Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1556 - 536: Showdown (Part 2)

"Crown Reginald, since you understand this young Lord Rein better than anyone, why don't you introduce him?"

"Haha, Crown Whitaker, I believe there's no need for much explanation. In just a moment, all will behold Lord Rein's remarkable abilities."

Reginald felt utterly unconcerned about whether Rein would triumph or fall short.

"Oh? It appears Crown Reginald holds great faith in this young Lord Rein," an elder clad in a blue Wizard Robe interjected. "Shall we make a little bet?"

"Very well, as Crown Perkins shows interest, I'll happily take part."

The opponent stood as a staunch member of the Conservative Party, and their usual ties with Reginald were far from friendly, so he accepted promptly without a second thought.

Yet, Reginald's quick consent caused Perkins to hesitate slightly, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.

...

While Rein kept advancing, his eyes locked with those of the three women, and he gave them a subtle nod as a greeting. Next, he positioned himself at the arena's central right side and lifted his gaze skyward.

In that instant, the influential allies beside Reginald also directed their sights upward.

Though the heavens seemed empty, a subtle force of pressure swiftly pressed down. A thick plume of dust erupted from the arena's heart as a concealing enchantment abruptly dissolved, unveiling a gigantic emerald silhouette to the assembled onlookers.

To prevent alarming common folk, Imperial Dragon Knights often traveled hidden above urban areas.

The arrival was the Imperial Guardian Pantoscoke, known as 'Storm Cloud,' accompanied by his verdant dragon partner Hazas.

The view of one man and one dragon stirred exclamations from numerous nobles:

"Why does this green dragon appear so enormous?"

"Indeed, I recall spotting Crown Pantoscoke's green dragon before; it wasn't nearly this size then."

.....

Even within the elite nobles, several powerhouses in Reginald's circle showed clear astonishment.

"This can't be! Pantoscoke's green dragon Hazas is more than a century younger than my Yellow Dragon; how has it reached the elder dragon phase ahead?"

"Might it involve some rare artifact? Yet, I've heard nothing about Pantoscoke venturing into old ruins lately."

"Tsk tsk, it looks like Rein, this youngster, has picked a terribly unlucky moment, right when Pantoscoke's dragon achieves advancement?"

This prompted Perkins, who had wagered against Reginald, to chuckle and remark, "Haha, Crown Reginald, your chances seem slim now. Are you certain we proceed with the bet?"

"Hehe, of course. Let's observe what unfolds," Reginald responded, steadying himself after the first shock.

"Does Crown Reginald truly believe this young Lord Rein stands a chance of victory?" Perkins mocked.

Perkins' statement swiftly drew everyone's focus to Reginald.

Right as Reginald prepared to reply, the duo in the arena voiced their words.

Rein offered a faint smile and declared, "So, this serves as your secret weapon? A green dragon at the elder level?"

Rein’s composed demeanor made Pantoscoke's eyes tighten. After a brief silence, he spoke in a kindly, elder-like manner,

"Young fellow, you can still choose to withdraw at this point."

"Maybe someday, once you've genuinely risen as an Imperial Dragon Knight with your own dragon ally, facing me would suit better."

If uttered privately, such statements might carry genuine intent, yet before this throng, they rang hollow.

In reality, with both now upon this arena stage, retreat proved difficult for either Rein or Pantoscoke.

"A green dragon of elder rank won't force me to yield. Conveniently, I've also arrived with a dragon," Rein stated, a enigmatic grin playing on his lips.

"You?" Pantoscoke's face shifted to one of skeptical amazement.

After all, based on every scrap of intel, the youth opposite him lacked a dragon companion. He had even joined the Imperial Dragon Knight Reserve trials not long ago; how could a dragon appear out of nowhere?

Rein gestured toward the gateway he'd come through, and a huge wheeled chest was dragged inside by eight sturdy oxen.

This display instantly seized the spectators' interest.

"What... what on earth is that?"

"It doesn't resemble any living being."

.....

"Snap!"

With the latches undone, the wooden sides dropped open, exposing a fierce mechanical colossus that gleamed with a metallic luster beneath the sun's rays!

"What sort of contraption is this?" Countless nobles stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Judging by its immense bulk and razor-sharp steel talons, it was evident that should this monster stir, its capacity for devastation would prove horrifying.

Plenty from Reginald's faction quickly identified the roots of Rein’s 'Mechanical Tyrannosaurus.'

"This... it's a mechanical construct shaped like prehistoric dinosaurs."

"Looks akin to lost goblin inventions?"

"Yes, I encountered a matching account while delving into forsaken goblin sites."

....

At the sight of Rein's Mechanical Demon Dragon, Pantoscoke's features eased, "Ah, so that's the root of your assurance. Haha, Lord Rein, you'll soon grasp the vast gap between a contrivance and a true dragon."

"Hazas, time to welcome this young Lord Rein," Pantoscoke uttered while stroking the green dragon Hazas's flank, and together, man and beast launched into the air.