Chapter 555: The Truth and Fiction of Worlds
Chapter 555: The Truth and Fiction of Worlds
New York, the most bustling city on the East Coast of the United States, is home to a series of famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Wall Street, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.
However, Liam hasn't seen any of these attractions over the past couple of days. During her conversation with Agent J, Hermione learned about the existence of the Harry Potter books. After settling into the apartment, she went to a nearby bookstore and bought the first four Harry Potter novels that were already available, as well as the video tape of the movie "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", which was released last year. She has been holed up in her room ever since, engrossed in these materials.
Liam noticed that Hermione was reading very slowly, and as she read, the manifestations of the Law of Death began to appear around her uncontrollably. Thin, black-red mists would occasionally swirl around her, and the flowers on the desk near her right hand would wilt and then sprout new buds, repeating this cycle continuously under the influence of the Death Power.
Liam started to feel a bit anxious. After all, anyone would be bewildered upon discovering that their world is just a story written by someone else. Fortunately, Hermione didn't lose control as Liam had feared. She managed to contain the manifestations of the Law of Death within a foot of her body.
By the next noon, Hermione had finally finished watching the video tape. She turned to Liam, who was sitting beside her, and her first words were, "Why aren't you in any of these stories?"
"Because if I were, it would probably be considered a fanfiction", Liam thought to himself, but he said, "We've visited the worlds of Beauty and the Beast and The Lord of the Rings before, and you noticed that those worlds were different from the books we read. So, I think it's possible that the stories of other worlds that circulate in certain worlds may differ from the truth."
"I agree with that", Hermione nodded. "By the way, do you know about the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets and the Diary that might be one of the Dark Lord's Horcruxes?"
"Uh, of course. When I found that old Diary, I initially wanted to give it to my father as an antique, but after realizing something was off, I handed it over to Headmaster Dumbledore. The Headmaster has already destroyed the Diary and ensured that the Basilisk can no longer harm anyone", Liam explained, then hesitated before continuing, "Hermione, you seem a bit—"
"Do you think I'm too calm about this?" Hermione immediately understood what Liam was getting at. "At first, I was shocked. That's why I didn't speak much during our conversation with Agent J. But later, I came to terms with it. Ever since our second-year trip to the world of Beauty and the Beast, I've been thinking about these kinds of issues. So, when I faced a story that includes me, I realized it might just be that some information from our world has been received by the author of this world."
She held up a book and continued, "Besides, the content of this book is only similar to the real situation. It's likely that the information has been somewhat distorted during the process of crossing different worlds."
Liam nodded. If it were the Hermione from the original books, she might have been more troubled. However, having traveled through multiple worlds, she understood that certain real worlds can appear as cultural products in other worlds. She wouldn't be as confused as some characters in certain traversal novels Liam had read, who, after being brought out of their original worlds, would question whether they are real or just fictional characters.
The conversation then took a lighter turn, with Hermione praising the young actress who played her in the movie. She thought that while the actress only bore a seventy percent resemblance to her in appearance, she had successfully captured her essence and characteristics.
Just as they were discussing these light-hearted topics, there was a knock on the door. Liam opened it to find the only person they knew in New York standing there: Mib Agent J. However, he wasn't alone; behind him was an elderly man with graying hair, dressed in a postal worker's uniform and looking bewildered at the two of them.
"Here's the deal", Agent J explained. "I was going to the headquarters today with an old friend, and we can take you there to get your temporary residence permits. Of course, since you're genuine humans, the restrictions for you will be the loosest."
"Alright, give us a moment to get ready", Liam nodded. Three minutes later, the four of them were in Agent J's black car, heading toward Mib headquarters.
"Federation Bridge Authority?" Liam read the large inscription on the massive building with no windows and a single door, muttering to himself, "It looks like a pretty dull department."
"Indeed", Agent J overheard him and nodded, "but that's the point. Only a place that seems real can hide us."
After opening the door and crossing the foyer, they entered an elevator. A slight vibration, and the elevator began to descend. Hermione leaned closer to Liam and whispered, "It looks just like our Ministry of Magic. Both use a regular building as a cover and set the real place underground, even using elevators to go down. The only difference is that our Ministry of Magic's cover building is far less impressive."
"That's true", Liam whispered back. "They're both entrances to hidden worlds within the normal world, and they have a governing nature. So it's natural that they share some similarities."
Soon, the door behind them opened, and Liam saw the Mib headquarters lobby. Most of the aliens here fit the traditional stereotype, looking nothing like humans. There were also many people in black suits bustling about.
"Alright, go to that counter up ahead", Agent J pointed to a counter with a line of aliens, "I've already spoken to them, and they'll process your temporary residence permits. I have some business to attend to with my old partner. We'll meet outside afterward, and then we can discuss the trade you mentioned."
"Got it", Liam took Hermione's hand, and they started queuing up. Agent J, meanwhile, led the retired Agent K through a small transparent door and disappeared, presumably to restore his memory.
"Really quite fascinating", Hermione looked around curiously. Even though she had been to the Wasteland World, the Fantasy World, and many other strange worlds, these oddly shaped aliens were a first for her. It was especially surprising that these supposedly advanced aliens also had to queue up like regular people to clear customs.
As they waited, a commotion broke out at the front. Liam heard someone say that someone had fainted due to a heart attack. Many staff members left their posts to assist the person.
"It seems like this is—", Liam suddenly remembered that this was the start of a plot point. Sure enough, a commotion erupted from the front. Large, snake-like vines surged forward, entangling everyone in their path.
"We need to get out of here", Liam said urgently. Two faint popping sounds followed, and Liam and Hermione vanished from the chaotic hall, reappearing in their temporary apartment.
"That seemed like a well-prepared attack", Hermione analyzed. "We need to contact Agent J immediately. They were in the back of the hall, so they might have managed to escape."
(End of Chapter)
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