Chapter 288: The Legend of the Three Brothers

I see... Thank you, child.

Dumbledore smiled gently toward the other soul inside John.

It was like a kindly old grandfather praising a well-behaved child.

【~】

?

Although it wasn't obvious, John truly felt the other soul emitting a joyful emotion.

It was like a child who, after being praised, secretly lifted the corners of his mouth.

It seems this soul also has emotions.

"Being praised by you, it seems quite happy."

John laughed and teased.

Dumbledore, hearing that, couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, since we've already obtained the Horcrux, let's head back first."

Dumbledore gently closed the box lid and said to John again.

John nodded and walked outward together with Dumbledore.

Only after leaving the courtyard did that thick, suffocating feeling suddenly ease.

However, the two didn't rush to Apparition back.

"Headmaster, you mentioned that Resurrection Stone earlier, which is one of the Deathly Hallows—does such a thing really exist?"

Walking the way they came, John suddenly asked Dumbledore.

After solving the Horcrux issue, John finally had a chance to ask Dumbledore about the Hallows.

"Have you heard of the Legend of the Three Brothers?"

"I've read that story in the Tales of Beedle the Bard."

Dumbledore nodded and said, "That's right, that very story."

"But isn't that just a fairy tale?" John asked, puzzled.

"In fact, most of those stories are based on reality."

"However, some parts couldn't be explained, so they were artistically embellished and became the fairy tales passed down to this day."

"Even various versions have circulated."

John raised an eyebrow and said, surprised.

"So the three Hallows really exist?"

Regarding this question, Dumbledore didn't answer directly but turned to recount the story of the three brothers.

"In magical history, the three brothers have real-world prototypes."

"The eldest, Antioch Peverell; the second, Cadmus Peverell; the third, Ignotus Peverell."

"It is said that one twilight, while using magic to cross a raging river, they encountered the Death God's obstruction."

"That river was the Death God's tool for harvesting souls, but the three brothers managed to overcome it."

"The Death God, angry at losing three sacrificial victims who should have drowned, pretended to congratulate them and promised each a reward."

Dumbledore, while speaking, drew his wand.

"The eldest asked for the most powerful wand in the world, one that could defeat any opponent."

"The Death God used a yew branch by the river to fashion the Elder Wand for him."

Then Dumbledore took out the box he had just cradled, opened it, and displayed the Gont Ring.

"The second, yearning to revive the dead, was handed a stone that could summon souls—namely this Resurrection Stone."

Just as Dumbledore was about to continue with the third Hallow, John finally caught on and hurriedly interrupted.

"Wait, wait!"

"Do you mean that this wand of yours is also one of the Hallows?"

John pointed at Dumbledore's knobby wand and asked in surprise.

"Exactly," Dumbledore nodded.

Hearing that, John blinked in astonishment, and then...

"Ahem, um, Headmaster, about that wand swap you mentioned before—does it still count?"

John immediately leaned close to Dumbledore, flatteredly blinking and said.

Dumbledore was speechless, gave John a white-eyed stare, then teased.

"Weren't you the rebellious one back then, saying that being handsome is a lifelong thing, and that practicing a few more spells is better than a wand's boost?"

John awkwardly scratched the back of his head and gave a dry laugh.

"I was young and clueless back then, hahaha..."

"Then I hope you can regain that rebellious youthful self."

Dumbledore lightly tapped John's head and said.

John held his head, full of regret.

Damn it!

Missed a hundred million!

Dumbledore ignored John's antics and continued narrating the three brothers' story.

"The final Hallow was the Invisibility Cloak chosen by the third brother; he wished never to be found by the Death God, and the Death God, reluctantly, tore off his own cloak and gave it to the third brother."

"Where is that cloak?" John asked immediately.

"It's with Harry."

Dumbledore just finished speaking, and immediately added.

"That is Harry's father's heirloom; you are not allowed to make a move on it."

"What the—! You think I'm what? A bandit!"

John immediately said discontentedly, "I was only hoping to borrow from Harry (Senior) in order to behold the splendor of the Holy Relic."

Dumbledore was too lazy to expose him; this kid was good at everything except keeping his hands clean.

He always liked to take some things away for research.

Fukesi had had countless tail feathers plucked away by him.

Dumbledore continued, "You should already know the final outcome; the three brothers each walked different paths."

"The eldest, because he flaunted the Elder Wand's power everywhere, was killed by a petty person, and his soul was harvested by the Death God."

"The second used the Resurrection Stone to revive his lover, but because the lover was only a soul, not belonging to this world, she suffered unbearably, and eventually the second also followed her, his soul likewise harvested by the Death God."

"The youngest, however, wore an invisibility Cloak, lived peacefully until he died of old age, then removed the Cloak and, with Composure, followed the Death God away."

Speaking of this, Dumbledore had already collected both the Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone.

"So the legend says, if one gathers the three Holy Relics, can one truly become the Death God's master?"

Dumbledore stared at John, his gaze calm and far‑reaching: "No, the one who truly masters the three Holy Relics is one who knows how to let go of obsession and revere life."

He paused, then looked up at the lead‑gray sky and exhaled.

"But… if obsession can be let go that easily, then how can it be called obsession…"

Dumbledore's voice was as light as a sigh, yet as heavy as a bell, drifting away with the wind...