77. Hex's Castle
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- Does he really have to be so banal? - I involuntarily asked, looking at the typical Dark Lord's castle that was home to Hex and the Charmcaster.
It was a classic gothic dark stone castle that stood on top of a hill with thunderclouds wrapped around it. Just like in some cartoon about a villain who wants to take over the world. Well, like in Scooby-Doo.
- Uncle loves pathos, so it's no surprise that he built such a castle. - Hope calmly said that she was now standing next to me.
Now we were on the captain's bridge of the Merlin, watching Hex's castle.
The place where he was was also utterly banal. And to be more precise, four kilometers from the center of Salem, Massachusetts, on the banks of the Crane River. Although it is correct, where else to build the castle of the dark magician, if not near the city, which was famous for its "Witch Hunt".
- Okay, f**k this. We're going down. Will you go alone or will I go with you? - I asked, while ordering Morgana to land near the castle.
- I would be glad if you were with me at this moment. - Hope said taking my hand.
- I'm not against. But can I get in? Is there any protection against intruders here or something like that? - I asked, squeezing the girl's hand in support.
- Yes, but as long as you're with me, you're considered a guest. Later, I can add you to the list of tenants so that you can visit me at any time. - Hope said with a smile.
- Okay, then let's go. - I said and led the girl to the ladder so that we could go outside.
We landed on the beach of the river, so it was not far to go. After leaving the ship, I ordered Morgana to activate stealth mode so that no one accidentally stumbles upon my spaceship.
- And how do the locals react to such a this masterpiece of architecture? - I asked as we walked slowly along the beach.
- Ordinary people cannot see the castle. Uncle imposed a special ward that does not allow people without magic to see what is in this territory. For everyone who is not a magician, this place is a ruined, abandoned country club. So no one cares about this place. - Hope said.
- Is that how? Clever. Useful ward. - I said, surveying the territory, which had its own unusual, mystical charm.
- Yes, it's a pity that my uncle didn't teach it to me. Old asshole. - Hope said frowning.
- Do not pay attention. You still have your whole life ahead of you. I'm sure you'll completely surpass Hex soon.
- Thank you. - showing me a beautiful smile, said the girl.
At this point, we finally climbed the hill and appeared in front of a four-meter gate that protected the castle grounds.
- Sesame, open up! - Hope said with her hands up. At her command, the gates opened on their own, letting us inside.
- Seriously? - I couldn't help but ask anyway.
- I know it's silly, but charming the gate was my first serious magic assignment. At the time, I was only nine and had just recently read Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and this is what came out of it. - Hope said awkwardly.
- I don't say anything. Very suit. - Trying not to offend the girl, I said.
Deciding not to push the subject further, Hope silently led me inside. The interior of the castle fully corresponded to the surroundings, so we walked along a huge corridor of dark stone, old paintings were planted on the walls, knightly armor stood in the corners, a long red carpet lay on the floor, and all this was illuminated by candelabra with candles, although obviously magical.
After passing the corridor, we reached the stairs and climbed to the third floor. Hex's room was the only room on the floor, so we were immediately in front of the doors leading in. They were also huge and majestic, like those at the entrance, but these were also decorated with jewels.
Hope put her hand on the door and hesitated a bit before pushing them. The doors opened without problems and we saw the interior, which could only be compared with the chambers of kings.
- I was never allowed to come in here. - Hope said, explaining her nervousness.
- Understand. And where is the safe? - I asked, looking around the room.
- Behind the painting. - Hope said, looking at the key that hovered over her hand and pointed to a huge, full-length portrait of Hex.
- What else did I expect? - I asked rhetorically, tearing the painting out with telekinesis and tossing it aside.
As Hope had said, behind the portrait was a gigantic, wall-mounted, golden safe inscribed with a huge number of different runes. It seems that in this safe, Hex kept all his goods.
Going to the vault, Hope held the key to the door, which had soaked into the safe. The safe itself shone yellow for a moment, after which there was a sound of unlocking the lock and the door itself opened.
Pushing the door to the end, inside we saw a huge room, which was clearly artificially enlarged with the help of magic. All the walls were occupied with shelves with thousands and thousands of books. There were several wooden chests on the floor, where apparently all the valuables were located. Inside, one could also see what looked like a chemistry lab and a wizard's workplace.
- Looks like this safe not only acted as storage for Hex's things, but also as his personal library and laboratory. - Looking around, I made a logical conclusion.
- You're right. And I kept wondering where the library is in the castle. Looked all over, but couldn't find anything. As a result, I had to be content with books that my uncle gave me every half a year. - the girl grumbled angrily, examining the books on the shelves.
- Well, now your hands are untied and you can at least choke on these books. Where are your parents' things? - I said, looking around carefully.
- Here they are. - Hope yelled happily as she rushed to the locker next to the wooden table. Nearby was also a mannequin, which was wearing something between a witch's robe and a woman's dress. It seems to be exactly what the Charmcaster wore in the Omniverse.
Approaching the girl, I saw how she sorted through various things that lay in the locker. There, I saw a photo album, a teddy bear, a gold pendant, an antique pocket watch, and a host of other memorabilia for Hope.
- Strange, there is no grimoire here. Where did he go? - Hope said, picking things over carefully.
- Grimoire? Such a small red book on elementary magic? - I asked, realizing that it could not have done without me.
- Yes that's right. Do you know where he is? - Hope asked looking at me carefully.
- I have it. More specifically, Gwen. During our first meeting with Hex, I took it from him along with Charms of Bezel. Even then, I wondered why Hex, the Master of Magic, would carry around a book on elementary magic. - I said honestly.
- This grimoire belonged to my mother. She accidentally found him in a thrift shop and it was thanks to him that she learned magic. After that, she initiated her uncle into magic, and after that she met my father. Further you know. - Hope said a little sadly.
- That's how. Then I will return it to you, at the next meeting. - I said. Now I understand why the grimoire was with Hex. He wore it as a reminder of his sister and the time they first studied magic.
- Thank you. For me, this is really important. Here, you can take this book as compensation. It has everything you need to become a full-fledged magician. I taught myself from it. h Hope said with a smile, handing me a huge and thick black book that was lying on one of the shelves.
Picking up the book, I looked at the cover and saw the pentagram symbol, as well as the inscription «Magic for Dummies. Author: Bezel.»
- Thank you. - I said awkwardly, not quite understanding how to react to this.
- My pleasure. - Hope said with a smile, obviously not seeing anything strange in this.
Moving away from the fact that the Father of Magic created a book with that title, I said: - I can bring the Staff of Ages if you like. I still don't need him.
- Do you have it too? I'll be glad if you give it to me, although I won't be able to use it until I become a Master. - Hope said a little sad in the last part.
- Don't worry, now you have all the resources you need to quickly become one. - I said and stroked the girl on the head.
Accepting the stroke, Hope showed a beautiful smile before saying: - Actually, I wanted to give you a present. Here.
Hope handed me an antique pocket watch that was on the shelf with her parents' other things.
- Is that your father? - I asked looking at the clock. They obviously were not one century old, but at the same time they were in excellent condition. They were clearly magical and had hidden powers.
- Yes. They were passed down from generation to generation in the royal family of Legerdomain. As a tradition, the current king gave this watch to his heir on their wedding day. - the girl said.
- I can't… - I tried to refuse, since it's a family heirloom, but I was stopped.
- No, take it. Now you are my husband. They belong to you. When we get rid of Addwaitya, you will be King of Legerdomain. - Hope said seriously, clutching the watch in my hand.
Realizing how serious it is for a girl, I nevertheless accepted the watch, while adding: - I understand, although I do not want to become a king.
- Don't be afraid, I will rule and you will be my partner on the throne. - Hope said with a smile.
- Okay, so what's next?" Will you stay here? Or will you leave? We can take the safe and just move it to my base. - I said, ignoring the girl's last words.
- I'll stay here. Hex won't be back any time soon, so I'll have time to remove him from the list of tenants and he just won't be able to enter the castle. He overdid it too much with the defense of the castle, so now he can't destroy it himself. Especially without the Staff of Ages.
- Good. Here we are done. Now there is only one left. - I said.
- What?
- I need your help with a ghost problem. - I said, realizing that this was the perfect chance to end Ze'skyer, once and for all.