Several feet above the churning sea of lava, Amostas and Amelie, along with the ancient elf Bogrod, stared at the magical barrier, standing on a projecting rock platform on the steep cliff wall.
Amelie was pressed against the scorching wall, staring blankly for a good while before she snapped out of it, realizing something. She quickly turned to look at Amostas, but did not see a disappointed expression on his face.
Amostas was also observing the lava below, squinting his eyes as if he wanted to pierce through the barrier and explore what was happening below. However, the lava, a natural creation with incredible power, made the magic in the space incredibly chaotic. Amostas couldn't see what was happening below.
"Is there a way to confirm that the vault below is intact?"
After a long moment, Amostas abandoned his plan and looked down at Bogrod.
Amostas's question only increased Bogrod's panic, and it could see that Amostas Briar was very concerned about the things in the Salazar Slytherin Vault. It was unnecessary to say that any wizard would refuse the great legacy of the great Slytherin?
Whether in the midst of wizards or in the eyes of the elven high command, Amostas Briar has the ability to make it all end. Moreover, sinking Slytherin's vault into lava is something that is inherently the responsibility of elves.
"I'm sorry. Mr. Briar, I... we——"
The ancient elf bent down and bowed his head almost touching the ground.
Upon hearing this, Amostas, however, did not seem to be angry at all. Instead, he stared at the emblem in his palm that still radiated a hint of chill and pondered deeply.
Would Salazar Slytherin make such a low-level mistake, allowing his specially designated vault to sink into the lava and be destroyed?
Amostas's mind wandered to the depths of Hogwarts, to that secret room within the secret room, to the unopened mysterious door in front of a young sculpture of Slytherin in a large cave space.
That was a rebellious and talented wizard.
Arrogant, but not foolish; proud, but not evil.
The four founders of Hogwarts are resisting the founder of a black wizard who may bring about significant harm to the world. Such an important matter requires the four founders to work together, so it cannot be treated lightly. Why would Salazar Slytherin act so carelessly in this situation?
The answer is no--
Amostas is more inclined to believe that Slytherin did not consider every tiny inconvenience for the vault a thousand years into the future; he merely chose to ignore it. Because, the vault left by him would never be damaged by lava.
"Where is the Slytherin vault located?"
The roaring of the lava thundered, but Amostas's calm voice was clearly heard in Bogrod's ears, causing the old elf's wrinkles on his forehead to suddenly smooth out in surprise and astonishment.
"You're going to go down into the lava, Amostas!"
The magnificent natural creation gave Amelie a huge shock and awe to her soul, and the epic grandeur of the place, like a mythological epic, was overwhelming and making it difficult for her to breathe.
But upon hearing Amostas asking this question, she immediately woke up from her rigid state and looked at him anxiously.
"I believe the vault is not destroyed by the lava."
Amostas did not explain anything, but simply spoke calmly.
"In fact, we are almost there. It is at the top of the track, there are some gold vaults belonging to the oldest families below, but they have been abandoned for a time. There is one gold vault, oh, I mean, if it still exists, there are seven snakes on the door of the gold vault. They guard the center groove where the key is placed. This vault does not need elves to unlock it; you just need to put in the key."
Bogrod still looked at Amostas in shock, as if unable to comprehend his crazy idea.
"But Mr. Briar, you want to go down into the lava. I know you are powerful, but this seems to be beyond the limits of a wizard. Water alone cannot put out the lava at the bottom!"
"Beyond the limits of a wizard?"
Amostas smiled and shook his head. This was not the first time he had descended into the lava.
In Azkaban's underground, he had done it once before, but at that time, there was a magical passage left by Helga. Since Helga was able to leave a passage in the lava that has not been damaged for thousands of years, Amostas may not be able to withstand the so-called "mythical wizard," but descending into the lava for a short period of time is not a big problem.
"Wait for me here, I'm going to check it out--"
Grasping the cool Slytherin family emblem in his hand, Amostas indifferently gazed down at the shimmering lava lake below, which glowed like the sun's surface. The colored irises of his eyes were illuminated by the flames, turning golden.
Amelie was about to try to persuade him again, but after Amostas turned and gave her an assurance smile, she unnaturally let go of his arm.
Looking around the vast and boundless cave he was in, Amostas slightly restrained the burning excitement in his eyes.
He couldn't be too reckless. If it triggered a chain reaction and caused the lava lake below to erupt, not only would Gringotts be destroyed, but perhaps half of Diagon Alley would be as well!
Huālā——
As soon as he stepped out of the magical barrier, the hot waves of heat swept over Amostas, turning his soft gray hair slightly yellow.
Booming!
A thunderous roar echoed above the lava lake as a clap of thunder boomed, sending the already turbulent magic into a state of complete uproar. In the vast space, colored with scarlet, many tangible scarlet whirlwinds suddenly appeared. As if drawn by some force, these whirlwinds raced wildly towards Amostas, who had jumped from the platform and was floating 200 feet above the surface of the lava lake.
The scarlet whirlwinds converging on Amostas blurred the sight of Amelie and Bogrod. They could only see the figure of Amostas enclosed in a scarlet light, and the color of the light gradually became more intense!
Ding--
With a clear and crisp sound, a sparkling sound echoed through the underground lava lake, and an infinite amount of golden light suddenly filled the scarlet cave. The sudden intense light forced Amelie to tightly shut her eyes. However, the brilliant light even when closed could not be blocked. In fact, Amelie even saw under her closed eyes, a slowly descending bright sun with a heavy pressure!
Like a god!
Gilded by the golden light, Amostas's hair and eyes shone with gold, and his expression was filled with an indescribable majesty. As he descended slowly, the tangible golden glow around him, upon touching the surface of the lava, caused the lava lake to emit a crackling sound and burst out a large plume of white smoke.
Continue to descend!
The golden flames protected Amostas's shell, vaporizing all lava that came into contact with him in an instant. As they witnessed this terrifying scene, Amelie and Bogrod on the platform were so shocked that they couldn't say a word!
All around was a sea of scarlet. Under the scorching wash of the lava, even the walls showed a fiery red that seemed like molten metal.
The scorching heat and pressure of the lava made Amostas' magic overflow like a torrent, but he maintained his composure and quickly submerged.
When Amostas descended another hundred feet, the lava here took on a radiant golden color. Through his magic, Amostas could sense that there were indeed some abandoned gold vaults scattered around as Bogrod had said, but at the lowest position was a stone door still locked.
Indeed!
Although it was no longer visible, Amostas could still feel the complex and beyond imagination magical nodes and corridors distributed on the door. This proved that the protective magic on the door had not failed, and Salazar Slytherin's gold vault still existed.
The magic expenditure left Amostas too exhausted to carefully examine the magnificent-looking door. He struggled to move his body through the viscous lava, using his magical vision to locate the recess where the family emblem was embedded.
Click!
As soon as the family emblem of the secret silver race was pressed into the recess, a crisp sound echoed in Amostas' ear, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Then, Amostas 'sees' that the complex magical corridors on the door suddenly activate. As magic flows smoothly along the corridors, Amostas hears a heavy sound coming from behind the ancient stone door, but--
A slight wait later, the gate still did not open.
Amostas furrowed his brow, and in an instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind. In the end, he moved his lips slightly, and a harsh sound came from his throat -
"Open"
Huālā!
The seven giant snakes sleeping on the door suddenly opened their eyes, and the emerald green eyes leaned towards the space outside the door, emitting a layer of solid emerald green light. The area occupied by the light caused the lava to quickly recede, and in a few breaths, the stone platform soaked in lava became cool.
Amostas had just managed to control himself to land on the platform when the ancient stone door, which hadn't been opened for a thousand years, opened with a thunderous sound!
(End of chapter)
