Chapter 76: Murphy Cannot Bear to See the Suffering of the World

"I haven't found a breeding base for house-elves," Lock said regretfully, "but through my various contacts, I've gathered more than forty house-elves from sellers around the world."

"Oh?!" Murphy was somewhat surprised, "Great, where are they?"

"I've already bought them and they're at my house right now. Would you like to come and see?"

"Sure! Let's go!"

...

Lock's home was on a hillside in Devonshire.

It was a small house carved out of the hillside, largely hidden among the grass. If not for the bright windows and the oak door, Murphy almost missed its existence.

Standing at the door of the house, he could overlook a vast wilderness, with forests and swamps in the distance.

"This place has a nice view," Murphy observed, "I'm even considering buying a house here."

"There's Ottery St. Catchpole village ahead, and across the river is Ottery St. Mary, both inhabited by wizards." Pointing at a peculiar building in the wilderness, Lock said, "Look, that's the Weasley family, and up on that mountain lives the Lovegood family, all odd people. That high point over there is Stoathead Hill, very beautiful."

Weasley? The Burrow?

Murphy glanced over and could vaguely see one or two figures moving beside the crooked house.

As for Lovegood's house in the distance, he could only see a strange spire.

Strangely, looking at these places, Murphy felt a sense of lazy comfort. Maybe buying a house here for occasional rest wasn't a bad idea.

But for now, he was more interested in seeing those house-elves.

Entering Lock's Hobbit-like home, Murphy found the interior surprisingly spacious.

Upon entering, Murphy saw seven or eight house-elves busily working. One was polishing an already shiny floor with a cloth, another was arranging flowers and occasionally adding a drop of water to them, and another was doing laundry with water so clean it seemed drinkable.

"They are really bored, I can't get them to stop working."

Indeed, Lock's cottage was filled with house-elves, finding tasks for themselves. Some even fought over chores, resulting in bloodshed.

Truly dedicated house-elves.

What 996? They are 007, working without pay, overtime, and with explosive enthusiasm, almost fighting if not allowed to work.

Such perfect employees would be adored by Muggle bosses, awarded daily, right? Yet these wizards don't appreciate them? No rewards, no clothes, not enough food, and they are often abused...

Heartless, too heartless. Even capitalists would weep at this.

Take them all, I must. I, Murphy Darkholme, cannot bear to see the suffering of the world.

"By the way, when you were looking for these elves, did you come across any healers or doctors who know how to treat them?"

"Hm?" Lock was stunned by the question, "Who would treat house-elves?"

...

Alright, Murphy thought too much.

Wizards don't even treat house-elves as dogs, let alone humans. There's not even a vet for them.

These little creatures are surviving solely on their own immunity.

"Alright," Murphy took out a rope, "Have them line up and hold onto this rope."

Before leaving, Murphy gave Lock a few more instructions, "Put some effort into the wizarding security shop. Buy a few locations, in Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, Hogsmeade, just hire for now. Priority to recent graduates or those who graduated within the last year or two from Hogwarts or other famous magic schools."

"Oh, and buy me a house nearby."

...

Returning to the Spell Research Institute with forty-three house-elves, Murphy sought out Laura Krueger.

"Are these house-elves?" Dobby was receiving treatment in the medical lab, and it was Laura's first time seeing a house-elf, "Wow, they're so cute!"

"Hm?" Murphy glanced at the wrinkled, floppy, big-nosed, large-eared creatures that resembled oversized upright rats, "Cute?"

"Don't you think their big eyes are adorable?"

This was the first time Murphy saw his assistant so lively and different from her usual business-like demeanor.

Honestly, I find you a bit cuter.

"Cough," Murphy cleared his throat, "They will replace the staff here and will be responsible for the logistics of the entire institute. Find some people to familiarize them with the place and then arrange for the Muggle staff's departure."

The institute initially needed those Muggle staff out of necessity.

Each additional unrelated person increased the risk of leaks.

But now with loyal house-elves, the staff could be dismissed.

"Alright." Laura noted Murphy's instructions in her notebook, "By the way, Director, the security team at the mansion outside reported that someone named Boris wants to see you."

"Okay, I got it. I'll see him later."

He had been teleporting directly into the institute lately and hadn't been back to the mansion for days. If Boris was looking for him, he would indeed find it difficult.

After arranging for the house-elves, Murphy went to the medical lab to check on Dobby.

"How is he?" He asked the doctor treating Dobby.

The institute was not short of medical experts. To study magical creatures, Murphy even recruited several veterinarians, who were now jointly diagnosing Dobby.

"He's very weak, severely malnourished, and many of his organs are malfunctioning, nearly failing. If it had been any later, he might not have been saved," the doctor said. "But his will to live is strong. We're replenishing his nutrition. Although his body structure is very different from humans, the required nutrients aren't too dissimilar, and medications like whitesh and wound cleaners are effective on him, so there's a good chance of recovery."

Murphy nodded, then saw the creature on the bed open its eyes, looking bewildered at him for a while before closing them again.

"Good, take good care of him. Also, there are more house-elves in the institute, his kin. You can conduct some physical exams and other checks to understand them better. If you find any other sick house-elves during the checkup, treat them as well."

"These little elves have had a tough time outside, so don't be too harsh on them."

...

Leaving the institute, Murphy returned to the mansion.

"Where's Boris?"

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