Hogwarts: My name is the Unforgivable Curse...

Chapter 293 The Real Cause of Death

Ludo Bagman’s death happened right after the interview with the three warriors, who were also suspects who were evenly distributed among them... Isn’t that a bit too much of a coincidence?

Although this deduction still has a problem, both the dispute between Bagman and Krum and his debt relationship with the fairy occurred before the start of the Triwizard Tournament. How did the murderer manage to predict the Warrior's identity and relationship with Bagman before the start of the tournament?

Furthermore, the reason why Ludo Bagman, a British official, came to Durmstrang to preside over the competition may not be as simple as Karkaroff said.

"Therefore, you must remain under surveillance until we uncover the truth."

Crouch stated firmly, and the two headmasters behind him remained silent, seemingly acquiescing to his statement: "During this period, you will continue to live in these rooms. Classes and daily life can proceed as normal, but you are still not allowed to possess wands. Furthermore, you are temporarily prohibited from contacting or communicating privately with your respective headmasters; this is to ensure the accuracy of the results… Any further questions?"

"have."

Avada raised his hand and asked, "Now that our studies and lives can proceed normally, can we go and find evidence that is in our favor, or at least take a look at the crime scene? I shouldn't have to keep that a secret, right? Quite a few people have already witnessed it..."

"That's your freedom. But you'd better not expect much persuasiveness from the so-called 'evidence' you can find."

Crouch nodded casually. "As for the crime scene—since Durmstrang is still negotiating with the British Ministry of Magic, the scene has been magically frozen, awaiting the intervention of a professional investigation team. It's currently under tight security; no one is allowed to approach. Observing from a distance is fine, but that shouldn't be relevant to the investigation..."

"and,"

Finally, he warned sternly, "Don't try anything funny—your every move outside your rooms will be recorded by the badge, and we will know and take action immediately if you do anything unusual."

"Outside my own room?"

"Of course. You don't expect to be under surveillance while showering or sleeping, do you?"

This time, Dumbledore answered on Crouch's behalf: "And that's because your rooms are already secure—so please behave yourselves in your rooms and don't do anything unnecessary that could jeopardize your exoneration."

Having said that, he exchanged glances with Crouch and Mrs. Maxim, then turned and left together—without ever giving Avada a single look. Meanwhile, in the underground level, only the three warriors, still not exonerated, remained, awkwardly staring at each other…

Do you believe what that Englishman said?

Krum, who had been silent until now, broke the silence first: "The deceased happens to be related to all three of us, even Ken, who had the least motive... Is that your name? That's good... Even Ken was arranged to meet Bagman last, making him the prime suspect... We're probably being targeted."

"Anyone can see that."

Hibiscus tossed her hair, looking somewhat agitated: "Fairy... what exactly is the relationship between that guy named Bagman and you? Does anyone know?"

Avada and Krum shook their heads together.

"I need to go see Professor Karkaroff."

Krum said, "This doesn't count as private contact, after all, he's now in charge at Durmstrang... I need to go find him and get things straight, at least we can't remain completely ignorant like this—if Bagman was murdered by outsiders, it could very well mean the school is no longer safe, especially since we don't have wands yet!"

"Then I'll go take a look at the crime scene."

Avada nodded heavily, then turned and left the underground floor first—he was equally uncertain now.

Although losing his wand wasn't a major problem for him—he could already cast most spells without one—if things were really as Krum said, it undoubtedly meant the other students would also be in danger—which was different from what he and Dumbledore had agreed upon.

……

On the second floor of Durmstrang, Ludo Bagman's former office was heavily protected by magic—although the door remained open, several protective spells, including warning, defensive, and counter-attack spells, had been drawn around it, and two professors were on guard outside. Upon seeing Avada arrive, they immediately became alert, clearly aware of the visitor's identity.

"...Just came to take a look."

Seeing this, Avada had to stop several meters away from the first line, from which he couldn't even clearly see the interior of the office with his eyes alone.

Just as Crouch said, Bagman's office was indeed preserved intact, even Ludo Bagman's body was left there untouched—under the power of magic, the entire office was enveloped in a strange magic that stopped everything inside from moving, freezing it in the instant before the magic was activated.

Ludo Bagman's body, like the furniture and objects around him, lay motionless in the chair behind his desk. A silver dagger was embedded in his heart, yet eerily, not a drop of blood flowed. He even clutched a quill pen in his hand, his eyes slightly wide open, as if terror hadn't fully surfaced on his face before he had forever lost the ability to express emotion…

"Instant kill? Without any resistance... no, not even a hint of what was happening?"

Avada tried his best to control his expression, not letting the two professors in front of him see that he was actually carefully observing every detail in the room: "Is this an effect that can be achieved with a dagger?"

"...That dagger did indeed have magical traces that were different from those of humans; it should be what is known as fairy craftsmanship—but that magic only had the function of removing bloodstains; other than that, it was just an ordinary silver dagger..."

"Let's look at the rest... The spiritual energy has completely dissipated; after all, too much time has passed since the death. Life force... wait?!"

"How could its vitality have completely dissipated?!"

Generally speaking, life force, as the link between body and spirit, exists in every part of the body. Muscles, blood, bones... everywhere is permeated with life force. While life force dissipates significantly at the time of death, it would never dissipate so completely, leaving no trace of its existence, unless some special magic was involved...

In theory and in the knowledge of Avada, only one magic can produce such an effect.

(End of this chapter)