Information Merchant

Ian stood at the entrance to the African wizarding market.

The night wind swept dust and the scent of herbs across his face as his gaze lingered on the "International Confederation of Wizards Notice" for a long while.

Mid-twentieth century.

Beware of cross-border smuggling of illegal magical items.

Those key phrases circled through his mind, gradually becoming linked to a single name.

"Newt Scamander." Ian murmured to himself, the corners of his mouth lifting despite himself.

That famous magizoologist—the mild-mannered gentleman who carried an entire zoo in his suitcase—did indeed have a record of causing countless countries tremendous headaches. That eccentric, kind-hearted Ministry of Magic employee from Britain, who loved magical creatures, had been expelled for researching forbidden magical beings before later becoming the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

In order to protect and rescue those magical creatures, Professor Newt had done no small amount of "smuggling" across national borders, even causing quite a stir in Paris. For that very reason, it was difficult not to associate this notice from the International Confederation of Wizards with another attempt to stop the old gentleman's latest "act of kindness."

Newt's suitcase.

It was the wizarding world's nuclear deterrent.

He was famous throughout the world for that magical suitcase filled with strange creatures.

The International Confederation of Wizards had clearly seen only the surface of "illegally transporting rare creatures," while ignoring Newt's original intent of protecting them.

They cared more about order than life.

But to Ian, this notice was an excellent opportunity.

If Newt was truly active here, then not only did he possess a great many rare magical materials, but he also knew secret routes leading all over the world. More importantly, while Newt was not a combat-oriented wizard, his profound understanding of magical creatures also gave