Merlin City. On this day, the city seemed to be welcoming a very important person. A red carpet was laid out straight for three kilometers along the main road leading to the central high platform. The Earl's attendants, responsible for security, had changed into ceremonial uniforms with a distinctly German flair.
Atop the Central High Tower platform, a gathering of major figures from the Wizarding World mingled and conversed. Their most frequent topic? The second phase of Merlin City's Floating City. This was an event of a magnitude not seen in the Wizarding World for over a thousand years. In fact, only records from the so-called Mythical Era mentioned Floating Cities. Later generations could merely catch glimpses of that magical golden age through ancient ruins.
Some Muggles had discovered the remains of these cities, though what they found were utterly ruined structures. Muggle archaeologists and scientists were baffled, unaware that these shattered cities were indeed remnants—solid proof—of Floating Cities that had once hovered in the world.
At exactly ten o'clock in the morning, the bells of Merlin City began to echo throughout the land.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Earl Dantes stood up and spoke clearly. "Our guests from the East have arrived!"
As he walked toward the edge of the platform, the crowd immediately followed.
Below, at the eastern wall of Merlin City, an enormous bronze gate began to open slowly. Typically, non-residents entering the city had to use the Floo Network to arrive at an exterior checkpoint, where their identity would be verified before they were granted access via a teleportation passage. Today, however, the city's main gate opened in full splendor—a first in Merlin City's history.
A sleek black carriage, radiating a soft golden luster, rolled into view.
The guests on the high platform raised their telescopes, and then came a collective gasp: "Cats!"
Yes, the carriage was drawn by three massive, shimmering magical cats.
Immediately, a self-proclaimed expert began to explain: "I know these cats! I saw them at an auction in Istanbul a few months ago. They're artificially domesticated. It's not easy to tame such fierce magical beasts!"
He went on, "The starting bid for each of them was eight million Galleons! No one bought them in the end because they only obeyed commands in German."
Whether sold or not, their collective worth easily soared into the tens of millions. The elite British wizarding families in attendance were left speechless. Their supposedly vast wealth couldn't even compare to the value of the "beasts of burden" pulling this carriage. This moment was truly a humbling display.
Following the carriage was a regiment of private guards, all bearing black hair and eyes. They were dressed in golden armor, their steps thunderous and precise, radiating strength like dragons and tigers. Two of these golden-armored warriors stepped forward, removed bows from their backs, drew them fully, and aimed toward the top of the high platform.
Whoosh!Whoosh!
Two arrows flew through the air, each trailing a red stream of light. The startled dignitaries instinctively stepped back. Earl Dantes, however, remained unbothered, watching with keen eyes as the arrows embedded themselves into the edge of the platform.
The red light did not dissipate. Instead, it lingered in midair, forming two vivid, glowing paths.
Then, the coachman shouted in German:
„Folgt den Linien, nach oben!"
("Follow the lines, go up!")
The magical cats growled softly and leaped directly into a spatial rift. A second later, they and the carriage emerged at the very top of the high platform. Another wave of awe swept through the guests—this entrance was unlike anything they had seen.
The cats were enormous, each exuding a tangible aura of power. Despite their intimidating presence, Earl Dantes stepped forward calmly. To everyone's surprise, the cats lowered their heads affectionately, nuzzling toward him.
"Na gut, jetzt benehmt euch."
("Alright, behave now.") the Earl said in German.
Immediately, the magical cats straightened, withdrawing their heads and sitting upright with majestic composure.
The carriage door opened, and out stepped a young man wearing a neat German-style tunic suit. He jumped out lightly and walked straight toward the Earl.
"Earl Dantes, lange nicht gesehen!"
("Long time no see, Earl Dantes!") the young man exclaimed, throwing his arms around him in a warm embrace.
The guests began murmuring:
"Is this the Shaanxi Wang Family's representative? He's so young!"
"He looks ordinary, but the aristocratic air around him is unmistakable."
"His outfit is perfect."
"Perfect? Did you see the jade pendant on his chest?"
"What about it?"
"That's Hetian jade—from China. It's been all the rage in Merlin City's magical materials market lately. It's not just rare; it's highly conductive for magic. And the fewer the impurities, the greater its magical amplification effect."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. Look closely—it's flawless! The way it glows slightly… that's no ordinary ornament. That's a powerful alchemical artifact, already infused with magic!"
"How much do you think it's worth?"
"Who knows? Whatever it is, it's very expensive!"
Earl Dantes stepped aside, allowing the guests to see the young man more clearly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Wang Wenhui, second young master of the Shaanxi Wang Family from China. He comes with the utmost sincerity on behalf of his family and intends to purchase property in Merlin City's second Floating City phase—enough to house fifty thousand of his clan members—for thirty billion Galleons!"
Clap clap clap clap...
Polite applause rippled through the crowd. Wang Wenhui gave a modest smile, performed a traditional cupped-fist salute, and then spoke in English with a noticeable but practiced German accent:
"Thank you all for attending the banquet marking my debut in Merlin City. My family and I will gradually enter this magical international metropolis. We look forward to future cooperation. Please look after us."
Among the clapping crowd, Ollivander Avery clapped loudest of all. His mind raced—this young man was a walking fortune! Everything about him, from head to toe, reeked of unimaginable wealth.
Suddenly—
Boom!
An explosion echoed from the city below. The Earl frowned and walked toward the platform's edge.
Boom!
Another blast. Panic rippled through the dignitaries.
Wang Wenhui remained calm. He stepped beside the Earl and said with a soft smile:
"It seems someone wants to make trouble in Merlin City. Need my assistance? The people I brought are quite capable."
"No need," the Earl replied coolly.
He raised a finger toward the sky. A beam of golden light shot into the clouds. Moments later, Merlin City's grand defensive magic array activated. A dome of blue light spread across the city, sealing it in radiant protection.
The Earl turned to the anxious guests.
"Gentlemen, Merlin City is bound to attract trouble given its status. But let me reassure you—its defenses are formidable."
He pointed to the district below.
"If you're interested, come have a look—"
All across the city, red lights began flashing.
"—and see for yourselves what becomes of the fools who dare challenge Merlin City."
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