To further confirm their assessment's accuracy, Glenn and Lin Yu rapidly advanced several additional kilometers along the traces Glenn had observed. Only when the final evidence became completely untraceable—with the entire chain of clues pointing definitively toward the secret realm's center—did the pair cease their tracking efforts.
"That's sufficient. We should halt here. Just the two of us cannot handle all those individuals. Knowing their objective suffices. Let's return."
Lin Yu restrained Glenn, who remained eager to continue deeper in that direction. Glenn reluctantly abandoned the pursuit, and they immediately began their return journey.
"I need to briefly inform certain people about this development. You should rest."
Upon reaching the rest area, Lin Yu instructed Glenn before promptly departing to consult with others.
Glenn harbored no objections. However, although Grandmother had mentioned they would rendezvous with their supervising instructor within the secret realm, they had yet to encounter this supposed teacher. Everything remained Lin Yu's responsibility—truly burdensome for someone of his cousin's characteristically indolent disposition.
This wasn't Glenn's concern, though, and he had no intention of sharing the weight upon Lin Yu's shoulders. He chose instead to locate Hermione.
After searching through the resting crowd, Glenn finally discovered Hermione engaged in mahjong at a table surrounded by numerous spectators. Following the young sorcerers' instruction, the girl had rapidly mastered and developed genuine affection for this intellectual strategic game. She was now thoroughly absorbed in play.
The North China Academy of Sorcery students nearby appeared somewhat stunned. They couldn't comprehend how a foreign student, after merely listening to their mahjong rules explanation and observing several rounds, could begin dominating the table so decisively. Nevertheless, they felt genuinely excited—Hermione's demonstrated technique and tactical acumen proved truly admirable, with many players now studying her methods instead.
Hermione's turn arrived. She drew a tile from the wall, lightly caressed its surface, sensing the texture beneath her fingertips. The girl smiled and pushed her tiles forward.
"Hehe, self-draw! Mahjong!"
Groans erupted around the table, yet admiring exclamations from surrounding observers proved even more persistent.
Observing Glenn's arrival, Hermione smiled and graciously thanked her fellow players. After they dismissed her with helpless but amused gestures, she departed the crowd and approached Glenn.
"Enjoyable?"
"Extremely!"
Responding to Glenn's inquiry, Hermione directly provided Glenn with a concise explanation of mahjong fundamentals.
"Essentially, I simply memorize every tile each player discards during every round, then deduce their probable holdings based on the current situation. Victory becomes remarkably straightforward."
"My current record stands at three victories from four games. The defeat occurred during my inaugural round. Impressive, wouldn't you agree?"
The girl raised her chin proudly, offering herself an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"Extraordinary. Those young sorcerers likely never anticipated you could devise such a high-success methodology and implement it during your first encounter with this mathematical game."
Glenn affectionately patted Hermione's head while praising her accomplishment, which she found immensely gratifying.
However, Hermione wouldn't neglect inquiring about Glenn and Lin Yu's prolonged absence.
Consequently, Glenn shared their discoveries with Hermione.
"...That summarizes the situation. I also detected traces from Mending Charms, Severing Charms, Killing Curses, and various other spells exclusive to our magical community."
"So Professor Dumbledore's intelligence proved accurate—Death Eaters are definitively involved in this incident..."
Hermione paced anxiously before Glenn, suddenly struck by alarming realization.
"Goodness! Under these circumstances, the divine beasts inhabiting the secret realm may have already suffered terrible fates!"
"We must act immediately to assist them!"
Confronted with Hermione's agitated pacing, Glenn contemplated momentarily before responding:
"Your concern is valid. That possibility exists, though during our return journey I discussed this matter with Lin Yu. His precise words were:"
"The divine beasts within the secret realm possess considerable intelligence—they're far from the helpless creatures one might imagine. They simply don't consume humans; they're not afraid of humans. When confronting mortal threats, these divine beasts maintain their inherent pride. They might actually resent receiving assistance from other humans. Although our Dragon Kingdom government maintains mutual assistance treaties with the divine beasts, these obstinate creatures refuse our aid, preferring to expel invaders independently."
"Our primary objective involves neutralizing those dark sorcerers. Our secondary purpose provides emergency support for these divine beasts, preventing their complete annihilation alongside their offspring."
Glenn concluded and spread his hands, indicating Lin Yu's statement had ended there.
Hermione lapsed into contemplative silence. While those points held merit, she couldn't dismiss her concerns. As divine beasts, they might not comprehend human cruelty's depths, but as a human, Hermione understood this reality intimately.
Dark wizards and dark sorcerers belonged to identical categories. They prioritized only personal gains—everything else remained irrelevant. Whether magical creatures, divine beasts, or more horrifically, fellow humans—perhaps in their perception, all represented merely animated magical components.
To acquire their desires, they employed every conceivable method, utilizing thoroughly inhumane approaches as standard practice.
Humans could occasionally prove more savage than actual beasts.
Though Hermione had rarely encountered dark wizards, the dangerous auras and behaviors exhibited by the few she'd witnessed, combined with literary accounts and Glenn's descriptions, left her absolutely convinced of this truth.
"Provided it doesn't endanger your safety, pursue whatever actions you deem necessary. I'll provide unconditional support."
Recognizing Hermione's internal struggle, Glenn gazed into her eyes flickering with complex emotions, placing his hand upon the girl's shoulder as if transmitting his resolve through physical contact.
"...I haven't expressed anything yet."
"Verbal confirmation isn't required—I already understand, because I'm Glenn. Proceed with complete confidence."
Faced with Glenn's characteristically roguish yet deeply personal expression of support, Hermione's anxiety transformed into pure joy. She launched herself into Glenn's embrace, clinging tightly while nuzzling against his chest like an affectionate kitten.
"I knew you understood me perfectly! I absolutely adore you!"
Hermione joyfully proclaimed her heartfelt declaration.
This confession was delivered in English. Making such bold romantic proclamations publicly remained excessively embarrassing for a young woman still navigating her naturally reserved phase.
Nevertheless, Glenn obviously found this tremendously satisfying.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (150+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!