Hogwarts wizards who signed in to Middle-earth.

Chapter 342 The Lost Ring

As Dui listened to Angber's intermittent words, his expression grew increasingly solemn.

He used Legilimency, so it's certain he wasn't lying.

“Alright, Mr. Angbo, don’t be afraid, I believe you!” Dui softened his tone slightly, reassuring him, “However, to confirm the situation, I need to use magic to examine your body. Remember not to resist, okay?”

Angberg nodded, sobbing.

Duy then pointed his wand at Angbor and chanted a spell.

Immediately, a white light enveloped Angber, detecting any abnormalities in his body.

Soon, a wisp of dark magic energy appeared from Angbor's body, standing out conspicuously against the holy white light.

As that wisp of dark magical energy appeared, an aura filled with seduction, corruption, and depravity emanated from it, causing Dui, Gandalf, and Galadriel to change their expressions.

This was merely a trace of dark magic remaining in Angbo's body, and it could not affect Dui and the others.

But the group, especially Dui, were unusually familiar with this trace of dark magic, and even had a deep memory of it.

Because of this kind of dark magic with bewitching and corrupting power, Dui couldn't think of anyone else besides Sauron.

Looking at the dark magic aura attached to Angbor, Dui's expression was cold and disgusted. He had long suspected the origin of the person in the shadows, but now that he was certain, he was filled with murderous intent towards Sauron.

However, seeing Angber's terrified and uneasy appearance, Dui tried his best to suppress his anger and then waved his wand, "Protect the Gods!"

A phoenix guardian spirit sprang from Dui's wand, enveloping Angbor and dispelling and purifying the remaining dark magic.

Since Duian Magus transformed into a phoenix, his guardian spirit also changed from an owl to a phoenix. This guardian spirit of light and hope is the purest form of white magic, and is especially effective against black magic and dark creatures.

Angbor only had residual dark magic aura on him, so it was quickly purified and dispelled by the guardian deity.

Angbo also felt his body instantly become lighter, and the seductive voice in his mind disappeared.

Angber didn't know what Dui had done, but he knew it was for his own good. He looked at Dui with teary eyes, but his eyes were also filled with unease and fear.

"Principal, can you not expel me? As long as you don't expel me, I... I can accept any punishment, sob... I don't know why I did bad things, but I can't control myself, it's like there are two people living in my head..."

“Mr. Angberg, I believe you. I know you didn't mean it. Relax, you won't be fired,” Dui said gently, then turned to ask…

“But Mr. Angberg, can you tell me if you’ve come into contact with any unusual people or things during this time? Something that you find very attractive.”

Upon hearing Dui's words, Angber's tearful eyes became somewhat clear and bewildered, and he instinctively shook his head.

But then, as if remembering something, a look of shame crossed her face. She avoided Du Yi's gaze and stammered, "A few days ago, I found a gold ring. It looked very expensive, and somehow I kept it for myself..."

A ring? Dui, Gandalf, and Galadriel immediately became alert.

They are all very sensitive about things like rings.

"Where did you put the ring? Can you take us to see it?" Dui asked gently, trying to suppress his eagerness.

But to his disappointment, Angberg shook his head, looking guilty and ashamed, and said:
“It went missing before the Quidditch match. The voice in my head disappeared because I was so anxious about being found out that I had destroyed the broom. I was so restless that I couldn’t be sure when it went missing.” Dui was certain that Angber wasn’t lying, and his heart sank.

Just when a lead appeared, it suddenly disappeared. This person in the shadows is truly cunning and cautious.

But Dui didn't give up and continued, "Mr. Angberg, do you remember where you found the ring? But has anyone seen the ring you found? Like your roommate or classmate?"

Angberg shook his head blankly: "I found the ring on the sink in the second-floor bathroom. It was just there. I thought some classmate or professor had left it there. Because I kept it, I didn't dare show it to anyone, and no one knew about it."

Upon hearing this, Dui frowned.

The second-floor toilet is a public toilet, accessible to everyone in the castle, making it impossible to determine who left the ring there.

Furthermore, Duy suspected that the ring being left on the sink and picked up by Angbor was deliberately done by the person in the shadows.

Even if Angerber had lost his ring later, it's highly likely that someone else had taken it from him in secret.

Gandalf and Galadriel clearly shared the same guess as Duy, both with furrowed brows.

"Duir, what are your thoughts on that ring?" Galadriel's voice echoed in Duir's mind.

Gandalf also heard Galadriel's thoughts and looked at Dui.

Without moving his mouth, Dui communicated telepathically with Galadriel and Gandalf while exchanging glances:
"That ring possesses a seductive power; it must be one of Sauron's Rings of Power."

Of the nine rings of humanity, I destroyed two. The remaining seven rings are all related to the survival of the Ringwraiths. Sauron wouldn't be so generous as to abandon a ring and a Ringwraith and send them to the castle.

"Of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, three were originally in Sauron's possession. I destroyed one of the rings before, and two remain. So the only possibility is that Sauron gave one of the rings to that person in the shadows to bring into the castle."

"What's your guess about the identity of that person in the shadows? Could it be a Ringwraith?" Gandalf's voice echoed in Duy's mind.

Dui's eyes darkened, and he shook his head: "It shouldn't be a Ringwraith. Ringwraiths are monsters corrupted by the rings. No matter how well they hide their dark aura, they can't escape the three of us tracking them."

I suspect the person hiding in the shadows is most likely Saruman, as only he has the ability to evade our detection.

After I destroyed his physical body, his soul fled towards Mordor, likely receiving Sauron's help and regaining considerable power. Therefore, following Sauron's instructions, he infiltrated the student body and came to Hogwarts.

Upon hearing Dui's words, Gandalf and Galadriel both nodded slightly, agreeing with his guess.

"What is Saruman's purpose in this infiltration?" Galadriel asked again.

Dui and Gandalf exchanged glances, both having their own guesses.

“From beginning to end, what Sauron wanted most was the One Ring,” Dui said. “He must have guessed that I knew the whereabouts of the One Ring, and even suspected that the One Ring was in my possession, so he sent Saruman to hide among the students in an attempt to find the One Ring.”

Gandalf added, "Don't forget you also have the Philosopher's Stone. It's a treasure that can reshape a person's body. Neither Sauron nor Saruman would let it go if given the chance!"

“I know, I carry the Philosopher’s Stone with me at all times, and I won’t give Saruman a chance,” Dui nodded and said.

A hint of worry flashed in Galadriel's eyes as she reminded him:
"And that Ring of Power must be found as soon as possible. Sauron has infused the ring with evil power, and even we who are in contact with it for a long time can be easily corrupted, let alone the children."

(End of this chapter)