Hogwarts: What are the four great masters doing?

The simplest question is - what if a wizard more powerful than the basilisk comes to steal the treasure?

Slytherin would definitely leave some means to prevent accidents from happening.

Ryan was certain of this when he heard Tamh talk about what was left in the secret room.

According to Tamh, Slytherin left his knowledge and heritage in the statue in the Chamber of Secrets.

But you have to know that for Ryan... those so-called knowledge and inheritance are of no value at all!

He already knew everything there was to know about Slytherin, it was all etched into his brain—oh, and the vaults.

So the only explanation is that everything in the secret room is a trick to confuse outsiders.

They're just bait!

Ryan could even be sure.

Among the so-called knowledge in the Chamber of Secrets, Slytherin must have left a deadly trap!

Just like a dormant snake, all the previous gentleness and calmness were illusions, just to make the prey relax their vigilance.

When it actually attacks, there's no way to avoid its deadly fangs!

But what surprised Ryan was.

When he asked Tamh what trap Slytherin had left behind.

"I don't know, young master."

But the basilisk said, "The old master only told me that it was a message that would lead the enemy to a deadly curse - as for the rest, he said nothing!"

This news undoubtedly surprised Ryan.

Because he thought of what Voldemort had said before - he said that Slytherin had plotted against him through a curse.

Now it seems that the root of the so-called "secret plot" lies here!

and...

"The curse of death..."

Ryan muttered the words repeated by the basilisk.

He knew the character of Slytherin - if he said it was a mortal curse, then it should be a real death curse.

But the weird thing is...

"Tom survived in the end - it seems I really underestimated him."

Ryan whispered to himself.

This reminded him of his first conversation with Dumbledore.

Dumbledore mentioned that Tom Riddle was a truly talented wizard.

At least during the years he was studying at Hogwarts and the period just after graduation, everything about him was impeccable.

Even compared to Dumbledore when he was young, his talent is no less than his.

Until his second return to Hogwarts, he became extremely strange.

He was ugly, violent, and almost crazy - just like the current 'Voldemort'.

At that time, Dumbledore mentioned that he believed Tom was either under a terrible curse or had a defective soul.

After the recent Philosopher's Stone incident, Dumbledore and Ryan, who had confirmed the number of Horcruxes, both believed that the latter was more likely.

but now...

Ryan changed his mind somewhat.

"The curse that Mr. Slytherin mentioned... maybe Tom's madness stems from it?"

"That was a trick left by the teacher. Tom might be good enough, but no matter how good a wizard is, he can't escape Slytherin's trap unscathed... He might have escaped death, but did he also go crazy because of it?"

He was thinking in his mind.

Of course, he knew it well - it was just his guess.

He also knew that he couldn't find the answer right away.

So he collected his thoughts and spoke instead.

"Tamhe—go on."

He got straight to the point and looked at Tamh. "Let's put Tom's situation aside for now... I guess you must have something important to tell me, otherwise you wouldn't have escaped from the secret room."

He knew Tamh's character very well.

The Basilisk is loyal, violent, and fearless of death—it shouldn't have fled in panic after being attacked by Tom Riddle.

On the contrary, based on Ryan's understanding of it...even if he was blind, even if he was injured.

The basilisk would also fight Tom Riddle to the very end - until its fangs pierced Tom's throat, or it died completely.

But the fact is, the basilisk escaped.

"Oh, young master...it is true."

Tamh said softly.

"I made a mistake, so I should have died fighting to protect the honor, but I can't do that... because the old master instructed that if the secret room is attacked, I must bring you the information about the key."

"key?"

Ryan frowned.

"Yes, the key to the real secret room—the secret room under the bathroom on the second floor of the castle is only the secret room on the first floor. As you guessed, it is fake."

The basilisk whispered the secret.

"As for the true chamber of secrets... I don't know where the old master built it, but it must be in the castle as well."

"Oh, that's really the teacher's style—leaving behind treasures as well as tests."

Ryan nodded in understanding.

obviously.

Slytherins really didn't trust anyone except Ryan.

He didn't even fully trust the basilisk - the basilisk might be loyal, but it wasn't a good enough wizard after all, and it could be deceived.

So he only left clues and keys, and believed that his disciples would be able to find what he left behind.

"That's right... The old master left behind two things... They contain the key to the true secret room."

"But I failed to live up to his trust. When I escaped from the Chamber of Secrets, I only managed to take one of the items away... The other one fell into the hands of Tom Riddle!"

The basilisk hissed guiltily and viciously.

After hearing this, Ryan didn't mean to blame it.

Because it is obvious that Voldemort's appearance was not expected by anyone.

What's more, for Ryan, he felt that the information he had obtained at this moment was already good news.

At least he was sure that Voldemort had not yet truly obtained Slytherin's treasure!

"What are those two items the teacher left behind?"

So, Ryan just focused on asking at this time.

He knew that what Tamh said next... would be the key for him to find the treasure left by Slytherin.

"Oh, one of them was a green gem—the one I couldn't take with me, and it must have fallen into the hands of Tom Riddle."

The basilisk said this.

"The old master said that if you put it inside something memorable, you can get a clue about the Chamber of Secrets. I think Tom Riddle may have gotten this clue... That's why he returned to the castle. I think he might want to find me and get the key I took away."

"I can smell the stench of his magic."

It says so.

Ryan was not surprised by what it said.

He knew that, like most magical creatures, the basilisk had an extremely strong sense and memory of magic.

"Is this why you haven't met me until now?"

he said softly.

The Basilisk has always been at Hogwarts, but it has never been encountered until now.

The answer is obviously in...

"When you first came to the Forbidden Forest, Tom Riddle's magic was also nearby - but it was very weak, so I wanted to meet you, but the centaurs disrupted my plans."

The basilisk said.

"..."

So Ryan recalled his first time entering the Forbidden Forest - he did meet the centaurs shortly after entering the Forbidden Forest.

And he could also realize who the 'weak Tom Riddle' the basilisk was talking about.

That was Ron - he was controlled by Voldemort's Horcrux 'Diary', so the basilisk could sense him, but thought he was weak.

And after that...

"When you came to the Forbidden Forest the second time, Tom Riddle's magic was with you—and it was... quite powerful!"

So Ryan knew that the second time the basilisk mentioned was obviously the duel in the Forbidden Forest not long ago.

"I was going to show up and help you, but I can't leave here... and it..."

But what surprised Ryan was that the basilisk turned its head away with a look of disappointment when it said this.

Its huge tail lashed the sewer floor and it hissed angrily at Friday.

"This fool, it actually let you duel with Tom Riddle alone - you stupid little thing... I asked you to protect the great heirs of the Four Giants, what are you doing now?"

"...What!?"

When it said this, Ryan immediately realized the meaning of the basilisk's words.

So he widened his eyes.