However, after a moment of reflection, Rein found this quite normal, considering that the âCrystal Energy Matrixâ would indeed be a top-secret item even during the ancient Goblin Empire.
Perhaps, the next exploration of that Floating City might present an opportunity to acquire related blueprints or information.
"Just as well, the Isodre School has an idle large Furnace Core, which means it wonât take much time to create this Mechanical Demon Dragon myself."
"The duel with Pantoscoke should occur in three days."
"I can take the materials along, and once I reach the Imperial City, Iâll head over to the school to manufacture and assemble them."
With a decision already made, Rein left the Mechanical Assembly Hall after days of secluded crafting.
Yet upon stepping out, he noticed at the entrance a stone platform displaying a terrain model of the Shirendil Plateau, surrounded by Menia and others who were deliberating something.
"Lord Rein!" The two elders from the Isodre School were the first to see Rein exiting the Mechanical Assembly Hall and promptly greeted him.
"Lord Rein, itâs great; youâre finally out." Menia exclaimed with delight.
"Sect Leader, is something the matter?"
"Two things, firstly, the Mechanical Land Bird you created is performing exceptionally well; as a result, wizards from our two schools have already eradicated over a dozen exotic spider nests around Nirheim, virtually without casualties." Menia spoke as she pointed towards the stone platform.
"However, the exotic spider swarm is undergoing changes. Weâve discovered that they are beginning to gather multiple colonies together, and among them are spiders of even greater power, and the Mechanical Land Bird seems to be somewhat inadequate."
"So, Lord Rein, about that more advanced one you mentioned earlier?" Menia looked expectantly at Rein and inquired.
"Sect Leader, I think youâll understand once you open the door." Rein chuckled, gesturing towards the Mechanical Assembly Hall.
As the doors of the Mechanical Assembly Hall fully opened, dozens of Mechanical Scythe Claw Dragons and Sharp Roar Dragons, each about four meters high, appeared before everyone.
"Hiss~"
There was a collective sound of gasping among those present!
"This... This... Isnât this too exaggerated?"
"Creating so many in just four days?"
....
Menia and several other Crystallization Wizards were utterly astounded, their eyes fixed in disbelief!
After Rein introduced the improved functional upgrades of these two different models of Mechanical Velociraptors, everyone expressed immense delight, confident that with such âformidable weaponsâ, they could easily obliterate the exotic spider swarm.
"By the way, Sect Leader, what about the second matter?"
"Oh, I forgot to mention this; the assessment for our schoolâs promotion to a large Wizard School is set for three days later, at the same location in Imperial City. I was thinking, since you have a duel, should we negotiate with the Wizard School Union to reschedule?"
"No need, just leave this matter to me." Rein shook his head and stated.
"Alright! Weâll follow your lead." Had it been anyone else, Menia might have been more vocal.
Since Rein was speaking, Menia felt an inexplicable confidence.
Half an hour later, an Imperial Airship loaded with rare minerals and a large furnace device headed towards the Imperial City Tamriel.
...
Meanwhile.
News of the Empireâs rising star Rein engaging in a duel with the titled âStorm Cloudâ Imperial Guardian Pantoscoke spread rapidly among the top aristocratic circles in the Imperial City Tamriel.
Days ago, Elder Ivan and Marshal Alfred returned to the Imperial City and reported this matter to the Royal Family and Elder Council.
Although the Empire does not prohibit dueling among nobles when conflicts are irreconcilable, as evidenced by Reinâs previous duel with Baron Norman in Meist County.
Rein and Pantoscoke are different; although itâs officially a duel, anyone with sense knows that in a battle between two Epic-level powerhouses, itâs highly likely one side may suffer severe injury or even fall.
After all, in duels between Legendary-level figures, an Epic-level could judge and intervene at crucial moments, but at Rein and Pantoscokeâs level, hardly anyone could stop them immediately.
Hence, this so-called duel carries risks akin to an actual duel.
...
Imperial City Tamriel Inner Ring.
Inside the study of Drum Manor.
"Ancestor, are you truly confident in defeating that Rein this time?" Duke Drum asked anxiously.
The concern was not due to doubting his ancestorâs strength but because Reinâs rapid growth seemed incredibly daunting.
Another factor was his worry clouding his judgment.
In Duke Drumâs heart, Pantoscoke, the titled âStorm Cloudâ ancestor is the cornerstone of the Drum Family, a guarantee for maintaining its premier status among Imperial Nobles under the Guardian Family title.
Once their ancestor suffers serious injury, or even worse...
Duke Drum dared not imagine what events might follow.
"Rest assured, half a month ago, Hazas ascended to the Elder Dragon level, significantly enhancing his power, with Acidic Breath power increasing by fifty percent."
"Moreover, the most surprising revelation is Hazasâs talent ability âDrowsy Poison Cloudâ, which also saw a substantial power increase; Iâve tested it, and even Dawn Wizards sprayed by it will experience brief drowsiness."
"Ah?" Duke Drum could hardly contain his joy!
This meant his ancestorâs prowess rises to an upper-middle level among the Empireâs Guardians.
However, Duke Drum soon furrowed his brow in contemplation.
Considering Hazas is his ancestorâs giant dragon partner, by his estimation, achieving Elder Dragon level should take several hundred years of slow growth, how did this happen abruptly?
Pantoscoke chuckled, "Are you puzzled?"
"Indeed, Ancestor, itâs rather..." Duke Drum nodded.
"You neednât worry about the details; almost nobody knows about Hazas reaching the Elder Dragon level, not even the Empire, although I must report to the Royal Family before the duel."
"I understand now; itâs no wonder you previously instructed me to publicize your duel with Rein among the Imperial Nobles, to prevent Prince Menia from intervening."
Briefly contemplating, Duke Drum was once again impressed by his ancestorâs wisdom, having considered all aspects.
This duel has now evolved into a confrontation between the Conservative Party and Reform Faction, and amidst such grandeur, even Prince Menia, the âRed Queenâ whom Rein once saved, couldnât intervene forcefully.
Pantoscoke smiled and nodded.
...
After Rein arrived at the Imperial City, he first returned home, enjoyed dinner with family including Jennifer, Lagaray, and then proceeded to the Bixiu Mechanization School to start crafting the âKing of Tyrannosaursâ.
This was because Rein didnât wish to expose his newly elevated Dawn Late Stage strength, besides, Menia had previously advised him against showcasing multi-head abilities especially before the Imperial Royal Family.
In such a situation, defeating Pantoscoke resoundingly wasnât effortless.
Judging by Pantoscokeâs confident demeanor upon departure, the man surely harbors some ace up his sleeve.
Both Luther and Halowin naturally heard of the duel, intending to meet Rein but found him elusive.
...
Time swiftly approached two days later.
The Royal Arena lies on the southern side of the Imperial Palace.
Due to its unique geographical location, only Imperial Earls and higher-grade nobles could attend, hence, though the crowd seemed not large, they were mostly richly dressed, and the women were elegantly attired, each putting forth a carefully crafted appearance.
By rights, neither Lady Jennifer, Barbarian Maiden Lagaray, nor Cleya, who had yet to inherit the title of Countess, should qualify as spectators, but since one of the dueling parties was Rein, naturally they were seated in the front row.
Behind them was a flurry of hushed conversations among the elite nobles, discussing the disparity in strength between the two sides and prognosticating the most likely victor.
"Duke Davidson, from my understanding, although Marquis Rein defeated âCarverâ Harold, there seems to be a considerable gap between him and the Imperial Guardian âStorm Cloudâ Pantoscoke, Crown."
A middle-aged man in an aristocratic costume leaned towards an elderly person holding a gold-accented and diamond-encrusted cane and inquired.
"No, I have more faith in Lord Rein." The elderly Duke Davis replied amiably.
...