https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-346-The-Gradually-Thinning-Brock/13441479/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-348-Deed-and-Alchemical-Knowledge/13441484/
Chapter 347: How Can This Porridge Be So Fragrant?
Chapter 347: How Can This Porridge Be So Fragrant?
Hearing Brock's words, Ivan couldn't help but shiver. This old man was indeed devious. It was a good thing he had cautiously asked a question; otherwise, rashly entering the library would have certainly led to his demise.
"Then how do you usually go in?" Ivan asked, puzzled.
Since the library was pitch-black and no Lighting Spell could be used, how did Brock manage to check or retrieve a book? Was he supposed to grope around in the dark like a blind man?
That was clearly impossible.
"You can enter with the Hand of Glory." Brock's answer was as concise as ever.
Ivan suddenly understood. It seemed that Brock had set up some kind of light-sensing magic inside the library. The Hand of Glory, a special magical item, allowed the person holding it to see in the dark, thus bypassing the detection spells.
Fortunately, among the Dark Magic Items that Aisha had brought back for research, there was this magical item, which could be used directly.
Ivan then had another question. "What if your Hand of Glory is lost like this time?"
"The shop has several in stock, and I can also spend time making another one", Brock said indifferently.
Ivan patted his head, realizing he had forgotten about that. Brock himself was a Master of Magic Item Crafting, capable of easily repairing a damaged Vanishing Cabinet in the original timeline. Making a Hand of Glory was not a difficult task, which was why he had sold it to the Malfoys in the first place.
To ensure that there were no other traps in the Magic Shop that could ensnare him, Ivan persistently asked detailed questions.
The more he asked, the more alarmed he became. Brock had set up numerous traps in the Magic Shop, with many dangerous Dark Magic Items ready to be triggered at any moment.
Ivan couldn't help but be grateful that he had worn the Invisibility Cloak and launched a surprise attack during that battle, leaving Brock no time to prepare. Otherwise, the victory would not have been so easy.
"In the Basement, I also set up a small spell that would sound an alarm if a stranger entered. There's only one way to disable it", Brock continued to explain his ingenious setup to Ivan, talking for over twenty minutes before finally finishing with a satisfied nod.
However, not long after, Brock's expression changed, and he looked at Ivan with sheer terror, screaming, "What did you do to me?"
Recalling everything he had just said, Brock's face turned ashen. He quickly guessed that Ivan had given him Veritaserum, and his body went limp.
He knew he was finished!
Brock's face contorted with shock and anger as he glared at Ivan. Finally, he gave a bitter, resigned smile and closed his eyes. "Do it!"
Ivan looked at Brock, drew his Wand, and pointed it. A plate appeared on the ground in front of Brock.
Brock waited for a while, feeling no pain. Then he caught a whiff of a fragrant aroma, sniffing the air and opening his eyes to see Ivan still standing there, with a small bowl of corn porridge on the ground.
Starving, Brock looked at the bowl of corn porridge, swallowing hard. He then looked at Ivan in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Brock was puzzled. He had expected Ivan to kill him after the interrogation.
"I've learned everything I wanted to know. If you want to starve yourself to death, that's fine with me", Ivan said before turning and leaving.
The corn porridge was, of course, the leftovers from breakfast.
If he could, Ivan did not want Brock to die so quickly. His improved Polyjuice Potion still needed a test subject who could withstand the process.
Unfortunately, Peter hadn't been around for the past few months, making Ivan somewhat uncomfortable. He had to find someone else to take his place.
Brock, utterly confused, watched Ivan's figure disappear through the door. He couldn't understand why Ivan had spared his life when he was clearly no longer of any value.
Soon, his gaze was drawn back to the bowl of corn porridge on the floor, and he found himself in a fierce internal struggle.
He desperately wanted to knock the bowl over, point at Ivan with disdain, and declare that he would rather starve than eat it!
But Ivan had already left, and no one would notice his show of defiance. So, Brock ultimately gave up on the idea, lying on the ground with his eyes closed, pretending to be dead, and preparing to starve himself.
After several days without food or water, Brock's lips were pale and cracked, and he was incredibly thirsty. The sweet aroma of the corn porridge kept wafting into his nose, tormenting his thoughts.
Frustrated, Brock opened his eyes and looked at the bowl of porridge not far away. A thought suddenly crossed his mind.
What if this bowl of porridge actually tasted terrible and was impossible to eat?
Brock thought to himself that if that were the case, he wouldn't have to endure this torment.
He consoled himself, repeatedly emphasizing that he would just take a small taste!
Just one taste!
Since his body was bound, Brock had to struggle to lift his head and tentatively lick the porridge.
The rich, sweet, and creamy flavor of the corn porridge was transmitted through his taste buds to his brain, and Brock shivered in surprise. How could it be so delicious?
It must be an illusion, he told himself. He must be so hungry that he was hallucinating; it actually doesn't taste good at all!
Brock tried to convince himself of this.
Then, he thought of another problem: what if the porridge was poisoned? He didn't think Ivan was that kind-hearted. Maybe Ivan, being young, couldn't bring himself to kill him directly and decided to poison him instead!
After consoling himself again, Brock made up his mind and took a few more licks.
Before he knew it, the small bowl of corn porridge was completely licked clean.
Brock finally came to a realization.
Since he had already revealed everything, both what he should and shouldn't, under the influence of Veritaserum, there seemed to be no point in continuing to resist. It would be better to eat and drink well, waiting for the other side to give him a quick death!
Why make things harder for himself?
Meanwhile, Ivan had already borrowed the Hand of Glory from Aisha and, wrapped in his Invisibility Cloak, sneaked into Borgin and Burkes Magic Shop.
It had been several days since his last visit. The shop, which had been severely damaged, had been repaired, and the bodies and blood had been cleaned up by the Ministry of Magic's Aurors.
Although there were no Aurors patrolling the area, the cautious Ivan still wore his Invisibility Cloak to avoid being seen.
Ivan entered the basement and, following Brock's instructions, searched in the corner on the right side. Sure enough, he found the hidden door.
It had an odd-shaped notch, partially obscured by a stone table. If you didn't pay close attention, you wouldn't notice it at all.
Ivan took out the pendant and placed it in the notch. A moment later, a section of the wall in front of him trembled and slowly sank inward.
With a rumbling sound, a dark, narrow passage was revealed.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
