A Sigh-Inducing War

Xenophilius swallowed hard. "Such a thing actually exists? Could it be... Unforgivable Curses?"

"In times of war, neither the Unforgivable Curses nor other Dark Magic," Anne Salru said, her tone turning cold.

"Once the war continues, people's sense of morality will decline. Turmoil often means disorder, which means that they can amplify the evil in their hearts."

"Those who die on the Muggle battlefield will be used by wizards to turn them into Inferi and die again on the wizarding battlefield."

"Uh..." Xenophilius cracked his neck and glanced at Luna and Wizet beside him. "Why don't you two go back to your room first?"

"Let's get back to the circus, shall we?" Anne Salru propped herself up on her arms, clasped her hands together under her chin, and softened her tone considerably.

"Those wizards understood the weakness of the Blood-Curse Beast. Just as the Blood-Curse Beast transformed into beasts and put on a great show, the Muggle artillery fire came down."

"The wizards, naturally, had no need to be too afraid and cast spells to leave the island. The Blood-Curse Beast, before they could regain their human form, were overwhelmed by the artillery fire."

Xenophilius, "They... are all dead?"

"Perhaps they're all dead?" Anne Salru shook her head. "At least those Blood-Curse Beast shouldn't be alive."

"The wizards who returned to the village sought out a more powerful wizard to prevent a similar situation from happening again, and asked him to cast more Protective Magic."

"Most people choose to forget this matter, while a minority choose to remember it. I happen to be one of those who choose to remember it."

"So that's why you appeared on the lake..." Xenophilius suddenly realized, "What a poignant story, those were terrible times!"

He quickly composed himself and asked, "Would you mind telling me... how many people are in the circus? I'd like more details to enrich the story."

"Let me think..." Anne Salru closed her eyes and pondered for a moment, "I remember there were four people in total, three Blood-Curse Beast and a child."

"The performance was mainly performed by three Blood-Curse Beast, while the child was responsible for receiving the tips... In those days, it was difficult to get into Magic School to learn magic."

"That lovely boy was named Sigurd. Whenever someone threw a coin at his hat, he would smile brightly and say, 'Thank you, sir, and may you be happy and healthy.'"

"They should be a family, and their wild animal forms are all reindeer. In addition, there are many other Magical creature in the performance, such as fire Fire Dragon Hippogriff."

"These aren't anything special; you can see plenty of Magical creature at any regular magic circus. The most unique feature of that circus is the Blood-Curse Beast..."

Back in their room, Wizet and the others were somewhat wistful.

The circus, which was meant to bring laughter, was ultimately destroyed due to a senseless act of vengeance.

Xenophilius read the manuscript twice more, then left the guest room, seemingly wanting to verify something.

Wizet saw the wanted poster on the table again and couldn't help but think of the strange man she had met that afternoon.

Luna sat opposite him and asked softly, "Do you think that person was the one who attacked the Swedish Ministry of Magic?"

Wizet murmured, "I just think we should be careful, after all, the Swedish Ministry of Magic hasn't caught him yet."

"I support your idea." Luna took out a sketchbook and paintbrushes from her suitcase.

Before long, she drew the scene of her encounter with the man in black robes that afternoon on paper.

"At least it can increase... that tiny bit of credibility."

"Certainly!"

Seeing the drawing paper Luna handed him, Wizet made up her mind, filled in the relevant information on the wanted poster, and asked the village owl to help send it away.

At the Federot Inn, Anne Salru and Ominis were still sitting in the lobby, watching Wizet walk out the door.

"Guess what that child went to do?" Anne Salru asked, looking out the window.

"They must have gone to mail a letter to the Ministry of Magic." Ominis flicked his wand lightly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "Perhaps it's because we ran into that person this afternoon."

"He's probably nearing his limit." Anne Salru's eyes showed helplessness. "Can that kid really succeed? I can hardly believe it, after all, he's still so young."

"A guardian with Obscurus —such an impossible thing has already happened." Ominis put down his teacup. "I don't think we should have any doubts."

"Wasn't Serena just a fifth-year student back then? Even if you don't believe in Prophecy, you should believe in Serena. That notebook contains secrets unique to the Guardians."

"Yes, at least we should trust Serena." Anne Salru nodded.

Just then, an owl flew past the window.

Ominis raised his wand and waved it gently; a letter appeared in his hand.

Anne Salru took the letter, which contained a completed wanted poster and a drawing. "Omi, you're right, he did send a letter to the Ministry of Magic, suspecting that person."

"But that's not enough." Ominis interlaced his fingers, circling his thumb back and forth. "He needs to be even more perceptive, to notice something amiss in the story."

Anne Salru asked with great interest, "Do you think he can do it?"

"If the Prophecy is correct, then he is the most special guardian... without exception." Ominis shook his head. "So we can only rely on tomorrow night..."

"I don't really like exams," Anne Salru sighed, "Especially exams I'm completely unprepared for."

"But that's crucial," Ominis said. "He's our hope."

The next day at noon, Wizet and his group finally left their guest room.

When I arrived in the lobby, Ominis was sitting by the window, blowing on a steaming teacup.

Seemingly noticing the three footsteps, he smiled slightly and said, "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

"That story is indeed a bit heavy. I hope it won't affect your mood, since you're here as tourists."

Wizet and the others were indeed affected by last night's story; Xenophilius didn't return to his room until midnight.

Wizet spent most of the night searching for information about the Blood-Curse Beast.

There is a forest path behind the village that leads directly to the Wizard Ruins.

Wizet and his companions walked along the path, the occasional rustling of small animals and the crackling of broken branches and leaves could be heard around them.

A unique tranquility, belonging to the dense jungle, is immediately apparent.

The trees on the island were exceptionally thick. After rounding a huge rock, one could vaguely see a tall, indistinct building through the gaps between the giant trees...