Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1596 - 551: The Secret Hidden in the Murals (Part 2)

Right now, all traces had vanished, leaving just the deep crimson blood marks on the passage walls and a subtle bloody aroma lingering in the atmosphere, hinting at the intense clash that had unfolded in this spot earlier.

The spot concealing the murals sat at the deepest layer, within a storage area on the identical level as Graham's workshop, though labeling it a cavern felt more precise.

Upon stepping inside with the trio, Rein immediately spotted more than a dozen faded paintings etched into the nearby stone surfaces, their hues dulled and somewhat hazy, betraying their ancient origins.

"Your Crown, Rein, Sect Leader, it’s right here," Bradley gestured toward the cavern wall and declared.

The initial painting illustrated a band of human fighters and mages clad in antique bronze armor, clashing with a girl in dark robes along the ocean shore, amid raging, savage marine creatures.

Warriors bellowed while slashing their blades; mages chanted incantations with booming voices, confronting the crashing dark tides, rendered in strikingly realistic detail.

The second mural...

"It seems to capture moments from ancient humanity's war against the Divine," Moria observed in shock following a quick glance.

Records of the Divine, eroded by endless years and endless conflicts, seldom preserved visuals, and those that survived were typically scattered textual snippets.

Furthermore, concerning this matter, diverse cults appeared to hold an unspoken pact, intentionally wiping out certain connected documents.

"This is the Nether Sea Goddess Hela... and this is... the God of Hunting Luen..."

Examining the opening murals, Rein promptly identified the ancient human fighters and mages' foes as the handful of Evil Gods he knew well.

The central murals, though, portrayed humans seizing the upper hand guided by a particular divine entity, overpowering multiple Evil Gods.

As for the subsequent murals...

"Huh?"

"Is this... a Fiend Demon?" Rein narrowed his gaze, lost in quiet thought.

In the final murals, the scenes grew captivating; various entities, some known to Rein and others not, encompassing both Divine and Evil Gods, confronted a massive shadowy Beast across their domains, yet evidently struggling against it...

That enormous dark Horror struck Rein as oddly recognizable.

Flanked by numerous ebony sickles on its form, bearing several sets of shadowy talons below, crowned with upward-thrusting barbs, and sporting a savage maw crammed with countless jagged fangs, all shrouded in inky fog while hovering aloft.

It was unmistakably a scaled-up rendition of the Fiend Demon.

"Evil Gods battling the Fiend Demon?" Rein hesitated briefly, his expression contemplative.

He'd long believed the Fiend Demon allied with the Evil Gods, both serving as humanity's primordial foes in this realm, yet the evidence suggested otherwise.

Besides, the murals implied humans ranked as the frailest side, Evil Gods held a middling position, and the Fiend Demon dominated as the mightiest.

"This appears to date from the medieval period, no less than six thousand years past."

"These are all Evil Gods, but what about that savage dark Beast in the closing murals? It looks exceptionally daunting," Moria mused, indicating the later ones.

Though Moria led a sect, his knowledge of the Fiend Demon remained limited, stemming in part from his preoccupation with crafting Mechanical Golems and Demon Statues.

"That’s a Fiend Demon, a... very terrifying creature." Just then, Rein offered his insight from nearby.

"Fiend Demon? Terrifying?" Upon hearing Rein's assessment, Moria's demeanor grew grave at once.

For only after ascending to Dawn Wizard status did Moria grasp that he couldn't yet gauge Rein's power's true extent; indeed, Rein's aura of spiritual energy, faint yet profound like an ocean, grew ever more inscrutable.

"Sir Bradley, are there any other murals nearby?"

"No, Your Crown Rein, I’ve checked repeatedly."

"Hmm, place a form of shielding witchcraft here to preserve these murals well."

"Understood, Your Crown Rein."

...

Upon arriving back at the Isodre School outpost, Rein abruptly encountered his teacher, Mogaro, in the chamber, engaging in cordial chat with three graceful, elongated women whose attire set them apart from humans.

"Rein!"

The youngest Elf among them, resembling a lively butterfly flitting with elegance, wafting a fresh aroma of foliage and earth, darted straight into Rein's hold.

"Anna, why are you here?" Embracing Anna's soft, lithe form, Rein savored her lively spirit, though surprise crept in, prompting his query.

After all, by rights, even if summoned to the capital Tamriel, Anna ought to be with her mother at this point.

"You saved so many lost kin this round. Elder Nasha desired to express the Elf Clan's gratitude in person and, learning of your journey to the Shirendil Plateau, I requested Ms. Olena escort us to meet you."

As Anna explained, she indicated Olena at her side.

"Additionally, my mother has mostly healed and wants to... see you."

Suddenly aware of the onlookers, particularly her mother, Anna's cheeks bloomed red with embarrassment; she parted from Rein's grasp with reluctance, her wide, lovely eyes fluttering as she continued.

Rein displayed a flash of understanding, shifting his attention to the pair of Elven ladies.

Sure enough, the Elf radiating a timeless, elegant poise with subtle lines at her eyes proved to be the absent Elder Nasha, whereas the one beaming and scrutinizing Rein and Anna nonstop was Ms. Darien Yueling, Anna's mother.