Chapter 118. The Erumpent Saves the Unicorn
"Master, are we really going to do that?"
A figure swathed head to toe in black robes hunched his back and limped forward slowly through the forest.
From time to time he glanced around in nervous little jerks, a trace of fear in his eyes, as if he very much did not want to set foot here.
"Are you questioning my decision, Quirrell?" Lord Voldemort's hoarse voice sounded.
The temperature among the trees seemed to drop by more than ten degrees in an instant, and Quirrell's body trembled slightly of its own accord.
"You misunderstand, Master," Quirrell said in a hurry.
"I—I'm only a bit worried that drinking a unicorn's blood will bring a curse.
Although that method can make my body feel better for a while, over time it will only get worse, and then I won't be able to serve you, Master!"
"Do not fret," Voldemort said in a low voice.
"Those people have a way to remove the curse in unicorn blood.
Drink as much as you like today.
At Christmas I'll take you to find them.
I guarantee nothing will happen to you."
"Quirrell, you know I won't let my most loyal servant die for nothing.
It's getting late.
Get on with it."
"V-very well..."
Hearing the discontent hidden in Voldemort's tone, Quirrell dared not say more, lowered his head, and continued on.
When Quirrell had gone farther along the unicorn trail he was following, the bushes to the side stirred as though brushed by a light breeze.
An earth-burrowing ferret flashed out.
It lifted its head and stared, wide-eyed and wary, in the direction Quirrell had left.
Duncan stood invisible beside the earth-burrowing ferret, his face pensive.
Who were those people Voldemort spoke of?
Were they the same mysterious ones who had given Quirrell the mushrooms?
The thought flickered through Duncan's mind.
Seeing Quirrell's figure about to vanish completely, he whispered an order to the earth-burrowing ferret, and boy and beast followed with care.
They could not draw too close, for although he was invisible, Voldemort might still have some way to detect his presence.
"Master, I think I've found a unicorn!" Quirrell's delighted voice came from ahead.
Duncan's heart gave a jump.
He stole over to the right, used a great tree for cover, and peered past it toward the space in front of Quirrell.
A unicorn held its head proudly high and stood with grace upon a small knoll.
Its eyes glimmered like gemstones, and its snow-white coat flowed like pure moonlight — the sort of beauty that made one want to write poetry in praise of it.
A bit below the knoll, where the tree roots coiled, a unicorn foal was leaping to and fro among the rising and falling roots.
Unlike the adult, its coat was silver-white, and there was no horn upon its brow.
Just as Duncan craned out to observe, a line of small text floated before his eyes.
[Optional Quest: A poor unicorn mother took her son out for a little fresh air, only to be marked by a dreadful villain.
Their lives now hang by a thread.
As a hot-blooded youth who loves animals, how can you allow this to happen?
You must teach that villain a lesson!
Make him understand that this forest has a guardian and will not permit anyone to run wild here!]
[Quest Rewards: Unicorn favourability ×50, virtual coins ×500, Forest Guardian title ×1]
[Forest Guardian (title): An honour awarded for outstanding contributions to forest protection.
When equipped, creatures long dwelling in the forest will feel a natural closeness to you.
Your spellcasting within the forest will become easier and more at your fingertips.]
Duncan's gaze lingered a moment on the Forest Guardian title, then he looked ahead again, thinking of a way to break the stalemate.
Since he was already here, even without any reward he would never allow Quirrell to harm that beautiful unicorn.
At the same time, the unicorn on the knoll seemed to sense movement at the side and uttered a soft, melodious sound.
The foal's prancing stopped.
Like a silver-white flash of lightning, it darted behind its mother to hide.
"Hurry, Quirrell, they're about to run!" Voldemort's piercing voice urged.
"Rest assured, Master, I have a way to deal with them."
Though unwilling, Quirrell did not dare defy Voldemort's order.
He raised his wand and advanced, facing the unicorn as he turned the wand.
"Be good, little darling, don't run.
It is your honour to offer yourself to the Master.
You should rejoice in it, not think of refusal!"
The unicorn mother did not move.
Her eyes were fixed on Quirrell as she urged the foal behind her to leave quickly.
But the foal would not go.
Its tiny hooves scraped the ground back and forth as it growled low, threatening Quirrell.
It had hardly managed a few growls before the adult unicorn, anxious, gave it a swift kick that sent it flying some distance away.
The foal let out a small, aggrieved cry, then left, looking back every few steps under its mother's stern scolding.
"I didn't stop your child from leaving.
Shouldn't you return the favour?" Quirrell licked his lips and stepped forward.
The unicorn watched until the foal vanished among the criss-crossing trees.
It sprang down from the knoll and, with light steps, fled at great speed in another direction.
"Only now you think to run?
It's too late!" Quirrell gave a cold snort, his voice like ice.
As his wand turned, the firm earth beneath the unicorn's hooves turned in the blink of an eye into a soft quagmire.
Caught off guard, the unicorn's lowered hooves sank deep.
No matter how it strained, it could not pull free.
"Master, I've got it!" Quirrell let out a breath and hurried to claim credit.
"Well done, Quirrell.
Quickly drink its blood, before anyone comes and makes things troublesome."
Hearing Quirrell had finally managed one thing properly, Voldemort's tone held a rare note of satisfaction as he urged him on.
"Yes, Master!" Quirrell straightened his back and strode forward, the curse of unicorns quite forgotten for the moment.
But as he was about to reach the struggling unicorn, a spell shot at a vicious angle from behind him.
"Look out!"
Sensing danger, Voldemort forcibly seized control of Quirrell's body, cast a spell in a flash, and successfully defended.
"What is it, Master?"
Quirrell swallowed down the blood that had surged to his throat in pain.
That sudden act of Voldemort's had dealt severe damage to his frail body yet again.
"Someone's nearby.
He just tried to ambush you.
Deal with him first," Voldemort said in a low voice.
"Who is it?"
Quirrell turned with difficulty, pointed his wand where Voldemort indicated, and fired off two spells.
With a boom, there was a violent blast where the spells flew.
The bushes on the ground and the large tree beside them were blown to pieces together.
"Master, it seems there's no one..." Quirrell's voice cut off.
Up ahead, where the light was dim, four small lanterns suddenly flared to life.
Two massive Erumpents emerged, the ground trembling with every step they took.
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