"Yes." said Kael, nodding, "Waterdrop Flower and Iron Thorn Vine, I've read about them in books. These two plants are native to Austria, so I wanted to try my luck."
"You're in the wrong place." The witch said bluntly, "What you're talking about is the forest to the south, there's nothing you're looking for here."
"Is that so?" Kael said, just as he was thinking of an excuse to bluff his way through, he heard the other person suddenly say, "However, there are more herbs here, we've even come across the more precious Cedar Flower before, don't know if you'd be interested."
"Of course." Kael laughed, "I'm a student majoring in herbs, interested in all kinds of herbs."
"Then we won't disturb you anymore." The witch also laughed, "Or you could stay for lunch, the forest is very dangerous, can't be wandering around on an empty stomach."
"That would be great."
The witch didn't expect that after just a few polite words, Kael actually agreed, and actively stepped into a house with smoke wafting out of it.
"Here it is, smoked meat stewed with mushrooms, happens to be my favorite."
The person inside the house glanced at Kael, then quickly walked over to the witch and whispered in German, "Vinda, he..."
"Then entertain our guest well." The witch glanced at the person, "I'd like you to call me by another name."
"Of course, Ms. Amara." The person said promptly.
"Hope you remember." The witch said, and also walked into the room, seeming to prepare to have lunch with Kael.
She glanced at the wooden bowls on the table but didn't touch them. Instead, she used Magic to transform two exquisite plates and dining utensils, and offered Kael a serving of smoked meat mushroom soup.
"Thank you." Kael accepted it, "Could I ask one more question? You all are here for..."
"Researching Fantastic Beasts." The witch said, "We're all scholars in this field, this is one of the few Fantastic Beasts enclaves in Austria, easier to observe and protect them."
"That's really cool." Kael exclaimed, "Do you know Mr. Newt Scamander? I've heard he's the best Magizoologist."
At the mention of Newt's name, the witch suddenly paused, gripping the utensils tightly in her right hand before continuing:
"Of course, I will never forget that name, he is like a Devil's Snare, rooted in my heart."
"Rooted in your heart? Is he that important to you?" Kael took a sip of the soup, "But I've heard he's already married, a pity."
The witch suddenly looked at Kael with a strange expression but didn't explain anything.
The two sat facing each other like this, calmly finishing lunch... at least on the surface.
Afterwards, Kael walked into the forest under everyone's gaze.
"Thank you for your hospitality, I'll bring you gifts next time we meet."
Until Kael's figure completely disappeared, the group quickly surrounded the witch.
"Vinda, Amara, you just let him leave like that?"
"He's lying."
"What?"
"This person is not a student of Beauxbatons." The witch smirked, wiping her hands with a cloth.
"If I'm not mistaken, he should be from Hogwarts."
"Dumbledore's student..." The old face of the person suddenly filled with anger, "And you just let him into the forest, maybe he's sent here to deal with us."
"Why not." The witch smiled, "For some reasons, we can't enter that tower, only endlessly wait in places like this, we've waited too long."
She turned to look in the direction where Kael disappeared, "Perhaps this is a chance, follow him..."
Meanwhile, Kael, who had entered the forest, was unaware of what happened behind him, struggling to weave through the gaps between the trees.
Unlike the Forbidden Forest, there were no paths in this forest, Kael could only rely on his own intuition and guiding magic to keep moving forward.
Just like that, Kael didn't know how long he had been walking, from noon into evening, then into deep night.
When the moon fully rose, Kael finally saw a circular tower built upon a cliff.
How should I say it, it was as if it suddenly appeared there, Kael was quite sure there was nothing there a moment ago, yet when he turned his head, there it was.
Is it related to sight? Or does it have to be at a certain time?
Kael couldn't be sure, so he chose to keep his gaze fixed on the tower, then reached into his Transfiguration Lizard Skin Bag for his suitcase, gently unlocking it.
"Norbert, take me up there."
A large Fire Dragon appeared in the forest, stretched its wings, and took Kael flying straight to the tower.
There was no imagined obstruction, nothing at all, Kael reached the front of the tower just like that.
A prominent inscription was carved beside the door.
"For the greater good."
Kael took a deep breath and placed his hand on the door.
Again, no magic was needed, just a little effort to push the door open.
Inside, there were no lights, utterly dark, like a beast hidden in the shadows waiting to devour.
At this point, due to the door's size, the Fire Dragon couldn't enter. Kael could only return it to his suitcase, but for safety, he released the Wampus Cat and Nundu, allowing them to follow behind him.
Though he didn't know if they could pose any threat to Grindelwald... most likely not, but at least they could provide a little courage.
Kael lit his wand, slowly ascending the stairs.