great-warnovel Chapter 358 The Call from the Other Shore
Chapter 358 The Call from the Other Shore
Chapter 358 The Call from the Other Shore
Hermione didn't know what the slowly rising stone archway was, but from Dumbledore's drastically changed expression, she knew it was definitely not a good thing.
The Death Veil is a mysterious ancient structure that existed there even before the Ministry of Magic and the City of London were established. Even the earlier Celtic druids did not know whose legacy it was, only that the veil connects to the other side. Even the living, if they recklessly cross it, will be forever lost in the world of the dead and never be able to return.
Some believe it to be an altar of death, where ancient civilizations offered sacrifices to death. But unlike Voldemort's blasphemous rituals, here, death receives offerings from his devout followers, and all who cross the veil are automatically considered sacrifices to death.
Like the Thestrals, those who have witnessed death will hear the whispers of the dead as they approach this archway. These whispers are usually from the souls of the dead who are closest to them and whom they miss the most. The dead speak inflammatory words, tempting the living to recklessly enter the gate and reunite with them.
For the dead ghosts, and for the cowards who linger in this world and refuse to leave, this archway is like the whistle of a train starting up, the shepherd's raised whip, and the ever-shortening fuse, urging them to return quickly and not linger any longer.
The former British Ministry of Magic was located beneath London. It had a long history and a large population, yet not a single wizarding ghost ever appeared there. Even outsiders dared not linger there for long. The reason for this was the mysterious and dangerous veil of the afterlife hidden in the Hall of the Dead.
After London was destroyed by nuclear bombs and the Ministry of Magic was disbanded, this arch should have been buried under the ruins until civilization was rebuilt and it was rediscovered by wizards.
But Lucius remained wary of Dumbledore; the existence of the White Wizard was an obstacle in Malfoy Castle and also an obstacle to his becoming the true leader of half the wizards in the world.
Especially after cooperating with Voldemort, he deeply understood that he was dealing with a tiger for its skin, and had long ago secretly made a backup plan.
He secretly excavated the stone archway and moved it intact to the underground of Malfoy Castle. Whether it was Dumbledore, who was barely clinging to life and relying on ghosts to prolong his existence, or Voldemort, who stole Death's treasure and desecrated life, he could use this trump card to completely suppress them should they pose a threat to Malfoy Castle, his stronghold.
Although the White Wizard is no longer the crippled figure he once was, and no longer needs other ghosts to prolong his life, as a pure ghost, he is even less able to resist the influence of the Death Curtain. It can only be said that Lucius's carefully prepared contingency plan happened to perfectly counter Dumbledore.
The old man stared intently at the curtain, as if his entire being had been drawn into it, oblivious to the dangers around him. His translucent body trembled slightly, as if it took immense effort to restrain his urge to fly towards the archway and head to the other side.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Sirius, who was watching from afar, was pale-faced. The archway that was gradually rising under Lucius's control was exuding an eerie and ominous aura, making him feel uneasy.
"Death's offering is a black dog, and you're like a fish on a chopping board." Slughorn knew the student's animal form and analyzed it with great seriousness.
"Stop looking! Quickly tie these little elves up so they don't have a chance to cause any more trouble!" Moody instructed the Aurors with practiced ease, as if he were born to lead them.
"Professor!" Hermione called out in the air, but Dumbledore seemed not to hear her. He was lost in the familiar whispers in his ear, lingering on the invisible wind brushing against his cheeks. It was warm, like the tips of Ariana's hair. He couldn't suppress the urge to cry. The gray world became more colorful the closer he got to the arch.
Simply immerse yourself in it—abandon everything in this mundane world—and you can enjoy peaceful sleep, sweet dreams, and the company of loved ones you miss dearly. Just let go of everything—immerse yourself in it—
"Professor!" Hermione called again, frowning, but to no avail.
Dumbledore's soul bond ritual was tied to the Hogwarts's Shining Stone core. She was not Dumbledore's master; otherwise, she could have tried to forcibly control his mind using death magic.
Now, she could only watch helplessly as the white wizard was drawn to the archway, forgetting everything around him.
Lucius raised his bone wand once more, unleashing a malevolent killing curse that was about to send Dumbledore to his death.
"Comet Yazler!" Hermione's cold, low shout came from the sky at just the right moment.
The spectacular, fluorescent blue pyroxene waterfall almost instantly engulfed Lucius.
The latter could only angrily interrupt the killing curse and use all his strength to fight against Hermione's massive comet impact.
Even if she were to advance to the rank of Grand Wizard, this most energy-consuming Origin Magic would still be a burden on her. But now is not the time to be stingy with her magic. Comet Azle is the only magic that can reliably suppress Lucius.
Powered by the Golden Snitch's Brilliant Stone, Hermione even managed to distract herself, using her right hand to continuously cast spells to suppress Lucius while simultaneously freeing her left hand to launch a heavy gravity ball that was about to destroy the stone archway.
"Don't even think about it!" Although Lucius was extremely crazy, he knew that the Death Curtain was the key to his comeback.
Among the hundred arms manipulating the blood-stained rainbow light, a dozen hands were deliberately separated to set up layers of barriers around the stone archway. Even though this weakened their own defenses and caused their bodies to sizzle and smoke from the burning light of the radiant stone, they did not back down.
The gravity ball crashed into those murky, glass-like barriers, causing massive explosions, but none of this affected the arches within. Hermione frowned, flipped her left hand, and grabbed and slapped.
Dumbledore, who was standing there in a daze, was pulled by an invisible force and thrown out of the city.
Clearly, the existence of the stone archway has rendered the White Wizard powerless, and he would only find himself constrained here.
"Take good care of the professor!" she shouted to Moody, who had caught Dumbledore outside the city.
The next moment, she interrupted the massively depleted Comet Azle, and countless sapphire meteors shot out. At the same time, she followed in the rain of light, and the incomparably sharp Greatsword of Light, Kalia, reappeared.
Honorable Kalia!
This is the sword magic that the Faded One found in the Shadowlands, which is superior to the Great Caria. Compared to the original version, which can only charge up in multiple stages while standing still, the Great Caria can be activated faster, can be linked with more variations, and has more amazing power and impact.
As Lucius looked up from the blazing stream of light, he saw a girl wielding a terrifying giant sword of light, seemingly charging towards him alongside the stars.
"I alone am enough to cut you down again!" The magic stones slammed against Lucius's barrier with a crackling sound, like a torrential downpour into a pond. Hermione stepped forward and raised her greatsword with one hand, slashing fiercely.
Layer upon layer of obstacles were cleanly sliced through. Lucius dared not be careless. Magic dragged him backward at high speed, while Hermione turned and followed closely behind. The light blade that had originally deflected bullets became even thicker and swept out horizontally at his waist.
With a loud bang, Lucius, unable to intercept in time, was sent flying like a baseball, but he didn't seem to be seriously injured. He only coughed up blood twice before getting back up.