Chapter 219: Information on the Second Holy Relic, the Mastermind
Under their hopeful gazes, Snape shook his head, tempering their expectations. "Not yet. The so-called resurrection ritual recorded in the Book of the Dead represents, thus far, the closest approach to true resurrection that I've found among all materials bearing that name."
The light in Cyril's eyes dimmed once more, and Eno's earlier excitement evaporated, replaced by disappointment.
"However," Snape continued, shifting his tone, "the absence of a solution now doesn't preclude one in the future. Before coming to Egypt, I conducted research using available materials and achieved certain results, though insufficient for actual resurrection. Yet with a cooperative ghost and access to more relevant materials, I believe new breakthroughs will come quickly."
He glanced first at Eno, then at Cyril. Seeing their hesitation, he added further incentive. "Moreover, with this ritual as a reference, I've conceived new approaches. I believe I can progress much further than in my previous attempts."
Cyril was tempted, though he weighed whether the Shafiq family's collected knowledge would yield commensurate returns. The Shafiqs, due to their unique bloodline, had long pursued death's mysteries, amassing extensive resurrection lore. Their archives contained ancestral theories, failed experiments, and fragmentary legends gathered worldwide.
Ethan immediately recalled these ancient materials, piled in the studies of both Shafiq residences. As heir, he had skimmed them, but his interests had lain elsewhere, so he hadn't studied them deeply.
He glanced at Cyril, who still struggled with the decision, and remained silent. His mind wandered to how Snape had repeatedly cancelled his Potions classes this year. He'd assumed hospital duties at St. Mungo's, but perhaps the professor had been conducting resurrection research. Such work certainly couldn't happen at school; test subjects alone posed difficulties.
At that moment, Cyril decided. He drew his wand and cast Muffliato. Surprise flickered across his face as the spell released; he regarded his right hand, then spoke.
"Professor Snape wishes to obtain our materials? That's acceptable. If results follow, everything is negotiable. But I must understand your current progress first."
Delight appeared on Snape's face. "No problem."
He described his animal experiments. Some were paths the Shafiq ancestors had attempted; others were novel. Most results involved potions.
Cyril nodded. "As expected of a Potions Master, truly ingenious. These results suffice. I believe new materials will ensure your success. Upon returning home, I'll organize them and have Ethan bring them when term begins."
He immediately reconsidered. "No, we'll call upon you once organized. One month at most."
"Acceptable." Snape nodded. Though eager for immediate access, he could wait; proper organization would save time. "This allows me to study the Book of the Dead thoroughly. Additionally, Musa's materials can be made available first."
He glanced at the old wizard, who nodded in agreement. While Snape primarily sought the Shafiq collection, he could kill two birds with one stone, as Musa's library might offer different insights.
"I also require Ethan's assistance. He perceives souls, correct? My experiments need him."
Glancing at the still-conflicted Eno, Snape recalled Ethan's behavior before Eno's transformation.
"Of course, Professor," Ethan replied immediately.
Death remained humanity's inevitable fate, and to escape it, people had attempted countless methods since antiquity. Thus humanity pursued immortality and resurrection, striving toward these goals generation after generation. Ethan naturally harbored tremendous interest in these fields.
Currently, neither world had achieved significant results, though wizards had progressed further, particularly regarding immortality. While true immortality eluded them, the Elixir of Life and Horcruxes extended lifespans. Resurrection had yielded even fewer results; perhaps only the flawed soul recall of the Resurrection Stone approached that concept.
Ethan had hesitated but had now resolved: upon returning to Britain, he would retrieve the Resurrection Stone ring from the Gaunt family ruins.
Snape nodded, turning to Eno. "Have you decided?"
Actually, Eno wasn't strictly necessary. Hogwarts housed many ghosts who were unwilling to move on; several of them would cooperate. Snape had chosen Eno because his body remained intact, allowing him to test the methods of the Book of the Dead.
"Though the ritual's requirements are stringent, testing incomplete versions should yield data," Snape added, though he sounded uncertain.
"I agree." After some hesitation, Eno glanced at David Robert and Mael, who were below and unable to hear, and acquiesced.
"Good." Snape raised the tome. "I'll retain this for study, identifying all necessary components."
Cyril didn't object to Snape holding it, but he couldn't relinquish it yet. He remembered Satan's words: the next Holy Relic's location lay within. Yet Cyril had found nothing, realizing the message wasn't for him.
Ethan understood. Seeing Cyril's slight shake of the head, he asked, "Professor, might I examine it first?"
Snape handed it over.
Ethan took the millennia-old, perfectly preserved volume. Its black cover bore the image of Anubis, the jackal-headed god. As he opened it, the moment he saw the title page, a voice resonated in his mind.
The next: the Bible, Roman catacombs.
It was brief, with no specific location, but accompanied by an image of the vanished Satan holding a book.
A parchment Bible. I'll need to visit Italy. Ethan recalled Satan's biblical connections.
After this memory faded, he quickly flipped through the incomprehensible text. Finding no other messages, he returned the book.
Rejoining Cyril, he caught the old man's signal. Ethan nodded slightly; Cyril smiled.
Glancing at the pharaoh's sarcophagus, which Satan had instructed them not to disturb, Snape stored the book and asked, "Shall we depart?"
"Wait. There are still matters," Cyril said, stopping them. "Two things. First, sign contracts to keep Ethan's transformation and the bloodline connection between Satan and our family secret. Second, Ethan mentioned survivors. I wish to interrogate them regarding their attack."
None were surprised; all understood.
"If not for subsequent events, I might have imposed Unbreakable Vows," Cyril reflected. Instead, he established a contract with remarkably light consequences, merely alerting him to violations. Yet everyone knew detection would invite devastating consequences.
Especially after witnessing Ethan survive the Killing Curse unharmed, they recognized the power behind this lenient agreement. Cyril knew contracts could be erased (the Shafiqs were experts), so he employed secret family magic. Any erasure attempt would alert him, a condition he made explicit.
Once signed, they turned to four surviving attackers: charred Isaac and Nadim; black-robed Laurent; and a blond, blue-eyed wizard. Disarmed and bound with Transfigured ropes, they lay side by side.
First came the traitor, Isaac.
"We'll handle this!" David Robert and Mael volunteered, looking at the unconscious man.
Eno radiated hatred; had he possessed form, he would have attacked first.
Slap! Slap! They struck Isaac's face heavily, using primitive means to rouse him. After a dozen blows, his ash-stained face swelled. Primitive, yet satisfying and effective.
Before they finished, pain snapped Isaac's eyes open. "What are you doing!" he slurred, flinching.
"Enough. He's awake." Regret tinged Cyril's voice. If his hand hadn't been injured, he would have joined in.
Mael snorted, shaking his reddened hand as he rose.
"Isaac, why betray us?" Cyril stood over him, his expression cold.
"No reason." He was stubborn now.
"Is that so?" Cyril shook his head. "You're not the only survivor capable of telling the truth."
Skipping Nadim, who had joined midway, Cyril selected Laurent. "Wake him."
Mael, unsatisfied, swung hard. The stunned wizard jolted awake, squirming in terror. Bound and helpless, Laurent cooperated fully under physical duress, answering every question.
"Safir, a familiar name." Hearing their dead leader's name, Cyril patted Ethan Jones's shoulder, overcome with emotion. "Grandfather?" Ethan didn't understand.
The last wizard from the Shafiq Manor siege. I searched for years; he always escaped. Now he's appeared. Cyril thought to himself. Jenny, Ralph. Your revenge is complete. Ethan killed the last enemy. The rest depends on Snape's research. I hope to see you again before I die.
Laurent revealed the attackers consisted of two groups: Safir's faction, which coerced Nadim, and those who instigated Isaac's betrayal. As a result, Laurent knew little about Isaac's circumstances, only names, which provided limited value.
Once Laurent was exhausted, Cyril ended him. Laurent's soul glared hatefully, but Ethan saw. Expression blank, he conjured black hellfire, passing it through the spirit. Accompanied by a scream only Eno heard, Laurent dissolved into nothingness.
Eno shrank behind Mael, glancing fearfully at Ethan.
Before the last wizard, Cyril paused, pondering. He stopped the eager Mael, disappointing him.
"Have I seen you?"
Cyril summoned water, the Water-Making Spell, splashing the wizard's face. The man woke, glanced at Cyril, then closed his eyes, refusing to answer.
But Cyril needed none. The reaction confirmed his suspicion.
"Xavier Landorio," he said, his voice heavy. "I never expected you."
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