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Chapter 207: Emptying the Vault
Chapter 207: Emptying the Vault
Summer break passed by quickly.
With only three weeks left until school started, Sherlock and Silke made a trip to Diagon Alley together.
Although Silke had bought the house next to Sherlock's, she had only lived there for less than half the time.
Sherlock had set aside a room for her in his own home and even provided her with all three meals of the day.
Just as Sherlock had promised Eddie at his grave, he would do his best to take care of Amy, now known as Vera, to make up for his friend's shortcomings as a father.
During the summer, Sherlock had already visited Diagon Alley multiple times, often coming every three days.
On this day, Silke suddenly suggested that she wanted to do some shopping as well, so the two of them went together.
As August arrived, more and more young faces appeared in Diagon Alley.
With the start of school approaching, young wizards were hurriedly purchasing the books and supplies they would need for the new term.
"I need to go to Gringotts to retrieve something. Do you want to come with me?" Sherlock asked.
Silke shook her head.
"I'll stay here and do some shopping on the street."
Sherlock had no objections.
"Then let's meet up at the Leaky Cauldron later."
After agreeing on a time, the two parted ways on the main street of Diagon Alley.
Sherlock didn't head directly to his destination. Instead, he found a secluded corner, put on the mask he had prepared, and transformed into a member of the Lestrange family. Only then did he walk straight to Gringotts, which was located in the center of Diagon Alley.
As soon as he entered, Ragnok saw him and his face showed a mix of annoyance and reluctance, but he still approached with politeness.
"Mr. Lestrange", he bowed his head and said.
Sherlock looked down at him from a height.
"Ragnok, I'm afraid I'll be troubling you again today."
Despite his obvious displeasure, Ragnok remained courteous.
"Serving our clients is our duty."
However, he couldn't help but add a complaint.
"Mr. Lestrange, if you have any specific requests, please let us know. We will do our best to fulfill them."
Sherlock gave a cold laugh.
"Do I need your help to find something in my family's vault?"
"Gringotts offers a service to inventory clients' assets. If you need it, we can provide you with a detailed list of your vault's contents within a day."
Ragnok said this with neither condescension nor arrogance.
However, Sherlock sneered in response.
"Then why don't you tell me the cost of this service? Let me guess—has it risen to five percent?"
Ragnok lowered his head.
"Five percent is not much, sir. For such a small fee, you can have a comprehensive understanding of the wealth your family has accumulated over centuries. It's a very good deal."
"Even a fool wouldn't believe that", Sherlock snorted. "And even if your reputation is impeccable, it doesn't mean I should trust you completely. There have been quite a few goblins caught and imprisoned for their crimes in recent years."
Hearing this, Ragnok's displeasure was evident.
"You can question our fees, but please do not question Gringotts' integrity, sir."
Sherlock waved his hand dismissively.
"Since that's the case, stop wasting my time with these empty words. Just do your job. Now, take me to the vault."
Ragnok had no choice but to take him on the underground tunnel cart for the thirteenth time in less than two months, heading to the Lestrange Family vault.
After opening the vault door, Ragnok, as usual, stood guard outside while Sherlock entered alone.
The treasures inside the vault had noticeably diminished.
This was the result of Sherlock's thirteen trips to Gringotts.
After studying the Duplication Charm and Fiendfyre Curse on the treasures, he confirmed that these spells were tied to the entire Gringotts system.
Within the goblin territory, it was almost impossible to remove these spells, but once the items were taken out of Gringotts, the spells would automatically become invalid.
To have the goblins help pack and take away all the treasures from the vault, he would need to personally remove the magic that prevented non-Lestrange Family members from touching them. Otherwise, the goblins had no authority to handle these treasures.
The same applied to the inventory service Ragnok had mentioned in the hall. To tally the quantity, types, and value of the treasures, Sherlock would need to personally remove the protective magic in the vault.
This, of course, was impossible for Sherlock, who was impersonating a Lestrange Family member.
He could only use this cumbersome method, taking a portion each time and removing it from Gringotts, after which the magic would automatically be lifted.
To facilitate this, Sherlock spent a considerable amount of money on seven or eight bags enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm, but the cost was almost entirely recouped on the first trip.
The Lestrange Family vault was like a mountain of gold, and Sherlock was diligently planning to empty it.
The Ministry of Magic had no way to seize or confiscate these assets, and Sherlock felt no moral qualms about it.
Not only was he after the Lestrange Family's wealth, but if the opportunity arose, he would also mercilessly take their lives.
Using Control Magic, he skillfully filled the bags he carried with various treasures, significantly reducing the amount left in the vault.
Sherlock estimated that he would need to make about twenty to thirty more trips to move everything out.
However, he wouldn't be in such a rush anymore. Ragnok's words today had hinted at his impatience, and if this continued, the goblins might start to suspect something.
Since the Lestrange family was still locked up in Azkaban, Sherlock understood the value of taking things one step at a time.
After packing the items, he deliberately lingered in the vault for a while before coming out and returning to the hall with Ragnok.
"I don't think I'll be coming back for a while."
Hearing this, Ragnok was initially taken aback, but quickly recovered, his face lighting up with unmistakable pleasure.
"Ah, Mr. Lestrange, have you found what you were looking for?"
"Just one for now", Sherlock replied, turning to leave Gringotts. "If I need anything in the future, I'll come back."
Ragnok's excited expression froze, but he let out a relieved sigh as Sherlock walked away.
Whatever happened in the future, at least he had managed to send this troublesome visitor away for now.
(End of Chapter)
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