Can't Take It by Force, Can't Trade for It

Let's talk? Talk about what?

Regulus looked down at the five people below. The two survivors were standing at the very back. It was unclear whether they were impressed by him and subconsciously wanted to stay away, or simply because they were of lower status and could not be ranked alongside the other three.

Judging from the Magic Power feedback, the one in the lead is probably at the level of a Hogwarts professor.

But simply comparing Magic Power is not very meaningful, as many wizards will gradually increase their Magic Power power as they age healthily.

But that's just Magic Power. The true strength depends on the ability to Spellcasting, the understanding of Magic, combat experience, and reaction to unexpected situations.

The person before him was clearly not the type who possessed Magic Power in name only. He stood on the sea, his Magic Power like Shenhai undercurrent, calm on the surface but turbulent beneath.

Regulus recalled Freya's words from the day he arrived in Reef Town, about the Abyssal Whisper.

The Abyssal Whisper worship the Shenhai, believing that Magic should be like the ocean—objective, vast, and capable of swallowing all individual noise. Their Magic feels cold and possesses a kind of inhuman rationality.

It sounds a bit like that thing in the ruins.

That thing revealed something more fundamental and underlying, more like a source; it didn't require individuals to have free will or independent thought.

What it wants is to make the individual part of something grand, to make the individual's noise disappear, and to let everything return to that cold, Magic system.

Regulus thought to himself, this doesn't seem like a coincidence.

The origins of the Abyssal Whisper, their ideology, and what they seek are likely related to that ruin.

It's even possible that they are an organization derived from that Magic system.

Perhaps hundreds of years ago, someone obtained something from the ruins and embarked on the path it had set. That the Dark Lord created this organization and passed down his Magic philosophy.

But over time, later generations transformed it into a belief, into a goal to pursue.

And they may have already tracked it down decades ago, but back then there was someone standing in their way.

That document was the key to entering the ruins, but it was in Grindelwald's possession. After his failure, he gave it to the Eisenhardt family, and it wasn't until this year that it was given to Freya.

So they could only wait, until Regulus came to Germany, until today they came to the Abyssal Slumber.

The thought flashed through my mind and then subsided; now was not the time to think about it deeply.

Regulus remained silent, leaving Freya to handle the negotiations. He stood by as a deterrent, his body wreathed in Fiendfyre, the gray-green light on the tip of his wand flickering faintly.

Freya's voice was icy. "What do you want to talk about?"

The leader below was actually feeling somewhat helpless.

Does he want to talk? Of course not.

He would rather just snatch it, take the document, or even just glance at it and return it.

He could apologize, offer lavish gifts, or bring out the organization's treasured possessions.

Magic items, hidden knowledge, unique Magic, treasures from the Shenhai —anything is possible.

Or instead of grabbing, you could exchange it for something more attractive.

But now, none of those seem to work.

The two people mentioned above are from the Eisenhardt family and the Black family, both of which are among the most powerful families in the Europe Wizarding World.

The Black family, in particular, is the clear heir.

Even so, the leader had nothing to fear.

The Abyssal Whisper have existed for hundreds of years, and perhaps in some places they are indeed no match for the Pureblood families who have cultivated their roots there.

However, the power they wield is enough to give them the confidence to engage in equal dialogue with these families.

In fact, he felt that he was the one who needed to be treated with caution.

Those Pureblood families spend their days fighting for power, maintaining their bloodlines, and engaging in pointless social games.

What are they pursuing?

Status, wealth, marriage alliances, and a seat in the Ministry of Magic.

Abyssal Whisper seeks the truth of Magic, the hidden knowledge buried by time, and the traces left by beings older than humanity.

They're not even on the same level.

But that witch was different. The leader looked at the blue flames swirling around Freya with a strange expression.

He had some doubts when the Island Leader described it before, because blue flames were not unusual; many wizards could create fires of various colors.

But once he saw it with his own eyes, he no longer doubted it; he recognized the flame.

Thirty years ago, there was someone whose flame was just like this—its color, its shape, the way it burned, and the Magic Power aura that made people instinctively want to back away.

Exactly the same.

Grindelwald.

That was a mark of an era, even though he had been imprisoned in Nurmengard and had disappeared from public view for nearly thirty years.

But as long as he lives, and as long as this could possibly be his extended tentacles, the leader of the Abyssal Whisper dares not actually do anything.

And that boy from the Black family, the Fiendfyre swirling around him were clearly extremely powerful, and he was so young.

The Island Leader's description of that area-of-effect Magic, which came without warning, speaks volumes.

At such a young age, to have mastered such profound incantations and to have achieved such power.

If he doesn't kill him in one go, he'll become the entire organization's nightmare, not to mention the Eisenhardt witches by his side are no pushovers.

"Robbing is out of the question," the leader quickly assessed the situation and immediately abandoned the idea of taking action.

But he still wanted to try and see if they could make an exchange.

He stepped forward and looked up at the two people on the boat.

"My name is Joachim von der Wilder," his voice was still old and rough, with a harshness like that of someone carried by a sea breeze. "The current head of the Abyssal Whisper."

"Miss Eisenhardt, Mr. Black."

I would trade everything the Abyssal Whisper have accumulated over centuries—knowledge, wealth, treasures, information from other ruins, unique Magic —just for a glimpse of that document.

Every word he spoke was sincere, but Freya didn't hesitate, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "No."

Joachim remained unmoved; he was prepared.

When he saw them in the sea, he noticed something.

They had no Magic effects on them, no Bubble-Head Charm, no Shield Charm, nothing at all, while the five of them on their side were all wearing full protective gear.

This difference can only mean one thing: they went inside the ruins.

Anyone who has been inside will naturally understand what's inside. Even if they only bring out a little something, or a Magic, it's enough to benefit an individual or a family for generations.

Anyone would want to occupy such a place and wouldn't share it, so refusing is normal.

Joachim paused for a moment, then asked, "May I know what you brought out from there?"

Freya remained silent; she truly had no idea what Regulus had brought out, or even whether he had gained anything at all.

Judging from the relaxed expression on his face, he must have gained something, but as for what exactly—

Thinking of this, her expression towards the people below grew increasingly hostile. If they hadn't been delaying her, Regulus would probably have already started talking to her.

Joachim was somewhat puzzled by that look.

He saw the blue flames on Freya's body flash and burst for a moment, though they quickly receded back around her body. But he still subconsciously began to gather his Magic Power.

He experienced the entire Grindelwald era.

Thirty years ago, he had seen that the Dark Lord Spellcasting from afar. Wherever that blue flame passed, some people turned to ashes, while others remained unharmed.

That power, that oppression, that characteristic—I still remember it vividly.

The flames on the witch's body were far less powerful than those of Grindelwald, practically worlds apart.

Grindelwald's flames could engulf an entire sea, while this witch's flames could only protect herself.

But Magic is Magic. Even a much weaker flame is still dangerous, and besides, who knows if this is all she can do?

No one answered the question, Regulus naturally wouldn't offer to answer it, especially since he really hadn't brought anything with him. If one had to say he had anything—

He glanced at the Fiendfyre surrounding him; it was all there. Did he want it?

Joachim was momentarily speechless. He couldn't take it or exchange it, so he turned his gaze to Regulus.

"Mr. Black, what about you? Would you be willing to trade with us?"

Regulus simply shook his head.

The item wasn't his, so he couldn't possibly agree on Freya's behalf, and besides, his word didn't count.

Joachim took a deep breath; he knew he wouldn't get anything, but he was truly unwilling to give up.

It's been hundreds of years.

The organization has existed for hundreds of years and has finally found this place, but someone is blocking their way, preventing them from pursuing their ultimate goal.

Centuries of searching, centuries of perseverance, were thwarted by these two witches, a man and a woman, who were extremely young to him.

Even disregarding the possibility of Grindelwald's intervention, these two alone might not be enough for them to take down.

He was confident that he could easily defeat them on his own, but he had just seen them in the sea; they could Apparition.

This means that as long as they are not killed in one blow, they can leave at any time. On the Great Sea, they can Apparition anywhere and be nowhere to be found.

You can't hit it, you can't steal it, you can't exchange it.

As Joachim looked at them, a thought suddenly popped into his mind: if that's the case, we can just wait another hundred years or so.

Now that the target has been confirmed to be there, all that remains is to wait.

Besides, they are so young, there will always be times when they need help, or their ideas may change after a few decades.

Rather than tearing each other apart now, it's better to...

The waves at Joachim's feet gathered and coalesced into a stream, lifting him upwards and forwards.

The current lifted him to the bow of the ship, where he was eye-level with Freya and Regulus, less than three meters away.

Regulus remained calm, standing still as the other rose before him, but his Magic Perception was already fully activated.

His further refinement of Star Orbit Meditation also greatly improved his Magic Perception. He discovered that the other party had no intention or preparation to attack.

However, he was not careless. If the opponent was skilled enough, they could completely shield their own Magic Power so that he could not sense it.

The light at the tip of his wand shone even brighter.