. Sensing the audience's excitement, Shavender smiled faintly. "Shavender, you're still amazing! Well, you can do this! You've already memorized all this!"
He lifted the curtain, revealing a blue memory orb.
"This is a miraculous magical item. We've identified it, and it can instantly grant anyone any skill they desire, whether it's swordsmanship, magic, or business acumen.
Simply touch it, and all knowledge and abilities will flood into your mind, instantly becoming a part of you.
Its full power remains unknown, but rumor has it that this item once belonged to a great wizard, buried in a lost ancient city, only to be discovered today."
"Let's see which discerning magician will become its master tonight? The auction begins now, with a starting price of one hundred gold Galleons."
"Three hundred gold Galleons."
A voice from the audience nearly made Shavender shudder.
Fudge—no, Mortos! What a ridiculous price he's quoting!
"Three hundred Galleons for one bid."
"Three hundred Galleons for two bids."
Shavender glanced worriedly in Fudge's direction—does this kid even know what infiltration is? He always makes such a big fuss. Didn't this so-called Auror Ace learn the basics of stealth during training?
"Five hundred Galleons."
"Black Narcissus from Unit 73 bids five hundred Galleons. Is there a higher price?"
Shavender's face, hidden beneath his mask, nearly collapsed. He wondered what Mortos was bidding for now—was he about to strike? I need to run!
Thinking of Mortos's style, Shavender really didn't want to continue this lousy auction. "Five hundred Galleons for one bid!"
"Five hundred Galleons for two bids!" "
Eight hundred Galleons."
"Hey—everyone, be quiet."
A voice suddenly echoed in Shavender's mind, and he was almost ecstatic—this was the internal communication magic—the Heart Network, the signature magic of the master of mind magic that the boss had paid a huge price to hire from abroad.
"Starting now, announce Boss X's orders:
In three seconds, all guests will Apparate and leave. Immediately attack Mortos, disguised as Fudge, and try to capture him immediately.
Repeat. Three seconds later."
Shavender was devastated.
Boss was going to attack Caliban? Why?
So many underground black markets had already learned their lesson. Did Boss think they were the biggest black market, so they could do what others couldn't?
Just relying on the people present?
At the very least, include all the guests.
"Begin the countdown."
"3"
No, no!!!
At this moment, West, Shavender, and the secret agent behind them all felt a wave of despair and despair.
"2"
Their expressions grew fierce.
Damn it, come on, it's just an escape! How can I not run faster than you?
"1"
"Bang!"
Three firecrackers suddenly blasted in the air. West, Shavender, and the secret agent all Apparated and fled!
"Fuck you! You're asking me to fight Mortus, why don't you let me fight Dumbledore?"
Suddenly, firecrackers exploded wildly throughout the venue—some unruly guests Apparated away at the second countdown—you're kidding! Mortus is here; staying even a second longer would be disrespectful to his life!
"Looks like we've been discovered?"
Fudge, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, suddenly stood up, a complex wand in his hand. He struck the ground with his wand, and the light-colored frost transformed into an icy lotus, completely sealing off the area while repelling attacks from all directions!
"Surrender obediently, and I'll spare your lives."
Daemon tore off his human-skin mask and stepped into the hall.
"I declare—you—are surrounded!"
Countless spells of various colors exploded at the edges of the lotus, unable to even shake the tip of a petal. Those who hadn't immediately cast Apparition paled, barely believing what they were seeing. Why was there such a protective spell? Even the ultimate armor couldn't offer such a level of defense
. Suddenly, someone felt a chill.
He lowered his head in shock, realizing his feet had been clung to the frost.
"It's a curse!"
someone muttered, hastily attempting to remove it.
Looking around, all the guests had already left, leaving only the staff in the underground black market.
"Kingsley, go check the auction items. I'll watch from here."
"Yes."
Although he had anticipated this, Kingsley hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.
He glanced at his superior; his spells seemed to have increased in power. Why was this happening? Adult wizards shouldn't be able to make progress so easily.
Kingsley turned his head, not giving it time to dwell, and hurriedly examined the underground auction items.
His expression darkened.
Outside the auction, an uninvited visitor suddenly approached Daemon.
He wore a blue, bird-beaked mask, unlike the others' black ones. Standing amidst the frost, he remained unaffected by the curse.
"Caliban Mortos, I'm X, the de facto head of this market. Is this our first meeting?"
"Well, it's probably our last."
Daemon sneered and waved his wand again. The lotus, which others considered to require immense magical energy to maintain, rapidly transformed! It transformed into nine thick spikes, piercing the newly emerged birdman!
"Don't rush to attack. I'm here to negotiate peace with you."
Facing the attack, the birdman remained calm and motionless.
Three people suddenly appeared from behind him. They cast spells simultaneously, their movements in perfect unison. A golden, triangular shield of light extended from each corner, instantly blocking all nine attacks.
"Hmph!"
the trio groaned in unison, their expressions beneath their masks utterly shocked.
"Boss, I can only block it once more before it's my limit."
The
blue birdman's expression changed beneath his mask.
Although he'd repeatedly overestimated the other party's strength, it still seemed insufficient—damn it, was I facing Dumbledore? Had
this man truly reached this level?
With such power, why didn't he just stay in the Ministry of Magic as an Auror striker, like two generations of Dark Lords, attempting to control the wizarding world?
He was insane, wasn't he?
"Don't rush! I really want to talk to you!"
X couldn't keep his composure any longer—in fact, he already regretted showing up here. If he could do it over again, he would never have ordered the attack.
Hey, West had clearly given him advice.
He simply felt that this underground auction was paramount, and all his manpower was here—he was confident that no one, barring the legendary Dumbledore, could survive such power.
And so, today, they actually met.
"What's there
to talk about? I don't even bother talking to someone like you. You don't deserve to hear it."
A divine light exploded in front of X.
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(End of Chapter)