Your Master Has Returned

"Master, your loyal servant awaits your response..."

Lestrange's calls were muffled and weak, but Sean could still sense the tension and anticipation in his voice.

This method of communication requires a considerable price, such as a portion of the caster's sanity and a large amount of magic power. Even so, very few Death Eaters know how to use it, probably because Riddle doesn't want to be constantly disturbed by his servants.

Sean rested one hand behind his head, while fiddling with a wand in the other. It wasn't his own Dragon Heartstring wand, but another one that Grindelwald had casually tossed to him.

Thirteen and a half inches long, made of yew wood and Phoenix Feather, the brother of this powerful wand lay in the bedroom not far from Sean's.

It wasn't surprising that Riddle's wand was in Grindelwald's hands, but when Sean asked him if Riddle was truly dead, he didn't give a clear answer.

However, this was within Sean's expectations. He had always had a feeling that a genius Dark Wizard like Riddle, who had studied the soul for many years, could not die so easily.

Both Dumbledore and Grindelwald mentioned that Riddle's Magic Talent surpassed many people's imagination, but the former sighed and the latter scoffed.

But one thing is certain: Tom Riddle must be in some kind of predicament right now, otherwise he would have contacted his most trusted Death Eaters, Lestrange.

They either lack the power to make contact, or they are too weak to contact anyone.

With Grindelwald protecting him, it seemed possible to indeed use the Death Eaters to do something...

However, some small changes are needed first... Sean looked at the Dark Mark on his arm.

He can control which people his marks will affect, but the marks on the Death Eaters were all planted by Riddle. Just because they don't accept his servants' communications doesn't mean they can't hear his calls.

If Sean wants to ensure his plans go smoothly and are not overheard by Riddle lurking in the shadows, he needs to make some changes to the Death Eaters ' Dark Mark.

Regardless of how powerful Riddle was in the past, Sean, having absorbed Soul Fragment, had completely mastered the Dark Mark. To put it simply, the Dark Mark is like a receiver that can only receive signals from the host computer; when this receiver comes into contact with other signals, the host computer receives a notification.

In other words, the Dark Mark doesn't normally have eavesdropping capabilities, but when triggered—for example, when it's used to summon Dark Mark Death Eaters, or when some kind of spell attempts to erase the mark—the host computer—that is, the person who placed the mark—will receive a message. Riddle can also sense when a Death Eaters touches the Dark Mark branded on their arm.

If Sean wants to use the Death Eaters, he needs to change the frequency pointing to Riddle to his own; otherwise, the Death Eaters or uses the Dark Mark to contact them.

He can change it, but he needs to cast the spell himself, and that's the problem now.

Using the Dark Mark to contact the Death Eaters would be discovered by Riddle, but without contacting them, there's no way to hack into Riddle's original mark.

Sean ignored Lestrange's calls, pondering how to solve the problem.

As for how to impersonate Riddle, he already had a plan.

The relationship between the Death Eaters and Riddle was not like that between Grindelwald and the Saints. Apart from a few fanatical followers, most of the Death Eaters submitted to Riddle out of fear of his terror.

A relationship that appears harmonious on the surface but is actually strained is the easiest place for someone to interfere.

The key now is how to gather the Death Eaters without using the Dark Mark...

A daring plan gradually formed in Sean's mind.

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire.

Pale-faced and with bloodshot eyes, Lestrange curled up on the velvet sofa, looking haggard but with a madness in her eyes.

At this point, Lestrange had lost her former aloof witch demeanor; she now looked more and more like the madwoman Sean remembered.

"Bella," Lucius Malfoy gripped his cane, "It turns out that the master is unwilling to reply to you."

These words seemed to provoke her, Lestrange suddenly stood up. The weakened witch now possessed a terrifying aura. "Lucius, do you think I don't know what you're thinking?"

"You, Avery, Macnair, and those cunning, foolish fellows, you gathered here by the Master's grace, and now that the Master has only been gone for a short time, you dare to think of betraying him?"

Lucius tilted his head slightly and said in a voice devoid of emotion, "I have never betrayed my master."

"Liar!" Lestrange shrieked. "Malfoy, you haven't put in any effort to find him since the day he died—yesterday, when he didn't answer my calls, you cut the funding for the Ministry of Magic's agents this morning—ha! The Malfoy Family ' Galleon are really valuable!"

Lucius's face flushed red and then paled. He snorted, as if to explain or persuade, "My master hasn't given the order yet. I can only continue after he returns and gives me further instructions."

"A cunning traitor!"

"You!"

Malfoy's wife, Narcissa Malfoy, stood between the two.

She was very beautiful, with an elegant figure, tall and slender, and her skin was stunningly white.

"Bella," Narcissa looked at her sister, "Lucius always likes to think things through, and the last time we received orders was two years ago—our master is incredibly powerful, so he's naturally still alive, but perhaps there are some minor obstacles preventing him from appearing for the time being—"

"Cissy," Bella screamed to her older sister, "He needs us! He needs loyal servants!"

"I know, of course I know," Narcissa said, a hint of impatience flashing in her eyes, but she continued to coax Bella, "Bella, since the Death Eaters were founded, we have been fighting for one goal—but the time is not right, don't you understand?"

Bella gasped for breath, her face contorted as if she'd swallowed a toad. She stared at her sister and brother-in-law before slumping back heavily onto the sofa.

"Our master has been making his plans all along," Lucius said again, though his expression was grim. "We haven't been exposed to everyone yet, so we weren't sent to Azkaban after our master... disappeared! But Dumbledore has become suspicious, Avery has even been summoned by the minister! What should we do now? Search for our master in a big way? No! We must preserve our strength and become his support when the Dark Lord returns."

"Ha—self-preservation, as expected of you..." Bella said sarcastically, but didn't say anything more unpleasant.

Regulus, who had been observing all this, stood up. "It seems we've reached an agreement to await our master's return?"

"That's you. I will keep looking for my master," Bella said.

The remaining three exchanged glances but remained silent.

The atmosphere inside the mansion was quiet when the doorbell rang.

Bella and Regulus did not shy away from the situation; they were related to the Malfoy Family and didn't need to worry about revealing any connections while they were there.

A young House-elves appeared in the living room and said, bowing his head, "Master, there is a strange wizard outside."

"A strange wizard?" Lucius frowned. Although Malfoy Manor was not shrouded in magic, anyone who could come here must know the address of his home.

The House-elves lowered his head and said, "The man said that Mrs. Lestrange's loyalty is admirable."

Everyone stood up from their seats at once, and Bella's body trembled slightly.

"Please, please let him in." Lucius swallowed hard.

Soon, they saw the newcomer in the living room. The person was wearing a cloak, and under the hood was a masked face.

"Your Excellency..." Lucius began tentatively, but the other party quickly interrupted them.

"Shh, Lucius..." The man in black put his finger to his lips and then turned his head slightly.

"Regulus Black, Lucius, Narcissa Malfoy, and Bellatrix Lestrange ..." He read out everyone's names, then let out a hoarse laugh, "Ha, all on the same side, good news..."

"Who exactly are you?" Regulus frowned.

The man in black snorted coldly, then rolled up his sleeves, revealing the Dark Mark prominently displayed on his left forearm.

Amidst the complicated gazes of the others, the man in black quickly put down his clothes and said with a mocking tone, "Clearly, the master doesn't quite trust you guys—his own people—right now."

"No, no," Bella hurried forward, her eyes pleading and hopeful. "I am still my master's most loyal servant. Is he... is he alright?"

The man in black looked at Bella, his tone softening considerably. "Of course, Master is far more powerful than you imagine— Mrs. Lestrange, Master specifically praised you..."

Under Bella's excited gaze, he glanced at the others again. "Bella's loyalty to me is truly touching compared to the cunning Malfoy —that's what he said."

"Master, Master—" Bella was almost in tears.

Lucius trembled slightly, but he was not intimidated. "Sir, prove it, how will you prove it—"

"Because the master didn't respond to you?" The man in black sneered. "If you weren't still somewhat useful, I would have taken your corpses directly to apologize to the master."

He pulled out a magic wand, and the others stared wide-eyed before bowing their heads in unison.

That's the master's magic wand!

Lucius's Adam's apple bobbed violently. "Then why doesn't the master use the Dark Mark to contact his loyal servants..."

The man in black let out a muffled laugh, "Don't you understand yet?"

Lucius raised his head and tentatively asked in a low voice, "Who is the master?"

"Hmph, your loyalty is questionable!"

"Absolutely not! We are willing to give everything for our master!"

"You'll have to prove that..." The man in black coldly stared at everyone.

Regulus glanced at the other person out of the corner of his eye, but couldn't find any recollection of him. After a moment's hesitation, he respectfully asked, "What are your plans, Master?"

"I have come to convey the master's will," the man in black said. "From today onward, do not use the Dark Mark to contact anyone, and do not tell them that the master has returned. Just say that there is news from the master and everyone needs to gather. How about that? Can you do it?"

"Yes." All four lowered their heads.

"Very good, you should understand the master's intentions," the man in black nodded with satisfaction. "I came to you first because Lestrange's loyalty moved the master, and also because he still has certain expectations for the rest of you. Lestrange, prepare a list of how each person should react."

"Don't disappoint the master..." With those last words, the man in black, holding Yew Wand, left the Malfoy Family mansion.

After that, the four of them raised their heads. Except for the excited and enthusiastic Bella, the others exchanged deep glances.

Master... it's time to clean the inside!

Regulus exchanged a few words with the Malfoy couple and then returned to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, his face somber and filled with worry.

Back in his room, he took out a mirror.

"... Yes, he's back."

"The identity of that man in black is unclear, but a magic wand can't be faked..."

"... I know, I'll get in touch..."

A low voice echoed in the room, and at that moment, the Death Eaters in England saw their former 'comrades' once again.

In the dead of night at Newmontgard Castle, a man dressed in black emerged from a room. He removed his hood and sighed, "Why do I feel so natural pretending to be a villain... and it feels really good to be a bully..."

This man was Sean.

He would return to England via the Vanishing Cabinet and then go to the Malfoy Manor — Dumbledore naturally knew the exact location.

Sean was using Grindelwald's power to his advantage, approached the Malfoy. He originally thought they would be very suspicious, but Riddle's prestige was even greater than he imagined. He didn't have to exert much effort; he just showed them Grindelwald's spoils, and they obediently fell for his trick.

He also prepared other things...

Sean's reason for impersonating Riddle's new follower was simple: Riddle wouldn't handle such a 'trivial matter' himself—if he pretended to be Riddle but couldn't use the Dark Mark, would he just sit there and wait for the Death Eaters to gather?

That would lack mystery and fear, and the longer it goes on, the easier it would be for him to be exposed. Although Death Eaters are fools, there are also smart ones like Barty Jr. Crouch Jr.

Seeing how those people behaved tonight, Sean felt even more confident about his plans. The Death Eaters ' fear of Riddle was far greater than he had imagined, which was enough to show how cruel and terrifying Riddle was.

However, this is naturally good news for Sean.

Now we're just waiting for the agreed-upon date to arrive...

Three days later.

Outside Hogwarts Castle, Grindelwald glanced at the wand in Sean's hand. "Did you use a lot of Wand-Lighting Charm?"

"Just a little preparation." Sean shrugged.

He did not transform into Riddle's appearance, nor did he make any disguise; instead, he used his true self.

"Ha—that's interesting." Grindelwald laughed and teleported away with Sean.