Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1534 - 528: Mutant Spider Swarm

Strong figures who interact with courtesy and on equal terms usually earn the favor of those around them swiftly.

After only a brief conversation, numerous members of the Brighton caravan relaxed their suspicions toward Rein and began engaging in lively talks and laughter, particularly a young Brighton woman called Ayana, her wide sparkling eyes brimming with interest in Rein.

"Those wizards clad in black robes, featuring bones or skulls stitched onto their chests, are the vilest, covertly pilfering the remains of our tribal warriors from their graves," Ayana declared with clear anger.

"Oh? Bones or skulls on the chest?"

"Could they belong to the Tutkash School? I've heard they're quite active on the western part of the Shirendil Plateau," Rein remarked, sounding a bit puzzled.

"That's right, they were once confined there, but lately, plenty of black-robed wizards have been spotted lurking close to our tribe," Ayana confirmed, her tone crisp and straightforward.

"Sir, did you mention they're from the Tutkash School?"

The young woman's inquiry accidentally caught the attention of a nearby elder and youth, making their forms tense just a little. Rein picked up on this right away and offered a faint smile.

Clearly, as key members of the tribe, they were aware of their foes' identities, yet they had kept that knowledge from the girl.

"Indeed." Rein grinned and gave a nod.

"Got it. On another note, I've learned that disappearances in various Brighton tribes to the west are worsening. It appears linked to this Tutkash School as well."

"Sister!" The Brighton youth who'd first spoken with Rein felt compelled to caution her, gesturing for his sibling to hold her tongue.

In his eyes, Rein remained an outsider, after all.

Even though he lacked the Tutkash School's wizard attire, that didn't rule out some hidden ties. His sister's candid words could invite danger.

"No need to fret, I'm no acquaintance of theirs, nor an ally."

"Incidentally, have you informed the Empire about this issue?"

"Moreover, I've heard the Isodre School holds significant sway across the Shirendil Plateau. Surely they step in to address this?" Rein grinned, aiming to shift the discussion to the Isodre School.

For the Empire's leaders grant major wizard academies special privileges in an area, but in return, they demand those groups handle regional safety and steady progress.

"Things were better before; those Yellow Robed Wizards who control stones and soil would get involved, and they'd clash with the Black Robed Wizards at times, yet lately, such actions have dwindled, and now they barely occur."

On this occasion, the Brighton youth answered in place of his sister.

Still, he displayed caution regarding both factions, calling the Isodre School wizards Yellow Robed and the Tutkash School ones Black Robed.

"Regarding the Empire, aside from Nirheim, there's scarcely any presence," the youth added with a hint of scorn.

Though his statement was direct, Rein recognized its accuracy.

The Imperial Swordsmen themselves hadn't set up a full outpost on the Shirendil Plateau, merely maintaining a liaison office in Nirheim staffed by a mere few.

"Incidentally, are these minerals headed to a specific trading house?" Rein thought back to the elder's worried look and asked without hesitation.

"Yes, sir. We're transporting them to the Giant Stone Chamber of Commerce, which falls under the Isodre School you mentioned earlier."

"Any idea what they want with these metal ores?"

"I'm not entirely certain, though last time I caught a Yellow Robed Wizard grumbling about metal puppets," the Brighton youth recalled before sharing.

Right as Rein prepared to probe further, a piercing bone whistle pierced the air:

"Left front, exotic spider swarm! In large numbers!"

"Oh no!" Upon hearing the warning whistle, the Brighton youth Antaruka sprang up agilely like a wild cat, dashing ahead without delay.

At the same time, Rein narrowed his gaze a touch, observing how the Brighton folk hastily formed defensive lines.

He spotted a horde of fist-sized spiders marked with black patterns charging toward the caravan, their vast numbers rolling in like a vast sheet of shadowy cloth spanning dozens of square meters, gliding rapidly over the earth.

"Exotic spider swarm?" Rein whispered, sounding perplexed.

"Yes, sir. Lately, these black spiders have multiplied, but back in my childhood, encounters were rare. Our tribal elders claim they're invaders from elsewhere," the Brighton girl Ayana clarified.

"Oh? Tough to handle?"

"In small groups, they're manageable enough. A skilled tribesman can take on four or five; the trouble lies in how these exotic spider swarms always come in batches of at least a dozen."

"Thus, when the tribe's elders, frail ones, women, and kids venture out and cross paths with them, injury is inevitable, and even robust youths must proceed with care," Ayana explained, her expression filled with worry as she eyed the incoming exotic spider swarm.

By now, Rein witnessed the exotic spider swarm clashing directly with the Brighton Warriors.

Axes swung in sweeping curves, sending sprays of foul black blood and shattered chitin fragments flying, as the leading black-marked spiders fell to the Brighton Warriors' blades, only for more from behind to press the assault.

All the while, these spiders began launching webs glowing with a subtle black sheen or ejecting venom of a sickly green hue.