240: Chapter 238 Disaster Approaches the Coast, Hogwarts Squad Goes to Investigate

Zhang Mu raised his hand to release the Fallen Spirit's Shadow Technique, but noticed an unusual silence behind him.

What's going on?

He turned his head in confusion.

In the clearing at the center of the isolated island, the Fallen Spirit was squatting with its hands on its knees, the deep blue in its pupils staring at the beach at the island's edge.

Following its gaze downward, two crabs on the sand were fighting, waving their thick, large claws.

The one on the left was clearly a size larger than the one on the right.

Undoubtedly, the outcome was decided before it even began.

However, the weaker one seemed unwilling to accept defeat, opening its claws to launch a desperate, life-risking strike.

The battle was intense. The Fallen Spirit grew nervous along with it, its two stone palms clenching into fists.

The little crab possessed the courage to resist the strong, but unfortunately, anger could not make it stronger.

Before long, the large crab easily snipped off its claws, flipped it over, and opened its mouth to enjoy its spoils.

The fists loosened weakly, and the head buried itself dejectedly between its legs.

Zhang Mu, who had originally intended to urge it to get to work, was no longer in a hurry.

His body floated up, drifting to its feet: "Sympathizing with the weak seems to be a common trait among intelligent beings."

The Fallen Spirit's head turned toward Zhang Mu, revealing the deep blue of its left eye.

It seemed to want to blink, but since it had no eyelids, it could only substitute the action with a few quick flickers of its flames.

"Yes, that's more or less what it means." Sensing the mental fluctuations in his mind, he smiled and said, "If you like crabs, I'll help you raise a pond of them in the 'World'."

The flames in its eye sockets swayed rapidly—it wanted a big pond.

"Fine."

"Master? Hmm, as for whether the address is respectful or not, I don't really care much.

By the way, you big guy are quite crafty; you call me Master just because I'm helping you raise crabs? Where were you before?"

The Fallen Spirit scratched its face with its index finger, then extended its palm to lift Zhang Mu, who was floating by its feet, onto its shoulder.

So it was the type that responded to kindness but not force.

Zhang Mu smiled and didn't refuse its attentiveness. He sat down with his right leg bent and his arm resting on his knee: "Let's go, go play with them for a bit."

Boom—

It hammered its chest with its right fist and began to run across the sea's surface.

Half an hour later, the two reached the side of the fleet, and at the same time, the other side discovered them.

This time, the fleet was clearly well-prepared. Not only were there three carrier battle groups, but several guided-missile destroyers were also in the rear to provide fire support.

Without needing words, the battle broke out immediately.

Zhang Mu was curious where they got the courage to organize a second siege the very next day after the previous crushing defeat, so he instructed the Fallen Spirit to take a defensive stance.

The combined fleet didn't dawdle. The pilots were already on standby in their fighters, and carrier-based aircraft glided off the decks.

Presumably having learned from their previous defeat, the fighters soared into the sky at a high angle immediately after leaving the carriers, reaching an altitude the Fallen Spirit couldn't reach by raising its hand.

Looking up at the planes disappearing into the clouds, Zhang Mu retracted his gaze and looked at two missiles approaching from the left and right for a probing attack.

The fleet couldn't see Zhang Mu, who was using the Shadow Technique, but they felt that for the humanoid Mountain Rock Giant, the head might be a weakness, so they aimed for the head.

Quite coincidentally, he happened to be blocking the flight path of one of them.

If he hadn't tested that the Shadow Technique couldn't be captured by electromagnetic waves, Zhang Mu would have almost thought they had discovered him.

Sitting on the broad shoulder was quite comfortable. He was too lazy to move and raised a Magic Shield.

The missiles approached rapidly, trailing smoke. At the moment they were about to hit Zhang Mu, two rock palms overlapped in front of him to block them.

Boom—

Zhang Mu looked back. The Fallen Spirit's right cheek had been hit by another missile. When the smoke cleared, the side of its face was not damaged, but it was burning with a large patch of white flame.

"White Phosphorus Bombs."

"Are you hurt?"

"A bit itchy?"

As they spoke, the bombers and fighters overhead also launched their attacks.

Perhaps misled by the Fallen Spirit's action of protecting one side with both hands, the fleet believed the defense here was weak, and missiles plummeted down like a torrential rain.

"Alright, I think I know what they're thinking."

Standing up, Zhang Mu looked at the hull numbers of the aircraft carriers from a distance.

Two from America, one from Ying Country.

The Queen is still restless.

"Make them stay."

Upon receiving the order, the deep blue flames in the Fallen Spirit's eyes flared wildly, almost overflowing from the eye sockets.

Boom—Boom—

Beating its chest like a gorilla, the Mountain Rock Giant crouched and launched itself.

Its majestic, god-like figure blocked the sun in mid-air, falling in an arc as its massive foot crushed an aircraft carrier.

Bending down and swinging its arm horizontally, three frigates were swept into fragments as if they were made of plastic.

Boom—

Another missile fell toward Zhang Mu's head, only to be caught and crushed by the Fallen Spirit's free hand.

Annoying flies.

Looking up at the fighter formation maneuvering to turn at high altitude, he downed two bottles of potion, and all the magic power surging in his body was channeled into the Fallen Spirit.

As the deep blue light in the Fallen Spirit's eyes flickered, it raised its rock hands high and clenched them.

The fighter formation in the sky that had just turned around was suddenly grabbed by a giant stone hand that appeared out of nowhere, emitting several muffled bangs.

After only a few minutes of engagement, the combined fleet had already lost its will to fight, turning desperately in an attempt to flee.

Standing on the shoulder and thinking for a moment, Zhang Mu sat down again, with his right leg straight and his left leg bent, arm resting on his knee. While releasing his Shadow Technique, he used the Transformation Technique to take on the appearance of Sauron.

Raising his head to the sky and extending his middle finger, he grinned: "Ignore the planes; leave not a single ship."

...

Ying Country, Royal Palace.

The Queen sat by the stone table in the garden pavilion, her right hand holding a metal spoon, stirring a cup of cold coffee on the table.

Beep—Beep—

The laptop on the table chimed, and she hurriedly opened it to connect.

"Your Majesty." The American President on the screen looked grim. "Total annihilation."

The metal spoon in her hand was nearly bent from her grip, and her chest heaved violently several times: "This is not what we agreed upon."

"It was too fast. The fleet was like a rusted machine in front of it."

"Furthermore, there is another matter we need to take seriously now."

Recovering from the sharp pain of losing over half the navy, the Queen asked, "What?"

"Look."

The American President on the other side operated the mouse, and an aerial photo of the Mountain Rock Giant popped up in the bottom left corner of the screen.

"I have experienced its grandeur."

"Look closely at the left shoulder."

A white dot?

After staring for a long time without result, the Queen confusedly scrolled the mouse wheel. As the image zoomed in, she finally saw what that tiny white dot was.

It was a young man with a wild smile, raising his middle finger.

Judging by his appearance at least, he could be considered a young man.

The air was silent for a while before the American President said to the silent Queen, "I think you understand what this means.

It is not a beast or monster lacking intelligence; they have a commander, clear objectives, and thorough plans.

Your Majesty, a calamity for humanity has arrived."

After a moment of silence, the Queen began to smile: "The Kingdom has Hogwarts."

He seemed to be choked up, becoming a bit exasperated: "At a time like this, humanity should be united!"

"Oh, Sir, this is the first time I've heard you say such a thing. It's truly a novel experience."

"You..."

"Alright, Sir, the children are on holiday. I have to go pick them up."

She pressed down the laptop lid: "Li."

"Your Majesty." A hunched figure appeared silently outside the pavilion.

"I'm sorry, I failed."

Li lowered his head wordlessly, performing the role of a listener perfectly.

"I hoped Hogwarts would see the brilliance of the new era and thus be willing to help the Kingdom develop its technology. Instead, it only verified the Headmaster's words—toys of the new world.

Perhaps I was wrong. Standing at the peak for too long has bred an arrogance within me that I didn't even notice."

Li, who had been listening to the Queen's rambling with his mouth shut, finally spoke: "The King cannot be wrong."

...

After tearing the fleet into pieces like broken toys, Zhang Mu let the Fallen Spirit cruise near the coast of Ying Country while he summoned a Portal to the Saul Continent.

With more than ten days left before departure, Zhang Mu instructed Saul to use this time to gather workers from outside the city to build a pond.

It had to be big.

Although Saul was confused about what madness his City Lord was up to again, his personality led him to turn around and arrange the matters efficiently.

Alone in the study, Zhang Mu figured since he was already here, he might as well go to Moza Village.

After spending an hour traveling, he arrived at the small hillside outside the village.

It was noon, and the Soldiers of the First Army were still training hard on the sandy ground in the middle of the village.

Domit stood by with a somber face, accompanying and supervising them.

After watching for a while, Zhang Mu didn't disturb them and turned back to Blue Star, speeding toward Ying Country.

...

Kings Cross Station.

Having taken the train to Hogwarts three times, the five of them were already familiar with it. Without the nervousness and fear of the first time, they dragged their suitcases toward the entrance.

Misha sat astride her pink suitcase as Toby pulled it along.

"Misha, it's time to get off."

The little girl pouted, unwilling. Leon ruffled her head: "There will be many people waiting for us outside; we can't be impolite."

"Oh."

Thinking that her photo would be published on a full page of the newspaper, she quickly jumped down, took Leon's hand, and followed Toby, who was pulling her suitcase for her.

The five of them passed through the wall in turn.

Click—Click—

The sound of shutters echoed through the station, and flashbulbs formed a continuous sheet of light.

Leon instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes: "I still find it hard to adapt to this damn bright light."

"You have to learn to get used to it." Toby stood still in front of the wall, smiling and gesturing to the reporters while asking, "Where is Ms. Rowling?"

"The Headmaster prepared a private car for her. Heavens, why don't I have a wizard Headmaster grandfather?" Leon complained in a low voice.

"Work hard to become a wizard, then your grandson will have a wizard grandfather."

"Good grief, Toby, you've actually learned to tease people."

"I've always known how.

Alright, let's go quickly; the Queen is waiting for us."

The five of them walked through a corridor formed by a row of Soldiers, saluted and greeted the Queen, and boarded the car together.

On the way, Wino and Klaisi said they had matters to attend to. After the driver consulted the Queen, they were dropped off at the roadside.

Looking through the car window as the two figures ducked into a taxi, Leon said, "Toby, where are they going?"

"Hmm... they should be going to Prince Suleiman's castle."

Glancing at the driver, he lowered his voice: "Won't the Queen be angry?"

"Don't underestimate Her Majesty." Toby said with a smile, turning his head to look at the lampposts flying by outside the window, the smile on his face slowly fading.

The Queen, of course, does not want to see the five of us united.

Sighing quietly in his heart, Toby really hated politics and so-called balance, but the prosperity of the Kingdom seemed inseparable from these things.

After thinking in silence for a while, he felt that it was enough for him to do what a citizen should do, and he simply brushed aside the cluttered thoughts in his mind.

Soon, the convoy approached the palace gates, but suddenly braked hard.

Supporting Misha, who almost fell off her seat, with one hand, Toby frowned and asked the driver, "Sir, what happened?"

The driver also didn't seem to know what was going on and looked ahead in confusion.

"It's the Headmaster." Leon had sharp eyes and saw the white-haired, black-robed old man standing by the gate from a distance.

The three of them hurriedly got out of the car and followed the Queen, who had also stepped out, over to him.

"Headmaster, you should have notified me in advance so I could prepare afternoon tea."

The old man stroked his long beard: "Are you sure you want to beat around the bush before talking about business?"

Stunned for a few seconds, the Queen gave a bitter smile: "As expected, nothing can be hidden from you."

"Let's go inside to talk."

With the Queen and Dumbledore in front and the three following behind, they walked slowly toward the dining room.

"Madam, you were a bit reckless this time."

"As you said, I shouldn't have sent the fleet."

"Not entirely."

Her steps paused, and her gaze focused on the old man beside her: "I look forward to hearing your views."

"The little ones are hungry; let's eat and talk."

The Queen had this much patience. She quickened her pace slightly to enter the dining room and take her seat. Once the abundant food was served, she stared at the old man with a look of hidden expectation.

Dumbledore took a sip of red wine, and feeling it wasn't quite right, he set down the goblet:

"Before today, I didn't care much for the toys of the new world; after all, toys are just toys.

But after observing the battle in the ocean, I think I must change my prejudice."

After a few seconds of pondering, he continued: "Your technology is still immature now, but it undeniably possesses infinite possibilities."

Faintly guessing Dumbledore's meaning, the Queen's heart couldn't help but tremble: "Headmaster, are you saying..."

"Yes, Hogwarts can provide some assistance to accelerate the Kingdom's technological development."

"I express my respectful thanks to you on behalf of the people of the Kingdom."

"Don't be in such a hurry to be happy." Dumbledore waved his hand. "I am the current Headmaster of Hogwarts, so I must be responsible for all the teachers and students.

After all, they all played a part in the establishment and maintenance of the academy."

"Can you be more specific?"

"Things cannot be given for free; the Kingdom must provide items of equal value in exchange."

Seeing the Queen's distressed expression, he smiled and explained: "Rest assured, I know what you are worried about.

Before coming here, I discussed it with them. To avoid the Kingdom being unable to provide things the magic world needs, we have established a new exchange standard."

"What kind?"

"Normally, the condition for determining the value of an item in the magic world is its usefulness to a wizard.

Clearly, you have nothing like that."

These words implied that the two sides lacked a basis for trade, but the Queen was not worried. Since the Headmaster said he would aid the Kingdom, there must be a solution.

Dumbledore did not disappoint her.

"Therefore, after discussion, we decided that the items the Kingdom uses for payment will be judged by their rarity as the standard for price."

The Queen was thoughtful: "In other words, as long as it is precious enough to us, Hogwarts will accept it regardless of whether wizards need it?"

"Yes.

Wizards emphasize the principle of equal exchange. As Headmaster, I cannot take the lead in violating it, so I had to find a clever workaround."

Roughly understanding that Dumbledore was bypassing the trading rules through a change of concept, the Queen felt grateful in her heart and asked, "When do we begin?"

"Before that." He looked toward the three freshmen who were buried in their food. "The calamity must be dealt with first."

The three of them raised their heads, looking at each other blankly, all having an ominous premonition in their hearts.

"The Mountain Rock Giant is approaching the Kingdom's coastline. You are responsible for conducting close-range reconnaissance of its movements."