Chapter 758: The Extinguished Lighthouse
Both Scylla and the whirlpool were located in the Strait of Messina between the Italian peninsula and Sicily.
From the northeast corner of the island, where Evan was now, they could clearly see the panoramic view of the strait.
There was a small town near their camp, Taormina, where Muggles and wizards lived together. There was a well-preserved ancient Greek theater in town. It was also the name card of Sicily. Evan had just visited it not long ago.
At the southern end of the town, there was a breathtaking view of the cliffs and Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano.
The terrain of the whole mountain was quite complex, providing perfect hiding space for giants. It was also the birthplace of the legendary Cyclops.
In mythology, Cyclops built weapons from volcanic lava, making thunderous sounds as they did.
The clouds around here were very thick and the top of the mountain could not be seen for most of the year. Finding giants there wouldn’t be an easy task. As their mundane daily life made wild noises that were often joined by the sound of thunder, Muggle residents nearby all thought that a mighty god of thunder lived up there.
Evan had carefully observed the surrounding terrain, as the island he had seen in Ravenclaw’s memory was probably in this area.
Gryffindor and Ravenclaw had certainly arrived here more than a thousand years ago.
Gryffindor had a fight with the Cyclops in the mountain of Etna, which left a permanent scar on his eye.
To the north of the town near the coastline pier was an ancient lighthouse, a nearby commanding height. Until now, it had been guiding the sailing ships. If one wanted to take a boat to see the sirens, he needed to start from there.
The Italian Ministry of Magic had set up a special protected area here to provide protection for sirens, and operated cruise ships to visit them.
But now there was no one. Mr. Idas Grosso of the reserve told Evan that more often, wizards would come to visit during school holidays. It was very rare for young wizards like him to come here during the semester.
“No, no, we can’t go out to sea now!” Grosso shook his head and said, “Boy, I suggest you go to your parents or guardians. The area has been very dangerous recently. It’s no place for a young wizard like you.”
“My uncle is busy with other things. I’m just looking around. I’ve read descriptions of the sirens in a book,” said Evan. “Why can’t we go out? Because of Galleons? Or do you think I have to be accompanied to see the sirens?”
“Both!” said Grosso, straightening the hat on his head and pointing to the lighthouse on the high ground next to the dock. “But the main reason is that the lighthouse is broken. Without the lighthouse’s guidance, going to those waters is a death sentence. Let me tell you, those Sirens like young boys like you the most. If you fall into their hands, they will not kill you, but they will keep draining you slowly, locked up in a nest on the side of the cliff, and every day…”
Evan turned his head and looked at the ancient Lighthouse. Mr. Grosso told him that not long ago, the light on the top of the lighthouse suddenly went out.
In fact, this lighthouse was not simply giving directions to Muggles’ ships. The lights inside also had a very special protection magic, which could keep the boats and crews from being fooled by the singing of the Sirens, and keep them from being immersed in their illusions.
With the lighthouse now broken, sailing at this time was no different from seeking death.
Next, Grosso told Evan many horror stories about the sirens, as well as the undead wandering in these waters. But what Evan really cared about was what happened after the lighthouse was damaged…
“Yeah, after the lighthouse broke down, Muggles sent people to repair it several times. What do they call those weird people with long metal ropes… electricians?” said Grosso. “I saw them go in with my own eyes. Then it would take them a whole night to come out, and they’d be mad. They kept saying gibberish, as though they had met a ghost.”
“Mad?!! Evan looked at him in amazement.
“Yeah, it was as if they were brainwashed. They kept talking about doomsday, destruction, ancient gods, and so on. Who knows what they saw in the tower? I heard they kept having nightmares long after they went back.” Grosso looked around, then lowered his head, brought his freckled face closer to Evan, lowered his voice, and said, “The reason why the lighthouse was broken was obviously magical. There’s a group of Dark wizards in it. I saw them go in one night on a boat, all wearing black cloaks.”
“Did you see what they looked like?” Evan asked.
“No, no!” Grosso waved his hand, and there was a flash of horror on his face. “I reported it to the higher-ups, but the guy in charge of the town didn’t respond, and the Ministry of Magic didn’t send anyone over to investigate. A broken lighthouse is probably a trivial matter in their eyes, and there was no need to spend resources on it. In any case, those sirens will not starve to death; they will find food for themselves.”
“But this matter is very serious!” said Evan. The Dark wizards Grosso talked about made him think of all sorts of possible complications.
Before leaving, Nicolas Flamel once told him that the long disappeared Raven’s Claw had begun to come out again. This was the place where Ravenclaw once came. Would the Raven’s Claw be those hooded Dark wizards? Or, were they Death Eaters who came to look for the giants as well?!”
“It is indeed serious, but this has nothing to do with me either!” said Grosso, straightening up again. “I’m just a siren keeper. As long as I get my paycheck, I don’t need to worry about those problems. To be honest, I’ve had enough of this job. It pays well, but I’ve gathered a good sum already! I’m preparing to quit and find a new job in Rome. It is better than guarding an empty boat and a group of sirens.”
“Mr. Grosso, if I fix the lighthouse, can you take me out to sea?” said Evan. “I still want to see the sirens!”
“No problem, boy, as long as you can fix that lighthouse!” said Grosso. “I have never seen a young wizard like you who is interested in sirens… Yeah, their upper bodies are like those of human women, nude human women! But below, one look is all you’ll need to lose interest!”
Evan waved his hand and walked back along the path he came along. He waited until there was no one around and Apparated back to the camp.
Whatever the cause of the lighthouse’s extinction, there was clearly new trouble inside awaiting him.
He was going to wait until the contact with the giants came to an end, and then find a way to solve this problem.
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