Chapter 526: The Death of an Old Acquaintance

Chapter 526: The Death of an Old Acquaintance

"Who's there?"

The four of them looked around in shock!

In the next second, in the horrified expressions of Marquis Oren and the other two Crystalized Wizards,

a strange hand suddenly appeared from behind the armored knight, emerging from a spot that had been empty just moments before!

The armored knight's hair stood on end, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

He felt a cold, predatory gaze on the back of his neck, and the horrified looks on the faces of the three others only confirmed his fears.

However, just as he tried to move to evade, a hand like a vice clamped down on his neck, and the steel plate armor around it crumpled like paper.

"Crack!"

With the sound of the armor twisting and deforming,

he felt a sudden, intense pain in his neck. Then, his vision tilted ninety degrees, and gradually grew blurry, plunging him into darkness.

"Stay still, or you die", Rayne said, his figure seemingly stepping out from another dimension.

Marquis Oren and the other two Crystalized Wizards, who had been about to scatter and flee, froze in place at Rayne's words.

After all, the way Rayne had instantly killed a Title Knight was truly terrifying!

Rayne casually tossed the knight, whose neck had been snapped, to the ground.

At this moment, one of the Crystalized Wizards, who had been planning to capture the barbarian girl, seemed to harbor a glimmer of hope. Instantly, three rotating earth-colored shields appeared around him, and he shot toward the window like an arrow, fumbling for something in his pocket.

But in the next instant, his eyes widened in horror!

Because Rayne, who should have been behind him, had somehow appeared in front of the window, and he was now running straight toward Rayne.

This realization sent a chill down his spine!

Just as he was about to pull out a scroll and fight to the death,

"Thud!"

A finger glowing with Dark Silver light pierced through his earth-colored shields and then stabbed into his forehead.

In the next instant, all his movements froze!

The two remaining earth-colored shields, now without energy to sustain them, crumbled into fine sand and fell to the ground. His body then fell backward with a heavy thud, occasionally twitching.

Marquis Oren and the other Crystalized Wizard watched this, cold sweat pouring down their foreheads.

A Crystalized Wizard's third-tier defensive spell had been broken in a single move?

How could they possibly fight?

What kind of ability did Rayne have that allowed him to move so quickly?

How could they possibly escape?

Various thoughts swirled in their minds!

Although they had a few powerful magical artifacts and scrolls, in the face of such a vast power gap, these were meaningless. Their fallen comrade had just provided the best demonstration!

"Lord Rayne, I think there's been a misunderstanding. This wasn't my intention; it was Duke Drum. He's the one who—"

Marquis Oren quickly explained, but Rayne cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Marquis Oren, I arrived in the Imperial Capital this morning. Do you think the Drum Family would have kept my return a secret from you?" Rayne asked, looking at the visibly nervous Oren with a calm expression.

Rayne's words hit Marquis Oren like an arrow.

"It must be... It must be that the Drum Family didn't have time to inform me", Marquis Oren's face paled, but he still believed the Drum Family was on their side.

"Ha, actually, the empire's higher-ups knew last night that Princess Menya and I were on our way back", Rayne said with a slight smile.

This statement became the final straw that broke Marquis Oren's resolve!

"What!" Marquis Oren's face was one of utter disbelief and despair.

In that instant, as an old noble, he understood everything.

No wonder...

No wonder he hadn't received any word from the Drum Family's forces!

He, no, the entire Orinze family, had been abandoned by Duke Drum the moment they learned Rayne had returned.

"Wait, Lord Rayne, you wouldn't want to cause yourself unnecessary trouble by killing me, would you?" Marquis Oren, facing a life-or-death crisis, couldn't help but panic as he saw Rayne slowly approaching.

"Oh? What kind of trouble?"

Rayne watched the other man with a leisurely air, as if to say, 'Go on, I'm listening.'

"Lord Rayne, nobles of the rank of marquis and above are considered high-ranking nobles of the empire. Even if they have violated imperial law, they must be reported to the imperial senate for judgment and sentencing. Killing an imperial marquis like this will certainly cause significant trouble."

"I am willing to offer all of Orinze's wealth to you and swear that Orinze will never seek revenge."

"Thank you, but the trouble you speak of is not much of a concern to me", Rayne shook his head.

"So, Marquis Oren, farewell!"

"Wait, I'm willing—"

But in the next instant,

The Tempered steel in Rayne's hand transformed into a long rapier, piercing through Marquis Oren's forehead as he pleaded for mercy!

"Thud!"

A mix of red and white, brain-like matter exploded from the back of his head, and Marquis Oren's face froze in a permanent expression of terror, regret, and defiance.

"Lord Rayne, I—"

The last remaining third-level Crystalized Wizard from Isodrial Academy, witnessing Rayne kill three people in mere seconds, including an imperial marquis without hesitation, was so terrified that he stuttered.

"Don't be afraid. Tell me your background and why you're here", Rayne said with a smile to the last man.

The Crystalized Wizard, seeing Rayne's smile, felt a sudden sense of honor and encouragement, like a drowning man grasping a lifeline. He quickly regained his composure and said:

"Lord Rayne, I come from Isodrial Academy. I was sent by Deputy Head Malcolm to assist Marquis Oren."

As he spoke, a complex emblem on his wizard's robe, located on his right chest, flickered slightly.

"Arcane communication? Let's listen", Rayne glanced at it.

"Yes, Lord Rayne."

The Crystalized Wizard quickly infused psi energy, and a projection symbol appeared in the air.

It was a recorded message, not a live communication.

For a third-level Crystalized Wizard, recorded messages were the most common means of communication. Maintaining a live connection required a significant amount of psi energy, which even Dawn Wizards rarely chose to do.

A middle-aged man's voice came through: "Mission terminated, return immediately."

The message left the third-level Crystalized Wizard seething with frustration!

Just half an hour more!

If you had notified me half an hour earlier, it would have been so much better! What good is this notice now?

"You've been very cooperative. I won't kill you for now. Later, you will lead me to the Cyrodiil Plateau, to Isodrial Academy's base. Is that clear?"

"No—no problem!" The Crystalized Wizard realized that if he refused, he would die immediately. If he agreed to lead the way, he might have a chance to survive. So, he quickly nodded.

"Very good."

With that, Rayne lightly placed his hand on the man's chest.

A Dark Silver ripple flashed, and the man began to be slowly enveloped by a layer of Dark Silver metal.

"My lord—"

The Crystalized Wizard was terrified, thinking Rayne was about to kill him.

"Don't be afraid. I've heard that wizards at Isodrial Academy like to turn their enemies into stone statues. I think a metal statue might look better."

Once the man, including his face, was completely covered in metal, Rayne left two small openings in his nose for breathing.

Rayne merely wanted to immobilize him, not kill him.

Then, Rayne picked up the 'metal statue' and vanished from the room in a flash.

Not long after Rayne left,

A maid, holding a bottle of fine wine, knocked on the door for a long time but heard no response. Curiosity got the better of her, and she gently opened the door. The scene before her eyes made her scream in horror!

“Ah!”

On the other side.

When Rayne reappeared, he was already near the entrance of the temple.

"Is the psi consumption greatly increased when transporting objects, no, people?" Rayne looked at the metal statue in his hand, deep in thought.

Just now, he had used his newly mastered ability, 'Shadow Traverse,' and discovered that the psi energy consumed when carrying someone increased exponentially.

It made sense; if it were easy to transport people, Quentin's value would be even higher, and Prince Everdon wouldn't have so easily handed Quentin over.

"So, for now, this ability is still primarily for my own use."

"Additionally, areas protected by magical arrays cannot be directly traversed into." Rayne glanced at the grand temple before him, thinking to himself.

He had tried to directly traverse into the temple but found a significant resistance.

Although he could force his way in, it was a friendly area, and such a violent entry would be inappropriate. Thus, Rayne reappeared near the temple entrance.

A few minutes later, Rayne calmly walked into the temple.

"Captain!" Angus, Evelyn, and Enor exclaimed excitedly.

"Sir Rayne." Bardoul, the Knight of Penance, smiled.

"Rayne!" Jennifer, the beautiful woman, hurried over, lifting her skirt to quicken her pace.

However, she seemed to remember the others around her, especially Lagrelle, and stopped herself just before the final two steps, resisting the urge to throw herself into Rayne's arms.

Lagrelle, the barbarian girl, being a high-level berserker, had better self-control, but her face still showed uncontainable joy.

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

Rayne stepped forward and embraced Jennifer, comforting her.

Facing a Crystalized Wizard and a Title Knight, Jennifer, as an ordinary human, must have felt immense pressure.

Next, Rayne hugged Lagrelle, gently rubbing her hair. "You've worked hard."

"It's no trouble, as long as you're back." Lagrelle, as a barbarian, expressed her feelings openly, hugging Rayne tightly and kissing his cheek.

"Sir Bardoul, thank you for your assistance." Rayne smiled and greeted him.

"Sir Rayne, it was my duty. However, due to our limited strength, even with the help of the Sword Bearers, we were at a disadvantage. Therefore, we had to temporarily place the two ladies here in the temple."

Bardoul, carrying a silver great hammer, looked apologetic.

"This is a very proper arrangement, Sir Bardoul. Please do not blame yourself."

"Angus, Evelyn, Enor, it's been a while."

Rayne stepped forward and gave each of his former teammates a light hug.

"I'm sorry, Captain. Our strength is still too weak. We are currently investigating."

"Don't worry, I've already taken care of it. By the way, where is Wei Er Li?"

Rayne looked around and noticed Wei Er Li was not there.

"Captain, Wei Er Li... he didn't survive his injuries." Evelyn, with her red hair, turned away, her eyes reddening.

"Hmm? Wei Er Li is dead?"

Rayne's eyes narrowed, and a formidable aura emanated from him.

At that moment, a girl ran out from the side hall. It was Georgeya. Seeing Rayne, she quickly approached and clung to his arm, saying, "Lord Rayne, my brother is dead."

"Vandar is also dead?" Rayne was taken aback.

"Yes, Vandar was petrified, and his head was cut off." Lagrelle, looking at the sobbing Georgeya, added.

"It's all my fault. I didn't listen to Sir Luther and return to the Imperial Capital immediately. This is..." Jennifer blamed herself.

"This isn't your fault." Rayne consoled her.

At this moment, Enor, who had been carefully examining the statue Rayne had brought into the hall, was startled and whispered, "Captain, is the person inside this statue...?"

"The ones who attacked you last night have all been dealt with. I kept this one because I plan to visit the Isodrial Academy in Cyrodiil Plateau."

Hearing this, everyone was shaken to their core!

At this moment, Rayne's proposal to visit Isodrial Academy was clearly not for a friendly visit.

"Lord Rayne, that's a major academy. I'm already very grateful that you avenged my brother's death", Georgeya said, her beautiful eyes wide with shock as she looked at Rayne, then added with concern.

"Don't worry, Georgeya. Since they dared to kill your brother and Wei Er Li, that's not enough at all."

"Jenniffer, Lagrelle, I'll have Evelyn and the others escort you back to the Imperial Capital first. Later, I'll arrange for a dirigible to take you there."

"Alright, Rayne. Since you're back, we'll follow your arrangements", Jenniffer, the beautiful woman, agreed without hesitation.

"Right, be careful when you go to the Cyrodiil Plateau!" Lagrelle nodded and said.

"As for Angus, Evelyn, and Enor, if you don't mind, I'd like you three to come to the Imperial Capital headquarters", Rayne said with a slight smile.

"Really? Captain!" Angus exclaimed, excited.

"Of course."

Rayne had just briefly observed and found that Angus and the others had steadily improved their strength over this period. While their progress wasn't as significant as his, it was still quite impressive compared to their peers.

Mainly, Rayne considered that as his strength grew, not having his own team made handling many matters inconvenient.

Especially when he was away, his family's safety couldn't be effectively guaranteed. It was time for him to start cultivating a core group of supporters.

Half an hour later.

Minstrel Swordsmen Division.

"Rayne, is everything settled?" Admiral Edward asked, pouring Rayne a cup of black tea.

"The Minstrel issue is resolved, but next, I need to visit the Cyrodiil Plateau."

"Isodrial Academy?" Admiral Edward immediately caught on, his hand trembling slightly as he held the tea, his eyes widening.

Clearly, Rayne wouldn't go to the Cyrodiil Plateau without a reason.

"Rayne, that's a major academy. The headmaster is the Dawn Wizard Stewart Aber, known as the 'Shield of Stone.' Are you sure about this?" Admiral Edward furrowed his brow.

He wasn't questioning Rayne's strength, but rather the fact that Stewart Aber was a seasoned Dawn Wizard with considerable means.

Additionally, the Cyrodiil Plateau was the academy's stronghold, giving them the advantage of home territory. A direct confrontation seemed...

"Thank you for your concern, Admiral Edward. This time, I came to discuss something with you. I want to transfer Angus, Evelyn, and Enor to the Imperial Capital headquarters. I hope you can bear with the loss."

"Ha ha, of course, no problem!"

"However, Rayne, are you sure you won't reconsider the matter with Isodrial Academy?"

"No, this is a good opportunity to resolve some issues", Rayne shook his head, finishing the black tea in one gulp.

"Admiral Edward, thank you for the tea. I look forward to our next meeting." With that, Rayne stood up to leave.

A few minutes later.

A high-speed dirigible took off toward the southwest, while the people below watched it until it disappeared from sight.

"Admiral, do you think Captain will be safe on the Cyrodiil Plateau?" Evelyn, the red-haired girl, frowned and asked, voicing the question on Jenniffer and Lagrelle's minds.

"He will be safe!"

Admiral Edward knew what Evelyn was worried about and shook his head immediately.

"I'm not concerned about Lord Rayne's safety, but rather the potential consequences of this matter."

"Hmm?"

Everyone turned to look at Admiral Edward.

Given their positions, they naturally didn't have as clear a view of the political landscape as Admiral Edward did.

"If Lord Rayne truly gets into a serious conflict with Isodrial Academy, certain people and forces within the empire will likely use this to challenge him."

"That's the real trouble."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end