Deep in the ocean, beneath the waves...
A monstrous creature, resembling a deep-sea fish, held the quill in its mouth and swam rapidly forward.
Behind it, Howl, holding the tritons sword, controlled the ocean currents for propulsion, and the group followed the sea fish as if flying.
At this point, they had descended more than ten miles from the coastline. Logically, under the seabed reefs, one could occasionally see fragments of large stones showing traces of artificial carving.
Only a very few items could withstand the ocean's corrosion.
"I see it," Howl's gaze sharpened, a hint of excitement on his face.
"Gulp... Uncle Howl, what do you see?!" Harry quickly asked.
"People."
Saying that, Howl waved his long sword forward, and the ocean currents behind him, like soldiers, surged around them, accelerating them forward once more.
Harry, moving sideways, felt something splat on his face. He reached out and grabbed it, and upon seeing it clearly, his hair immediately stood on end.
It was a withered, bluish-green arm.
"This is... a merman's arm?!" Harry murmured, looking up. They had already arrived in a circular space.
Around them were towering stone pillars, some already collapsed and broken. Looking down, a massive circular disk with eerie runes was visible.
"A plaza? Or a sacrificial ground?"
Many creatures were also moving among the stone pillars.
Howl raised his hand, held up his long sword, and a ripple spread out. Immediately, the fish and shrimp scattered as if they had encountered a predator.
Huckleton stroked his chin, his feet having transformed into large flippers, continuously paddling. He floated in mid-air, his eyes scanning the circular disk below.
"This should be the plaza of Miletus. It's a bit strange..."
Then, he looked at the stopped creature, created by Howl using Transfiguration, that was leading the way.
"Is this the end?" he asked.
"That's right." Howl nodded, lowering himself to stand in the center of the plaza.
At this moment, in the center of the plaza, there was an ancient mask, and around it, various footprints were left on the muddy ground.
The group quickly followed his steps, looking at Howl with confusion.
"What does that mean? They disappeared from here?!" Loreton quickly said.
"The scent stopped here." Howl nodded, "This really does look like a secret realm."
"This looks like Triton's temple," Huckleton said, raising his hand and pointing, "Although these traces are too corroded, you can still barely see the shapes of fish tails and conch shells.
Legend has it that Triton is the messenger of the sea, and his most iconic companion is a conch horn."
Saying that, he looked with some trepidation at the very center, where a golden badge still remained.
"A golden badge?!" Harry was a little surprised.
"No, not gold." Howl shook his head. "It's Orichalcum, one of the three great magical minerals."
He didn't have much of this stuff himself; he had collected it from various worlds.
He didn't expect to encounter it in this world as well.
As for the pattern on the badge, it was even more surprising.
Thinking, he raised his hand, and a powerful suction emerged from it.
With a snap, the badge flew into his hand.
On the badge was a bearded man, mouth agape in a dazed expression.
"Triton's face," Huckleton said after a glance.
"This place is related to Triton?! No... I remember Miletus didn't worship sea deities, did it..."
"This is Triton's face?" Howl looked at Huckleton in surprise.
"Based on current research, yes," Huckleton finished his thought and answered Howl's question.
He nodded, then explained, "This face also exists in Rome, Italy, in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, a marble carving displayed, which Muggles call the 'Mouth of Truth.'
Legend has it that if anyone tells a lie, it will bite their hand.
This face also appeared in a Muggle 'moving picture magic' called 'Roman Holiday'..."
After receiving a confirmed answer, Howl's gaze returned to the badge in his hand.
He had another one of these faces.
It was an item from the box Borgin had given him: a conch horn, a golden circular pendant, and a fish-skin scroll.
Among them, the circular pendant had this very face on it.
However, that one was made of gold, while this one was made of Orichalcum.
Thinking, his mind turned to the conch horn and fish-skin scroll that were placed with the circular pendant.
Then, he collected his thoughts, studied the badge in his hand for a moment, and then once again channeled his magic, transforming it into the purest water element, which he infused into the badge.
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