Several days later, high above Cornwall, England, a pale golden bird soared through the sky.
"Matthew—is that the village?" the maiden on the bird's back asked, pointing at the cluster of buildings below.
"It should be. Find somewhere to land, Pupu." The black-haired youth patted the great bird's neck.
They were Matthew and Luna. Over the past few days, Matthew and Luna had often ridden Pupu out for flights, and Matthew had become quite familiar with Pupu by now.
The Thunderbird let out a clear, long cry, beat its wings, and dove toward the ground.
Protected by Magic, Matthew and Luna had no risk of being thrown off.
Before long, Pupu landed on a nearby hilltop.
Matthew waved his hand, and the grass and trees beneath them rose from the ground, turning into a gangway that connected to the Thunderbird's back.
The two followed the gangway back down to the ground.
"Pupu, wait for us here." Luna stroked the Thunderbird's belly.
The Thunderbird lowered its head and nuzzled her, signaling its agreement.
"Let's go. I cast an Illusionary Body Spell on Pupu, so there's no need to worry about anyone spotting him," Matthew said.
A moment later, Matthew and Luna arrived at the village at the foot of the mountain.
The village was overgrown with weeds, and most of the wooden houses had already collapsed. There were even traces of wild animals. It appeared to have been abandoned for a long time.
Matthew had come to visit the Goblin Village. Everything before them was merely a surface-level disguise for it.
Matthew found a stone monument at the center of the village and infused it with a little Magic.
The monument immediately split down the middle, revealing a passage through the crack.
"It's a little like the entrance to Diagon Alley."