Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1618 - 559: Advancement in Progress (2)
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
"Indeed, the barracks feature a witch array that keeps temperature and humidity stable, allowing them to be preserved by good fortune. That being said, certain parts of the text may still prove difficult to read," Rein remarked from nearby.
Prior to this, he had spotted certain diagrams atop the workbench in the second basement layer, yet they disintegrated upon the slightest contact.
"Lord Haleem, what insights does the diary offer?" Right then, Otto drew near with keen curiosity and inquired.
"Wait a moment, I'll render the translation for all to hear."
With the group clustering close, Haleem—the expert par excellence in the Ancient Goblin tongue—started to recite in a hushed tone:
"...I've long sensed something amiss about the Divine relics Great Sage Tamriel presented to His Majesty the Emperor... Yet, following scrutiny from over a dozen scholars, it was verified beyond question as remnants of a true Divine from the Earth Spirit era."
"The Earth Spirit era?" Rein queried, puzzled.
"Correct, it's a period predating even the Ancient Goblin Empire by tens of thousands of years, where scarcely any remnants endure, rendering it utterly mysterious," Haleem clarified.
Rein gave a nod of understanding.
In terms of chronology, the era of the Ancient Goblins precedes the murals unearthed earlier on the Shirendil Plateau by roughly twenty thousand years, to say nothing of the Earth Spirit era.
Haleem pressed on with his recitation:
"...It's true, Emperor Solson has skipped palace assemblies for days on end... Rumors hold that he and Great Sage Tamriel are deeply engrossed in examining the Divine relic... Not even Princess Amora can sway them..."
"...Over half a month has elapsed, and matters grow ever more dire... Though she is the Emperor's cherished Princess Amora, an edict came to confine her!"
"I slipped covertly into the Imperial Palace and at last encountered the Emperor, yet he appeared... utterly deranged... as did Great Sage Tamriel..."
"...That so-called Divine relic assuredly harbors problems... No, I have to free Princess Amora; she alone possesses the means to wield the Divine Artifact and redeem the Emperor!"
"This..." As these words sank in, the listeners traded uneasy looks.
Judging by events, General Angerik evidently failed in his bid to liberate the princess.
Naturally, another possibility lingered: the princess might have been freed, only to falter against the Fiend Demon's might.
Suddenly struck by a realization, Rein posed a question: "Lord Haleem, what power does the Goblin Great Sage wield?"
"Lord Rein, from records unearthed in various ruins, the Goblin Great Sage ranks as a Demigod-level Full Moon Wizard, though whether Middle Stage or Late Stage remains uncertain," Haleem responded promptly.
As the Federation's leading Metal Series Wizard, he possessed deep familiarity with Ancient Goblin artifacts and history.
Furthermore, Haleem had gathered pertinent documents in advance of this venture.
This revelation sparked a wave of hushed exclamations among the assembly!
A grave look settled on Rein's face as well.
'Should a Demigod-level Full Moon Wizard fall to corruption, then the Fiend Demon lurking below exceeds my direst fears in horror.'
'The fourth basement layer could brim with peril.'
'Now's the moment to push forward on the third basement layer.'
…
In that instant, the rest advanced as one and voiced their concerns:
"Lord Rein, Lord Terrio, perhaps we ought to retreat for now?"
"Circumstances have spiraled far beyond my grimmest forecasts."
"Assuming the diary holds true, our united strength falls short against the Fiend Demon beneath."
Sword Saint Terrio, speaking for the Federation contingent, refrained from hasty judgment and sought Rein's view once more:
"Lord Rein, what's your stance?"
"I'd prefer to linger on the third basement layer for deeper investigation, though the rest of you are free to withdraw," Rein pondered briefly before stating.
"Alright... Lord Rein, we'll remain to support you nonetheless." Surprisingly, Otto—one of the Twin Flame Spirits—offered this without prompting.
Otto's words prompted nods from the others, their consensus unusually firm.
This...
Amusement tugged at Rein inwardly.
Evidently, he'd instilled excessive faith in them.
He himself harbored doubts about withstanding the amplified Fiend Demon ahead, but his companions trusted in his prowess.
"All of you, should I proceed solo, I could escape unscathed even in defeat. However, if..." Rein trailed off there.
"We'll heed Lord Rein's guidance," Sword Saint Terrio grasped the implication at once and declared.
"Very well, Lord Rein, take utmost care," the group urged in turn.
"My thanks."
As he observed their ascent, a subtle flicker lit Rein's gaze.
Should he proceed routinely next, it could swiftly summon the Evil God’s avatar from above while rousing the Fiend Demon below.
Put differently, turmoil—a frenzied clash—loomed with great likelihood.
In such chaos, Terrio and company would offer scant aid, potentially courting utter destruction instead.
Better, then, for them to fortify defenses overhead, enabling his rapid withdrawal should he prove outmatched.
"Metheus, Dorick, you both head up too." After reflection, Rein commanded gravely.
"Your will, master."
Rein stationed the Twin Dragons at the prison rift, ideal for offense or evasion.
With preparations set, Rein turned his focus inward to the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Method.
By this juncture, his fifth-layer cultivation had reached five hundred and ten Will Runes, mere two short of the full five hundred and twelve.
Those final pair, Rein had deliberately postponed.
With a profound inhalation, Rein commenced the concluding etchings.
The initial one...
….
The five hundred and eleventh...
The five hundred and twelfth!
Then, an odd sensation stirred within him, and deep in the mental sea, the intricate four-layer crystal—encased like a sphere in amber—underwent alteration.
Its bottommost circular foundation expanded and bulked up once more, far beyond prior growth.
The spiritual power, now hardened into amber-sphere solidity, fractured abruptly along myriad fissures, resembling a star on the verge of eruption, riddled with splits.
Concurrently, system alerts flashed in quick array:
[You've mastered the fifth layer of the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Method, boosting pertinent insights!]
[Skill Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Method upgraded, experience +20]
…
[Ding! Host solidification at 100%, initiating breakthrough... ongoing metamorphosis...]
[Ding! Host missing Fifth Level Full Moon Witchcraft; option to evolve Dawn Killing Move 'Steel Forest' or 'Blade-toothed Disc' to Fifth Level Full Moon Witchcraft—confirm evolution?]
[Note: Evolving Metal Series Dawn Killing Move 'Steel Forest' demands 784 Golden Skill Points.]
[Note: Evolving Metal Series Dawn Killing Move 'Blade-toothed Disc' demands 912 Golden Skill Points.]
Expend 312 Golden Skill Points to finalize evolution?
"Just as anticipated, matching the chronicles precisely."
"Fifth Level innate wizardry, per ancient tomes, involves not just standard Fifth Level witchcraft but often Full Moon Wizards crafting their own from personal Dawn Killing Moves."
This explained Rein's lack of concern over absent Fifth Level Metal Series Witchcraft.
Truth be told, he had scoured for such Fifth Level Metal Series Witchcraft, yet neither the Dragan Empire nor the Eagle Federation held traces.
Thus, self-evolution stood as his sole avenue.
On the selection...
The system had all but unveiled the optimal path.
'Blade-toothed Disc' exacted more Golden Skill Points than 'Steel Forest', implying its evolved Fifth Level Witchcraft would eclipse in potency.
With scant delay, Rein opted for 'Blade-toothed Disc'.
As Rein affirmed "yes", a torrent of witchcraft cultivation recollections inundated his consciousness...
"First Level Metal Series witchcraft 'Metal Morphing Spell'."
"Second Level Metal Series witchcraft 'Cutting Net'."
"Third Level Metal Series witchcraft 'Sawtooth Ring'."
"Fourth Level Metal Series witchcraft 'Blade Flying Disc'."
…
The foundational Dawn Killing Move 'Blade-toothed Disc' reverted to its four core witchcraft forms.
Now, Rein's thoughts churned wildly, intertwined, and swelled. Time blurred until a system chime resounded:
[Ding! Evolution complete! Host grasps Metal Series Fifth Level Witchcraft "High-frequency Cutting"!]
[Breakthrough continuing...]
…