A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Chapter 501 The Whereabouts of the Holy Grail

Minister Fauci'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, and he may make even more breathtaking 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, wishing he could read it before bed and enjoy 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 able to bring himself to buy it.

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

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

Minister Fouché clearly tasted the benefits. Recommending other people's books is nowhere near as profitable as publishing your own!

Thus, this classic book, titled "The Book of Peace," was born. Upon its release, it swept across 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 Fouché is honest and upright, doesn't like Galleons, 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 be signed ten years from now.

But if you can't wait to read it, do you still have to buy it? And then send it to them 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... Trinity had already made another sharp turn on the canal.

An elegant three-story building appears on the left.

—The Venetian Casino.

William's attention, which had been diverting from the legalization of enormous wealth of dubious origin, began to focus on gambling... or rather, game theory!

This magnificent Renaissance-style palace has been part of the Venetian 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 goblins. He hoped that after betting on the game with them, the old 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 is too soft-hearted.

This needs to be changed.

Hermione, who was standing nearby, had already opened the Book of the Phoenix 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 Mrs. 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 Nico.

Fortunately, Nico is online.

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

That's right, Nico, a Frenchman, was mingling with a group of British wizards, admiring the mascots of various countries.

"William, Hermione, did you see that?" Nicole asked excitedly, even bringing out her telescope.

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

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

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

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

"You don't know, every time there's a training match, the Bulgarian team makes Veeva 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 are the Aurors? Where are the Aurors? Is this necessary? For the Quidditch World Cup, can you at least do the action properly? Stop tarnishing the mascot's image!"

Someone suddenly started shouting angrily.

Nicole joined in with a yell: "Beat up the fans, steal the Veela!"

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

A massive battle ensued!

Nico himself kept his achievements hidden, turned around and left, finding a secluded place.

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

"It's alright, the Auror is watching right here, nothing will happen," Nicole 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 has given us some peace and quiet."

"How's your vacation going? Are you having 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.

"The Goblet of Fire is lost?" Nico 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 asked in astonishment.

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

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

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

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

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

Hermione pulled the old wooden box from the safety watch.

“That’s right,” Nico 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 Nico says it... that's definitely true.

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

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

"Later, it was kept under Stonehenge by Merlin. 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 seek supplies from Byzantium, the Holy Grail was sent to the Eastern Roman Empire, which was Constantinople in Byzantium.

William was startled.

It's 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?" Nicole asked.

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

"Yes." Nico 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 warriors.

Nico sighed, "It was a long and tedious process. I searched for a long time before I discovered the relationship between the Goblet of Fire and the Holy Grail."

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

"We're wanted, so finding the killer is difficult, but... I dreamt of Death, and he might have shown us 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 was revealed once again: You do not need to seek the Holy Grail; the 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," Nico said with a mysterious smile, "but I'm not going to tell you."

Why?

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

Following 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..."

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

"I suggest you consult a true historian of magic. My specialty is alchemy, and some things are better left to professionals."

"But Hermione and I are wanted by the authorities, where are we supposed to find a historian of magic?"

"No, there's one in Venice right now," Nicole said with a smile.

"Who?"

"Bashida Baghattah!"

"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."

Nicole 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 Nico with a strange expression.

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

From the bow came Trinity'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 "Lonely Snow A745" for their generous donations.

(End of this chapter)