The Holy Grail's Whereabouts

Minister Fudge's political actions are not something that can be definitively judged.

After all, he has only been in office for four years and still has great potential for development; he could make even more astounding moves in the future.

In short: The future is promising!

But when it comes to making money, there's no need to look to the future; right now, we're in a league of our own.

In the year he took office, under Umbridge's leadership, he recommended a series of self-help books.

Will that set of books sell? Of course, Percy is a loyal reader, wanting to read it before bed and playing with it every night.

He had hinted to William more than once that he hoped to receive such a Christmas gift. But the book was really expensive, and William had never been willing to buy it.

This Christmas, we can finally help Percy fulfill this lifelong wish.

It's because the minister gifted William a collector's edition set a few months ago.

Minister Fudge clearly tasted the sweetness of success. Recommending other people's books is nowhere near as profitable as publishing your own!

Thus, this classic book, titled "The Safety Scripture," was born. Upon its release, it Cleansweep major bestseller lists.

In Umbridge's words: This book is the most anticipated work in publishing history, and it is absolutely worth the wait.

There's a reason why some people can become personal secretaries in just a few years. First and foremost, they need to know how to flatter.

Otherwise, why would anyone discover your hidden, amazing talent?

So don't send gifts next time. Our Minister Fudge is honest and upright, doesn't like Galleon, and hates receiving gifts even more.

However, if you're a loyal reader and insist on buying hundreds of books, even the minister can't stop you from doing so.

In William's opinion, Fudge was too honest and not thick-skinned enough. If it were him, he would publish fifty copies, a limited global release.

Since it's a limited edition, and you bought the book, you should at least get a signature, right?

This signature... might last for ten years.

But if you can't wait to read it, wouldn't you have to buy it and then send it for a signature?

It's like a perpetual motion machine!

See? Even the cost of publishing books has been reduced, keeping it to fifty copies.

Just as William was pondering how he could embezzle funds behind Hermione's back after she became minister... Trene had already made another sharp turn on the canal.

An elegant three-story building appears on the left.

--Venetian Venice Casino.

William's attention, which had been diverting from the legalization of enormous wealth of dubious origin... to gambling... oops, game theory!

This magnificent Renaissance-style palace has been part of the Venice landscape since the 16th century.

It was once a private mansion, but now it is a famous casino.

Moreover, it is famous because composer Richard Wagner died here shortly after completing his opera Parsifal in 1883 due to a sudden heart attack.

William thought of the Gringotts Goblin. He hoped that after betting on the game with them, the Goblin wouldn't suddenly die of a heart attack.

William will be very sad if they die. After all, if they're all dead, who will pay back the money?!

Alas, his weakness is that he's too soft-hearted.

This needs to be changed.

Hermione, who was standing nearby, had already opened the Phoenix Book and was urgently contacting Professor Dumbledore.

Unfortunately, the principal was not online.

"He's in a meeting right now, he can't be here." William gently closed the minister's book and set it aside.

It is estimated that Dumbledore was in Beauxbatons at this time, chatting and laughing with Madame Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff.

The headmaster was unaware that his two most prized students were already wanted by the Ministry of Magic in Venice.

Sometimes, surprises come unexpectedly.

Since Dumbledore wasn't there, Hermione hurriedly contacted Nicolas.

Fortunately, Nicolas is online.

Even before the Quidditch World Cup opening ceremony began, he was already watching the game in a civilized manner.

Indeed, Nicolas, a France, was mingling with a group of the United Kingdom wizards, admiring the mascots of various countries.

"William, Hermione, did you see that?" Nicolas excitedly, even bringing out Astronomy telescope.

These were the outfits he wore when he went to admire the Victoria's Secret Show.

"That's the Bulgarian Team's mascot, a team of Veela! Great... no, I mean, terrible, everyone's protesting!"

"Protest what?" William peered through the Phoenix Book at the group of pretty little Goblin.

"Of course it's to protest the Veela. These little cuties... they're ruining everyone's mood for the game," Nicolas explained.

"You don't know, every time there's a training match, the Bulgarian Team makes Veela pose for photos in JK uniforms."

Everyone is protesting; this will affect the performance of other national teams.

Well... though it was supposed to be a protest, William found the wizards watching with great interest.

Many people were still taking photos, and even more were captivated by the Veela.

Is this how you protest?

Isn't that too forceful?

"Where's the Auror? Where's the Auror? Is this necessary? This Quidditch World Cup is full of these stunts, can't you just focus on the action? Stop tarnishing the mascot's image!"

Someone suddenly started shouting angrily.

Nicolas yelled along, "Beat up the fans, steal the Veela!"

Encouraged by someone, a group of England wizards rushed forward. Veela ran away in a flash, leaving them to beat up the Bulgaria fans.

A massive battle ensued!

Nicolas himself kept his accomplishments hidden, turned and left, finding a secluded spot.

"..."You old rascal, you're really wicked!

"It's alright, the Auror is watching right there, nothing will happen," Nicolas said with a smile.

"Everyone says the England National Team is invincible in training matches this year, so having England fans arrested for a few days at least gave us some peace and quiet."

"How was your vacation? Did you have fun in Italy?"

"I'm quite happy... except for the fact that we're wanted by the police."

"Huh... what?!"

William quickly recounted the story of the fake Goblet of Fire of Fire.

"The Goblet of Fire is lost?" Nicolas sat quietly for a long time, then let out a reluctant sigh.

"William, this is terrible news. Based on what I've learned over the years, the Goblet of Fire is... the Holy Grail!"

"The Holy Grail?" William was taken aback.

"That's right. The Goblet of Fire is the Holy Grail, the Death's goblet, one of the nine Deathly Hallows."

Nicolas stood up and began pacing back and forth. He said disappointedly, "I only tracked them down a few years ago, which is why Albus restart the Triwizard Tournament."

"The Goblet of Fire has always been in Venice, so I can't study it properly. I can only have Dumbledore bring it to Hogwarts."

"How... how could it be the Holy Grail?" William exclaimed incredulously.

"Why not?" Nicolas asked. "Is the wooden box that held the Goblet of Goblet of Fire still there?"

Hermione pulled the old wooden box from the Safety Watch.

"That's right," Nicolas said. "It's obvious that Merlin made this wooden box."

Merlin's wand is made of oak, so the box is also made of oak.

In the center of the wooden box, the "M" represents Merlin, and the ring represents the ring in the Deathly Hallows symbol.

Now that Nicolas says it... that's definitely true.

"How did the Holy Grail end up in Venice?" Hermione asked, puzzled.

"After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea buried him and brought the Holy Grail to Britain," Nicolas explained.

"Later, it was preserved by Merlin beneath Stonehenge. But with the arrival of the Norman Conquest, William I occupied Britain."

He then sent the Holy Grail to France.

Ten years after the death of William I, the Crusades began at the call of the Pope.

In order to obtain supplies from Byzantium, the Holy Grail was sent to the Eastern Rome, which was Constantinople in Byzantium.

William was suddenly startled.

Constantinople again.

The journey planned by Dumbledore and Grindelwald also ended there.

Constantinople... why is it so important?

"Do you remember when the Triwizard Tournament was held?" Nicolas asked.

Hermione quickly replied, "About seven hundred years ago."

"Yes." Nicolas smiled. "The Crusades began in 1096 and ended in 1291."

During the Eastern Expedition, due to an unexpected turn of events, the Holy Grail was transferred from Constantinople to Venice.

It was at this juncture that the Triwizard Tournament began, and the Goblet of Fire became a tool for selecting Champion.

Nicolas sighed, "It was a long and tedious process. I searched for a long time before discovering the connection between the Goblet of Fire and the Holy Grail."

"William, if the Goblet of Fire is truly lost, your only option is to find the murderer." He asked, "Any clues?"

"We're wanted, making it difficult to find the killer, but... I dreamt of Death; he might have revealed the whereabouts of the Holy Grail."

William recounted the events of his dream again.

The old man seemed somewhat agitated. He gave a relieved smile.

"Indeed, Merlin's prophecy proved true once again: You do not need to seek the Holy Grail; Holy Grail will come to you."

William, Death is guiding you, just as it guided me back then.

"But..." William frowned and said, "I didn't understand this instruction."

For example, "following in the footsteps of the Doge of Venice"—I don't even know which Doge it refers to.

"I know which governor it is," Nicolas said with a mysterious smile, "But I'm not going to tell you."

"Why?"

"Those who bear the Diadem of wisdom..."

"Follow in the footsteps of the Doge of Venice."

He had lied before.

Cut off the horse's head.

Take away the bones of the blind...

Nicolas read it once and explained, "I can only understand the first four lines. 'The blind man's bones,' I don't know who it refers to."

"I suggest you consult a true History of Magic. My specialty is Alchemy, and some things are better left to the experts."

"But Hermione and I are wanted by the authorities, where are we supposed to find History of Magic?"

"No, there's one in Venice right now." Nicolas smiled.

"Who?"

"Bathilda Bagshot!"

"She... doesn't she live in Godric's Hollow?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"That's right, but hasn't Italy been experiencing unusual weather lately? This isn't the first time in history, so she went to investigate."

Nicolas smiled and said, "I happened to stay at her home in Venice for a few days, so I know the exact location."

William looked at Nicolas with a strange expression.

A moment later, he called out, "Trene, we're not going to your house anymore, let's turn around!"

From the bow came Trene's booming shout, "Holy crap!"

"What's wrong?"

"We're surrounded!"

(Please give me your recommendation votes and monthly tickets at the end of the month, everyone.)

Thank you to "Don't Speak Spoon" and "Jimo Piaoxue A745" for their generous donations.