Austria, this place is still somewhat famous in the Magic Realm.
Of course, this fame isn't referring to Nimongard. Although Grindelwald was quite famous, that was sixty years ago. Over half a century later, his notoriety has gradually faded away.
Especially among the young wizards still in school, hardly any of them know who Grindelwald is.
This place became famous because the International Confederation of Wizards has held many meetings here.
As for why they chose to hold these meetings here, nobody knows.
Close to noon, in an unknown village in Austria, due to its remote location and proximity to a forest where wild beasts often roam, very few people live here, only about a dozen.
No one noticed, as they hurried home for lunch after finishing their morning work, a person suddenly appeared at the village entrance, as if they had fallen from the sky.
Kael stumbled slightly, almost losing his balance.
He never expected Nicolas would have turned the Two-Sided Mirror into a Portkey and had precisely set the timing too.
Just as he put the photograph away, before Kael could react, the Portkey suddenly activated and directly brought him from his home to this place...
Kael looked around... remote, desolate. Apart from the endless primitive forest, only those mountain peaks stood there, seemingly sliced off by someone.
It's hard to imagine anyone living in such a place so incompatible with city life... maybe for convenient hunting in the forest.
Kael glanced ahead. At this moment, some smoke rose from a few of the houses built with wood and stones, with various smoked meats hanging in front.
Without much thought, he glanced again at the Two-Sided Mirror in his hand.
"Nicolas, Nicolas... how am I supposed to proceed?"
He called out twice, but there was no response from the mirror. Clearly, Nicolas had already gone to do his own matters.
"Really, why not finish talking?"
Kael rubbed his forehead. As expected, he had entirely forgotten the address he had seen earlier, with no impression left at all.
All he knew was the hurried sentence Nicolas threw at him when the Portkey activated.
"Just keep moving forward, and you'll eventually find the target."
Move forward, does it mean into the forest?
Kael wasn't sure if this was the right idea, but it was all he could try now.
With this thought, he stopped hesitating and took big strides into the village... no, it couldn't be called a village; a gathering place seemed more appropriate.
Perhaps because it had been a long time since they'd seen a stranger, when Kael appeared, he instantly attracted everyone's attention. They stood by the windows or stepped out of their houses, but regardless of where they were, they all gazed at Kael without any concealment.
Initially, Kael guessed the residents here lived for the convenience of hunting in the forest, but he quickly realized he was wrong.
Even though the wooden houses and smoked meats made it seem like a gathering place for hunters, he didn't see any hunting tools at all, not a single knife or even a pointed stick.
And the people didn't match either.
The residents were all elderly; the youngest looked about eighty. At that age, Muggles certainly wouldn't enter the forest to hunt barehanded.
"This is odd." Kael frowned and put his hand on his wand while appearing unfazed as he continued walking forward.
But before he could move further, Kael was surprised to find himself surrounded.
Their actions were swift and stealthy. Even though Kael remained attentive to his surroundings, he hadn't realized how they simultaneously appeared around him.
"Are you all wizards?"
Kael took out his wand and pointed it at the nearest person. At the same time, a silvery Round Shield appeared faintly around his body.
Living in such a remote place without any hunting tools, the only explanation could be that they were wizards.
But Kael couldn't understand why he hadn't sensed any trace of magic power around, which was why he initially thought they were hunters.
As he expected, the others also took out their wands.
The leader, the one Kael pointed his wand at, spoke unfavorably with a sentence.
Kael blinked.
He found a rather awkward problem; the person wasn't speaking English or French... Kael couldn't understand.
"Pardon, what did you say?" Kael politely inquired.
"He asked who you are and what you're doing here."
Another person approached, an elderly witch dressed elegantly and acting gracefully, somewhat out of place with the surroundings.
As she approached, the others made way for her.
This time, Kael could understand.
"Ah, I'm..."
Kael paused, as if thinking of something, and quickly changed his words: "I'm a recent graduate from Beauxbatons and an enthusiast of herbs." Kael said, "I'm here to observe some rare plants."
"Beauxbatons." The witch pondered for a moment, "Are you French? Why are you speaking English?"
"No, I just studied at Beauxbatons." Kael showed a harmless smile, "If you're more comfortable with French, I can speak it as well."
"No need, this is fine." The witch looked Kael up and down, "You said you're here seeking herbs?"