Chelmsford, the county town of Essex.
This land holds a name in the Wizarding World that strikes fear into the hearts of many: the Source of Witch Hunts.
Although witch hunts existed in Britain before the Middle Ages, these were mostly isolated lynchings.
The true, systematic trials of Wizards actually began here in 1566.
Centered in Chelmsford, a frantic wave of witch hunts swept across the entirety of Britain.
It wasn't until 1951 that Britain officially abolished the Witchcraft Act.
In this dark movement, which lasted nearly four centuries, over five thousand people lost their lives.
Some Muggles believed this was a tragic internal persecution among themselves, but Wizards knew the truth was far from it.
While most of those pushed onto the gallows or pyres were Muggles, there were also Squibs and Wizards who couldn't escape in time mixed among them.
To end this disaster, the International Confederation of Wizards signed the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy in 1689.
It officially came into effect in 1692, and from then on, the Wizarding World completely went into hiding.
However, going underground was not a foolproof solution.
There would always be Wizards who exposed themselves due to carelessness or accident.
Therefore, staying far from the center of the witch hunt storm, Chelmsford, became a survival rule for Wizards.
Even today, very few Wizards choose to reside permanently in this city.
It's not that no one has tried to defy it.
But this land, as if under some malevolent curse, exhibits a blatant repulsion towards Wizards.
Wizards who stay here for an extended period feel an inexplicable palpitation and unease, and their spellcasting becomes obstructed.
Even more terrifyingly, various bizarre spell errors occur, wands occasionally backfire, and spells are inexplicably misspoken.
Wizards firmly believe that the land of Chelmsford itself is cursed, or rather, this land curses the Wizards who step upon it.
Historically, there has been no shortage of challengers who defied this belief.
Thus, almost every few years, Wizards from Chelmsford seek help at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Fortunately, this curse is not permanent; it slowly dissipates after staying away from Chelmsford for a period of time.
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries even established a new department for it: the Department of Curses and Injuries from Peculiar Regions.
Branded Manor.
This abandoned manor is where Nios and Azazel are currently holed up.
Its original owner was one of the creators of the curse in this area, and also one of its tragic victims.
This manor owner was a Wizard from a Muggle family.
His years at Hogwarts were his most painful memories.
The bullying from pure-bloods, the indifference from half-bloods, and the injustices faced by his friends, also from Muggle backgrounds...
These experiences planted in his heart the purest hatred for pure-bloods.
After graduation, he resolutely returned to the Muggle world, and with his outstanding magical talent, quickly became a court Wizard for the royal family at that time.
With the support of royal resources, his magical attainments advanced by leaps and bounds.
To prove his worth, and also to repay the royal family's recognition and kindness.
He turned his blade towards the Wizarding World, especially those high and mighty pure-bloods.
He transformed into the coldest hunter, sneaking back into the Wizarding World, abducting pure-bloods, and bringing them back to Chelmsford.
After 'fair' trials, he offered them to the Muggle gallows and flames.
In the eyes of the royal family, he was an omnipotent, loyal, and reliable hound.
In the eyes of Wizards, he was a blood-soaked, terrifying executioner.
Ironically, his natural allies, those Wizards also from Muggle backgrounds.
However, out of fear of his extreme methods, they chose to cooperate with the pure-bloods.
The betrayal of his companions completely pushed him into the abyss.
From then on, he no longer distinguished between pure-blood Wizards, half-blood Wizards, or Muggle-born Wizards.
Anyone associated with magic became his target.
Trials completely became a series of bloody revelries.
Until one day, the wheels of fate turned again.
Having just presided over a trial, he was accused by another court Wizard of being involved with the newly established Ministry of Magic in Britain.
Although he cleared his name, the suspicion and alienation shown by the royal family still pierced his heart like a cold dagger.
Disheartened, he returned to Branded Manor, spending his days in the company of strong liquor.
One day, a group of young Wizards who had recently graduated from Hogwarts planned an assassination attempt against him.
Abandoned by all, he needed to maintain contact with the Muggle world, so his manor was not protected by a strong Fidelius Charm.
Therefore, there was no shortage of assassination attempts against him; most past assassins were easily defeated, let alone a group of recently graduated young Wizards. This time, he had adopted a playful attitude, intending to toy with them before killing them.
Even with the lingering effects of alcohol, his innate combat instincts were far superior to those young Wizards.
However, in the midst of the chaos, one figure caught his attention.
It was a timid young Wizard.
From the start of the battle, he had been clumsily fleeing and hiding.
His companions' harsh attitudes and commanding tones towards him were like a mirror, reflecting his bullied childhood at Hogwarts.
The fear of having nowhere to escape, the fear of his tormentors, the fear of his own powerlessness.
He lost interest in playing, quickly dealt with the other young Wizards, and disarmed them.
After cornering him, he slowly walked towards the young Wizard and used Legilimency.
As he expected, the young Wizard had a similar experience to his own, which caused his heart, which had long turned to ice, to soften involuntarily.
When he looked into the young Wizard's eyes again.
He saw his own reflection in the young Wizard's eyes.
At that moment, he realized.
He, too, had become the tormentor he most hated.
In the instant of his daze, the young Wizard also broke free from Legilimency.
The young Wizard pulled out a dagger from his embrace and screamed, rushing towards him.
"Thud!"
The young Wizard charged directly into his embrace, the dagger piercing his heart.
For a Wizard, this type of injury is not fatal if treated with magic in time.
But... he gave up.
His body fell heavily, his blurred vision fixed on the exquisite carvings on the ceiling.
Looking at the ceiling, he couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.
He was laughing at this absurd world.
He was laughing at his own absurd life.
Becoming a Wizard, yet being bullied by another group of Wizards.
Becoming a court Wizard, yet degenerating into the royal executioner.
From victim to perpetrator.
What a cynical closed loop.
With the end of his life, Chelmsford, this land steeped in his blood and the blood and resentment of countless Wizards.
It was as if some malicious will had been activated.
It began to actively repel all magical existence; no Wizards would be born on this land, and foreign Wizards who stayed too long would be cursed, and various magical creatures also began to stay away from here.
And this manor, which bore darkness and despair, after experiencing the bizarre and tragic deaths of several occupants, finally became a desolate ruin.