in the household staff," Cleya remarked, showing traces of fatigue.