great-warnovel Chapter 402 The Snake's Trail
Chapter 402 The Snake's Trail
Chapter 402 The Snake's Trail
Although the vault and library are both on the second floor of the Iron Tower, Hermione has never been inside. The locked doors are covered in curses, which wouldn't be a problem for her, but it would turn the crime into a robbery.
With the help of the house-elf, Hermione was finally able to peek into Grindelwald's collection.
This Dark Lord, who reigns over the magical world, was not originally known for his vast wealth. However, as his followers grew and his conquered lands and territory expanded, some treasures that had been left behind in the corners of the world were also presented to his treasury.
Of course, Grindelwald wouldn't be interested in a pure Galleon; he's not a goblin.
He was only interested in ancient magical artifacts, spells, and rare, exquisite specimens.
The treasure trove is filled with transparent cabinets displaying strangely shaped live specimens, some of which can even swim in preservation fluid.
An axe oozing blood, a rolling metal eyeball peering around, a black-robed figure yelling and pounding on a cabinet door, intestines slithering like snakes, a ship's rudder spinning on its own—
It perfectly matches Hermione's fantasy of a dark wizard's vault, where most of the artifacts are related to dark magic.
However, there are also a few pure antiques, such as the charred fragments left behind by the Argo, the great ship that Jason and other heroes sailed on, which are said to be from the mythological era; the pure white horns of the silvery-white sacred bull Fenbinach from Celtic mythology; the pipe of Old Man Regba from Africa; and the smoking mirror from Tezikapolipoka in the Americas, etc.
Some of these things possess extraordinary power, even stronger than the invincible lamp given by Regulus, while others merely possess some inexplicable mysterious aura, but are utterly useless.
However, most of these things are useless to Hermione. With her and Grindelwald's level of strength, these gadgets that ordinary people would consider powerful are no longer even useful.
After much deliberation, she finally chose a treasure called the Viles Curse-Breaking Sword.
This is a rapier made under the name of Velas, the god of transformation, the underworld, and contracts in Slavic mythology, and it has the ability to pierce spells.
Unlike Lockhart, who imbued a sword with a spell and then used it to cut through other spells, this was essentially a battle between the wizard's own magic and the spell. Even if a Muggle got their hands on this rapier, it could easily break the wizard's spell.
Moreover, it's not just spells; even inscriptions on objects, barriers, and manifested chains of contracts have a certain chance of being severed directly.
As for why we are certain it is a false name for Velas, since there is no such thing as a rapier in Slavic mythology, it was clearly made by wizards after the sixteenth century.
However, the production ideas and spell techniques contained within are quite ingenious, clearly the work of a master. Hermione was very interested in the principles behind it and planned to study them.
Moreover, once the research is complete, it can be given to Ron, which, combined with the sword, will likely make him even more difficult to deal with.
As May arrived, the blazing sun grew even hotter.
Sirius arrived three days after Hermione sent the letter. He entered Black Manor through proper diplomatic channels, amidst the malicious gazes of a group of dark wizards.
No one knows exactly what happened next, but the elf said that a fierce argument broke out in the room, and then Sirius walked out of the manor with a helpless and dejected look on his face.
"I don't understand why he insists on staying in that disgusting house!" Harry's black godfather, holding a teacup, sat in Hermione's library, his face full of indignation.
"When I was little, I thought he was a pure Slytherin, deeply believing in the doctrines instilled in him by his family. But as I grew up, I could sense that he didn't love that family at all, nor did he love those cruel and heartless beliefs!"
"Why wouldn't he give up everything here and come back to New Hogsmeade with me? He'd have everything there, and he'd be a million times happier than here!"
Hermione could only comfort the man while trying to remove the various latent curses that had afflicted him. After all, anyone who had been around dark wizards was bound to pick up some of those curses, especially one from the Order of the Phoenix.
She didn't want to get too involved in the conflict between the two Black brothers. Let them deal with things like family responsibility, bloodline inheritance, and kinship commitments.
"Hermione, I have to thank you. Although my brother is an idiot, you saved him. I will remember this kindness forever!" the man promised, as he placed the indestructible lamp back on Hermione's table.
"This is a gift from Regulus as a token of his gratitude, and it is something you deserve. Please accept it."
"I don't have any valuable treasures, but if you need any help later, just let me know and I'll be there!"
With Sirius Black safely placed in the fireplace, the story of Regulus came to an end.
From him, Hermione also learned in detail about the recent situation at Hogsmeade and the school.
Everything was progressing smoothly. With half of the newly created Great Rune in Hilmi's hands, the output of the city's agricultural district had been rising steadily. Now it could basically meet domestic demand, and they had even begun to discuss future export business.
The city's various departments have been operating smoothly, a large number of shops and workshops have officially opened, Muggles, werewolves, wizards, and goblins get along well, and intelligent races such as centaurs and mermaids are also working hard to integrate.
The school's teaching work was also progressing smoothly. Hermione's friends attended classes during the day and went on adventures to the Room of Requirement at night. Perhaps because Hermione was not around, it became a motivation for them to work hard and improve.
However, Moody becoming the headmaster of Gryphon House was truly a nightmare for them. The old man was terrifying; just his glare was a million times scarier than Professor McGonagall's.
Registration for the Quidditch World Cup is nearing completion. Starting next month, a series of qualifying matches will begin. Teams from every faction around the world will gather in New Hogsmeade and stay there for more than two months until the final champion is decided.
These messages put Hermione at ease. Hilmi hadn't caused any outrageous trouble or blown up the castle, which allowed her to focus on her studies and, incidentally, deal with Grindelwald.
The old man promised to provide information about Voldemort, which was the information she most urgently wanted: to send that disgusting old geezer to the other side to apologize to Dumbledore, and incidentally, to pry out his great runes for research.
The observer is less proactive in terms of vision. Without a medium, no matter how hard she tries to occupy the space, it will be difficult to find senior Tom, who is determined to hide.
Although Grindelwald's clairvoyance was limited, as long as he found some clues, he could mobilize his followers to investigate. With enough wizards searching in a vast network, they could always obtain some useful information.
Just as Hermione had suspected, the Dark Lord, in order to get her to work willingly, soon sent her some information about Voldemort.
"Mexico? Copper Canyon? Abnormal City?" Upon seeing these names, Hermione's first thought was that her senior could really run fast.