It does not appear to be naturally formed; the way the stones are stacked is unique: with a vertical central axis as the core, the surrounding stones are stacked in a clockwise vortex, looking like a solidified, black vortex.
Draco shouted loudly at the stone wall, "Open Sesame!"
The stone wall reacted as soon as the words were spoken.
The vertical central axis began to emit a low, grinding sound as it slowly rotated inward and sank.
Immediately afterwards, the outer layer of swirling stones, as if drawn by an invisible force, began to spiral and contract clockwise around the central axis, layer by layer, and cave inward!
It wasn't a simple translation or flipping; rather, the entire vortex wall was "rolling" inwards towards the center, like a receding tide or an ancient lock being unlocked.
Hermione stared in awe at the spectacular magical sight! She had seen many spells, but this ingenious way of opening the rock itself, as if it had come alive, still amazed her.
A faint blue light wafted from the cracks in the rocks.
Each rotating and moving stone rubs against itself, producing a piercing yet incredibly deep roar.
A few seconds later, the vortex completely contracted to its central axis, revealing a circular entrance to a secret passage.
However, when they saw the inside of the entrance,
They discovered that it wasn't a passage at all, but a solid rock wall, making it impossible to enter.
"We've been waiting so long! Chief Ranrok knew you were coming."
A sharp, smug, and arrogant voice suddenly came from the shadows to the side of the entrance.
Almost at the same time the sound rang out, three short, swift figures leaped out from the shadows of rocks and bushes on either side of the entrance, blocking their retreat.
Draco and Hermione immediately turned around, their wands pointing at the newcomers simultaneously, and the ghost of Jackdaw also floated up slightly in alarm.
There were three Goblin, but their attire was clearly not that of Gringotts ' docile employees.
The leader was covered in deep red metallic armor, the style of which bore a striking resemblance to Ranrok, the Goblin rebel leader they had seen in rumors and newspapers.
Most noticeably, a faintly glowing red magical shield was already floating in front of it.
I don't know whether to call it cautious or excessively afraid of death!
Behind it followed two fierce-looking Goblin dressed in ordinary iron armor, wielding double-edged battle axes.
Before Draco and the others could react further, the goblin Goblin issued orders in a shrill voice:
"Kill them! Take their bodies to Chief Ranrok; he'll reward us handsomely!"
As it spoke, it shot two red beams of light at the two axe-wielding Goblin, imbuing them with some kind of speed-enhancing magic effect.
A flash of red light appeared on the two axe Goblin, and their speed suddenly increased. They leaped from left to right with unpredictable trajectories, wielding their sharp axes and slashing fiercely at Draco and Hermione!
at the same time,
The red-clad leader, hiding in the back, gathered magical power in his hands, and a violent shockwave followed closely behind.
" Protego!" Hermione reacted quickly, instantly casting an Shield Charm in front of the two of them.
A cold glint flashed in Draco's eyes. Instead of using a conventional spell, he raised his wand high, the tip of which emitted a dazzling, fiery golden-red light.
An ancient and violent power began to gather.
"Don't think you're the only ones who know a bit of Ancient Magic," he hissed, "Try this— Fire Dragon Attack!"
A burst of blazing orange-red flame erupted from the tip of his staff, but it twisted and expanded rapidly in mid-air, instantly transforming into a ferocious, roaring fire dragon!
The fire dragon, adorned with patterns unique to Ancient Magic, carrying scorching heat and a destructive aura, instantly devoured the two axe-wielding Goblin charging at the forefront.
They didn't even have time to scream before they were reduced to ashes in the raging flames. After devouring two minions, the fire dragon's momentum didn't wane as it charged straight at the red-armored mini-boss behind it.
The smugness on the little Goblin's face was instantly replaced by horror. Before he could even reinforce his shield, the phantom of the fire dragon crashed into it, shattering it like paper.
The next second, the flames completely engulfed it.
The whole process took less than a second. The three ferocious Goblin, along with their weapons and armor, were reduced to ashes in the magnificent yet terrifying maw of the fire dragon.
Hermione and Jackdaw were stunned, remaining in their casting and levitation stances, staring dumbfounded at the battlefield that had been instantly cleared and the slowly dissipating sparks.
Jackdaw, cradling the head, instinctively swallowed, his voice trembling with disbelief:
" Merlin's beard... you... you've actually mastered this level... is this the power of Ancient Magic?"
"No, even more than that... You received the inheritance? No wonder... no wonder you were able to get that book..."
Hermione turned sharply to Draco, her face drained of color, her eyes filled with shock and a hint of helplessness:
" Draco! You... you just killed them?!"
Draco flicked his wand, seemingly surprised by the power of the attack, and coughed lightly:
"A bit... I used too much force. It might be because it's a new spell I've been researching, and I haven't fully mastered the power yet."
"Didn't you promise me you wouldn't kill people easily?" Hermione questioned him sternly.
"They are Goblin," Draco argued, "And Goblin rebels who want to kill us."
" Goblin have lives too!" Hermione raised her voice. "They feel pain, they die! You can't just take their lives because they're not wizards!"
"Who told them to try to hurt you?"
Hermione was taken aback by his words. Her heart was full of reason and respect for life, but when she met his undisguised protectiveness in his eyes, she suddenly found herself unable to continue.
She knew perfectly well where Draco's bottom line was, and how much he valued her, but this ruthless killing still made her uneasy.
"Next time... next time you can't be so impulsive. We can subdue them, we don't necessarily have to..." Hermione said helplessly.
"Got it," Draco readily agreed, then took a step closer, his face regaining that slightly roguish, relaxed smile. "My wife is right, she's the best."
Before Hermione could react, he quickly leaned over and gently kissed her cheek, which still showed signs of helplessness.
Hermione's face flushed bright red instantly, shattering the serious atmosphere. She glared at Draco, embarrassed and annoyed, and raised her hand to hit him, but hesitated because Jackdaw was standing nearby.
At this moment, Jackdaw was straining to look at the sky.
He frantically chanted in his mind: I can't see, I can't hear, I'm just a headless ghost without any feelings...