"Karkaroff is a major suspect," Weilan pointed out to Charlie, indicating the silvery-white hair hooked on the iron thorns.
"Only Karkaroff wears fur of that color."
"Moreover, the drugged Chinese Fireball was the exact Dragon species Krum drew the next day."
At the same time, Weilan also had to objectively point out to Charlie:
"But, Charlie, everything I can see indicates that Karkaroff drugged this Chinese Fireball on the night before the competition."
"However, it doesn't indicate that Karkaroff cast Dark Arts on that Hungarian Horntail."
"Not Dark Arts cast by Karkaroff?" Weilan's answer surprised Charlie, "Where did that Dark Arts come from?"
Weilan couldn't give an answer.
He scanned every item in the Dragon enclosure, overlapping them with his memory of the enclosure from last night, trying to find any differences.
It seems... something was missed...
Weilan opened his eyes and checked under the body of each Dragon.
Female Dragons still in their breeding period would tightly cover their Dragon eggs with their soft bellies even when sleeping.
But each of these Dragon eggs was missing one.
"Where are the Golden Eggs? The Golden Eggs that the champions need to acquire?"
"They've been temporarily removed, of course," Charlie replied matter-of-factly, "With such a huge mess, the first task was canceled, and the second task will begin directly after the Christmas Ball."
"There's no longer any need for the Golden Eggs to be in the Dragon's nest."
Weilan knew how that Dark Arts was cast on the Dragon.
No one cast a spell directly at the Dragon's belly.
The Dark Arts was placed on the Golden Egg!
When that Hungarian Horntail was sleeping while guarding its Dragon eggs at night, the Dark Arts on the surface of the Golden Egg, which was nestled among the Dragon eggs, corroded the Hungarian Horntail.
When this Dragon awoke from its slumber the next day, the Dark Arts that had entered its body had already caused extreme discomfort to its skin.
"There's Dark Arts on the Golden Egg."
Weilan murmured.
He recalled Mr. Bagman smiling and stating one of his tasks last night:
"Alright, I've checked all the Golden Eggs one by one, and they're all fine. We just have to wait for the champions to show off their skills tomorrow and retrieve them from under the Dragons!"
The Golden Eggs were ultimately checked by Mr. Bagman.
And the drawing of lots was also organized by Mr. Bagman.
Weilan hadn't even said the name, but Charlie immediately guessed the biggest suspect: "Ludo Bagman, right?"
"Last night, this guy swore he had checked the Golden Eggs."
Charlie took a deep breath and calmed down.
"Thank you, Weilan," he accepted the truth, "a plausible explanation. I heard this guy is deeply in gambling debt."
"To fill his financial hole, this guy is said to be going crazy."
"Hmm, but I don't think he would personally cast Dark Arts on the Golden Egg," Weilan told Charlie, "Mr. Bagman is just anxious about his debts, he's not evil or stupid."
"I'm more inclined to believe that he accepted a large bribe or was pressured by certain people, choosing to turn a blind eye to the Golden Eggs and not inspect them."
After saying this, the subtitles in his right eye flashed.
【Peel back the mists of time, perceive past truths. Eye of Time Traces experience +2】
Although the Golden Finger's subtitles indirectly told Weilan that his deductions were correct, they currently had no reliable physical evidence.
If they wanted to prosecute Bagman, they could only hope that Dumbledore could uncover financial irregularities...
No.
Since Karkaroff could know in advance that Krum would face that Chinese Fireball.
Then it indicates that there was something fishy about the drawing of lots process overseen by Mr. Bagman.
Mr. Bagman very likely accepted a bribe from Karkaroff!
Weilan's eyes lit up. He felt he had caught a small oversight Mr. Bagman had carelessly left behind.
Bagman and Karkaroff would certainly not admit to this.
But Krum, who was still young and innocent (compared to Karkaroff), was a very good breakthrough point.
Weilan thought of Krum's unusually anxious behavior in the tent and felt that getting the truth from Krum would not be difficult.
"We can get evidence from Krum to charge Mr. Bagman."
He presented his idea:
"As long as Krum admits that Mr. Bagman manipulated the drawing results, we can send Mr. Bagman in on charges of malfeasance first."
Weilan originally thought Charlie would ask him to continue the investigation, but Charlie did not.
"Let's stop here, Weilan. I'm already very grateful that you could investigate to this extent for me."
Charlie said the same thing as Dumbledore: "This is for your protection."
Weilan understood their good intentions, Weilan understood very well.
If this case was investigated further, it would reach the highest levels.
"I will find a way to tell Dumbledore these conclusions you've made."
"Then we will try to get evidence of Bagman's malfeasance."
"Weilan, Ron, you children shouldn't interfere anymore."
As Charlie spoke, he reached into his pocket with his right hand:
"Oh, by the way, Weilan, I don't have anything to express my gratitude—this little trinket, I'll give it to you."
Charlie took out a triangular stone embedded with hard scales from his pocket.
Weilan reached out and took the stone, examining it curiously.
The stone material was ordinary, and the scales embedded in it seemed to come from a Dragon. When Weilan touched it, he felt warm all over.
"This is a magic amulet made from a Dragon scale," Charlie introduced to him, "Its most practical function is to make one feel warm all over."
"Besides that, it also has a repellent effect on Inferi and spider monsters."
Charlie gave Weilan a cheerful smile and told Weilan why he was giving him this:
"During the days you stayed at our Weasley home, Mum noticed you didn't have many clothes. She was afraid you'd get cold in winter."
"But you refused the clothes Dad and Mum offered you. So Mum brought it up to me."
"So I collected Dragon scales and had someone make something like this."
"Wear it, and we hope you won't get cold in winter."
"Thank you."
Weilan was so touched he didn't know what to say.
He knew the Weasley family was financially strapped, which was why he had refused the clothes Mrs. Weasley offered. His original intention was not to add an extra burden to their family.
He hadn't expected them to keep thinking about it all this time.
"I'll find a string and wear it," Weilan carefully put the amulet into his pocket as if it were a treasure, "Charlie, you also need to act cautiously and be very careful."
"Of course," Charlie patted his shoulder, his darkened skin highlighting his snow-white teeth.
Weilan and Ron set off on their way back to the Castle.
In his right eye, his experience points increased by another 2 points, reaching 【Experience Level: 2 (12/40)】.
It was Mr. Bagman, who, for money, chose to turn a blind eye to the various manipulations in the first task.
But why did Mr. Bagman last night, out of carelessness, touch those two Dragons?
Weilan and Ron sat down in the Great Hall, picked up a lunch, and started eating.
"For money, of course," Ron snorted disdainfully, "While you were talking to Charlie, I went and asked the other Dragon trainers."