Chapter 51 - 51 Horsemen in the Forbidden Forest

Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Horsemen in the Forbidden Forest

"How could this happen?!" Hagrid knelt by the stream, wailing in despair. "Who could be so heartless as to slaughter such a pure and helpless creature? Do they not fear the curse of life?!"

Dracula helplessly covered his ears and stepped forward into the clear stream, approaching the half-submerged unicorn. The water automatically diverted around his legs, not even dampening the hem of his cloak.

He looked at the unicorn's withered body, much like the other animals before it, and frowned slightly.

Hagrid continued to sob, wiping his nose with a filthy handkerchief. Annoyed by the noise and lack of hygiene, Dracula gently patted him on the shoulder.

Instantly, a bone-chilling coldness seeped from Hagrid's shoulder, as if a bucket of December's Black Lake water had been thrown over him. He immediately calmed down, his sorrow nearly extinguished.

The abrupt emotional shift left Hagrid feeling somewhat stifled and uneasy.

"Quiet, listen to me," Dracula's cold voice broke the silence.

Hagrid shivered, turned to look at the figure standing beside the unicorn, and involuntarily held his breath.

"This blood-draining dark magic is likely a form of sacrificial magic," Dracula said, gazing at the unicorn's body. "Its purpose is to steal life force by absorbing the blood of other beings. Perhaps ordinary animals did not provide enough life force, so the dark wizard in the Forbidden Forest targeted the unicorn for its powerful life essence."

"But... using unicorn blood brings a curse!" Hagrid sobbed quietly at the thought of the dead unicorn. "Who would want a half-dead, cursed life?"

Dracula pondered for a moment and suddenly recalled the forbidden dark magic Dumbledore had mentioned in the abandoned classroom, his eyes revealing understanding.

If it were Voldemort, who survived by means of Horcruxes, he would not care about the curse associated with unicorn blood.

"Perhaps... that dark wizard was already living a half-dead life himself?" Dracula said softly.

Suddenly, the taut twang of a bowstring sounded from the depths of the forest, followed by the whistling of an arrow.

Dracula swiftly raised his hand, catching the sharp crossbow bolt between his fingers.

"Damn it, these centaurs never know how to communicate properly!"

Hagrid cursed silently, stepping in front of Dracula to try and shield him from some of the arrows with his sturdy body.

Seeing this, Dracula, who had been smiling faintly, raised an eyebrow.

"Take care of yourself first," he said softly. "I don't need you to shield me, Hagrid."

Perhaps it was a trick of the light, but Hagrid felt that Dracula's voice seemed softer compared to the earlier coldness.

As he spoke, Dracula raised a hand. All the arrows abruptly froze in mid-air.

"Centaurs, right?" Dracula's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Just in time. I still have some unfinished business with you!"

In the next moment, the arrows lost all momentum and softly fell to the ground, landing in the pristine snow and the clear stream, causing tiny splashes.

At the same time, Dracula's figure vanished from Hagrid's side.

"Where did he go?" Ronan, with a grim expression, looked around the stream's edge and then at the surrounding centaurs. "Bane, can you see where he is? We cannot let him escape the Forbidden Forest!"

However, he suddenly noticed that the centaurs on the other side were all staring at him in horror, their expressions filled with shock.

Ronan seemed to realize something and turned stiffly to see a silver-haired figure standing beside him with a playful expression.

Around him lay several unconscious centaurs.

"Stop looking, I'm right next to you."

Dracula's voice was clear and pleasant, but to Ronan, it sounded as chilling as the whispers of death.