Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1605 - 555: A One-Man Team

More than an hour had passed.

The majestic Imperial City of Tamriel.

Rein and Menia strolled together through the serene Imperial Palace Garden.

"Rein, I'm thinking of assembling a squad made up of several Guardians."

"The old setup, with just one Imperial Guardian posted in a province or area, feels outdated now that the Evil God is rising again and the Cult's influence is expanding so quickly."

"Should the Cult unleash a massive assault, it would be far too risky for a lone Imperial Guardian to manage."

"What I propose is grouping at least three or more Guardians into a unit to oversee a broader region. Take, for instance, creating a Western Guardian squad to handle various provinces in the Empire's western lands..."

Rein kept nodding as the energy surge grew stronger, prompting the Empire to ramp up its defenses.

Right after reaching the Imperial Palace, Menia brought up this matter with him.

"Sigh, we still don't have enough Imperial Guardians." Menia let out a sigh while passing a file to Rein.

"Here's a joint venture suggestion from the Federation. They want us to dispatch seven to ten Imperial Guardians to join the expedition into the Floating City Ruins."

"Seven to ten? Rein's eyebrow arched in surprise.

In peaceful times, deploying that many Imperial Guardians for ruins exploration would be acceptable; in fact, it would highlight the Empire's might.

However, the current circumstances have shifted dramatically. To keep things stable amid the chaos, the existing Imperial Guardians are already overburdened, making it impossible to spare so many.

"Well, after some calculations, the Empire can afford to send no more than four Guardians. Rein, does that seem sufficient to you?" Menia gazed at Rein with her striking eyes.

Truth be told, it's tough for the Empire to even free up three Guardians, yet with Rein joining, Menia hoped to include as many as feasible.

While others might not realize it, Menia knew full well that the perils of the ancient Floating City, harboring the Fiend Demon, rivaled the intensity of the recent Imperial City clash.

Upon hearing Menia's statement, Rein's brow furrowed a bit, and he held off on responding right away.

After pondering briefly, Rein declared, "No need. I'll handle it alone."

"Alone?" Menia's lovely eyes widened in astonishment.

"Rein, do you mean that?"

"Indeed."

"But even with your pact to 'Mad Wings' Metheus, venturing solo seems overly..."

"Menia, my power may surpass what you believe, so there's no cause for concern over my well-being." Rein offered a gentle smile, while subtly unveiling the spiritual energy he'd kept somewhat hidden.

A wave of intense, abyssal spiritual force emanated from Rein, vanishing just as swiftly.

Rein swiftly masked it once more.

Yet in that fleeting instant, Menia detected Rein's actual prowess.

Her stunning eyes bulged, her delicate lips parted slightly, and the regal poise clashed vividly with her stunned look, producing an unusual contrast.

"Rein, have you... have you attained the Dawn Peak?" Without her link to Rein's mind, Menia might have thought an Evil God had taken over him.

This rate of strength growth is insanely swift—no, downright horrifying!

"That's right, so Menia, rest easy."

At that moment, Rein understood that with his current power level, even figures like Reginald of the 'Earth’s Pulse' or Elder Ivan from the Imperial Royal Family offered him scant aid.

True allies worthy of the name would have to be powerhouses like the 'Red Dragon King' Straz or Wocmas, the Dawn Peak Imperial Guardian.

Still, these two represent the Empire's elite forces; their absence from imperial grounds could trigger grave repercussions.

Rein had no desire nor intent to pursue that option.

Moreover, Rein figured that since he aimed to break through during this trip to the Floating City Ruins, having unknown companions might prove more hindrance than help.

"Very well, if that's your decision, we'll proceed accordingly." Menia paused in thought before agreeing with a nod.

"When will you set out?"

"I'll swing by home first, then depart straight for the Federation's Ressero Canyon."

"Understood. I'll liaise with the Federation on your behalf."

....

The following morning.

Federation Anthool.

An urgent high-level assembly unfolded within the imposing Parliament Building.

Over a dozen stern Federation generals occupied the rear section of the lengthy table, with key lawmakers filling the front seats, Vice Speaker Bertrand positioned right beside them. At the table's head sat the elderly Federation Speaker Lawson Powell, puffing on his pipe.

At this juncture, a mustached middle-aged admiral was delivering his report with booming intensity:

"In the afternoon of September 28 on the Federation Calendar, a revived Giant Beast emerged along the Federation's West Coast, towering more than eighty meters, sporting jagged horns like a swordfish. The Military Department dubbed it the Spiky Monster, and it ravaged Westin City, leading to over a thousand deaths."

"That same evening of September 28, another revived Giant Beast surfaced in the Federation's heartland, shaped like a colossal frog, bearing a venom pouch beneath its jaw, a tongue resembling flower petals, capable of unleashing huge volumes of poison, and it struck Obedin, resulting in over two thousand fatalities."

"...."

"Fellow generals, the crisis is dire due to the..." The pipe-smoking Federation Speaker Lawson Powell halted mid-sentence.

"Energy surge." Vice Speaker Bertrand promptly whispered the cue.