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Harry Potter: The Last Scion of Sprout - 260
🕑 Added 2025-09-26 17:48:17 +0000 UTCChapter 260: Expedition, Robinson, and Opal Necklace
The moment the door opened, the scene that met Ciel's eyes almost made him think he was truly seeing the legendary World Tree.
But moments later, he realised it was an extremely ancient, lifelike giant oil painting that occupied almost the entire library wall.
In the painting, taking up most of the canvas, was a massive tree that reached from earth to sky, standing at the horizon's end. At the bottom of the frame was a large ship with several rows of wizards in various coloured robes standing on deck, their faces showing fanatical expressions, as if about to undertake something momentous.
Ciel gazed at this oil painting, his eyes flickering with light. The painter of this work was definitely extraordinary. Every wizard in the painting was depicted with lifelike spirit. Though no magic was applied and no thoughts preserved, unable to move, under the superb artistry, they truly seemed alive.
But what left him most puzzled was the feeling conveyed by the World Tree in this painting—heavy, as if it truly bore the entire world. This was remarkably similar to the World Tree root in his possession!
If one had never seen the World Tree and relied purely on imagination, it would be impossible to paint such essence!
His eyes flickered as countless questions surged in his mind. Under what circumstances was this painting created? Was that towering World Tree real? But hadn't the World Tree collapsed during the Olympian age, causing the end of the mythical era?
Too many mysteries churned in his heart.
Lucius showed some pride and emotion, introducing the painting's origins: "Quite shocking, isn't it? Such a large, ancient painting with divine essence—I dare say you couldn't find a second one in the entire world."
"This depicts the scene from the magical world's first World Tree expedition. That time was incredibly ancient—even Hogwarts hadn't been established yet, and magical history doesn't record this expedition."
"Our Malfoy family's painting can be said to be the final record."
Ciel frowned: "World Tree expedition?"
Lucius nodded: "Exactly. Due to the extreme antiquity, I don't understand the specifics very well. I only learnt through letters preserved by the Malfoy family that suddenly, rumours spread at sea that the massive World Tree supporting heaven and earth stood at the horizon's end."
"This shocked almost every wizard of that time, especially herbologists, who all abandoned everything to pursue the World Tree. This was the earliest recorded appearance of the World Tree."
"Over the next two or three hundred years, there were two more such events. But after that, such situations never occurred again."
"The magical world calls this behaviour of seeking the World Tree at the horizon's end 'World Tree expeditions'."
"Of course, most wizards haven't properly studied magical history, let alone World Tree expeditions. Those who believe in it are probably very few."
Ciel gained some understanding. It seemed this painting recorded the scene from the first World Tree expedition.
Lucius then said proudly: "Look at that World Tree's majestic appearance, and this beautiful ship, with every wizard aboard being an elite of the herbology world. In today's textbooks, they would all be worthy of masters' worship."
"One can imagine how sensational that expedition was. Our Malfoy family had deep connections to this expedition, which is why we had the opportunity to preserve this unique painting."
Hearing his emotion, Ciel's expression became somewhat solemn. So the Malfoy family, worthy of being prominent pure-blood nobles for so many years, had connections to World Tree expeditions even that long ago?
"I didn't expect Malfoy ancestors to be renowned in the herbology world, participating in the expedition. I wonder which one is on the ship?"
He scanned the herbologists on the ship but didn't see the Malfoy family's characteristic golden hair, feeling somewhat confused. Lucius proudly raised his head:
"How could our Malfoy family personally undertake such dangerous expeditions? I'm talking about that ship—it was built with Malfoy family money. Theoretically, without our Malfoy family, the first World Tree expedition would have come to nothing."
Ciel paused, his expression somewhat strange. Well, that did fit the Malfoy family's character.
Then Lucius changed topics, saying gratefully: "Fortunately, our Malfoy ancestors didn't participate directly, or there might be no Malfoy family now."
Ciel raised an eyebrow. He still didn't know this World Tree expedition's outcome.
When this was mentioned, Lucius shook his head heavily, drawing a circle around the spirited, high-spirited herbologists on the ship with his finger:
"Dead. Basically all dead. Only two people came out alive."
His finger finally pointed to two wizards. One wore black robes, thin and gaunt with a pallid appearance: "This is the heir of the then-famous herbologist family, the Robinsons—Spam Robinson."
The other had brown-black hair and bright eyes: "This is the equally renowned herbologist praised as the pinnacle of contemporary herbology, Thompson Dolokhov."
Lucius shook his head regretfully: "Everyone thought these twin stars leading so many excellent herbologists on an expedition would surely find the legendary World Tree, perhaps bringing the magical world an unprecedented golden age."
"But soon, tragedy occurred. Overnight, the towering World Tree vanished. The ship seeking the World Tree was reduced to broken wooden pieces. People found the still-living Spam and Thompson among the debris."
"As for the others, all had perished without trace. When Thompson awoke, he immediately revealed a horrifying crime. They had indeed entered the World Tree area, but Spam Robinson used some Robinson family magic to monopolise the World Tree."
"His actions killed almost everyone on the ship. When this spread, public opinion was in uproar. Spam Robinson's behaviour confirmed this—he was nearly spent, mentally deranged, shouting about killing everyone."
"The night the Robinson family took him back, Spam died. Subsequently, the Robinson family was stripped of all herbology positions, their ancestral residence attacked by angry wizards, finally becoming empty."
"Now, this once-renowned family has probably disappeared completely. The Robinson surname has long been nailed to the pillar of shame."
After finishing this old story, Lucius seemed to remember something, pointing to Thompson Dolokhov: "Thompson was quite unlucky too. After this incident, his prestige peaked. He single-handedly established the International Herbology Association and served as its first president."
"But good times didn't last. Apparently due to this expedition, he sustained troublesome injuries. Less than three years after establishing the association, he fell seriously ill and vanished overnight."
"Only his statue remains, standing outside the International Herbology Association, commemorating this legendary first president."
After hearing this story, Ciel felt something subtle. His mental eye throbbed, his sixth sense seeming to warn him of something. This ominous feeling all pointed to one person—that International Herbology Association's first president, Thompson Dolokhov.
"The International Herbology Association—the sudden change to hold herbology exams in London instead of Paris was organised by this association."
Though unclear, he felt this shouldn't be a coincidence.
Lucius, seeing his suddenly grim expression, asked carefully: "Mr Sprout, what's wrong?"
Ciel waved his hand, then asked: "Are there materials about the Robinson family in the library?"
Lucius nodded repeatedly: "The library still preserves correspondence between the Malfoy family and Robinsons from that time. Our ancestors kept them thinking maybe the Robinsons might rise again someday, and these could help renew connections."
He paused, took a deep breath, and walked toward the direction Lucius indicated.
Meanwhile, Lucius was frantically contacting various pure-blood families, claiming to have methods for disposing of dark magical items.
At the same time, at Borgin and Burkes' entrance, representatives from various pure-blood families gathered, looking at old Borgin as if they wanted to devour him alive.
"We sell you things and still have to pay you? What logic is this?!"
Borgin grinned: "Muggles have garbage disposal fees too. With such tight scrutiny now, I'm helping you dispose of these things—that's already good. You can see there are so many items; I might not even finish processing them all."
"You want me to pay you? Is that reasonable? You should pay me disposal fees—that makes sense."
The pure-blood family wizards were nearly exploding with rage. But Borgin's words made their faces alternate between green and purple: "Everyone, you don't want to be thrown into Azkaban, do you? You don't have much time left."
Some pure-blood families were gritting their teeth, planning to get through this hurdle first, even if Borgin was obviously extorting them.
But just then, with an explosive sound, Lucius appeared in Knockturn Alley. The pure-blood families immediately became wary—after all, the Malfoy family was definitely a major dark magic household. If he dumped here, many present might not be able to dispose of their contraband.
Borgin showed a triumphant expression, loudly saying: "Mr Malfoy! Didn't you have methods? Didn't you say you didn't need help? What's this about?"
"I think you weren't here earlier and might not have heard the quote. The price I gave you before is no longer valid. Now, you need to pay at least twenty Galleons per item processed!"
In Borgin's thinking, Lucius returning here must mean he was out of options. No matter how he priced things, Lucius could only accept it. After all, he was a man with family and property—he had weaknesses. He couldn't really be thrown into Azkaban, could he?
But the next moment, unexpectedly, Lucius sneered: "You think only you can handle these dark magical items? Heh, old Borgin, you overestimate yourself."
Then Lucius took out a completely processed contraband item, displaying it to the pure-blood families: "Look, my family's contraband has had all dark magic traces removed. Even in front of Aurors, they absolutely couldn't tell these were once dark magical items."
"For the sake of family relations, I'm willing to purchase your items at much fairer prices than old Borgin's, buying as much as you have."
Hearing this, the pure-blood families were first startled, then overjoyed. Lucius's words solved their urgent problem. The Malfoy family really had methods, finding dark magic experts besides Borgin?
Between Borgin, who obviously wanted to exploit them, and the reputable, generous Malfoy family, how to choose was obvious.
Immediately, everyone hurriedly handed their lists to Lucius and rushed back to their families to deliver those hot potatoes to the Malfoy family.
Though selling was somewhat regrettable, it at least avoided imprisonment. Some pure-blood families were secretly pleased—these years, they were increasingly struggling financially. But selling family heirlooms was somewhat shameful. This opportunity allowed them to sell without worry, getting enough Galleons for several years—wasn't this perfect?
In the blink of an eye, the previously crowded Borgin and Burkes was completely empty. Lucius didn't bother looking at Borgin again, snorting coldly and leaving.
Borgin's face was now black as thunder, ugly to the extreme. Just about to make a fortune, but someone intercepted the business. How could he swallow this?
"Who is it? Does anyone in British magical society have this ability? Who dares compete with my business? Must be from another magical community."
"Looks like it's time to teach you a lesson. My things aren't so easy to touch!"
Then Borgin carefully took a beautiful opal necklace from his shop, tearing off the "Extremely Dangerous" label.
His lips curved in a cold smile: "Do you know how strong the dark magic curse on this necklace is? I dare say even if Dumbledore encountered this thing, he might die."
"I want to see exactly how capable you are!"
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