Chapter 56
Between training sessions, Albert asked Betty why she was teaching him all these things. You couldn't blame Albert for being suspicious—after witnessing the widespread hoarding of knowledge in the wizarding world, he no longer believed in "free lunches." If Betty was taking the time to train him in mastering the Emerald Dream, she surely expected something in return.
Upon hearing his question, Betty responded formally, "Because we need more comrades-in-arms. Follow me and you'll understand why."
Without another word, she led Albert to the base of a towering, ancient tree. She raised her hand, and the massive tree extended a thick branch outward, shaping itself into a circular platform. The two of them stepped onto it, and slowly, the platform began to ascend through the leafy canopy.
When they reached the treetop, Betty pointed off into the distance and said, "Since it's called the Emerald Dream, you must understand there are also terrible nightmares. Our horse-kin tribe lives deep within the Forbidden Forest, and we have a vital mission—to eliminate the Nightmare."
Albert followed her gaze and saw a forest unlike any other he'd seen. While the rest of the woodlands were lush and full of vibrant life, this particular stretch was shrouded in gloom. The trees there were dark and lifeless.
"What is that?" Albert asked, pointing to the eerie forest.
"That story," Betty replied, "starts from the very beginning—with our knightly order." She began recounting the tale of the Forest of Death.
"We knights have long been the only gifted creatures permitted to dwell in the Forbidden Forest. Since ancient times, it has been our duty to maintain the natural balance of this woodland. Whether it be hunting or ceremonial gatherings, the knights of the tribe are usually involved. To the outside world, humans may only catch glimpses of us, but our society—make no mistake—is matriarchal. The mares do not usually leave the village. They are the keepers of health, peace, and stability, because stallions, well… can sometimes act irresponsibly. That's why our chieftain is always a woman."
"But most importantly, unlike the male knights who excel in divination and battle, the females are deeply attuned to nature. They master natural magic and connect with the Emerald Dream far more efficiently than their male counterparts."
Albert's eyes were filled with questions. Seeing his confusion, Betty paused and asked with a kind smile, "Do you understand now, little colt?"
"Well, I may be jumping to conclusions," Albert admitted, "but the information I've seen mostly points to your kind being skilled in healing, archery, astronomy, and divination. I never heard of anything beyond that."
"Tch, tch," Betty flicked her tail dismissively. "Most wizards are blind when it comes to understanding other creatures. They never bother to uncover the truth. As far as I know, there's even a mysterious Knight Liaison in your Ministry of Magic. But ever since that post was created, no actual knight has ever been found there."
After mocking the Ministry's ignorance, Betty added with a more serious tone, "Our tribe has lived peacefully in this forest for centuries without any major disturbances. But something happened nearly forty years ago."
"What happened?" Albert leaned in, curiosity piqued. "I know that time period was dark for wizardkind too. Is there a connection?"
"Quite possibly," Betty replied. "A dark creature began to wreak havoc—a giant eight-eyed spider. They began to multiply rapidly. As you may know, in this forest, they have no natural predators. So, their numbers kept growing… and then the destruction began."
Betty's tone turned grave as she unconsciously traced the terrain with her hoof. "Our ancestors first detected traces of the spider, but back then, there was only one. No one took it seriously. But then—somehow—a second appeared. From that point on, they began multiplying. By the time we realized the threat, they had already grown too many in number to eradicate."
Her voice grew angrier. "You see, although we knights are the largest faction in the Forbidden Forest—numbering just over sixty—we are still no match for hundreds of giant spiders. All we could do was try to contain them, keeping their activity within a limited range and eliminating any spider found outside it."
"But even that range is expanding," she added bitterly. "Their poisonous breath and relentless hunting are killing this forest—turning it into the deadwood you saw. A withered land… trapped in the Nightmare."
"Why didn't you tell Headmaster Dumbledore?" Albert asked, frowning. "I think he might've been able to help."
"This is a matter of natural balance," Betty said solemnly. "It's something for us knights—or those touched by the Emerald Dream—to handle ourselves. We must not involve the outside magical world."
She hesitated, then added, "Not to mention the pact we made with the wizards. The land belongs to the school; the forest belongs to us. Neither side may interfere with the domain of the other."
Albert nodded silently. He could see how delicate the situation was. But hearing that the eight-eyed spiders were responsible for the disturbance in the forest, his eyes lit up. "Actually," he said, "this might be a bit of luck for me. I'm in need of materials from those spiders. As far as I know, they're the only source around that fits what I need. And since they're not native to this land, eliminating them wouldn't disrupt the local balance."
"Oh?" Betty raised an eyebrow. "From what I understand, you humans are often driven by self-interest. So what you're saying is… the Spider War is about to begin, yes?"
Albert nodded firmly. "Yes, ma'am."
Betty chuckled, a pleased look in her eyes. "But you, little second-year wizard, I wonder… what kind of magic could you possibly wield to fight these beasts? As far as I know, your kind isn't exactly battle-ready at your age."
"Hmmm…" Albert paused. He could sense that Betty was underestimating him—judging him by the standards of ordinary boys his age. It stung a little.
"I suppose it's time to show you a glimpse," he said. "You saw me summon light capable of healing a unicorn. But now, I can do far more than that."
He pointed across the forest clearing. "See that tree, about ten meters away?"
Betty narrowed her eyes. "Yes. What about it?"
Albert raised his wand. "Sectumsempra!"
Shhhrkkk!
The sound of something being viciously sliced echoed through the clearing. Betty turned sharply—and gasped. The tree had been cleanly cut in two, the top half falling away effortlessly.
"Wow… You're really only twelve?" she asked, stunned. "That's… impressive. Still, you'll need to control that power when meeting our allies. It could easily harm those who stand with us."
Seeing Albert hesitate, she continued gently, "I know your strength might cause envy among humans, but within the Forbidden Forest—among the knights and the unicorns—you'll find no jealousy. We don't spy on our allies. We don't covet their power. We swear by nature itself to honor and protect them."
As she finished speaking, Albert felt something resonate deep within him. The oath was not just ceremonial—he could feel the Emerald Dream reinforcing it. To break it would be to earn the forest's wrath.
"I… I understand," Albert said, somewhat embarrassed.
Betty smiled warmly. "As our first human ally in fifty years, this is simply how we keep everyone safe. As long as you honor your promise, there will be no problem. Do you agree?"
Albert was deeply moved. He realized that his greatest gain on this journey wasn't just knowledge or power—but the rare and sacred friendship hed formed with Betty.