Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1549 - 533: The Association and Wariness (Part 3)
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
The fortunate aspect here is that Rein's impulsive behavior guarantees the revocation of the opponent's status as an Imperial Guardian candidate.
Intervention from Elder Ivan or even Prince Menia wouldn't alter the outcome in the slightest.
Before Rein had a chance to reply, Mayer Lane, clad in the Empire Military Department's Marshal uniform, declared loudly:
"Lord Rein, your actions amount to flouting the Empire's laws outright!"
"Stuttgart has guarded the Shirendil Plateau for the Empire's border stability over the years, racking up countless accomplishments, and you simply slew him—it's utterly..."
Yet, as Marshal Mayer continued, he caught the strange looks from the surrounding Isodre School Wizards directed his way.
He'd encountered those kinds of stares in the past; they mirrored the pitying glances ordinary folk cast at the deranged.
Thus, Marshal Mayer realized something off, his tone fading until he fell silent entirely, scanning the area in bewilderment.
"Ahem... Marshal, sir." A white-haired old Wizard advanced and addressed him.
He shot a quick look at Rein's face, seemingly confirming that Rein had no issue with him responding, then pressed on:
"Sect Leader Stuttgart conspired with the Tutkash School, threatening the Empire's safety, and Rein Crown halted their plot. Moreover, Stuttgart didn't fall to Rein Crown's hand but perished from Graham's blade."
Elder Ivan, Marshal Alfred, Pantoscoke, and Mayer all froze in astonishment at these words!
"What! This can't be possible!" Marshal Mayer burst out in disbelief.
"So you're claiming Rein bears no guilt and has instead earned a commendation?"
"Impossible, no chance at all!" Pantoscoke denied vehemently, his complexion paling.
Confronted by the skepticism from an Imperial Guardian, the pair of aged Isodre School Wizards exchanged glances, uncertain how to proceed, and shifted their eyes toward Rein.
Rein merely signaled to the duo to disregard it.
This only solidified Pantoscoke's suspicions, convincing him that Rein had overpowered and slain Stuttgart through brute force, then coerced the surviving Isodre School Wizards into submission.
After all, Pantoscoke had pulled off comparable feats in his own history, so he naturally assumed the same here.
"I trust Lord Rein isn't one to crave needless bloodshed, and the truth behind Lord Rein's account and these two Isodre School Wizards' words will come to light soon enough through inquiry." Marshal Alfred stated gravely.
"That's a fair approach." Elder Ivan agreed with a nod.
Rein had no quarrel with that; he merely addressed Pantoscoke and Mayer steadily, "I suggest you two avoid dismissing it as impossible out of hand. Also, a tip: even false accusations demand proof, not mere words from your lips."
"You..." Pantoscoke's expression twisted in fury.
Moments later, crack troops started a thorough sweep of the premises, and soon a squad returned bearing assorted spider remains, reporting: "Sirs, we've uncovered these foreign spider bodies in underground burrows."
"They don't belong to any local wildlife on the Shirendil Plateau, matching the intel we've had; these are the covertly bred spiders of the Tutkash School."
"Does this indicate a Tutkash School incursion here?" Marshal Alfred inquired.
"I detected the Evil God's presence as well." Elder Ivan declared somberly while they entered the heart of the recent clash.
With mounting proofs revealing Stuttgart's alliance with the Tutkash School, doubts evaporated completely, confirming Rein's innocence this round and his actual service to the cause. Pantoscoke and Marshal Mayer's visages turned as black as soot!
For now, the pair remained mute on the sidelines.
"It seems Lord Rein has effectively dismantled a Tutkash School scheme targeting the Empire's Shirendil Plateau, safeguarding Nirheim's security."
"While also dispatching Stuttgart, ensnared by the Evil God, plus another of the Evil God's Avatars." Marshal Alfred remarked, grinning.
"Elder Ivan, in my view, Lord Rein's skills and contributions fully qualify him for Imperial Guardian, and I recommend the Elder Council skip his evaluation period." Marshal Alfred turned to Elder Ivan and proposed.
"Hold on!"
"Regardless of whether Lord Rein truly unraveled the Tutkash School's plot, questions linger about slaying two Evil God's Avatars." Pantoscoke countered sternly.
Having gone some time without facing Rein, Pantoscoke's grasp of Rein's fighting prowess lingered at the early Dawn Wizard phase.
Above all, Rein's present aura proved misleading.
Under Donok's toxin's influence, Rein's spiritual energy pulsed only at mid-Dawn level, startling yet not intimidating Pantoscoke.
On the contrary, Pantoscoke grew ever more cautious of Rein's swift advancements!
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