Chapter 292: How Can You Be So Blind?

Murphy arrived at Knockturn Alley, where Lockhart was anxiously waiting for him at the Siren's Song. This professional manager of Murphy's appeared haggard, as if he hadn't slept well for days. Upon seeing Murphy, he bowed deeply, "Lord Murphy, I have failed your trust."

Murphy helped him up, "What's going on? I've heard through the grapevine that Gringotts has stopped gold exchange?"

Currently, Murphy was planning to build several more laboratories within the UK, requiring equipment for wizards, potions, magical creatures, and potion ingredients, all of which needed galleons. Not to mention the salaries for the wizards he promised the Queen.

His wizarding world shops, except the potion shop which was legitimately profitable, were mostly for other purposes. They not only didn't make money but also required continuous financial input from him.

With gold exchange halted, he indeed had no source of galleons.

Lockhart, looking miserable, stood up but didn't take a seat. Instead, he stood like a subordinate who had made a mistake, explaining, "It's not entirely prohibited. They've just increased the exchange commission and lowered the exchange rate. They've also taken your exchange business out of my hands, not allowing department managers to handle big client transactions anymore."

Murphy asked, "How much has the gold exchange rate been reduced?"

"One ounce of gold exchanges for 20 galleons, with an additional 5 galleons processing fee," Lockhart replied.

The current price of gold was around 175 pounds per ounce. When Lockhart managed Murphy's exchange business, one ounce could exchange for 32 galleons without any fees, almost an ideal exchange rate.

Now, the rate had halved. No wonder Lockhart said gold exchange was halted; the loss was too significant, making the exchange unfeasible.

"Why did they suddenly lower the gold exchange rate?" Murphy inquired.

Lockhart revealed, "Gringotts' upper management recently underwent changes. Gulliverus Bagnold, the young heir of the largest goblin clan—the Bagnold family—has been appointed the new manager of Gringotts. He personally issued the order."

Goblins, a large community, had a population not much smaller than wizards. They valued lineage even more than wizards, evident from their full names, which included at least five generations of ancestors, showcasing their conservatism and stubbornness.

"A new official taking charge, huh." Murphy somewhat understood, "We can't accept this exchange rate, but Gringotts isn't his personal property. Tell him I'm willing to pay him some personal commission annually to maintain the original rate."

Bribery could sometimes be effective, and Murphy didn't mind paying this small price to solve the problem.

Lockhart nodded, "Okay, I'll try."

However, within half a day, Lockhart returned, beaten and bruised.

"What happened?" Murphy was shocked, "How did you end up like this?"

"Gulliverus called me a traitor and a wizard's dog and kicked me out. I've been fired," Lockhart sighed. "Also, he further reduced the gold exchange rate to 15 galleons per ounce."

"Is it for everyone?" Murphy asked.

"No, just for you," Lockhart replied.

"Why?" Murphy was puzzled, "Did I offend the Bagnold clan?"

"Bagrod's surname is Bagnold," Lockhart explained. "He was the former manager of Gringotts but was arrested by the Ministry for 'attempting to embezzle wizard assets' and seems to have been exiled to a mine by the goblin council."

"Gulliverus is apparently Bagrod's nephew," Lockhart said. "And when I visited him, I saw a wizard in his office."

"A wizard?"

"Yes, Mundungus Fletcher, a thug. But I used goblin gold to overhear their conversation," Lockhart said. "They seemed to mention the Philosopher's Stone... I feel this is unusual, Lord Murphy, they seem to be targeting you."

Mundungus? That seems to be someone from the Order of the Phoenix, right?

Definitely targeting him.

But the Philosopher's Stone?

"What did you hear?" Murphy asked, "Explain in detail."

"Mundungus seemed to be serving someone, promising Gulliverus the Philosopher's Stone if he completes the plan to freeze your vaults."

Murphy was enraged.

Damn it!

The Philosopher's Stone!

Dumbledore, you'd rather give the Philosopher's Stone to a goblin than to me?! Even though I'm the stone's legal heir?!

"Let's go meet this Gulliverus in person!"

...

Gringotts.

In the manager's office underground.

A young goblin lay on the sofa, dressed quite differently from the usual goblin attire, exuding a nouveau riche vibe. He wore a large gold chain around his neck, several gemstone rings on his fingers, shorts, but gold-trimmed leather shoes.

An older goblin stood in front of him, dressed sharply, looking quite astute.

"You shouldn't have agreed to that guy! Dumbledore is unreliable now, just a fugitive wizard without power. Moreover, we don't even know if the Philosopher's Stone that thug mentioned is real or fake!"

The elder goblin roared.

"I thought Bagrod was your son, and you wanted revenge, Grandfather Padlock," the reclining goblin said disdainfully.

"Bagrod is a fool; that's why he got brought down," Padlock replied. "And you're even dumber than him, Gulliverus. Murphy Darkholme is the most formidable person in the British wizarding world, and you dare to offend him!"

"You fear wizards so much that you can't stand up to them. We control the bank, yet you beg for their crumbs like beggars!"

"This is a wizard's world, Gulliverus! Not ours! Realizing this is how we survive."

"But you might have forgotten, we fought back Gringotts. It was the goblin revolution that reclaimed Gringotts! Grovelling only turns us into slaves. Look at those domesticated house-elves. Do you want to end up like them?"

"Not now, Gulliverus. We're not ready," Padlock said. "If you insist on this, I'll consider petitioning the council to remove you from office."

"No one will agree with you, Grandfather." Gulliverus suddenly laughed cryptically. "We've all seen, we've all heard, but you haven't..."

"You've been blinded by fear, unable to hear those sounds."

"What?" Padlock was puzzled. "What sounds?"

"Drumbeats, footsteps..." Gulliverus's gaze shifted past Padlock as if he truly heard something. "They're almost here..."

Just then, with a "bang," the office door was kicked open, and a wizard strode in.

"You've got good ears," Murphy addressed the bewildered goblin. "But how can you be so blind?"

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