#406 - The Cold Prison (asking for monthly ticket recommendation)

“Thank you for your kind invitation, but I have my own goals to achieve, and even if I don't hold a position in the Ministry of Magic, it won't affect my cooperation with the Ministry. Besides, I'm still an equipment supplier to the Ministry. With such a relationship, my working in the Ministry would easily bring you adverse effects,” Anduin politely declined.

“I only value ability, and have nothing to do with so-called nepotism,” Bardot laughed and shook her head, “But what you said also makes sense. Silver Flash Commerce and the Ministry of Magic are already intertwined.”

After saying that, she steadily held Anduin's shoulders and softly reminded him, “Careful, we're about to leave.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she and Anduin disappeared from the main hall of the Ministry of Magic.

When they reappeared, Anduin found himself in a huge open-air square made of black rock.

Looking around, there was an endless ocean, and he could even hear the sound of waves hitting the rocks. The air was filled with the salty smell of the sea.

However, judging from the view, they should be at a considerable height above sea level.

The sky also seemed to be stained with ink, frighteningly gloomy, making it impossible to tell the exact time. To make matters worse, it was drizzling, which, coupled with the cold December weather, was truly depressing.

At the same time, in this gloomy atmosphere, a row of 'Dementors' floated in the distant sky. After discovering Anduin and Bardot, they all looked at them, not hiding the malice in their eyes. However, they seemed to be obeying some kind of rule and didn't immediately pounce on them.

After landing, Anduin curiously activated his Echo Glasses. At this moment, the entire Azkaban magical prison was finally completely revealed before him.

It was a triangular columnar building, at least several tens or even hundreds of meters high, stuck straight into the sea. The two of them were now at the top of the building, which was why Anduin felt so far from the sea.

“This is the only area in all of Azkaban where Apparition is possible. Stay close to me, and you won't be harassed by Dementors. This is because I have a spell on me that allows Dementors to recognize me,”

Minister Bardot said, unable to help but exhale a breath of cold air. She was also a little unbearable of the weather here. It was so gloomy and cold here, coupled with the freezing winter, that she just wanted to return to a warm fireplace.→

“Is this square just left open like this, without anyone guarding it?” Anduin glanced at the empty surroundings and asked, puzzled.

“Didn't you see so many Dementors floating around?” Minister Bardot endured the freezing air and laughed carelessly, “There's only one passage in the prison that leads to the roof. The prisoners below are a bunch of poor wretches who can't cast spells. Just guard the entrance to the passage.”

Anduin nodded upon hearing this, but frankly speaking, the defense measures were still very flawed. Just the fact that the guards here were a group of extremely unstable Dementors was telling.

He found it hard to understand why the Ministry of Magic would cooperate with these evil creatures. Although Dementors were difficult to truly kill, it wasn't completely impossible. If it were Anduin, he would rather render all these guys harmless.

However, such thoughts only flashed through Anduin's mind for a moment. Soon, Minister Bardot led him down a stone staircase, gradually descending the steps.

Although they had left the biting cold open-air square, the damp and cold indoors didn't bring them much warmth. To describe it, it could only be said that wearing pants was better than being completely exposed.

After a while, Anduin followed Bardot through the long passage. After passing through another door, fire finally appeared before them.

Before them was a large corridor open on both sides. On the wall opposite the passage entrance, there was a brazier burning wood. Beside the brazier were two wizards sitting opposite each other, wrapped tightly in thick clothes.

They were enjoying a game of Wizard's Chess. Although they were wrapped very tightly, they couldn't help but shiver.

“Ahem!” Minister Bardot saw that both of them had come out of the passage, but these two guys hadn't even noticed her, still staring intently at the chessboard. Her face darkened, and she coughed coldly.

“Who's there!” One of them, hearing the cough, immediately turned his head nervously, reaching for his wand. But because he was wearing too much, he busied himself for a long time without any progress.

However, when they discovered that it was the Minister of Magic standing before them, they immediately stopped reaching for their wands, standing rigidly on the spot, then looking at Bardot in fear.

“M-Minister, what brings you here? You didn't even notify us in advance,” A young wizard's face was extremely pale, not knowing whether it was from fright or the environment here.

“Didn't I send a memo long ago? The visitation process has been going on for a week. Haven't you received the notice yet?” Bardot was clearly very dissatisfied with the two's reaction, and her eyes immediately turned sharp.

“Is that so?” One of the wizards scratched his head upon hearing this, then turned to look at his companion, but the companion also showed a blank expression.

“Sorry, Minister, we really didn't receive the notice. Maybe the owl that came to deliver the message was scared away by the Dementors. We often have this kind of situation here,” The other wizard immediately put on a smiling face.

“That's not an excuse for you to abandon your posts…” Minister Bardot was still dissatisfied and prepared to criticize them, but was quickly interrupted by Anduin.

“Minister, they are very dedicated to persist in guarding the entrance to the passage in such a harsh environment, and we still have serious business to attend to, don't we?” Anduin smoothed things over, and also winked at the two of them in a friendly manner.

The two Aurors nodded like chickens pecking at rice upon hearing this, then looked at Bardot with obedient expressions.

Minister Bardot, hearing Anduin's words, also knew that she was being a little too harsh. The main reason was that she was also tormented by the climate here, and even if she was dissatisfied, she couldn't dismiss these two. After all, the work here was so arduous that they might be even happier if she dismissed them.

“Alright, since Anduin is pleading for you, then I'll let it go this time, but remember, don't do it again.”

“Yes, Minister!” The two responded loudly as if they had been granted amnesty, and also smiled friendly at Anduin.