Chapter 117: Salvation and the Labyrinth

“Is that so?” Xiven slowly let out a breath and said in a deep voice, “It seems that the German Ministry of Magic, from top to bottom, has been led astray by Grindelwald’s ideology.”

After a moment’s thought, Xiven told Hicks and Newt about the many of Grindelwald’s followers he had seen in the offices.

“That explains everything.” Hicks gave a slight nod. “Theseus must have caught sight of some of Grindelwald’s men in the hall. He intended to use his position as Director of the Auror Office at the British Ministry of Magic to cooperate with the German Aurors and arrest them.”

“But he never expected a German Auror to attack him from behind! Theseus was knocked unconscious and taken away by people from the German Ministry of Magic. Newt and I were hopelessly outnumbered, so we had no choice but to find a way to retreat first and then think of a way to rescue him.”

“If we want to rescue Theseus, do we have to enter the German Ministry of Magic again?” Newt asked.

Xiven shook his head and looked at Newt helplessly. “Do you really intend to walk straight into the stronghold that Grindelwald has infiltrated beyond recognition?”

“Then how are we supposed to rescue Theseus?” Newt asked anxiously, clearly worried about his brother’s safety.

“Very well. I’ll go back to the German Ministry of Magic and investigate further.” Xiven hesitated before speaking softly. “Only my special constitution will allow me to move freely through the German Ministry without being discovered.”

He opened another dimensional doorway and said to the three of them, “Rest here for now. The moment I learn anything about Theseus, I’ll come back for you.”

Beyond the glowing ring of the dimensional doorway lay a luxurious room. A soft carpet covered the floor, while a comfortable sofa and a glass coffee table stood in the center.

A young wizard dressed in Hogwarts robes and wearing a green-striped scarf held a book in his left hand and gently swirled a cup of coffee in his right.

When the doorway opened, he turned toward the people outside and greeted them.

“Good evening, Mr. Scamander, and friends of Mr. Scamander. Welcome to Hogwarts!”

The young wizard Xiven said with a smile.

…

Ghost Xiven entered the German Ministry of Magic alone once again.

Concealing his presence, he walked straight through the hall and into the offices. Taking advantage of his ability as a ghost to pass through solid objects, he searched nearly half the Ministry, but he could not find any trace of Theseus.

“Looks like I’ll have to catch someone and ask,” Xiven muttered with a frown and a quiet sigh.

He circled through the offices and finally spotted a German Auror with an especially distinguished air. Judging by his bearing, Xiven guessed that he was someone of considerable rank and must know something.

Xiven followed the Auror. When the man reached a secluded area, Xiven acted without hesitation, reaching out to strike him and intending to force his soul from his body before questioning him.

However, the Auror suddenly turned a sharp gaze in Xiven’s direction. He then raised a hand and conjured a barrier that radiated white light.

The moment Xiven’s palm touched the barrier, he found himself unable to move it forward even an inch.

The distinguished German Auror suddenly spoke.

“Mr. Strange, are you here to obtain a certificate as well?”

Xiven’s heart jolted. He silently retreated two steps and activated the All-Seeing Eye, directing it toward the Auror.

Through the All-Seeing Eye, there was no German Auror before him at all. The man’s auburn hair and beard belonged unmistakably to someone Xiven knew all too well…

“Dumbledore?” Xiven revealed himself, staring in stunned disbelief.

“It is I.” Dumbledore, disguised as a German Auror, nodded. “The German Ministry of Magic has been completely infiltrated by Grindelwald, and Theseus has been arrested. None of this was something I anticipated.”

“However, I have already found out that Theseus was transferred directly to a prison. We therefore need to obtain some visitation certificates and enter the prison to rescue him.”

“All right. What should we do?” Xiven nodded helplessly.

“Eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Unter den Linden Avenue. Meet me at the Brandenburg Gate,” Dumbledore said.

Xiven inclined his head, then silently left the German Ministry of Magic. He opened a dimensional doorway and returned to the room in the Hogwarts dungeons.

…

The next day, after spending the night in the room beneath Hogwarts, Xiven, Newt, Jacob, and Hicks passed through a dimensional doorway and arrived at Berlin’s famous landmark—the Brandenburg Gate.

The Brandenburg Gate was a magnificent triumphal arch. Six enormous stone columns rose from the ground, and above them stood a chariot drawn by four galloping horses, with a winged goddess standing upon it.

While the group admired the imposing structure, Newt spotted a black leather glove.

“That’s Dumbledore’s glove,” Newt told the other three before walking toward the direction in which it pointed.

Following the glove’s guidance, they arrived at a café beside Unter den Linden Avenue. Dumbledore was seated beneath the café’s awning, leisurely stirring his coffee.

“Dumbledore, have you found a way to rescue Theseus?” Newt hurried over, sat down opposite him, and asked anxiously.

Dumbledore took a stack of certificates in various forms from his pocket, placed them on the table, and pushed the entire bundle toward Newt.

“I believe you’ll need these if you want to see Theseus.” Dumbledore took his glove back from Newt’s hands.

“Erkstag Prison?” Newt asked in surprise. “Wasn’t it publicly abandoned?”

“Not privately. The German Ministry of Magic is still secretly using the prison,” Dumbledore replied. “Besides, I suspect it will be dangerous inside. That is why I think Mr. Strange should accompany you to Erkstag Prison.”

“Professor Hicks, Mr. Kowalski, I suggest that you attend the banquet being held by the International Confederation today. While you are there, keep an eye out for Grindelwald attempting to assassinate one of the candidates.”

After speaking, Dumbledore looked at the group, silently asking whether they had any further questions.

“So you’re not coming with us?” Xiven asked.

“No. I have other matters to attend to.” Dumbledore shook his head and spoke softly.

He glanced at the time. His expression instantly grew solemn, and he Apparated away from the café.

The Immortal Wood’s Strange Fate

After Dumbledore left, the atmosphere around them gradually became more serious. Everyone was somewhat tense about the task ahead.

Just then, Jacob suddenly asked, “Um… do you think Mr. Dumbledore paid the bill?”