A shaman?
When Murphy saw the drum in the old man's hands and his attire, he had already begun to suspect as much.
The wizarding and Muggle worlds were not completely isolated, after all. Although people with supernatural powers, such as wizards, did their best to conceal themselves, over the long years, Muggles inevitably discovered traces of their existence, giving rise to countless legends about them.
Shamanic culture was widespread in Eastern Europe because of the influence of real shaman wizards.
"My name is Alexei Romanov. I have practiced deep within this forest for several years." The old shaman suddenly spoke. He used the language of the Soviet Union, but it was so archaic and obscure that Murphy struggled to follow him despite having studied the language.
"Ancient spiritual currents converge here. On this land, undisturbed for thousands upon thousands of years, all living things mingle with ancient spirits. I listen to their conversations and sleep amid their songs..."
"We live together and rest together. I have come to know every patch of land here, every stream, every tree, every bird and beast..."
"And you are destroying it all."
"Stranger from a foreign land, I ask you to leave this place."
Just leave?
Murphy was somewhat surprised.
"Great Shaman! He's a foreign wizard! He's planning to assassinate the president of the Muggle nation!" the Soviet wizard hurriedly reminded him.
Alexei glanced at him. "Who are you?"
"My name is Vitaly Pizhegud. I'm a member of the emperor's personal guard. I studied under you for a time in the Ancestral Mausoleum," the Soviet wizard hurriedly said. "Great Shaman, the emperor ordered me to protect the president. We cannot let him leave!"
"Please capture him."
But the old man remained unmoved. "Mundane affairs have nothing to do with us. The man he