Chapter 803: Chapter 703: Dementors Turning a Profit and Surrendering (Part 2)
"These items start at a hundred Galleons, surely someone will be tempted. What if someone brings a fake and insists it’s dropped by a Dementor, what will you do? Pay them?"
"Of course not." Kael waved his wand, and a black, tattered cloak appeared before them... It was left behind when they killed their first Dementor, and Kael had kept it.
"For the Ministry of Magic’s authenticity checks... you can just touch it."
Cedric skeptically touched the cloak and then quickly pulled his hand back.
"Hiss, it’s so cold..." He felt an icy chill pierce his fingertips, just like dipping them into icy water.
"You get it now." Kael laughed. "Anything left by Dementors, even ashes burned by Magic Flames, remain cold.
"This unique trait of Dementors can’t be perfectly simulated by magic... at least not in a short period."
Cedric was still a bit worried, "Even so, distinguishing fakes will waste a lot of time, right?"
"No waste, not at all." Kael waved his hand, "There will be a team of Beaters responsible for catching those trying to be clever... By the way, remember those Dementors confined at the Ministry of Magic?"
Cedric nodded.
Some Dementors surrender directly when found by Aurors, sparing them from being killed and instead taken to the Ministry of Magic.
Though Dementors bring considerable trouble, everyone must admit they make the best guards.
Because of the presence of Dementors, Azkaban is so dreadfully feared that nearly every wizard who leaves there rushes to reform, avoiding a second visit.
In this regard, the contribution of Dementors to the Ministry of Magic is undeniable.
"That’s the second part of the plan." Kael continued, "Those Dementors are now placed in a room together, like a temporary Azkaban.
People trying to be clever will be sent there, at the cost of a hundred Galleons a day... unless they choose to buy their fake goods at the same price."
After hearing Kael’s words, Cedric’s eyes widened in shock, unable to speak.
"But... there’s nothing about this in the newspaper." He checked the newspaper again, scanning even the most inconspicuous corners, but indeed found nothing.
"Where they collect Galleons will inform them." Kael said calmly, "It’s considered giving them a chance, but if they still won’t wake up, they’re asking for it."
"This idea of yours, isn’t it?" Cedric said, his tone unusually certain.
"I just suggested it, that’s all." Kael smiled, "The wizards in Knockturn Alley are quite wealthy; it’s time for them to contribute."
"Knockturn Alley?" Cedric pondered for a moment before quickly understanding Kael’s meaning.
Knockturn Alley has always been teeming with various fakes, where things like sulfur-added snake blood are sold as Dragon Blood and Dittany Leaf passes for Phoenix’s Tears... It’s quite the hallmark of Knockturn Alley.
If anyone is certain to try using fake goods, it’s definitely the people there.
Cedric’s mouth twitched, surprised at Kael’s intentions targeting those people.
"You want them to pay for their own ransom?"
"Five thousand Galleons is a lot, but split it up, and it’s not quite enough." Kael laughed, "The Auror Office and the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures aren’t involved in the bounty, but they got a portion of extra activity funds as bonuses... The bounty money leaves only three thousand Galleons.
"Excluding live captures, killing one earns a hundred Galleons... Such a large event can’t stop after just thirty people; we need to think of other ways.
"Those guys in Knockturn Alley have scammed so much money; it’s time they give back to the Wizarding World."
"Aren’t you afraid of being hated?" Cedric couldn’t help but ask, "Those wizards aren’t kind-hearted."
"Hated? What’s that got to do with me!" Kael said earnestly, "The decision is made by Fudge, the news is published by the Daily Prophet, the people are caught by Beaters... What’s it got to do with me? I’m just an ordinary employee bustling around to solve the Dementor issue."
Cedric silently extended his thumbs up after a moment, "No wonder you haven’t gone back recently; turns out it was because of this."
"What are you saying." Kael laughed, "I just want to solve the Dementor problem quickly."
"Alright, it’s up to you," Cedric did not argue.
They packed up the newspaper and continued to chase down the addresses, heading to the next location.
The address was obtained from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, but because it had been a few days, it wasn’t particularly accurate. Sometimes when Kael and Cedric arrived, the Dementors were either dealt with by Aurors or had already moved elsewhere, making their trip futile.
But for now, having a target is still better than aimlessly wandering.
...
Possibly due to the bounty, the Dementors they encountered in the following days grew fewer, and some places had others arrive first, causing Kael and Cedric to refrain from stealing the targets.
