booktalesy Chapter 175, Section 174: A Fairy Tale Reborn, A Masterpiece of Wisdom
Chapter 175, Section 174: A Fairy Tale Reborn, A Masterpiece of Wisdom
Chapter 175, Section 174: A Fairy Tale Reborn, A Masterpiece of Wisdom
Just as Ian fell asleep.
In the room across the hall.
Everyone knows that Lirim, who comes from the Ollivander family and has a mature charm, is still reading at his desk, while his three roommates, who have been traveling all day, have already gone to sleep.
The Fallen Witch Fell in Love with Me
This is a niche entertainment book that Ririm has been reading ever since Ian met him.
This blond boy finally saw the end today.
"The witch could not save herself from her fate, nor could she redeem her lover. Just like the ending of countless tragic stories, she was destined to complete the last leg of her life's journey in solitude."
"May the raven of the land of souls, when guiding this legend, brush away all her sorrow and grief." Ririm had already turned to the last page of the storybook in his hand.
but.
After finishing reading, he did not close the book, but gently stroked the pages with a hint of lingering enjoyment.
Why end it here?
Lirim whispered.
Just as he sees it.
The story is not over yet.
Still going on.
The sky outside was a deep black, with stars twinkling in the night. As if he had expected it, Ririm suddenly reached out and pushed open the window of the house, which was cold in the winter.
A biting cold wind blew in.
With a tiny creature flying with the wind.
That was a nightingale.
It looks rather ordinary, with rather dull plumage, mostly brown, with a few white spots on its chest, large, round eyes, and a short, pointed beak.
"It's so cold outside! Quick, close the window!"
After entering the house.
The nightingale perched on the perch next to the desk.
It could speak human language.
Her voice was soft and sweet.
I wonder if she's a witch with advanced Animagus skills.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Lirim closed the window, which was chilled by the wind, and raised his hand. A deep blue hue emerged from his fingertips, with a dazzling golden thread amidst the luster of a gemstone.
"That guy you had me keep an eye on has such sharp senses, he sent me flying thousands of meters away with a single slap..." Nightingale complained with lingering fear as she absorbed the magic from Ririm's fingertips with her mouth.
"After all, he is a legend."
Ririm wasn't surprised.
He just wanted to see if that person was still in Hogsmeade Village.
"I don't care, this is such a dangerous mission, you have to give me more Soul Hall points." Nightingale absorbed magic power, and the colors on her body suddenly looked more vibrant.
It was bargaining with the blond boy.
"This isn't something I can decide. The person you should be bothering is Cinderella; she's the one with the authority to give you points," Ririm replied in a low voice, sounding rather helpless.
"I don't believe it. Sister Cinderella said you're the boss."
The nightingale is adorable and cute.
He speaks in a low voice but has a very sophisticated tone.
"That's because you all overestimate me. In reality, I'm just like you and that legend from the next village—we're all just a failed continuation of the story after it ends."
"I cannot be the savior you yearn for, nor am I destined to become the god you hope for." Ririm sighed, but his expression showed no sadness or regret.
"Impossible! You are..."
The nightingale hadn't finished speaking.
He was immediately interrupted by Ririm raising his hand.
He might have some reservations about the thirteen Albus Dumbledores currently at Hogwarts.
"How about this, if you do me another small favor, I'll give you some extra points that belong to me," Ririm said with a chuckle, his voice carrying a hint of slyness.
"What kind of help?"
The nightingale immediately became alert.
"It's simple. There's a little wizard next door who's sleeping like a log tonight. Get me ten strands of his hair; I want to see if I can make a wand from them."
Lirim never forgets its original aspiration.
Always remember that you are a descendant of the "Olivander" family.
"make a deal!"
The nightingale heard this.
He agreed almost without thinking.
of course.
Its vigilance hadn't completely disappeared; after all, even the most naive person would grow shrewd after being tricked too many times.
"This time, surely no one will slap me, right?"
This nightingale seems to have developed a psychological trauma.
"Of course not."
Ririm gave an affirmative answer.
The nightingale disappeared from the spot with a sense of peace.
After a while.
"You liar! That little guy isn't a sound sleeper at all. I just picked up six strands of hair, and he grabbed me and tried to shove me into his mouth!"
The nightingale reappears in the room.
The feathers were disheveled.
With a sob in her voice.
"This is just a conditioned reflex of a mere shell. It hasn't fully entered the ranks of legends yet, so the shell isn't really a big threat. Look, you've come back unharmed."
Rirem accepted the six strands of hair that Nightingale had brought back.
"What?! I've messed with another legend?!"
The nightingale's voice carried a hint of fear.
"Where do legends come from in this degenerate age!"
It clearly has a limited perspective.
However, I still know quite a lot of common sense.
There are always exceptions.
Lirim began to soothe the nightingale in front of him by contributing his magic. He sensed the nightingale's emotions and felt it was better not to reveal any more frightening information.
after all.
This poor girl has always been rather timid.
……
Hair loss warning.
The young wizard truly had no subjective awareness of it.
He was indeed sleeping very soundly.
One second, or even less.
In the blink of an eye, Ian fell from the human world into the ethereal realm, crossing the boundary between life and death, and arrived in a lush, vibrant ethereal world.
The sky here is no different from the sky on earth, possessing an incomparably clear purity, like the ocean, as if capable of washing away all the dust of the world and bringing a sense of tranquility. Sunlight shines through this blue canopy, casting a warm and soft glow, draping the earth in a golden cloak.
The clouds drift leisurely against the blue backdrop, some as white as snow, others as light as gauze, weaving across the sky and adding a touch of liveliness and energy to the tranquil expanse.
"A new map has been added?"
Ian gazed at his seemingly ordinary yet utterly unfamiliar surroundings. Countless similar experiences in the past had made him accustomed to such scenes.
The only thing that surprised the young wizard was that the "cooldown period" ended so quickly, coincidentally coinciding with his first day of his second year at Hogwarts.
"It's always a good thing that he can come back."
Although he couldn't reach his familiar places, returning to the dreamlike realm was still significant for Ian. Even if he "got lost" again this time, he could always find his way back to the castle and town next time. When he returned, turning around, he would still encounter familiar people and see familiar things, and that would be enough.
"What I'm curious about now is what area this is, and why I came here." After a brief period of adjustment, Ian started walking.
Follow the quiet path.
He walked away into the distance without looking back.
A winding path leads forward through the lush forest.
At the end of the road is a high mountain.
There was no sign of human habitation.
"Forget Smurfs, you can't even find a Gargamel in these mountains!"
No wonder the little wizard complained.
He crossed the high mountains.
And what about the other side of the mountain?
But it is still a mountain.
This is no joke, it's the truth... a real mountain range stretching as far as the eye can see. Faced with the endless mountain range, Ian finally couldn't take it anymore, pulled out his magic cloak, and took to the air.
This decision was quite correct.
Or perhaps it was because he was still hoping to find someone in the jungle and mountains that the little wizard took out his magic cloak far too late; he should have given up his fantasies about the forests and mountains and chosen to fly long ago.
"If I were to walk on two legs, I'm afraid it would take me three days and three nights to get out of these mountains." Ian didn't know how many not-so-majestic mountains he had flown over.
He only knew that he had floored the accelerator, flying past Mach 6, and had been flying for several hours before his eyes finally saw different colors and a different environment. What came into view was an endless expanse of golden wheat fields, crisscrossing paths between the fields, and waterwheels that were erected very high.
It was obvious that there were people, no, that spirits, living there. Walking a little further, Ian saw a peaceful city, its classical architecture seemingly telling the story of its past.
The city's outline gradually came into focus before Ian's eyes. The stone walls were tall and sturdy, seemingly able to withstand the storms of any era. On either side of the city gate stood two majestic towers, with flags fluttering atop them. Although the colors were slightly faded, one could still sense the former glory and splendor.
"Someone's there!"
"Is he a wizard?"
"Good heavens! He's actually a rare male wizard!"
……
The guards at the city gate were nearly fully armed, holding spears and with piercing eyes. When they saw Ian appear on the horizon, they seemed slightly afraid but not particularly surprised.
"A kingdom located in a dreamlike realm, where wizards also exist?" This was the first time Ian had ever seen a "thriving" city in a dreamlike realm.
Looking down from the sky.
The city has a large population, with rows of houses of all kinds, thatched, stone, and wooden... There are also many bakeries, mills, blacksmith shops, and tailor shops.
"Honorable young wizard, have you also come for the bounty issued by our beloved king?" The guards immediately stepped forward and cautiously inquired as soon as Ian landed.
"Of course, that's why I came here." Ian didn't know what the bounty was, but since he was already here, he had to see what this Mysterious Realm was all about.
"Please come in! Let us escort you into the palace in a special welcoming carriage!" The guards didn't have any doubts, after all, in their eyes Ian was a magnificent wizard who had descended from the heavens.
He clearly has real skills.
A youthful appearance might just be a sign of skillful witchcraft.
"no problem."
Ian's response was also straightforward. Although his wand was hidden in his sleeve and he was slightly wary, he did not show any inner thoughts on the surface.
"Over here!"
The guards led Ian into the city, but instead of venturing into the bustling city center, they greeted him at the city's edge and welcomed him into a carriage. The rather impressive carriage drove into the city—the wheels made a soft clattering sound on the cobblestone road, creating a strange harmony with the surrounding noise.
Outside the car window, a series of lively and vivid scenes unfolded like a scroll painting.
Along both sides of the street, vendors set up stalls of all kinds, offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to exquisite handicrafts. They called out loudly, attracting the attention of passersby. Children darted and played among the crowds, their occasional silvery laughter adding a touch of life and vitality to the city.
In the distance, a series of majestic buildings came into view. The church's spires soared into the clouds, shimmering with golden light in the sunlight. This church, almost unrecognizable to Ian, appeared even more magnificent than the royal palace.
Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!
It has a dazzling golden wheel on top.
It's unclear which religious sect it symbolizes.
The carriage continued forward.
It slowly came to a stop in front of the magnificent palace, a grand and solemn palace built of massive stones. Two elegantly dressed attendants had been waiting at the palace gates for some time. They seemed to have been notified in advance, and as soon as the carriage stopped, they immediately stepped forward and politely opened the door for Ian.
"Welcome, esteemed guest, for your journey from afar in response to the King's request." The waiters' voices were gentle and respectful, as if they were honored by Ian's arrival.
Ian wanted to ask how welcoming the other party really was, but he felt that would be a bit too mischievous; he was currently putting on an air of profound mystery as a wizard.
"I can't wait to take your bounty."
Ian ultimately chose a more appropriate and seemingly confident answer. These words, as expected, immediately pleased the waiter, who welcomed him into the palace.
In the square in front of the palace, fountains spouted and flowerbeds bloomed, everything seemed so harmonious and beautiful.
Led by a servant, Ian passed through the palace gates and entered the interior of the royal palace. The interior was lavishly decorated and resplendent in gold, with every work of art revealing the craftsman's exquisite skills and pursuit of beauty.
Artistic bacteria have evolved to the point where they possess the aesthetic qualities of artistic cells.
"It's like being in a fairy tale."
Ian spoke from the depths of his heart.
Enter the main hall.
In the palace hall, the king and queen awaited Ian's arrival. They sat on high thrones, dressed in magnificent royal robes and wearing dazzling crowns, looking exceptionally noble.
"Is this the wizard who descended amidst the 'Roar of the Sky' with a raging storm?" The king's eyes were filled with eager anticipation; he and his people clearly did not understand what a sonic boom was.
"That's a good title."
Ian was quite pleased with the compliment.
"Honorable wizard, welcome to my kingdom." The king's voice was deep and powerful, full of majesty and sincerity. He even stepped down to embrace Ian.
"I'm here because of the bounty."
Ian still remembered what the gatekeeper had said.
"Of course, of course..."
The king was not angry.
He spoke slowly, his voice heavy.
"To tell you the truth, my queen and I have been married for many years, and in our old age we finally had a daughter. However, the wicked witch prevented us from enjoying this joy for very long."
"Perhaps it's because I didn't invite that evil witch to the kingdom's princess's banquet. She's a dark witch, unlike the other twelve witches in my kingdom."
"I was worried that she might fight with other witches, which is why I didn't invite her. I never expected that she would hold a grudge against us and place a terrible curse on our daughter because of this."
"That was a threat of death... Fortunately, a kind witch helped us slightly alter the content of the curse, which allowed our daughter to still retain a sliver of hope for survival."
"From death to slumber... seven years, a full seven years, she was unable to wake up." The king was explaining the situation and information like an NPC.
"??????"
The young wizard was initially just surprised to realize that these people didn't know he was dead, and he hadn't even started to consider whether to reveal the truth directly.
The king continued speaking.
The more he listened, the more something seemed off, and the more familiar the story sounded. Twelve kind witches plus one dark witch, and then there was a princess who was trapped in a deep sleep due to a curse?
Isn't this the story of Sleeping Beauty?!
"You want to wake your daughter, right?" Ian realized what he was going through, and he immediately understood why the king had issued the bounty.
"That's right."
The king nodded.
Her queen, too, spoke with a sorrowful expression.
"Time is passing, we are getting older and closer to death, but our daughter is still alive, and we want to see her have a new life."
The queen sobbed softly, her voice sincere.
"no problem!"
Ian is quite knowledgeable about curses. Even if he can't break Sleeping Beauty's curse through his strength, he can definitely find a dozen princes by searching other areas of the Enchanted Realm.
Does the little wizard still remember the scene where the Sleeper awakens?
"By the way, what about that black witch? Does she live nearby? I'll go see if I can capture her for research. Of course, it would be best if you could also give me the addresses of the other twelve witches."
Ian didn't know why the people of this country still believed they were alive. He could only guess that the somewhat abnormal situation he was witnessing was definitely related to the wizard.
"Where does the witch live?"
The king looked somewhat hesitant.
"It's all to save your daughter, Your Majesty. Don't worry, leave it to me. There won't be any hidden dangers," Ian said eagerly.
"..."
The more the king listened, the more uneasy he felt.
"You...you're not a dark wizard too, are you?"
He probed with a strange look in his eyes.
"??????"
The little wizard felt that the king was being far too cautious. With his upright and helpful nature, how could he possibly have the chicken feet of a dark wizard?
"I am the sage of the forest, the philosopher of the valley, the hermit of the misty city, the apostle of light who is irreconcilably opposed to the black wizard. Why does Your Majesty slander my innocence like this?"
Ian feigned displeasure, speaking slowly and deliberately, mimicking Grindelwald's manner of speaking, so his tone naturally carried an aggressive feel.
"this……"
The king hesitated again.
The queen hesitated as well.
They hesitated for a long time.
Ian was somewhat bewildered to realize that the King and Queen were actually stuck.
"What the hell?"
Feeling a mysterious force invading from the other side of the world, Ian raised his hand in surprise and waved it in front of the king and queen, who seemed to have been frozen in time.
"No! I'm still waiting for you to take me to see Sleeping Beauty! Is the power out or what?" The little wizard had no idea what was going on.
Just as he was preparing to roll up his sleeves and give the past and the Queen a try to "reboot".
"You seem quite immersed in a past that's already 'dead'?" A slightly mocking voice suddenly rang out, appearing abruptly behind Ian.
The voice was very familiar.
The feeling of a chill down my spine and a tingling sensation on my scalp was something I hadn't experienced in a long time.
"Morgan... teacher."
The little wizard, whose smile was beginning to freeze, turned his head with a stiff neck.
The questions he had anticipated indeed followed one after another.
"The messenger of light who is irreconcilably opposed to dark wizards, is that how you pronounce it when you see a dark witch?" Morgan's tone was as mocking and sarcastic as ever.
But the little wizard's hairs were already standing on end.
"Of course I'm not talking about you! In my heart, you've never been some kind of dark witch. Even if you did things that a dark witch would do, there must have been a reason!"
Ian immediately switched to survival mode.
but.
After a string of auspicious words.
He still couldn't suppress his curiosity.
"This...this...after my wicked senior sister, are you also involved in other past stories?" The young wizard asked cautiously and very tactfully.
He suspected that Sleeping Beauty had been put to sleep by Morgan.
"Use your pig brain! If I, your teacher, were to intervene, who else would have the chance to fall into a deep sleep?" Witch Morgan rolled her eyes dismissively.
"..."
Ian really wanted to say something.
The reason I had such doubts was because I saw the entire Sleeping Beauty's Kingdom in this dreamlike illusion, and the way I directly destroyed someone else's entire country was very much in the style of the legendary Black Witch.
Whether she had guessed what Ian was thinking or not, the witch Morgan sighed softly and led Ian out of the hall amidst the stagnant "out of control".
"Aren't you curious why you're here?"
She spoke softly.
"Please enlighten me, teacher."
The young wizard was humble.
"Because of that place."
The witch pointed to the magnificent church in the distance.
then.
He then pointed to the sun in the sky.
"You stupid little pig, I thought I knew you well enough, but I never expected that you could do something so outrageous and absurd."
Morgan's words left Ian somewhat confused.
"Does the golden wheel on that church represent the sun in the sky?" He began to ponder and speculate in his mind, and some rather bizarre ideas began to emerge.
"Could it be...?"
Ian's eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets.
He hadn't finished speaking.
Morgan then let out a soft sigh.
"You had Ariana ask me before why you couldn't enter the Illusionary Realm. Now I want to ask you the same question... How dare you snatch a god's belonging from the hands of Death?"
The witch's soft whispers.
In this land where time stands still... it's like a thunderclap from a clear sky.
(End of this chapter)