After Karl finished recounting his experiences, especially the situation in Avalon, Dumbledore couldn't help but frown and fall into deep thought.
After all, whether it was the severance of the Cloud Sea Skybridge at Ireland Tara Qiu or the sealing of Avalon and its isolation from the Otherworld—
None of these were good news for him; in fact, they could be considered significant blows.
It wasn't until Karl was a bit bored and almost started tapping his foot that Dumbledore sighed.
"You've worked hard, Karl. I didn't expect such a change to occur in Avalon."
"It's nothing for me. The main thing is, are you okay? You weren't too disheartened, were you?"
Facing Karl's concern, Dumbledore smiled, "Don't worry, don't underestimate an old Wizard's resilience."
Especially since he had already lost too much and was even accustomed to living with pain.
Karl looked at Dumbledore without speaking, deciding in his heart to spend more time with this lonely old man in the future.
Of course, he wasn't talking about knocking on his door in the middle of the night and disturbing his sleep.
Rather, it meant going to the Headmasters Office to drink black tea, chat, and eat some cockroach skewers—never mind, let's stick to knocking on his door in the middle of the night.
"Although it sounds a bit grim, the information you've brought this time is actually very important. At least now, we know a way to enter the Otherworld."
Karl felt a bit regretful, "It's a pity that both passages, whether at Ireland Tara Qiu or Avalon, have been cut off."
"That's nothing. Although the Skybridge is broken, there might be other ways to cross the cloud sea. Although Avalon is sealed, seals can be undone, not to mention the legendary Tír na nÓg."
Karl: (,one)
That's not right. Shouldn't I be comforting you? How did it turn into you comforting me?
Fortunately, it seemed the old Principal was not disheartened by these bad tidings.
While Karl was speechless, Dumbledore had already pieced together the entire sequence of events based on the information he provided.
"Now, we have a better understanding of the experiences of Morgana and Herpo the Foul."
"The Witch Morrigan and Herpo the Foul are the names they used when walking in the present world. The battle between them that led to the severance of the Cloud Sea Skybridge is what we previously suspected was the Tara Qiu Collapse incident."
"Then Herpo the Foul traveled between the present world and the Otherworld through Avalon, continuing until King Arthur's era. Merlin was imprisoned by Vivian, and Herpo the Foul learned the soul completion method and sealing curses from Merlin."
"Subsequently, Morgana and the Underworld God Arawn invaded Avalon, engaging in a chaotic battle with Herpo the Foul, the Deep Sea Giant, and the Lady of the Lake, which ultimately led to Avalon being sealed."
"And before being sealed, Morgana must have betrayed Arawn to escape back to the Otherworld. That's why the Underworld God trapped in Avalon has such... unfriendly attitude towards Morgana."
Hearing Dumbledore's euphemistic words, Karl almost burst out laughing. How was that just "unfriendly"? He cursed her terribly.
"But what I'm most curious about is Herpo the Foul's whereabouts. He escaped to the present world at the cost of the Dagda's Cauldron's destruction, and even appeared when Hogwarts was founded. So where is he now—"
Dumbledore stroked his long white beard, "Karl, do you think Herpo the Foul is still hiding in the present world, or has he returned to the Otherworld through some method?"
If it's the former, many things don't make sense. But if it's the latter, it's definitely good news for them.
Karl: ()
Huh? You're asking me? This kind of brain-teasing question is a bit beyond me!
Is there a possibility that I'm asking you because I can't figure it out?
Looking at Karl's clear eyes, Dumbledore smiled and shook his head.
"Alright, there's no need to dwell on it. To complete Cú Chulainn's soul, he will eventually appear. We'll know the answer then."
"Exactly! That makes a lot of sense! I thought so too!"
Karl nodded heavily, then grinned at Dumbledore, "Albus, are you and Grindelwald still going to Ireland Tara Qiu?"
"Let's go. We'll try to find the remnants of the Cloud Sea Skybridge and understand what it is. Perhaps there will be other gains."
There was one more thing Dumbledore didn't say: Karl had already found so many clues, so he and Grindelwald, these two old men, had to contribute something, right?
Otherwise, it would be quite embarrassing. It was his own business, but he relied entirely on the child's hard work.
"Oh, oh, oh! So, do you think I should still go?"
Karl exaggeratedly stretched his body, looking exhausted, hinting—no, overtly signaling.
Dumbledore immediately understood, "This time, Grindelwald and I will go. You've worked so hard, you should rest well. There's no need for you to make another trip. We'll see each other at the start of the term."
"Huh? Aren't you going to Avalon?"
Karl scratched his head in surprise. Just like that, they'd see each other at the start of the term? Didn't he want to see Avalon?
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then firmly refused.
"There's no need, because undoing the seal made by the sacrifice of the nine Ladies of the Lake's souls will likely be more difficult than finding Tír na nÓg, or even crossing the cloud sea or repairing the cloud bridge. And there are unpredictable risks involved."
A bitter smile appeared on Dumbledore's face, "Karl, one must learn self-control. Do you remember I said I once desperately searched for the Resurrection Stone, wanting to revive my family?"
"After that, I knew my willpower was not strong, and I could be driven by obsession. So I started to distance myself from everything I believed would influence me, like power."
"I'm worried I might fall into obsession and madness, and that would undoubtedly be a disaster."
"So, it's better not to go to Avalon, lest some irreparable mistake occurs."
Hearing these words, Karl was immediately filled with awe and even greater admiration for Dumbledore.
This old fellow is something else!
If it were anyone else, as long as they could achieve their desires, they wouldn't consider anything else, even if it meant a deluge.
Damn it! He truly is my favorite original character besides Cat Mom!
"Albus! In my heart, you are the greatest Wizard in this world! No one else!"
Dumbledore smiled happily, then winked at Karl, "Really? Then I'm relieved."
"Huh?"
Karl frowned suspiciously, feeling like the old man had a hidden meaning in his words. He wouldn't trick me, would he?
But Dumbledore didn't give him a chance to ask, simply ending the conversation with a good night.
"Hmm... Am I overthinking it?"
Karl thought for a long time but couldn't find any issues, so he decided to put it out of his mind for now.
Because he now had a new goal to achieve: to emulate the great Dumbledore and learn to restrain himself.
He felt that as his strength increased during this period, he was becoming more and more unrestrained.
For example, when he turned into a Merman, he wanted to be a street wanderer in the sea. When he turned into a little Dragon, he wanted to act cute—pah!
This really wouldn't do. He couldn't stop improving himself just because he became stronger, so he made a decision.
Starting tomorrow, he would study hard! Reduce entertainment time! Never be lazy!
The next day, Nina, who had finished her homework, looked at a certain person who was about to execute his plan.
"Karl, shall we go play at the beach?"
"Let's go!"
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