NOVEL NEXT Chapter 160: Witch-King of Angmar
A flash of light appeared, and Artel felt an extremely evil aura suddenly materialize in front of him.
When he looked closer, he saw a knight on a black demon horse, clad in enchanted steel armor. It was the Witch-king of Angmar.
"Soul law~"
The demon horse beneath the Witch-king neighed, shaking its head uneasily. Its four hooves were burning with flames, and its red eyes glared at Artel.
"Saruman?"
A cold voice came from under the dark helmet. The Witch-king of Angmar looked at Artel and asked:
"You summoned me here?"
"I don't have that ability..."
Artel chuckled and asked tentatively:
"Have you found the One Ring?"
The Witch-king did not answer immediately. He looked around and then asked Artel:
"Where is this? Why am I here?"
"This is another world created by the Valar gods. Middle-earth is about to be destroyed. We are all chosen..."
Artel couldn't see the Witch-king's expression and didn't know if he believed him, but because Artel's soul was bound to the One Ring, what he said likely held some allure for the Nazgûl.
"You should be able to sense how great the power that summoned you is. It's not my power... Even your master Sauron isn't this powerful."
Artel spoke confidently. Shelob had told Artel that she was summoned by an indescribable great power. If Shelob felt this way, the Witch-king of Angmar would surely sense it even more clearly.
"The new world created by the Valar..."
The Witch-king of Angmar muttered. He looked at Artel and suddenly asked:
"How did you find out?"
Artel looked at the Witch-king with a proud expression and said solemnly:
"Don't forget, I'm different from you. I'm a Maia! Naturally, I know more. It's not surprising that I've been in this world for a while, so it's not surprising that I know more than you."
Artel didn't want to argue with the Witch-king of Angmar about this, so he changed his tone and said:
"I assume you've lost track of the One Ring?"
This time, the Witch-king understood immediately and replied:
"I went to the Shire with the other Nazgûl to hunt down the Hobbit named Baggins, but when we were about to reach the Shire, I lost contact with the One Ring."
"Are you saying the One Ring is in this world?"
In Middle-earth, the Witch-king had suspected something was wrong with the One Ring. On the day the nine Ringwraiths lost contact with it, the Eye of Sauron in Mordor also became extremely weak. Moreover, Sauron's control over the Nazgûl weakened.
Though the Nazgûl had been under Sauron's control for so long that rebellion was unthinkable, their loyalty would shift to Artel if he unlocked the One Ring.
Hearing the Witch-king's answer, Artel pieced together the timeline of the Lord of the Rings world. It seemed that Frodo had just summoned the Ring, indicating that this was early in the story.
This meant Gandalf was still the Grey and unaware of Saruman's betrayal.
"I don't know if the One Ring is in this world... but recently, legends of the Ring have begun spreading here. Remember the hobbit who told you the Ring was in Baggins' hands? He's also in this world."
Gollum had been searching for the Ring after losing it, but was captured in Mordor and, under torture, revealed that Baggins had taken it. This led the Nazgûl to focus on the Baggins family. Unable to find it, they consulted Saruman, who directed them to the Shire. As they neared the Shire, they sensed the Ring's presence, but it disappeared once they entered.
Simultaneously, Sauron's Eye weakened, making the Witch-king suspicious. Artel's words confirmed his suspicions rather than convincing him anew.
"The hobbit is also..."
The Witch-king remembered Gollum, angered that this despicable creature had held the Ring for five centuries.
"He's under house arrest by a powerful force in this world, hoping to find clues to the One Ring."
Artel said slowly, then added:
"The hobbit held the Ring for five hundred years; he must know some of its secrets. If we capture him, finding the Ring will be easier."
The Witch-king nodded, then glared at Artel and asked:
"Why tell me this? I don't believe you have no greed for the One Ring!"
Artel remained composed and whispered:
"My cooperation with Sauron isn't for the Ring. The Valar created this world with other secrets. As a Maia, I have more important tasks. I only hope that when I face Gandalf, you will assist me."
The Witch-king was silent for a moment before nodding.
"Where is the hobbit now?"
"London, England..."
Artel paused, realizing the Witch-king didn't know where that was, so he smiled kindly:
"You're not familiar with the area... I'll take you there."
...
London, Ministry of Magic
After weeks of inactivity, the Ministry of Magic was suddenly busy. News had arrived that the wanted dark wizard Saruman had appeared in Knockturn Alley.
Although there was no evidence Saruman was targeting the Ministry, it was enough to alarm Fudge.
This dark wizard's sudden reappearance in London had many on edge.
"Maybe I should have called Dumbledore first... Saruman is a lunatic. If he attacks the Ministry..."
Fudge muttered, thinking of the destruction in the American Magical Congress, which made him shiver. Finally, he made up his mind.
This decision, unbeknownst to him, would be the wisest and most life-saving he had ever made.
"Umbridge... get in touch with Hogwarts and have Dumbledore come to the Ministry immediately. I have important business with him."
Fudge called out, and Umbridge, who had been waiting, quickly left.
As she departed, Fudge felt a sense of relief and comfort.