Walking out of the alley and seeing the scene outside, Ian finally realized where he was, as the city's signs and name were written on the port in this place.
Ancient Greece.
The area was not the capital of Ancient Greece.
But rather—Rhodes Island.
Yes, there's a port, and of course, it's either coastal or located on an island itself. Ian also knows the name of this place, a once-destroyed place like Pompeii in ancient times.
Yes, in the ancient history unmentioned in the 'Harry Potter' series, there was an island that was one of the earliest origins of the European Magic Civilization — Rhodes Island.
This mysterious place located in the Aegean Sea became the core area for wizard interaction and magic research centuries before the Common Era. It's said that it was not only a gathering place for Greek wizards.
But also an important venue for Nordic, Egyptian, and even Middle Eastern mages to exchange knowledge. At the time, Rhodes Island was hailed as the "Lighthouse of Magic," with a magnificent Magic Academy built on it.
It once nurtured the earliest theories of Alchemy, the Divination System, and complex Ancient Magical Spells. Wizards here studied Forbidden Magic, created powerful runes, and even attempted to communicate with deities, hoping to gain power beyond mortal comprehension. However, such a glorious magical Holy Land disappeared from history overnight.
There are various theories about its destruction.
Some ancient sheepskin scrolls record that, in their attempt to cast a Forbidden Spell, the wizards accidentally triggered a Magic Storm, causing the Energy Core of the entire island to go out of control and explode. This disaster not only destroyed Rhodes Island itself but also caused a brief phenomenon of Magic Disorder in the surrounding sea area for a hundred miles, even affecting the subsequent development of the Muggle World.
There are also rumors.
That all of this was actually the handiwork of the Olympian Gods. Unable to tolerate mortal wizards challenging Divine Authority, they inflicted heavenly punishment, sinking the entire island into the sea.
And erased all traces of it from the Muggle World. Now, only in the secret scrolls of a very few ancient families and the remnants of the Forbidden Book Area at Hogwarts is there vague mention of this "Lost Rhodes Island." For most modern wizards, it has become a legend—a cautionary tale of ambition, power, and the cost.
Of course.
Perhaps the truth Ian is about to witness now is different from any kind of later narrative.
The sun slowly sank into the Aegean Sea, casting golden afterglows over the ancient and solemn city of Rhodes Island. This island, famous for its colossus, was at this moment bathed in a warm yet slightly scorching atmosphere. The air was filled with the entwined smells of salty sea breeze and iron-like blood—a war had just begun.
A few warships were docked at the port, their sails flapping loudly in the wind atop their masts.
The stone-paved streets were flanked by towering marble columns, carved with the faces of gods and heroes' legends, all under the destruction of a group of Spartan soldiers.
Like they were trying to destroy everything else in the city. Civilians screamed and fled, some clutching pots, others dragging children, while others knelt on the temple steps praying to the gods.
In the distance, the white columns of the temple were already blackened by smoke, and flames were devouring the surrounding olive groves. Ian could even see a few Spartan soldiers throwing torches into the homes.
Flames surged instantly up the rooftops.
Greek soldiers were battling these Spartan warriors, their actions far from righteous as they repeatedly used civilians to shield against the Spartan rain of arrows.
Just when Ian couldn't figure out who the villain was.
"Athena!!! You betrayed me!!!"
This shout was like a thunderclap,
even the distant waves seemed to pause for a moment, shattering the pots near the port. It resonated from the city's center, filled with anger, pain, and power beyond words, as if the entire city was responding to this roar. Ian looked up sharply, seeing the giant statue of Zeus in the city center tremble slightly at the sound wave.
Rubble rolled down.
"Bloody hell... who is shouting!"
Instinctively, Ian drew out his Magic Wand; his eardrums buzzed, and it felt as if his chest had been fiercely punched by an invisible hand; this roar genuinely shook his spirit.
Meanwhile.
The already mad Spartan warriors suddenly became even more agitated.
Their eyes turned fanatic, their expressions shifting from vigilance to anger, and then to madness. Some drew their swords, others raised their shields.
All charged directly at the Greek soldiers around them.
"The master is in trouble! Kill all these evil ones!"
A scar-faced Centurion shouted.
A massacre erupted in an instant.
Spartan soldiers pounced on their enemies like beasts, flashing blades intertwined, blood splattering everywhere. Civilians screamed in terror, running and falling, nearly trampled and unable to get up. A fallen torch ignited an empty stall, thick smoke rising, turning this area into a chaotic Purgatory.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Spartan warriors, like Giants infused with berserk magic, swung muscle-bound arms wielding weapons, cutting down the closest Athenian soldiers. Blood sprayed across the pristine stone walls, screams rising and falling. An old woman holding a pot was knocked to the ground, her head about to be crushed by an iron boot.
"Armor Protection!"
Ian's Magic Wand traced a luminous arc, an invisible barrier instantaneously rebuffing the Spartan soldier. The old woman crawled fearfully toward a corner, while the rebuffed soldier glared fiercely at Ian.