Harry Potter and the Great Old Ones

Chapter 819 Australian Scientific Expedition
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, while the Weasley family was enjoying a wonderful and relaxing vacation, in Australia—

In central and western Australia, the sun relentlessly bakes the endless deserts and grasslands. The sky is an incredibly clear blue, like an invisible, enormous dome of nature, while the horizon blurs into the distance, creating a magnificent scene.

In this vast and desolate landscape, a convoy bearing scientific expedition markings slowly moves forward. The dust kicked up by the convoy, viewed from above, resembles a giant dragon made of sand and dust. This dragon, composed of sand and dust, meanders forward, displaying a primitive yet magnificent vitality.

The surrounding scenery changed constantly as the convoy moved forward, gradually transitioning from scattered grasslands to dry deserts, dotted with occasional low shrubs and a few resilient life forms.

The sun scorched and swirled in the sky, casting a golden glow that illuminated everything, making it vibrant and full of life, even though this was one of the most barren and harsh places on Earth.

This is one of the most remote and untouched parts of Australia, but today, this usually silent wilderness is anything but quiet. The arrival of the research team has brought the sounds of human activity, disrupting the long-standing tranquility of this land. Their goal is to explore this largely unexplored region, searching for and documenting potentially unknown species and geological phenomena, contributing new data to scientific research.

This research team was assembled by a newly established British biotechnology company. Its members include geologists, archaeologists, biologists, meteorologists, and photographers from prestigious universities such as the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, and the Australian National University. They are equipped with advanced research equipment and sufficient supplies, and are prepared to conduct an in-depth exploration of this uninhabited area for several weeks.

As for the purpose of their trip...
It wasn't about studying the ecosystem of the Western Australian desert, nor about exploring geological profiles and climate change, etc. In the words of their financial backer, Gilderoy Lockhart, a newly minted aristocrat recently awarded a "Knight of Honour" and a "British Medal" by the Queen for writing a globally popular fantasy novel—

Their mission was to explore the ancient civilization that once existed here, a city called Nakert, also known as the Library City, built by the "Great Race of Is".

This legendary city is said to hide a treasure trove of knowledge and remnants of civilization. According to legend, Nakt was built by an ancient, intelligent race known as the "Great Race of Is," who were said to possess extraordinary wisdom and technology, but disappeared from human history long ago.

Nacre was described as a vast and magnificent city, said to contain a huge library containing all the knowledge and wisdom of an ancient civilization.

This city is described as a symbol that brings together all the wisdom and technology of the ancient, modern, and even the future; it is the sum of the technology of the world, no, even the entire universe.

—But almost everyone at the science festival dismissed it as the ramblings of that big-time idiot Gilderoy Lockhart.

Of course, a small number of scientists hold a different opinion, believing, based on their rigorous scientific approach, that Gilderoy Lockhart, this eccentric writer, wrote himself into the story.

Therefore, all the scientists on the team believed that the so-called "scientific expedition team" that Gilderoy Lockhart assembled through the University of Greenwich in the UK was merely a way for him to gather inspiration for his next novel.

Therefore, on the one hand, although most scientists looked down on this charming, handsome nouveau riche, they still hoped to befriend Gilderoy Lockhart so they could secure a place in his novels—

Even a minor, cameo role would be enough for them to brag about to their families, students, and colleagues later. On the other hand...
What is it when someone pays you to explore a seemingly real but nonexistent, imaginary ruin?
This is a publicly funded trip!
Only a fool wouldn't go.

During the discussions for the joint scientific expedition, Gilderoy Lockhart promised a very attractive condition:

All the data observed during the scientific expedition can be used to publish papers; he only needs to be a co-corresponding author.

Gilderoy Lockhart's promise immediately caused a sensation, successfully escalating what was originally an ordinary scientific expedition into a fierce competition.

Leaders from various disciplines rolled up their sleeves and personally competed for research expedition slots, as if a quiet academic contest was unfolding.

In mid-April, Gilderoy Lockhart sent an official letter conveying this message. In May, Australian universities met to discuss how to gain an advantage in this fierce competition. In June, intense competition ensued, with some resorting to unscrupulous means. By July, the scientific expedition had become a hot topic in the academic community.

Gilderoy Lockhart's generosity not only demonstrated his immense wealth but also provided a staggering amount of funding for scientific research. He contributed as much as he signed up for research groups, bringing the initial funding for this expedition to an astonishing £800,000!
Originally, the Tierra Project aimed to invite some of the most prestigious research groups and professors in the field to lead them to Nactu to witness its discovery and opening process.

Of course, Tyrell was neither a good person nor a philanthropist; his purpose in gathering these Muggles together was—

That is, by collaborating with these academic giants, an authoritative group in academia could be established, potentially forming a dominant academic force that could even extend into Australian politics.

The key to this plan is to use the discovery of Nactor as an opportunity to build a strong alliance in academia, making these top scholars and professors the core members of it.

Using the groundbreaking scientific works housed in Nacre as a bond, they will gradually form a close-knit group with mutual trust and a foundation for cooperation through sharing discoveries and collaborating on research.

As time goes by, this group will gradually grow and become an important force in academia, having a significant impact on the direction and development of academic research.

The establishment of this academic clique, or rather, this academic cult, was not merely for the purpose of gaining authority within academia; more importantly, it served as a springboard to extend its reach into Australian politics.

By controlling the discourse and influence within academia, this academic clique can leverage its resources and connections to gradually infiltrate the political sphere and influence policy-making and decision-making processes.