He also expressed his views on the design of Hogwarts Castle.
"A war fortress?"
Ian mused.
Albus Dumbledore was noncommittal, neither giving a definite response nor correcting him. The two continued walking downwards, and the air gradually became somewhat stale.
"Hiss, he's running truly fast." Ian didn't need to worry about Albus Dumbledore's walking ability because this elderly professor, despite his age, was actually quite robust and agile.
However.
Despite continuously rushing downwards with a "thud, thud, thud," the two still hadn't even caught a glimpse of Grindelwald's silhouette, his descending speed could truly be deemed as the "Hogwarts Driver."
"He's anxious to verify some things, certainly won't be like us and just walking on foot." Albus Dumbledore was quite familiar and knowledgeable about the ways of his old friend.
"He can turn into black smoke too?"
Just as Ian was contemplating how to repair his relationship with Grindelwald and learn this technique of his, the two had already arrived at the entrance of the underground corridor.
At this very moment.
Inside Hogwarts' little-known underground palace, candles that had turned from blue to deep red flickered once more, as if some power lightly brushed over the surroundings undetectably.
Indeed, there was a fleeting flash of blue.
But it only lasted for a moment.
Then it turned into an uncanny deep red again.
"Hiss, what's the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor doing in there!" Ian jogged towards the subterranean palace of truancy, closely followed by Albus Dumbledore, who was visibly startled by the dragon skeleton inside the underground palace.
"This is really a breathtaking wonder!" In Albus Dumbledore's eyes, the dragon's skeleton was reflected, but his emotions were not just shock and astonishment.
There was also... a flash of regret.
"Let it stay here; its owner agreed to let me use it." Ian wasn't worried about Dumbledore snatching the skeleton; he was worried Dumbledore would hand the dragon skeleton over to Snape for safekeeping.
The little wizard dared to bet.
Despite the dragon bone looking massive, how much Snape could scrape back was a complete unknown once in his hands, and it wouldn't be surprising if Snape resigned overnight the next day and ran off with the skeleton.
"Of course, no problem."
Albus Dumbledore withdrew his complex gaze. He and Ian both turned their eyes toward the dragon skeleton where Professor Ronnie Ehrlich was crouched before Grindelwald.
"I told you I'd find someone who would convince you." Ian stepped forward, realizing only then that Professor Ronnie Ehrlich was looking at him and Albus Dumbledore with utter astonishment.
Of course.
The main focus was still on Dumbledore.
"Sir! He! How is he here too!" Professor Ronnie Ehrlich seemed somewhat alarmed, attempting to stand up from the ground but was pressed back down by Grindelwald.
"Ronnie, don't be nervous. You will eventually understand the reason... if there's still an opportunity." Grindelwald's expression was also complex at this moment, soothing the anxious Ronnie Ehrlich. This saint just kept looking up at Albus Dumbledore without asking anything further.
"Professor, did you find the reason for his anomaly?" Ian really wanted to know why Ronnie Ehrlich could only live within the range illuminated by candlelight.
"I have some clues."
Grindelwald looked deeply at the saint in front of him, then turned to Albus Dumbledore, "Albus, it seems you were indeed correct."
As he spoke.
He opened the cloak worn by the crouching Ronnie Ehrlich. On Ronnie Ehrlich's back, there was an intricate array of bizarre patterns. They connected to form a tangible image, occupying nearly half of Ronnie Ehrlich's back.
Albus Dumbledore stepped forward and gently touched it.
"What is this?"
Ian also leaned in closer to Ronnie Ehrlich.
"Little wizard, you're right, I should indeed already be dead." Ronnie Ehrlich sighed as he lay on the ground, and his tone was filled with full melancholy and weight.
"I told you, but you didn't believe me. It has to be Grindelwald... Professor to step in." Ian added an honorific, fearing he'd get scratched on his tender face by Ronnie Ehrlich for not showing enough respect to Grindelwald.
"I have a feeling, little one, my ending up like this surely can't be unrelated to you." Ronnie Ehrlich's tone was calm, only his gaze was somewhat resentful.
"Professor, your mouth is really filthy."
Ian averted his gaze somewhat guiltily.
"But it doesn't matter anymore. Compared to dying muddle-headed, knowing some truths now isn't bad." Ronnie Ehrlich appeared unafraid of death.
He tried hard to tilt his head to see Grindelwald and Dumbledore studying his back. The harmonious coexistence of the two still left this saint quite astounded.
"Here lies the Eye of Horus." Grindelwald's finger pointed to a corner of the complicated pattern, where a design resembling an eye could be seen hidden within.
"The Eye of Horus?" Ian's curiosity was piqued, "Isn't this within the realm of ancient alchemy? It holds a very important symbolic meaning in history."
Ian knew little about what Grindelwald mentioned, because his ancient alchemy was inherited from Morgan, while the Eye of Horus was used in times even older than Morgan.