Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1609 - 556: Fiery Flame Storm (2)

"If that's the case, then the Dragan Empire is truly downplaying how vital this partnership is. I'll request the council to pull out from this mission."

"Absolutely, we ought to do that. The dangers in the Floating City Ruins are immense, and our exploration squad needs solid backing. Right now, with only a handful of us, we're short on the required might." Otto agreed with a nod.

...

At the same time.

Resslero Canyon.

Because of its enormous bulk, the Black Dragon Metheus had to remain just beyond the cave encampment, as Rein trailed Haleem into the site.

"Lord Rein, Terrio will be back in no time, and the Zok brothers ought to show up shortly too." While Haleem was talking, he noticed Terrio and his companions hurrying over from afar.

"Haha, Lord Rein, what a delight to meet you once more," the Federation Sword Saint Terrio greeted with great warmth.

"Lord Terrio, it's been some time," Rein replied with a slight bow and a grin.

"Lord Rein, forgive me, I was scouting the conditions at the Floating City Ruins, so I couldn't greet you sooner. Incidentally, where's the rest of the Empire's group?"

As Sword Saint Terrio chatted, he scanned the area and saw that Rein was the sole representative from the Empire. Confused, he peered about and remarked,

"Lord Terrio, this trip, I'm the only one from the Empire... well, more accurately, my dragon partner is waiting right outside the cave too."

"Oh? Lord Rein, you've formed a pact with a giant dragon? Show me."

Terrio paid little heed to Rein's solo arrival.

In truth, Terrio knew full well about Rein's capabilities. Even by himself, he's as valuable as three fighters, and with the recent giant dragon contract, Rein's prowess has surged, matching four or five epic-tier fighters—no problem handling the Dragan Empire's role.

Yet, unlike Terrio's familiarity with Rein, the trio next to him lacked that knowledge.

Their attention, of course, shifted away from Terrio's view. When they caught Rein stating that the Dragan Empire had dispatched just him for the joint venture into the Floating City Ruins, their faces shifted, and they murmured to each other:

"This Lord Rein appears rather youthful. Did the Empire seriously dispatch only him? They're definitely belittling this alliance," the senior Wizard gripping a staff of blazing red crystal uttered gravely.

"True enough, even supposing Lord Rein's power matches what Terrio boasts, he's still just one person. How...absurd!" A second senior Wizard, his beard knotted in a tiny plait, shook his head while commenting.

"Why don't we check out the dragon he's bound to," proposed the senior in a Wizard Robe edged with red and gold.

"...Fine, we'll observe it first."

...

Before long, the six of them reached the edge of the cave camp, spotting a colossal dragon like a tiny dark mountain coiled up in repose.

"This...this Black Dragon is huge! Lord Rein, is this perhaps a Black Dragon at the Old Dragon stage?"

The instant they laid eyes on Metheus, Sword Saint Terrio wasn't the only one left staring wide-eyed with jaws dropped in complete shock—the other three joined him.

Truth be told, Extremely Old Dragon Level giant dragons are a rare sight even for most Imperial Guardians, much less for the Federation's fighters.

"Lord Terrio, meet my dragon ally—'Mad Wings' Metheus, a Black Dragon at the Extremely Old Dragon Level. In terms of Wizard combat scaling, it's about midway from Dawn Late Stage to Dawn Peak."

After a moment's thought, Rein chose not to conceal the details and shared them earnestly.

Since they formed a unit, and to secure command for the impending delve into the Floating City Ruins, Rein figured revealing this upfront would benefit him.

Moreover, Metheus's mountain-like form already boasted its own might.

"Extremely Old Dragon? Dawn Peak?"

These words hit, and all traded looks, at a loss for words briefly.

The three elder Dawn Wizards, their lips trembling a bit, fell completely silent.

Doubt had no ground to stand on anymore.

The immense scale of the Black Dragon in front of them, paired with its crushing, deep presence, proved Rein hadn't overstated a thing.

With such a mighty dragon at his beck and call—not to mention the Dragon Knight's own power—his level had to be at minimum Dawn Late Stage!

Suddenly, the three regretted their earlier words deeply.

Meanwhile, Haleem smirked as he observed their shifting faces, chuckling to himself.

They'd questioned the glowing endorsements from him and Sword Saint Terrio about Lord Rein.

Now, witnessing their dazed expressions, Haleem savored a cool wave of vindication, like gulping chilled water in scorching heat.

Right then, the Communication Mark on Haleem's chest lit up, drawing his close attention.

In the following instant, Haleem's expression twisted, and he blurted out,

"Lord Rein, all of you, Brother Zok just messaged that a formidable giant beast is barreling toward the cave camp. Battle preparations are in order."

"Hmm? A giant beast?" Rein's mind raced to a possibility.

"Report! Lords, the sentinel has detected an odd giant beast like a massive dragon speeding our way from the west's edge." Just then, a Federation officer shouted the update.

"Lord Rein, care to join me in viewing it?" Sword Saint Terrio suggested.

"Sure," Rein agreed with a nod.

Actually, Rein felt nearly positive that the giant beast in question was likely the Steel Dragon Dorick.

Still, without a direct sighting, certainty eluded him, making it wise to inspect and verify beforehand.