Lama Wang, High Priest of the Mosque's Vatican Office
St Mark's Basilica, as one of the finest examples of Byzantium architecture in Europe, has a distinctly gentle and whimsical appearance.
Unlike the somber gray towers of Notre-Dame de Paris or Chartres Cathedral, St Mark's Basilica, while equally magnificent, is more down-to-earth.
Its width is greater than its height, and its top is a five-lobed, snow-white dome, giving it an almost festive feel.
Many tourist guidebooks compare St Mark's Basilica to a birthday cake topped with buttercream.
So, here's the question... it's a church, after all, why did they choose this location to hold the International Confederation of Wizards?
The church and wizards have historically been bitter enemies. The witch hunts and killings occurred during the Middle Ages.
Well... this is just like the wizards celebrating Christmas and Easter, belonging to the wizarding millennium puzzle that even Merlin couldn't explain.
William and Hermione walked toward the church, stopping simultaneously as they passed Saint Peter Lighthouse.
The two exchanged a glance, then looked to one side in astonishment!
An elderly tour guide dressed as an imam was waving Bible and angrily explaining to everyone how the Venice tricked them out of the remains of Saint Mark.
Wait... why does this person look so familiar?
Isn't that the old priest who was the tour guide at Notre-Dame de Paris?
Goodness, you've turned into Moose after just one year?
Okay, last time he used the Quran to write it, but this time he turned it into the Bible.
An old heretic!
Aren't you afraid of getting beaten up dressed like that?
William and Hermione found it amusing to run into an acquaintance again, so they stood to the side and eavesdropped for a while.
He was pointing to a pillar, explaining the Winged Lion to the tourists.
Statues of the Winged Lion are ubiquitous in Venice and are a symbol of the city.
A closer look reveals that the Winged Lion proudly places its paws on an open book, which bears Latin inscriptions:
PaxtibiMarce, evangelistameus.
"It is said that this was spoken by an angel when Mark first arrived in Venice, meaning: I am the messenger Mark! May you rest here."
The angel also Prophecy that Mark's remains would one day be buried here.
Mark was his Rome name; his Jewish name was John. He was a Christ and is traditionally credited with writing the famous Bible of Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Bible.
The old imam said indignantly, "This Prophecy of the angel is false. The Doge of Venice fabricated it to cover up their crimes."
It was through this statement that they tricked Saint Mark's remains into coming from Alexandria and burying them in St Mark's Basilica.
William was startled, remembering the Prophecy of Death:
Follow in the footsteps of the Doge of Venice.
He has lied before.
So which governor stole Saint Mark's remains during his tenure?
"These robbers!" The old imam waved his Bible, as if the mosque had been robbed.
"The Doge of Venice is a habitual cheat and robber; do you see that statue?"
William and Hermione looked in the direction he was pointing.
Beneath the Winky Winged Lion, St Mark's Basilica displays one of its most famous treasures.
--Four enormous bronze horses,
The four horses are positioned as if ready to leap into the square at any moment.
"Like many of Venice's priceless treasures, they were looted from Constantinople during the Crusades."
William raised an eyebrow; he was intrigued.
But the old imam only gave a brief introduction before pointing to the St Mark's Campanile behind him and beginning his explanation.
"This building was completed in 1514. However, it suddenly collapsed in 1902. The Saint Mark Bell Tower we see today was rebuilt in 1912."
The old imam once again exposed his undercover identity, speaking only Buddhist teachings:
"This is the Buddhist concept of cause and effect! The Nirvana Sutra states: There are three kinds of retribution for karma: first, immediate retribution, where one experiences the consequences of good or evil deeds in the present life; second, retribution in future lives, where one's actions in a previous life are punished in this life..."
He clutched the Bible, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Allah has mercy, Amen!"
William stared at the old imam speechlessly.
Is this person actually the High Priest Lama Wang, the representative of the mosque in the Vatican?
William and Hermione stopped listening to his rambling and continued walking towards the entrance of the cathedral.
St Mark's Basilica is often criticized for offering "too many entrances to behold."
Its shorter section is almost entirely occupied by five recessed entrances.
These five entrances, with their dense array of columns, arches, and perforated bronze doors, greatly enhance the building's accessibility, even if they serve no other purpose.
After searching for a while, the two headed straight for a closed bronze door.
"Sir, Madam, are you buying?" a woman at the door asked.
She was a beautiful Pucey woman, wearing a long floral dress, with her straight black hair braided into a long plait and tied with a red and gold cord.
She held a tall pole in her hand, from which hung various Venice masks.
Most of them adopted the popular full-face style, the kind of white mask that people often wear at carnivals.
Venice's mask culture is unique in Europe civilization.
They incorporated masks into their daily lives; even before the 18th century, the residents here were completely inseparable from masks.
When people go out, both men and women must wear masks and cloaks.
Nowadays, every year during the Carnival, Venice also wear masks and revel in the streets and alleys for 11 days.
It has a strange Death Eaters vibe to it.
"Will you buy it, Mr. Stark?" the Pucey woman asked again.
William smiled slightly and shook his head. "They are all beautiful, but I don't want them, thank you."
Hermione took two invitations from the Safety Watch and handed them over.
The Pucey woman took it, examined it carefully, and then looked up with a smile, saying, "I recognized you two just now."
"My name is Nymeria. Could you give me your autograph? I'm a fan of both of you."
She lifted a mask from her waist and looked at William and Hermione with expectant eyes.
Left with no other option, the two signed their names on the side of the masks.
"This is a thank-you gift!" Nymeria took off two masks and handed them over.
One of them is a "Bauta" mask with a triangular chin; the other is a Mureta mask that does not require ties.
The design is odd, but the manufacturing is quite exquisite.
"It's free, no money required." She winked playfully.
After expressing their gratitude, William and Hermione each accepted the gift.
"Let's go, you're the earliest wizards to arrive," Nymeria said excitedly.
She glanced at the sky. "This awful weather... the Department of Weather Management and Control of the Ministry of Magic should really do something about it."
Otherwise, we would all be watching the sea from the cathedral entrance.
Nymeria took a large golden key from her mask. She inserted it, turned it, and the closed door opened.
The three of them pushed open the door and went inside.
Through magic, the room was transformed from St Mark's Basilica into the Ministry of Magic Venice Branch.
After ascending a wide staircase, the group entered the main hall. It was an exceptionally spacious and imposing room with an incredibly high vaulted ceiling.
Even in the golden light, the hall shone brightly, displaying the classical grandeur of a European palace.
Owls circled and soared, while wizards and witches busied themselves with their work.
Nymeria led William and Hermione through the bustling crowd.
Several wizards sat in line, waiting for a House-elf to polish their wands using a complex feather device.
Many wizards curiously observed William and Hermione standing behind Nymeria.
The three of them walked through the crowd, entered the elevator, and the gate slammed shut with a clatter.
"The Secretary General's office," Nymeria said softly.
The elevator slowly ascended, the chain rattling.
"Secretary General Martell is waiting for you."
William nodded slightly and took out a letter.
He also had to go to Mr. Martell to deliver a letter for Professor Dumbledore and then retrieve something.
Without that thing, the Triwizard Tournament couldn't even begin.
(Please give me your recommendation votes and monthly tickets, everyone.)
Thanks to Mr. "Trance Xiaobai" for the reward.)