The position was refreshed for the fifth time.
In a secluded, low-lying area surrounded by vines and covered with low ferns, Viktor and his team were munching on wild berries they found on the trees, while focusing intently on the map of the board.
What first set Viktor on edge was the fact that the team hovering on the edge of the stadium was finally beginning to show signs of their intention to compete.
From the location displayed on the map, it appeared that they would delve into this tense area when the next position refresh occurred.
The timing of their descent was a stroke of luck.
From the previous refreshes of the map location, it seems that this team must have discovered that another team has already encountered both themselves and the other two teams.
To this cunning team, three emblems must have been concentrated in one or two teams' hands.
After at least two confrontations, the three teams in the center of the map should have expended a great deal of energy.
This team that had been maintaining their energy for a long time was ready to seize all the emblems when the other three teams had not yet caught their breath.
This is a very clever strategy, the person who thought it up must be a very cunning guy.
They had encountered the team led by Hermione before, and now, their team's position appeared to be placed a certain distance away on the side of them. It seemed that they wanted to encircle them from behind and launch an attack. However, it was unrealistic to do so, and the specific intention behind this move, Viktor still couldn't figure it out.
And that cunning team, Viktor instinctively felt it was unlikely to be Huo Ling and her group.
However, this cunning team should still not know that there is an extra force pursuing the emblems on the field. Very likely, they will have to face this force next.
"What should we do next, Viktor?"
It was Viktor who came up with the idea of using a charm to create a fake emblem, and this little trick actually helped them keep the emblems safe even when they faced defeat, which earned him great admiration from his two teammates.
After the map dimmed, Polliaaco looked at the thoughtful Viktor with reverence and asked.
The silent Viktor's eyebrows and eyes looked more gloomy than usual.
I don't know if Hermione and her team have been caught up by that eradication squad after encountering us.
Viktor's mind flashed with this idea.
If they catch up, it means Hermione will lose the emblem she has. If not, she will have one, or two emblems in her hand.
This is a question that needs to be confirmed.
"Let's go check on that team that hasn't moved for a long time."
After weighing the options, Viktor made up his mind.
Although logically speaking, it's likely that this team is from Beauxbatons and has already lost their emblem, what if we could get a windfall?
Viktor's two teammates didn't object, so they began to move in that direction.
They had expended some of their energy, but overall they were well-preserved. Controlling the pace, after a twenty-minute walk, they arrived at the stream that weaves through the forest.
But after seeing the two motionless "statues" by the stream, Viktor sighed in his heart.
It seems like there's no more fortune to be picked up.
"It's Fleur Delacour and her teammates. But why is there only one of them?"
Lancaster asked in confusion.
Looking at the two girls' flowing hair in the wind, Polliaaco suddenly asked.
"Should we go to save them, Viktor?"
After a moment of thought, Viktor nodded, muttering softly.
"Let's go. Their threat isn't too great, and we can show our chivalrous side."
So, the three stumbled up to the upper stream of the brook, exposing themselves to Fleur and Zoe.
Viktor waved his wand, and Fleur and Zoe's petrification was immediately lifted.
The two girls, who had been standing for a while, fell to the ground immediately. But soon after, Zoe, Fleur's only remaining teammate, popped up from the ground. She wasn't attacking Viktor and his team in a defensive stance. Instead, she looked enraged and screamed angrily.
"Those bastards, I swear I'll make them pay for this!"
Viktor and his two teammates looked at each other, and then Viktor asked with interest,
"Was it that group of Slytherin students who petrified you? I don't think it was Hermione and her team, right?"
"You're right, Viktor."
Fleur rubbed her sore legs,
"The Slytherin students took my emblem. Later, we encountered them again, and then I broke their broomsticks. They petrified Zoe and me here."
The three from Durmstrang immediately showed great respect for Fleur.
With the Slytherin students already having a significant advantage in numbers, and with broomsticks, no team has any hope.
"We should express our gratitude to you, Fleur."
Viktor said, extending a hand towards Fleur.
"Thank you..."
Fleur's expression changed from fatigue to a hint of coquetry within a second. Her blue eyes sparkled with playfulness.
"So, your emblem has also been taken from you?"
"Oh, it's even worse than that."
Polliaaco and Lancaster bowed their heads, while Viktor avoided Fleur's eyes. The three of them appeared somewhat embarrassed.
"Before we encountered the Slytherin students, we met Hermione's team, who were much stronger than we had imagined--"
Viktor sighed, then his expression returned to normal.
"We were no match for them and lost our emblems."
With these words, the subtle tension between the two teams disappeared.
After all, there is no longer any conflict of interests between the two sides.
"Why are there fewer of you?"
Viktor asked. Due to the position, he had not seen the fireworks that rose into the sky above the Forbidden Forest at the start of the competition.
"The dark corridor inside that door--"
Zoe said angrily,
"We finally got through that barrier, and just as we emerged into the forest, we ran into Puffskein and baby Mandrake plants. Judith completely broke down; she gave up on the competition!"
"Is that so?"
Viktor said in surprise,
"I thought only us were that unlucky. We ran into two eight-eyed spiders and a patch of boggart vines."
After hearing Viktor say this, Zoe couldn't complain anymore. It seems that all the teams have had some difficulties after arriving.
The three of them sat down to rest, and Viktor pulled out some green wild berries for Fleur and Zoe. This made Fleur smile at him with pleasure, but after taking a bite of the fruit, Fleur didn't let it near her sexy lips anymore.
Fleur showed off her beautifully shaped, elegant legs, gently rubbing them.
"We've all lost our emblems. Does Hermione Granger's team still have their emblem?"
"We don't know."
Viktor said sincerely,
"After we learned that our emblems had been taken by Hermione's team, the Slytherin students went after them. I don't know if they found them, but Cedric should not have encountered the Slytherin students yet."
"That means--"
Zoe raised her nose,
"Now all four emblems are in the hands of people from Hogwarts?"
"Hmm--"
Fleur pursed her lips, her blue eyes shifted upwards to look at the sky,
"The Cedric team must still have an emblem. The other three, at least one is in the hands of the Slytherins. Perhaps all three are in their hands, if Granger's team encounters them."
Boom!
Like a thunderstorm, the deafening roar of an explosion echoed through the Forbidden Forest!
The five people, who were resting, jumped up from the ground in shock, looking in the direction of the sound.
Viktor suddenly realized that, while occupied with exchanging information and small talk with Fleur and the others, they had missed the sixth location refresh!
"Who would be fighting there?"
Fleur missed out on a lot of information because they had missed several location refreshes.
"That direction, if I'm not mistaken..."
Viktor's voice trembled slightly,
"It should be the Slytherin students and Cedric's team!"
"Oh?"
Zoe's voice trailed off, her excitement growing as she looked at Fleur.
"Slytherin! Fleur, it looks like we have our chance for revenge!"
