As the spectators left the stands, the five judges gathered by the Black Lake.
The Aurors did not actually know what had happened. They had been carried out of the Merfolk Village by the lake water.
By the time they returned, the merfolk leader, Merkus, had already awakened.
Although they could not understand what she was saying, her gestures clearly conveyed an apology.
Moreover, the merfolk had lowered their heads and laid down their weapons. Since they also had a duty to protect the Champions, the Aurors left.
As for what the truth really was, they would need to go down and see for themselves.
Dumbledore waved the Elder Wand, parting the waters of the Black Lake down the middle. "Everyone, let us be off."
He had a rough idea of what had happened, but he still could not help wondering exactly what method Vincent had used.
Under normal circumstances, it was impossible to recover so quickly after forcibly breaking free from the Imperius Curse.
If he was not mistaken, Vincent should still be at the bottom of the lake.
The five stepped onto a platform formed from lake water and descended rapidly to the lakebed as though riding an elevator.
When they arrived at the bottom, Merkus was waiting outside the village as if she had known they were coming.
Dumbledore approached her with the other four, his expression strange.
Only she was there. There was no sign of guards or other merfolk.
Dumbledore pressed his legs together and bent them slightly, making the hem of his robes drift like an anemone as he mimicked the rhythm of a fish tail swaying.
"Quaun, blasykimo."
This was standard merfolk etiquette. Of the five present, only he knew how to deal with merfolk.
Merfolk language was also an extremely obscure language.