Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1524 - 524: The Death of Little Black (Part 3)

Ever since discovering the trouble that befell Rein, Cleya had been filled with intense concern and opted to remain at the Rein Mansion for the long haul, providing comfort to Rein's parents along with his sister Bo He.

Meanwhile, updates arrived from her family concerning her father, Count Habs of Meister, who had lately faced repeated cautions from numerous Great Nobles.

Evidently, Count Habs was enduring tremendous strain. In a letter he penned, he advised her to think about her prospects and maybe revisit the Marquis who once courted her...

But for the moment, that could wait; during the previous night, as she rested alongside Bo He, the piercing whinny of the swift-hoofed horse Xiao Hei echoed through the darkness.

Upon arriving at the stables, Rein's old mount Xiao Hei lay slain right there. She clashed briefly with the intruder—a woman clad in leather armor—and got pushed back. By the time the guards showed up, the assailant had vanished without a trace.

And she left behind a warning that they would strike again this very night.

Even though the Imperial City's security forces responded, they deemed the incident overly complicated, feeling it exceeded their ability to resolve, and once it reached higher channels, it stalled completely.

A cascade of happenings pressed down on her mind, leaving her sensing she might not endure much further.

That's why, on this day, she deliberately summoned Rein's two companions—Luther and Halowin—to brainstorm plans.

"Miss Cleya, from today onward, Lord Halowin and I will alternate shifts guarding the mansion. Still, based on what you've shared, even with Lord Halowin here, we're not confident about nabbing the offender."

Luther and Halowin glanced at one another and spotted the challenge reflected in each other's gaze.

Cleya's prowess matched theirs closely, yet according to her account, the foe possessed a special Talent Ability that let her disappear in an instant. So, even if they intervened, victory wasn't guaranteed.

It had only been a short while since Lord Rein suffered his setback, but all those powers that once cowered before him like facing a fierce beast now surfaced boldly.

These adversaries showed no qualms in targeting the Mingster’s Warhammer and Rose Commerce, and they even boldly slew Lord Rein's previous horse as a taunt. It was utterly brazen!

"Thank you both; I'll go see to little Bo He right away—she got quite scared last night."

The moment Cleya rose to her feet, a well-known tall silhouette emerged at the doorway as the guest room's entrance creaked wide.

"Rein!!!" Cleya cried out, her feelings surging in a whirlwind!

"Lord Rein!"

"Amazing, Lord Rein, you've returned!" Luther and Halowin stood up too, their expressions mixing shock, delight, and doubt.

"Cleya, why the tears?" Rein grinned softly, brushing away the droplets from Cleya's lovely cheeks.

"Rein, forgive me."

"Thanks, Cleya; I'll take charge of things now." Rein drew Cleya into a tender hug.

...

After ten minutes of grasping the full picture, Rein ascended to his sister Bo He's room.

As he stepped inside, there lay his sibling from the prior night's terror, now dozing soundly on the spiritual greyhound Qu Qi.

"Woof woof!"

Rein planned to slip away unnoticed, yet Qu Qi appeared to detect his presence and yipped with enthusiasm.

"Qu Qi, let me rest longer!"

The hound's stirring roused Bo He. She wiped her puffy eyes and peered at the entrance, only to widen them in astonishment the very next instant.

"Brother!"

Rein beamed while scooping up his charging sister Bo He, also petting the spiritual greyhound Qu Qi that bumped against his leg.

"Brother, Xiao Hei got killed..." Bo He whimpered.

"Yes, I heard. I'll ensure the guilty one faces justice. Be a good girl, stop the tears."

"Alright!"

Somehow, her brother's presence let Bo He unwind entirely. Following a quick talk, she drifted off once more.

Next, Rein paid a visit to his mother Emma and his father, the elder Rein.

Witnessing Rein's unharmed comeback, Emma's condition mended substantially, even as she endured the typical scoldings and advice from her years.

...

Back in his quarters, Rein reached out and traced an elaborate pattern through the atmosphere. A rune pulsing with spiritual power materialized right in front of him.

"Rein?"

Moments afterward, Menia's tone echoed from the elaborate rune.

Among wizards of High Rank, sharing their personal Communication Marks enabled talks over a set distance. Rein and Menia had swapped such marks during their time at the Molten Lava Lake.

"Menia..." In short order, Rein outlined the events succinctly.

Rein’s aim was straightforward; upcoming clashes with Second Prince Everton loomed, so notifying Menia—Everton’s aunt—seemed proper.

Much like alerting grown-ups prior to correcting a youngster.

"Rein, with Everton tied in, I'll manage it. Beyond delivering the offender and offering a direct apology, what more do you require?"

"Simply turning over the culprit suffices; no need for an apology."

Should Menia insist on remorse, it would ring hollow anyway, leaving Rein utterly uninterested.

...

Several minutes passed.

Second Prince Mansion, upper level.

"Bang!!!"

Second Prince Everton's visage darkened as he smashed his hand down on the sturdy wooden table, sending the dozing white cat atop it fleeing in a dash.

Buchanan caught the noise from within and rapped at the door, announcing,

"Your Highness?"

"Enter!" Everton growled lowly.

"Yes, Your Highness." Buchanan stepped in and at once noted the Second Prince's profound irritation.

As the Second Prince's butler over countless years, Buchanan knew his employer's ways well. That look screamed raw anger.

"Aunt Menia stepped in directly for Rein, insisting I surrender Quinna and deliver a personal apology."

"What!" Buchanan couldn't hide his shock at the revelation.

Everyone knew the 'Red Queen' Menia commanded immense respect in the Imperial Royal Family. Yet she usually showed patience toward the youth, seldom voicing sharp criticisms, much less requiring atonement.

"It has to stem from Rein's impressive feats in the Empire Delegation's clash with the Sea God Sect, gaining Aunt Menia's approval and praise." Everton pondered aloud, his voice grave once composure returned.

"Buchanan, escort Quinna there yourself, head to the Rein Mansion, and offer apologies."

"Right away?"

"Yes, immediately."

"Got it, Your Highness. Though... Quinna..." Buchanan displayed reluctance.

Quinna carried the uncommon Shadow Dragon Bloodline, boasting the strongest such lineage among today's Dragon Scale Brotherhood members. Passing her to Rein felt like a needless loss.

Otherwise, the Second Prince wouldn't have pushed the Sword Bearers so hard to retrieve her just recently.

Besides, broaching this with Quinna proved tricky, as it resembled marching her to doom.

"Deliver Quinna to Rein, though if she slips away, that's on them," Everton remarked with a hint of icy amusement, while passing Buchanan a flask of crimson fluid that glittered with tiny crystals.

"The Bloodline Burst Potion? Understood, Your Highness."

"I'll go at once!"

Buchanan took it and found himself smirking.

Since her retrieval, Quinna had received a 'Dragon Vein Evolution Potion', elevating her strength near that of an Epic Strongman.

With the 'Bloodline Burst Potion' ingested, her Shadow Dragon Bloodline powers would surge briefly. He could merely feign handing Quinna to Rein, sure she'd break free shortly after.

...