Nobody? The Dark Lord's Compromise

Without saying a word, Aaron punched Jeans in the left cheek.

Although he was extremely exhausted, he still forced himself to throw this punch, pushing his physical strength to the limit.

Jeans rubbed his sore cheek and forced a smile, "If young master feels it's not enough, he can punch you a few more times."

Aaron took a few deep breaths, barely suppressing his anger. "This is the first time I've seen you all gathered together since I left home. It's quite a rare sight."

However, I sent out my distress signal almost an hour ago; you should have arrived long ago even if you were traveling by donkey cart!

After a moment's hesitation, Jeans said seriously, "This is the rule of the Gaius family. To prevent future generations from abusing their power, we cannot intervene unless you are in mortal danger, young master."

"Don't try to fool me with those ridiculous rules. I just have one question: when did you arrive?"

"We arrived shortly after you sent out your distress signal, but we concealed ourselves using special methods."

Upon hearing this, Aaron's temper flared up instantly, and the anger in his eyes seemed to solidify.

"So... you just watched me get injured and bleed, fighting for my life, and you did nothing?"

"You can't say that," Jeans immediately explained. "We were prepared as well."

Rolo recorded your entire battle and will make a copy for Miss Adrian after he finishes recording it; this was at her special request.

Anna prepared healing elixirs, bandages, Calming Draught, and painkillers, but young master, you probably don't need Phoenix Tears since you already have them.

After analyzing the relative strengths of both sides, if we really have no choice but to intervene, we must consider the worst-case scenario. Two of us losing should be enough to ensure your safe evacuation, young master.

Aaron paused for a moment, looked at the remaining few people, and found that they all had expressions of resignation to their fate. He was speechless for a moment, and his raging anger subsided by half.

He wanted to curse, but even if he had no conscience, he couldn't be rude to the people who were risking their lives to protect him.

"You went to great lengths to stall for time just to wait for them?" Voldemort asked thoughtfully. "These are your guards?"

"Otherwise?" Aaron slowly pulled open his sleeve, revealing the World Tree pattern. "If I hadn't seen you use the Dark Mark to summon Death Eater, I would have almost forgotten that I also have a mark."

To be honest, I never counted on Dumbledore, because Moody, no, Barty Crouch Jr. Crouch Jr. is here.

He impersonated Dumbledore's most trusted person, and he should have been fully aware of this arrangement. He would never have appeared in this cemetery if he wasn't absolutely certain.

However, my calculations had some oversights. I didn't expect them to arrive so early, and I certainly didn't expect them to only emerge when my life was in danger.

"This is the rule, young master, but you really shouldn't use your own life for experiments."

"If we hadn't come, that Killing Curse would have struck you."

"I was forced into this by you guys. What else could I do but take a gamble?" Aaron said nonchalantly. If it weren't for absorbing the divine power of the Dog Talisman, he wouldn't have dared to risk his life even if he had three times the courage.

Jeans' lips twitched slightly, then he looked at Voldemort, "Then can we take my young master away? He's not in very good condition right now."

"Do you think that's possible?" Voldemort sneered, and the Death Eater around him surrounded them, forming a larger encirclement.

Jeans shrugged. "The Gaius family doesn't interfere in the affairs of the Magic World without a reason. However, if the Dark Lord wants to keep the family's heir today, that's a different story."

I think Mr. Malfoy should know something about our families. In your upcoming war with Dumbledore, whoever we support will have the absolute advantage and will win.

Voldemort smiled, his eyes flashing red as he looked at Aaron. "In that case, we can't let you go even more."

Avada Kedavra!

A Killing Curse shot straight at Jeans, who was not surprised at all and immediately raised his Wand to retaliate.

The green and white spells collided in mid-air, and countless Mars fell to the ground.

The two spells battled fiercely, and layers of transparent shockwaves spread outwards from the two of them, creating a blank area.

"Charge!" Barty Crouch Jr. Jr. roared, and the rest of the Death Eater prepared to attack.

The six guards exchanged glances, then thrust their Wand into the ground.

Six ice-blue lines connected together, forming a hexagonal outer ring, followed by a huge star that appeared, creating a defensive barrier.

Countless spells struck the barrier, creating ripples that were truly unique.

"My goodness!" Aaron's eyes lit up, feeling a strong sense of security.

This barrier is comparable to an ultimate Defense Magic Array, and it was constructed by six High-level Archmage. Even if Voldemort himself were to take action, he would not be able to break it in a short time.

An explosion suddenly rang out outside the barrier.

After the first round of combat between Jeans and Voldemort, Jeans took three steps back before barely managing to steady himself, while Voldemort only took half a step back, but his expression was not good, even somewhat solemn.

"Who are you?"

"Jeans Nearly Headless Nick, just a nobody."

"What a joke!" Voldemort laughed in anger. "A High-level Archmage is a nobody? People would laugh their heads off if they heard that."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stared in disbelief at Jeans inside the barrier.

The Death Eater looked at each other, but a sense of awe grew in their hearts.

Harry and the others were also wide-eyed. They were still very weak, but they knew the weight of a Grand Archmage. A High-level Archmage could be an elder in any force.

"But I really don't have much of a reputation." Jeans shrugged. "I'm just the Butler of the Gaius family, and I usually just handle some trivial family matters."

"I did think you were Grand Archmage, but I thought you were at most a mid-level Grand Magister. I didn't expect..." Aaron's expression was complicated, and then he said sarcastically, "You've been hiding your abilities for far too long!"

"The main reason is that I don't want to put too much pressure on you, young master," Jeans explained somewhat helplessly.

Aaron seemed to be thinking about something, and a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

He thought he was already quite cunning as a Beginner Grand Archmage, but little did he know that there was always someone more capable.

A High-level Archmage leading a group of High-level Archmage —he probably won't be able to shake them off before graduation.

"I admit your strength is enough for me to take you seriously, but leaving won't be so easy," Voldemort said coldly.

Jeans didn't seem to care, simply pointing to the orange-red barrier, "This barrier is the first spell they learned after getting their Wand, prepared for this situation."

Don't even mention you, even a Holy Magus would need half a minute to break through.

Furthermore, this barrier can isolate all pre-set magic, meaning that Apparition within it.

A hint of gloom crept into Voldemort's scarlet eyes. "There are limitations, aren't there? Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked for my opinion."

"Of course." Jeans sighed, his tone heavy. "The barrier has powerful defensive capabilities, but those who set it up cannot use other magic."

In other words, the young master and I can leave, but the others will stay here. This is the worst-case scenario we anticipated: one person facing the Dark Lord and his Death Eater. If nothing unexpected happens, at least two of them will die.

"What?" Aaron's eyes widened. "Isn't this price a bit too high?"

"They are very promising. They are all my students, whom I personally trained. They all have the potential to become Grand Archmage."

But for the young master's safety, sacrifice is necessary.

"Hey!" Aaron's expression changed, and he looked particularly uneasy. "Don't make it sound so easy for you!"

"That's the Reality Stone. After all, we're facing the Dark Lord and his Death Eater. It would be a bit presumptuous to think we can leave without paying a price," Jeans said seriously. Then, he changed the subject and looked at Voldemort meaningfully. "But if Voldemort is willing to let them leave, that's a different story."

Voldemort's expression was uncertain; he knew it was no longer possible to keep Aaron.

This Archmage is clearly a suicide squad; they are ready to face death at any moment as long as they can achieve their goal.

But this means he has broken ties with a powerful Warlock family. If they support Dumbledore, his reign over the Magic World will become a distant prospect.

"I'll let you go, but what will I get in return?"

"The Gaius family will not be your enemy," Jeans said matter-of-factly. "The same goes for the other three Hidden Family."

"As long as you don't provoke us, we won't interfere with any of your actions in the Magic World."

"Why?" Harry Potter asked anxiously, "You have the ability to stop the Dark Lord's forces. If you join forces with Dumbledore, you can..."

"Mr. Potter, having the ability does not mean having the obligation," Jeans interrupted. "Unless the Dark Lord does something that would bring annihilation to Warlock, our families have no reason to step in."

You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you too much, but this rule was established when the four families first founded their businesses.

Upon hearing this, Voldemort seemed to understand something; the gloom on his face vanished, and he even revealed a kind smile.

The four Hidden Family are not enemies; they may even be friends.

They won't offer help in times of need or support either side, but they will certainly add to the good fortune of those who are already successful, maintaining order for the victorious side, which doesn't conflict with their own interests.

"No wonder your families have existed for thousands of years," Voldemort said approvingly. "I like people who know when to yield. I can let you go."

Jeans and Aaron exchanged a glance, thinking that Voldemort might have misunderstood something.

Being pragmatic wouldn't have allowed a Warlock family to exist and thrive for thousands of years. The reason these families have been able to stand safely behind the scenes, watching the rise and fall of dynasties, is entirely due to the abundance of talented individuals and the legacy left by their ancestors.

However, it's better to keep a low profile; there's no need for them to explain to Voldemort.