Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1586 - 547: The Origin of the True Gods (Part 2)

Having now reached the rank of Dawn Wizard, Hiram could no longer bear the situation.

"This... yet that doesn't guarantee the opponent can overcome the 'King of Tyrannosaurs', does it?" The elder appeared flustered but held his ground.

"Heh, the opponent is a scarce Metal Series Dawn Wizard, and at minimum, stands at the Late Dawn stage."

"What! But... how could that be? The Empire boasts only a handful of late-stage Dawn Wizards among its veterans, and I've never come across the name Rein..."

The elder clutching the blue crystal ball, along with the other Dawn Wizards unfamiliar with Rein, exchanged glances, their faces etched with shock.

"Heh!" Hiram concluded with a chuckle and then fell quiet.

While Sword Saint Terrio prepared to step in and ease the tension, a messenger abruptly announced himself at the tent's entrance.

"Report! Critical update from the Imperial City!"

"Enter!" Terrio's brow furrowed. He had ordered no interruptions except for vital matters, so the messenger clearly grasped the importance.

"Sir, only yesterday, eight Divine Incarnations appeared in the Dragan Empire's Temrael, blocking Empire Emperor Carlos II's path to Demigod; a savage clash broke out against the Empire, though the divines were ultimately driven back, the Empire endured massive losses... and moreover... Empire Emperor Carlos II has fallen!"

"What!"

The Federation's powerhouses reacted with bulging eyes upon the revelation, jaws dropping slightly as they all rose to their feet.

The intelligence was just too staggering!

"Everyone, it looks like we have to hasten our efforts."

"The crisis is far graver than any of us anticipated!"

"Today, Evil Gods strike at the Dragan Empire; tomorrow, they could target the Federation. When that happens, how do we resist?" Sword Saint Terrio scanned the group with a grave expression and declared.

"I support Hiram Crown's view: reach out to the Empire for collaboration on the joint expedition, and swiftly secure the Floating City!"

"Count me in as well! With Lord Rein's involvement, our progress in the exploration should surge ahead." Hernandez inclined his head and added.

...

Temrael, within the Bixiu Mechanization School's base.

After reassuring his loved ones, Rein first delved into records on Full Moon Wizards before heading back to the hidden chamber at the school base.

Following that grueling, life-threatening confrontation, a wave of anxiety and pressing need washed over Rein.

The growing resurgence of Evil Gods had thrown the Empire into turmoil.

Rein began by trying to outline the 'Steel Heart' Advanced Meditation Method's Fifth Layer model once more, and before long, he was thrilled to note substantial advancement.

In his initial go, he boosted the count by thirty-three runes right away, hitting four hundred and forty-five Will Runes.

"The shift in spiritual power is finished, and it truly delivers a major lift to the Advanced Meditation Method."

Half a day passed.

Rein pushed the runes to four hundred and seventy-nine, drawing ever nearer to the ultimate five hundred and twelve.

"It should take about ten days or perhaps half a month to finish sketching the fifth-layer model."

"Still, I must locate a truly secure spot for the breakthrough."

Breaking through to Demigod involves a crucial phase that demands time for the quasi-divine essence to form, which for Rein translates to forging the 'Steel Heart' in his mental sea.

Rein wondered if the system would handle this process for him outright.

Instant success would be ideal, yet if it doesn't...

"If the Imperial Palace isn't secure enough, then where could possibly work?" Rein creased his forehead, lost in thought.

Right then, the communication mark on Rein's chest started flashing.

"Oh? A high-level Empire gathering?" Rein felt it out briefly, arching his brows as he murmured.

...

Thirty minutes later.

In the Imperial Palace's assembly chamber.

The Dragan Empire held its inaugural senior council since the Imperial City clash, led by the 'Red Queen' Menia.

Rein joined this tier of assembly for the first time, where talks covered vital intel spanning the whole Empire.

"With most Imperial Guardians summoned back to the Imperial City two days prior, regions like Wazi, Nome, and others have seen numerous disturbances resulting in over a thousand deaths, hitting civilians hardest."

"Cults such as the Black Flame Cult and Secret Snake Sect are rampaging unchecked; we ought to dispatch forces at once to suppress them. If not, chaos will deepen..." Marshal Alfred stated.

"Yet in the Imperial City fight this time, four Imperial Guardians perished; over nine Five-Colored Giant Dragons were lost... eighty-two Death Griffin Knights, four hundred and thirty-two Palace Guards... three thousand two hundred and thirty-three structures razed..."

"Stabilizing the Empire right now seems a tall order." A Military Department elder intoned heavily.

These figures left Rein quiet as well!

The conflict didn't just claim the valiant Emperor Carlos II but inflicted heavy tolls and damages across the Empire...

"On this issue, does anyone have solid proposals?" Menia, seated at the head, knitted her brows lightly and inquired.

"Perhaps... we could ally with a single Evil God, stirring up the others' ire and sparking fights among them?" In that moment, an elder clad in fine hunting garb proposed.

"Out of the question! Partnering with Evil Gods essentially means letting folks—or segments of them—worship them. Beyond how the masses would slowly warp under the Evil God's influence, the Goddess Church wouldn't stand idly by."

"Such a move would demolish the Empire's longstanding ties with the Goddess Church, and erode faith that aids the Seasonal Wind and Ocean Goddess's revival."

"Given the Goddess's current void, it's tough for the Dragan Empire alone to weather this stormy era." Another noble elder with oiled-back hair uttered gravely.

"Few might know, but the Empire's wounds run deep: taxes have plunged thirty percent, and cult raids have left vast farmlands barren... remote zones suffer even worse..."

The Internal Affairs Minister's words made many in the room crease their foreheads.

Though Imperial Guardians had advanced deep into the Transcendent realm, the common folk formed the Empire's bedrock; sans a robust populace, generating legions of transcendent individuals proves impossible.

Shortly, more voices rose, from Empire officials and Imperial Guardians to Royal Family elders, offering a spectrum of views.

The gathering split into rival sides momentarily, each with compelling arguments backing them.

Then, Elder Ivan mulled it over briefly before turning to Rein:

"Lord Rein, what's your take on all this?"

As Elder Ivan posed the question, fellow Imperial Guardians, Empire leaders, and even Princess Renala shifted their attention to Rein.

It dawned on them that the standout Lord Rein from the Imperial City defense had remained utterly silent.

Despite his youth, Rein's prowess blazed in the Imperial City fray, and he appeared to hold Prince Menia's confidence too.

"Esteemed assembly, this marks my debut at a high-level council, so I planned to absorb more and contribute less at first."

"That said, with Elder Ivan inviting my thoughts, allow me to pose a query to you all about the roots of authentic divinity, such as the Seasonal Wind and Ocean Goddess—does anyone grasp this?"

Rein's query baffled quite a few.

After all, it veered off from their prior debate.

"Its beginnings are murky, but from scant ancient writings and prevailing accounts of true divinities' starts, the Seasonal Wind and Ocean Goddess likely rose from a mighty human woman over time." Walkmas responded after some reflection.

"Lord Walkmas's vast wisdom impresses me; I only uncovered this myself yesterday amid old tomes." Rein gave a slight bow to Walkmas in respect.

"Lord Rein, is that what you mean?" Elder Ivan seemed to catch on, his eyes flaring wide as he pressed.

...