After more than half an hour of searching, they finally found the location of the lake.
But a new problem arose.
Kael circled the lake three times, and there wasn't even a Bowtruckle in sight, let alone a Manticore.
"Did we find the wrong place?" Kael asked suspiciously, "There's absolutely nothing around here."
"No, we didn't get it wrong."
Newt squatted in front of a clearing, picked up a few strands of golden fur, and sniffed them.
"The scent on these hairs hasn't completely faded, so I'm sure the Manticore was here yesterday and hasn't left."
Newt stood up and said, "It must have been taken somewhere else, but it shouldn't be too far. Let's look around nearby..."
Kael nodded and was about to walk down the only path through the woods nearby.
This likely had something to do with Hagrid, and if that's the case, then following the path must be right.
But just as Kael turned around, Newt suddenly grabbed his arm.
The next second, a rumbling sound came from deep within the path, as if something large had hit the ground.
Then came a series of clicking sounds, as a group of large eight-eyed spiders emerged from the darkness.
These weren't the small spiders scurrying through the leaves, but each as large as a small foal.
There were a lot of them, pouring in from all directions, surrounding Kael and Newt completely.
The spiders excitedly clacked their mandibles, making a chorus of clicking sounds.
Once they had completely encircled the two, a spider as large as a small elephant slowly emerged from the depths of the path.
"Oh... I never thought Eight-eyed Giant Spiders could grow this big." Newt said in surprise, "This size... even among all the Eight-eyed Giant Spiders, this is a rare giant."
"Now isn't the time to discuss this." Kael said, "We're obviously being treated as dessert."
"No, you're wrong." Newt said seriously, "Eight-eyed Giant Spiders don't like sweet things, so we should be considered small bread instead."
"Is there any difference?" Kael said exasperatedly.
"Yes!" Newt murmured softly, "I don't like pudding..."
While they were talking, the Eight-eyed Giant Spiders had already surrounded them.
The largest spider stepped forward, its mandibles moving rapidly.
"You followed the spiders to our lair..." it said, "Tell me, what is your purpose!"
Eight-eyed Giant Spiders are linguistic geniuses, able to mimic sounds from various creatures, including humans. Though raspy and dry, it was very clear, and both Kael and Newt could understand.
"I think you must be mistaken, Aragog." Kael said, "We're just looking for a Manticore, and we heard it was nearby, so we just came by."
"You know me?" the large spider took two more steps forward.
"Hagrid told me about you." Kael said.
"Liar..." Aragog said slowly, "Hagrid never sent anyone to our hollow before."
"I didn't come to your hollow, I was just passing through..." Kael said again.
But Aragog ignored him and started clacking its mandibles even faster.
"We need to leave, Kael." Newt said, "This is a sign they're about to attack."
Sure enough, as soon as Newt finished speaking, the spiders began closing in from all directions, the rustling sound forming a continuous backdrop.
"Prepare to use the Lighting Spell." Newt said, "Eight-eyed Giant Spiders can't close their eyes, so the intense light will make them uncomfortable, rendering them unable to resist."
"I have a simpler way." Kael said.
He stepped forward instead of retreating, walking up to Aragog and asked, "So, are you planning to kill us?"
"Out of respect for Hagrid, I haven't harmed anyone." Aragog said, "But I can't stop them from enjoying themselves. Farewell, Hagrid's friends."
"Oh, I get it." Kael nodded, "Then, I'll give you two choices."
Kael calmly placed the box on the ground and opened it.
The next second, Norbert's head popped out. It lay beside Kael, its mouth slightly open, a hint of orange-red Dragon Flame visible within.
In an instant, the spiders began backing away frantically, but Aragog couldn't move.
It could feel that it was being watched, and any sudden movement would surely invite the searing Dragon Flame upon it.
"Damn, what kind of young wizard is this, to have a Fire Dragon!" Aragog roared inwardly, feeling like it was about to collapse.
"Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding..." it shouted repeatedly, even speaking faster, "It was just a joke earlier, how could we possibly harm Hagrid's friends..."
"You scared me, turns out you were just joking..." Kael said, patting his chest.
"Yes, yes." the old spider nodded quickly, "We have great respect for Hagrid, and naturally wouldn't harm humans."
"But I was frightened." Kael smiled, "In all fairness. You owe some compensation for mental distress."
Aragog moved its mandibles, "Aren't you looking for that Scorpion-tailed Beast? Hagrid took it to the Three-Headed Dog, I know where it is and can take you there."
"Not enough." Kael shook his finger, "I know where the Three-Headed Dog is, no need for you to lead the way...
Hmm, let's see... you have a lot of spiders, how about giving me some venom."
"Fine." the old spider nodded, "How much do you need."
"Not much." Kael took out his wand and turned the surrounding leaves into a dozen large bottles.
They were the kind used at the Three Broomsticks to hold Pumpkin Juice, with each bottle fitting a pint.
"Just fill these up." Kael said, "I'll come back to collect them later. If there's not enough, I'll have to take it myself.
How about it, no problem, right?"
The old spider said nothing, clearly furious, a hundred or so pints of venom... was this young wizard treating them like pumpkins?
But venom isn't pumpkin juice, it can't just be squeezed out!
Yet feeling the increasing heat around them, and the cold eyes not far away, it dared not say a word against it.
Fire Dragons were, apart from the Basilisk, the creatures they feared the most, especially in the Forbidden Forest where there were trees everywhere. With one Dragon Flame, they wouldn't even have a chance to run.
"I promise you!" the old spider said angrily.
"A wise choice." Kael stood up, "Don't be upset, I'm doing this for your own good.
Let's put it this way, Professor Dumbledore at the castle isn't very forgiving. If you hurt any student, you're doomed, and Hagrid won't be able to save you."
Kael patted Aragog's large mandible, walked past it, and Norbert regretfully closed its mouth, seemingly somewhat interested in these large-mustifs, wanting to taste their saltiness.
Behind him, Newt shook his head with a smile, then closed the box and followed.