Chapter 487: The Second Mermaid!!
Ludo Bagman clearly didn't take Percy seriously.
He didn't even bother turning around to look at him.
That made Percy furious.
But that had nothing to do with Ludo Bagman.
At that moment, all his attention was focused on Darren underwater, his eyes wide with shock.
"Look—look! Darren has already caught the second mermaid! He's incredible!"
Ludo Bagman shouted excitedly.
However, along with his excitement came confusion.
"Are these mermaids crazy? They didn't even tell Darren the route to the hostages!"
His doubts were, in fact, shared by many humans watching.
But from another perspective, this was pure injustice to the mermaids.
The two mermaids Darren had caught were utterly wronged.
They were babbling rapidly, but Darren couldn't understand a single word.
He kept asking them where the hostages were, repeatedly promising that he would release them as soon as they told him.
But from the mermaids' point of view, this fourteen-year-old human was completely insane.
He had tied them up—thoroughly.
Even their heads hadn't been spared.
While binding them, he had apologized profusely, saying that as long as they told him where the hostages were, he would immediately let them go.
But what they were saying—he had to be able to understand it first!
The only way they could communicate—by pointing with their hands—was impossible, because those very hands were tightly bound.
So what was this child expecting?
Did he really want to know where his companions were?
Mr. Mermaid and Miss Mermaid were utterly helpless.
Of course, they didn't think Darren was doing this on purpose.
He looked far too nervous and anxious.
He kept repeating that he would do anything for his friends.
As long as he could save them, he would come back later to apologize, and the mermaids could do whatever they wanted to him.
He even said he could kneel and beg.
But—
Untie the ropes first!
They cried and shouted, but Darren couldn't understand a word.
Only Dumbledore could understand them.
But this was competition time. He had no way to intervene.
His beard trembled as he laughed silently.
Not only did he have no intention of explaining, he seemed perfectly happy watching Ludo Bagman give one awkward explanation after another for Darren's actions.
Earlier, Ludo Bagman had been explaining Krum.
Now he was back to explaining Darren again.
This made Dumbledore quite pleased.
After all, Darren was the most entertaining to watch—and Dumbledore enjoyed Darren's "performance" the most.
Politely asking the mermaids for directions, then tying them up when they refused.
Darren's routine was becoming predictable.
He would always find a mermaid first, politely ask whether they knew where the hostages were, and promise gratitude afterward.
But the mermaids were all rather domineering.
This only made the anxiety on Darren's face deepen.
With a swift wave of his wand, the mermaids were bound.
Then he pleaded again, begging them to tell him where his friends were.
He looked as though he was on the verge of tears.
His eyes were red, and he looked pitiful beyond belief.
At one point, he even turned his back and secretly rubbed his eyes.
He must be crying.
That was what many people thought.
Angry glares were immediately directed at the mermaids.
In the spectators' eyes, the mermaids were deliberately making things difficult for Darren.
He had already explained himself so clearly, yet they still refused to cooperate.
"Dumbledore, isn't it too much to let the mermaids participate like this?"
Madame Maxime said unhappily.
"They didn't keep their promise to you. They didn't tell the champions where the hostages are.
You know how large the Black Lake is—how could these children possibly find the hostages within an hour?"
She wasn't actually worried about Darren.
How could she be worried about Darren's strength?
She was worried about Fleur.
If the mermaids wouldn't listen to Darren, how could they possibly listen to Fleur?
Of course, Fleur hadn't encountered any mermaids yet.
She was currently entangled in a mass of weeds and water plants.
And—Darren had found her.
He even cast a healing spell on her, allowing her to continue the task.
Karkaroff was furious as well.
He looked at Dumbledore and said coldly,
"Dumbledore, I demand an explanation. Is this how the mermaids you selected treat the champions?
They refuse to tell them where the hostages are.
I think this task should be declared invalid. The champions should be recalled!"
Karkaroff's tone was sinister.
After all, Durmstrang's champion, Krum, was currently being restrained by a mermaid.
Krum couldn't be compared to Darren.
He had known this during the first task with the dragons, but now it was even clearer.
At this moment, he desperately wanted the task to end.
But Dumbledore shook his head.
With a sneer, he replied in Karkaroff's own style,
"Once a task has begun, it cannot be stopped, Karkaroff. I believe you know exactly what I mean."
Karkaroff's face turned livid.
For a moment, it looked as though he might strike Dumbledore.
But in the end, he sat back down.
Then Dumbledore laughed lightly again, as if he had merely made a casual joke.
"Oh, there's nothing wrong with the mermaids. If Mr. Crouch were here, he would tell you the same.
The mermaids aren't just making noise at random. They are actually telling the champions the route to the hostages."
"But the champions can't understand them!"
Madame Maxime said with difficulty.
Dumbledore laughed once more.
"Yes, yes.
That's why they also have another way of giving directions—by using their arms.
Unfortunately, Darren is far too anxious. He's lost his judgment and tied up the mermaids.
And he tied them far too tightly.
I really hope that boy realizes this sooner rather than later."
Dumbledore laughed as though he were enjoying a delightful meal.
He clearly found the situation highly entertaining.
This left Madame Maxime utterly speechless.
She could only turn back to the image in the sky, silently hoping that Fleur would quickly locate the hostages and understand the mermaids' signals.
But—
She was thinking too optimistically.
Fleur desperately wanted to find her sister as soon as possible.
Yet instead of relying on herself, she placed her hopes on Darren.
She looked at Darren with pleading eyes, hoping that he would help her find her sister.
She was willing to do anything for this.
As she said those words, her face flushed red.
Madame Maxime felt completely helpless.
She really wanted to drag Fleur out of the lake and scold her harshly.
This was a competition.
Not a stage for self-sacrificing devotion.