bookbashuk Page 47
Page 47
So Levin simply stood in front of the magic door.
Put your ear close to the magic door.
Let your mind explore the mechanical structure inside the gate.
After about half an hour of trying
There was a click.
Levin finally adjusted the internal mechanisms to the correct position.
The mechanism on the gate started spinning.
The heavy magic door opened with a loud rumble.
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Chapter 51 Scholar Moonstone
With the magic gate opened, the last obstacle between Levin and the scholar Moonstone was removed.
The two walked towards the passageway behind the gate.
Upon entering, Levin immediately sensed the extraordinary nature of this place.
The underground palace and passageway in front were likely carved out by hand.
The surrounding walls are covered with artificial stone bricks and slabs.
But this passageway is a natural road.
On either side of the road are two natural stone walls.
The entire passageway is essentially a "rift valley" hidden within the mountain.
The rift valley is long and deep.
The final section was even covered by water, seemingly part of an underground water vein.
The two followed the rift valley to its end.
Then Levin understood what it meant to "find a way out after many twists and turns, only to find a village hidden among the willows and flowers".
In short, it was "extremely narrow at first, just wide enough for one person to pass through."
"After repeating the process hundreds of times, everything suddenly became clear."
However, what he saw was not a "flat and spacious village with neatly arranged houses,"
Instead, it is a vibrant natural landscape hidden in a mountain cave.
"I never imagined that such a beautiful place would be hidden deep within these ruins."
The moment Tonks saw the cave, he was captivated by the scenery.
No, this place shouldn't be called a cave, but rather a valley.
Moonlight streamed through the enormous crack at the top, illuminating this pristine mountain paradise.
Groundwater-formed channels flow through it, and lush vegetation grows along the riverbanks and even on the mountainside.
Valley lilies, lilies of the valley, and various flowers dot the herbaceous plants and shrubs, while climbing vines such as Virginia creeper cover the rock walls.
But the most striking feature is the enormous oak tree growing on a small hill in the center of the valley.
Bathed in the silvery moonlight, this ancient and enormous tree stretched out its branches, birds hovered in its canopy, and moths fluttered around its roots.
It looked exceptionally harmonious and peaceful.
"The ecosystem hidden deep in the cave is fascinating."
Levin observed his surroundings and nodded repeatedly.
"No wonder the ancients chose this place to store the Wise Man's Moonstone; this place is indeed the best proof of the vitality of nature."
"Do you know who built this place?" Tonks asked curiously.
“Of course,” Levin nodded, “the history here is probably older than you think.”
"The first people to discover this valley and establish this site should be the ancient Celts, the early inhabitants of this land."
Both the style of the reliefs in the ruins and the idyllic mountain retreat itself provide evidence to support this point.
In ancient Celtic times, wizards weren't called wizards.
The religion practiced by people at that time should be called "Druidism".
This group can be considered the ancestors of wizards.
Many traditions of the Muggle and wizarding communities in the Underworld today are inherited from that era.
A typical example is the Celtic calendar with its 13 months and the corresponding trees for each month.
To this day, Ollivander still selects wand wood according to this tradition and chooses wand owners accordingly.
The word Druid originally means "one who knows the oak tree." It could also be translated as "oak sage."
They worship and revere nature.
And the oak tree, unsurprisingly, is their sacred tree.
This is why there is an oak tree in this mountain valley.
This site was likely a sacred place for the ancient Celtic Druids to practice meditation and hold gatherings.
This oak tree is the heart of this sacred place.
The Scholar Moonstone is a treasure worshipped by the Druids.
After admiring the scenery, Levin walked up to the oak tree.
Inside a huge hollow in the tree trunk, a crystalline blue-green sphere emitted a faint blue light.
This is precisely the goal that the poacher gang and Levin share:
Scholar Moonstone.
Levin held the scholar Moonstone in his hand.
I felt a strange power.
This power is gentle and peaceful, and has a strange connection with the bright moon in the sky and the surrounding nature.
If it can be channeled out, it seems to produce many incredible effects.
"As expected, it is a treasure of the Druid religion."
Under Tonks' watchful eye, Levin pocketed it.
After finishing all this, Levin asked the female Auror beside him, "Sister Tonks, you won't reveal the secrets of this place, will you?"
"Of course not. Since you call me Sister Tonks, I naturally have to keep your secret."
Tonks shook his head.
"I will then inform the Ministry of Magic that I discovered these poachers in the forests outside Aindale and managed to wipe them out."
"As for why they came here, I have no idea."
"Thank you so much, Sister Tonks," Levin said with satisfaction.
Tonks shook his head: "Actually, I should be the one who's grateful. You're the one who rescued me from prison, and it's mostly thanks to you that we dealt with these poachers. I was just helping you out."
“Don’t say that. Without you, I couldn’t have beaten Piccolo Curtis by myself,” Levin retorted. “Besides, you used the Oblivion Charm on them for my sake, and you concealed my existence and the secret of the Scholar Moonstone. I remember all the things you did for me behind the Ministry of Magic’s back.”
“But you deserve the main credit, that much is certain,” Tonks continued. “Logically, you should at least have received the Order of Merlin, Second Class… but now I’ve taken all the credit… so I owe you this.”
“Don’t say that,” Levin waved his hand, “We’re practically family.”
“You’re right, we’re inseparable.” Tonks also gave a warm smile.
What's the problem...? You might have already noticed, some people are quite sensitive to this kind of thing..."
“It’s alright, Tonks, I understand… It’s easy for people to associate it with the young Mystic, isn’t it?” Levin understood the implication in her words and was also grateful for her concern. “Don’t worry, Tonks, I’ll be careful.”
After helping Tonks deal with the prisoners and evidence, the two parted ways in Aindale.
Levin followed the Floo Powder back to the Leaky Cauldron.
Tonks, on the other hand, returned to the Ministry of Magic and requested assistance to finish up the remaining tasks.
Lying on the bed in the private room at the Leaky Cauldron, the comfortable mattress gradually relaxed Levin's tense nerves, and he began to summarize what he had gained from this mission:
First, of course, are two spoils of war: the griffin beak, the main ingredient for the [Permanent Eagle's Majesty Elixir], which we now have.
Once the other medicinal herbs are acquired, the [Permanent Eagle's Majesty Elixir] can be crafted.
It looks like I'll have to make another trip to the Forbidden Forest next semester.
We clearly agreed to try not to cause trouble.
It just goes to show that plans can't keep up with changes.
The second prize was the scholar's moonstone.
This treasure is indeed very mysterious and precious, but he doesn't know what he can do with it in the short term.
But it's still better than falling into the hands of poachers.
Secondly, there are monetary gains.
I only earned 700 Galleons from selling secondhand items before.
He prepared this in his spare time for half a semester.
He obtained nearly a thousand gallons from the poachers in just one night.
After adding the 700 Galleons spent, the remaining amount
His assets have now reached 152.900 Galleons.
This is already a considerable asset.
According to Tonks, an Auror's salary is only 140 Galleons per month, and as an apprentice Auror, her salary is slightly lower, only 100 Galleons.
This is the kind of high-paying job you only get in dangerous professions.
Most Ministry of Magic employees earn only 100 Galleons a month.