Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

"Thank you, General Augustus. As far as I'm concerned, I have fondness for the Sword Bearers. I think, if the Empire permits, I will try to stay with the Sword Bearers for a while longer, at least for some more time," Rein said with a smile.

...

Meanwhile.

Imperial City Tamriel.

Within the Second Prince Mansion located on the left side of the Imperial Palace.

A middle-aged noble with a mustache was standing respectfully beside a blond man with an elegant yet somewhat sinister demeanor, reporting something:

"Your Highness, an urgent report has just arrived from a spy; Rein has returned from the Secret Realm, and more critically, he obtained the Void Dragon Blood Essence that you had arranged Barnes and the others to acquire."

"He returned so quickly? According to the timeline, only a few hours have passed. There is still more than half of the time left before the 24-hour Secret Realm Re-test ends."

Upon hearing this news, the Second Prince Everton, whose expression was initially indifferent, set down a document and glanced at the clock on the study wall, inquiring with a hint of doubt.

"It's true. The exact reason isn't clear to the spy either, but it's confirmed that he has returned; many people saw him in the first-floor lobby of the Star Mage Platform."

"Additionally, the spy's report states that the Void Dragon is somewhat large, suspected to be an adult Void Dragon," Buchanan added.

"Oh? Really large, huh? Then it should be a teenager giant dragon nearing adulthood, tainted by Void Beasts, which makes the Blood Essence even more valuable," Second Prince Everton considered for a moment and said.

Although the report mentioned this, neither Buchanan nor Second Prince Everton imagined the so-called 'Void Dragon' as a mature Void Dragon.

After all, the Dragon Valley Secret Realm housed only young and adolescent giant dragons.

Even Rein himself hadn't anticipated encountering a Void Dragon.

As for the spy, as an Attendant of the Star Mage's Platform with a Great Knight background, he was unfamiliar with void creatures, so he used words cautiously, often choosing terms like 'suspected' or 'seems to be.'

"Hmm, by the way, how did the spy confirm that Rein has acquired the Void Dragon Blood Essence?" Everton asked once more.

"Confirmed! Because the corpse of this Void Dragon is currently on the first floor of the Star Mage Platform, and Rein extracted the Blood Essence in front of everyone."

"Hmm?" Everton, with his golden hair, was momentarily stunned hearing this.

Extracting Blood Essence in front of everyone?

"Did no one suggest that although the Void Dragon's corpse is this Rein's trophy, such a precious item shouldn't be allocated by the Empire?"

"Uh... No one did."

"It seems it's due to the intervention of high-level Sword Bearers. Where is Rein now?"

"Still on the second floor of the Star Mage Platform, reportedly resting due to considerable battle exhaustion. Your Highness, there's another thing: the spy mentioned that the extraction device Rein used had a mark of five-colored scales on its surface."

"I was thinking, shouldn't this be the mark of the Dragon Scale Brotherhood? Where did Rein get it from? Possibly..." Buchanan didn't finish his sentence.

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, the Second Prince's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and he stood up immediately from behind the luxurious mahogany desk, looking at Buchanan, and asked seriously, "Are you sure?"

"Basically sure."

"Alright, I understand now. Barnes and the others probably encountered unforeseen circumstances. Yet, the opponent has just ended the battle and cannot immediately use the Blood Essence, but it might be a different story in a few days."

Based on the intelligence, Second Prince Everton outlined the rough sketch of the entire affair.

For instance, Barnes could have encountered Rein during his battle with the Void Dragon and decided to strike when Reagan and Bronson hadn't arrived, only to have Rein turn the tables.

Or Barnes and the others gathered and approached Rein, but the task failed. In this case, Rein needs to be given more attention.

Both situations well explain why the Dragon Scale Brotherhood's extraction device ended up in Rein's possession.

As for why Rein returned early?

This is easier to explain; as the intelligence suggests, the Void Dragon was large and likely possessed some special abilities, like effortlessly tearing open rifts at weak points in the Secret Realm, causing situations where Rein fell in during battle.

"Immediately have spies monitor Rein's movements. As soon as he leaves the Star Mage Platform, communicate with him; even at the expense of something extra, make sure to trade for the Void Dragon Blood Essence."

"Understood, Your Highness. But.... What if Rein resolutely refuses? It's hard to make a move within the Imperial City," Buchanan pondered with a frown and said.

The Second Prince Everton chuckled and said:

"Hehe, you don't necessarily have to resort to force to resolve this; have Quinna standby nearby. If communication fails, let her intervene. With her Shadow Dragon bloodline, she can easily and stealthily take a box."

"Wise Your Highness, why didn't I think of that?" Buchanan smiled and complimented.

Buchanan had only met Quinna once, but that one time left a deep impression on him.

That occasion required entering a noble's mansion's secret chamber to retrieve an important item, but the chamber was exceptionally solid and protected by a First Level Witch Array, making the task difficult.

Yet Quinna seemed to enter Subspace, effortlessly walking in and retrieving the item.

Neither the multi-meter-thick granite nor the Witch Array protection had any effect.

...