Back to Britain

Ella Cottage, Wiltshire, Great Britain.

Although it was the height of summer, the hall of Ella Cottage was surprisingly cool. A classic gold chandelier hung high from the ceiling, like a finely crafted work of art, and at its very center, a blue and white magic crystal floated silently, pulsating with a faint, cool light. A wisp of chill emanated from the crystal, spreading like an invisible mist throughout the hall, cooling the air to a perfectly comfortable temperature, making one feel as if they were in a secluded mountain valley on a clear morning, completely untouched by the summer heat.

Skylar leaned back in the soft chaise lounge, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. His gray pupils, illuminated by the firelight, were as sharp as a hawk's, yet carried a hint of nonchalant languor.

Latifa knelt obediently at Skylar's feet, intently massaging his thighs and calves.

Savannah knelt respectfully beside the armrest, meticulously holding a set of antique silver wine vessels aloft with both hands. The surface of the wine cups was engraved with runes representing "ice," gleaming with a faint blue luster and emanating a subtle chill, keeping the wine inside at an icy temperature.

He took the glass from the silver tray, took a sip of the Ice Flower Vodka, and felt a cool, refreshing sensation flow from the top of his head down into his body, giving him an indescribable feeling of euphoria. Skylar closed his eyes and let out a long, comfortable breath.

This is a top-quality product that I snagged from Karkaroff. Jiafu Snow Lotus Winery only produces 10 bottles a year, and they are basically all allocated in advance by the major powers in Northern Europe. It is a limited edition that is very difficult to buy even if you have money.

Sarf nestled in Skylar's arms, her snow-white legs hooking around Skylar thighs, her warm, soft body pressed against Skylar as she reported the latest news from the Sleeping Dragon Society's intelligence network to Skylar.

It's no wonder that ancient nobles were so fond of keeping maids. The power a slave owner had to freely control his maids, and the resulting extravagant lifestyle, could easily lead to addiction.

"Master, all the items Percy Weasley confiscated from the Weasley family have been categorized and stored in the vault. After careful counting, I found 35 Muggle items illegally modified by Arthur Weasley, 72 special metals and crystals used in alchemy, and 12 Weasley family heirlooms—here is the list of items. Would you like to review it yourself?"

"No need. Do you have any family heirloom magic books or personal research notes?" Skylar asked in a deep voice.

"It's strange that the Weasley family's inherited magic has no written records. Even Percy, who has lived there for over ten years, knows nothing about it. However, Arthur does have his own research notes, filled with Muggle paper, enough to fill a large box."

[Weasley Family Magical Treasures and Materials Acquired!]

[Arthur Weasley's Alchemy Research Notes Obtained!]

"Very good," Skylar smiled with satisfaction, nodded slightly, and said, "Later, you'll have to work a little harder to pack all those treasures and raw materials together, then make a copy of the research notes and give them all to Dobby to deliver to the Hohenheim Family in Germany— "

"Remember," Skylar instructed earnestly, "It must be Dobby himself, because the Hohenheim Family manor has been enchanted with the Fidelius Charm, and among our House Elf, only Dobby possesses the mark to enter."

"Yes, my master, you've already told me that—" Sarf glanced seductively at Skylar, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said languidly and confidently, "Don't worry, I know what to do."

The Weasley family's materials and treasures were only used in their research and practice of alchemy, and were not of much value to Skylar. However, the Hohenheim Family lost their most important treasure, 100 human puppets, because of Skylar. These things could more or less compensate them and help them make a new batch of human puppets.

Arthur Weasley's alchemy, which can create Muggle cars that are close to being half-living beings, clearly belongs to the same research direction as the Hohenheim Family's "Life Transmutation"—giving them the former's research notes might inspire them and help them break through the bottlenecks they have encountered in their previous research.

"Well, then report on the next matter!" Skylar said noncommittally, picking up his wine glass from the silver tray again, gently swirling it, and only after the ice crystals on the surface of the wine slowly melted did he take a small sip, then gently exhale a puff of white mist.

"Barty Crouch Sr. Crouch has returned from the Hebrides. The negotiations went very smoothly— the MacFusty Clan has agreed to join your ranks, with all clan members at your command. They have also presented the Sleeping Dragon Society with twelve of the largest and fiercest Hebridean Black. These Black Dragon have all been tamed and, with a little training in teamwork, can be paired with the Sleeping Dragon Society's junior wizards for combat."

"Very good." A sharp glint flashed in Skylar's eyes. This was the result he had been waiting for, and it was the trump card he had planned when he established the Sleeping Dragon Society —the "Magical Dragon Rider Corps."

The 12 Black Dragon perfectly matched the 11 leaders of the Sleeping Dragon Society, and if you add yourself, it would be exactly 12.

Under his planning, the leaders of the Sleeping Dragon Society already possessed their own unique skills and heritages. In addition, the Hohenheim Family specially made alchemical bracelets for them, and Skylar personally crafted the Night Charm Robe for them. Their overall strength far exceeded the level that an adult wizard should have. Now, with the added benefit of the Black Dragon mounts, even elite Auror would probably be helpless against them.

"I've already stored these twelve Black Dragon in my Suitcase Space. Once Hogwarts starts, the leaders of the Sleeping Dragon Society you appointed can begin training them in dragon knight combat techniques," Sarf continued her report.

[The "ally" MacFusty Clan has been acquired!]

[Obtained the twelve-headed Hebridean Black!]

"Barty Crouch Sr. did a very good job and deserves the organization's best reward. Where is he now?" Skylar asked.

"He was a complete workaholic. The day after he returned to Great Britain, he made a high-profile announcement of his return at the Ministry of Magic. His explanation for his previous disappearance was that he had been imprisoned by Barty Crouch Jr. Crouch Jr. in a mysterious cave in Eastern Europe. After Barty Crouch Jr.'s death, he escaped because there was no one to guard him. However, due to his weakened physical condition and the loss of his wand, it took him so long to return to Great Britain."

"The Ministry of Magic did not pursue the matter further. With the strong support of Amelia and Yaxley, Mr. Crouch regained his position as Department of International Magical Cooperation. Although there were some minor conflicts with Fudge's faction along the way, the overall situation was not serious."

"It's good that Crouch is reinstated. We don't need to worry about Fudge's influence. His biggest enemy right now is Dumbledore. No matter how much he dislikes others, he can only harbor resentment in his heart. He won't, and dares not, choose this moment to launch an attack," Skylar said with a cold laugh, then asked, "What about the matter of getting Ali Bashir an A-level trading permit, as I instructed before, once Crouch is reinstated?"

"Master, as you know, in the Sleeping Dragon Society, your orders are supreme commands, and we certainly won't overlook this matter—" Sarf's usual frivolous smile vanished, replaced by a rare solemnity as she said, "On the very day Crouch returned to his old office, Ali's trade permit application form had already appeared accurately on his desk."

"That same night, Ali sent us a message saying that he had successfully obtained an A-level trade permit, which would allow him to legally import various controlled Potions ingredients, but..." Sarf frowned slightly, not finishing her sentence.

"But what?"

According to Ali, an A-level trade permit can only resolve legal issues encountered when importing controlled goods, but the supply problem remains—those rare Potions ingredients are always controlled by major powers and are always in short supply in the normal market. He needs to find a seller with a large enough output who is willing to engage in long-term business cooperation with him, but unfortunately, this problem is quite difficult, and he has yet to find one.

"Hmm, I understand," Skylar said thoughtfully. "This isn't his fault. These controlled raw materials are generally produced behind the scenes by the major Europe Ministry of Magic, and are monopolized by many Pure-blood families. It's indeed difficult for Ali, a wizard with an ordinary background and no family connections, to find a breakthrough in this area. Let Ali not worry too much about this for now; leave it to me to figure out a solution."

"Okay, he's still in North America on business. I'll have Winky pass on your instructions to him later," Sarf said.

"Is there anything else?" Skylar gently rubbed his temples, feeling that he had too many things to worry about, even though it was only the second day since he returned from Durmstrang.

"Good news has come from the Medieval European Wizards Association. The alchemical lock on Elder Nicolas Flamel has finally been unlocked, and the contents are indeed the first half of the <Book of Truth>. As you instructed, I have already sent it to the Hohenheim Family to share the results of this research with them—" Sarf paused before continuing, "Then, as you instructed, I requested that the Medieval European Wizards Association, Elder Nott, and the Hohenheim Family join forces to research the magical artificial intelligence you require. Given your current status and influence, they dared not neglect your request, and this grand joint research began that very day."

"Alright, I understand. Tomorrow, go to Gringotts for me and transfer 1,000 Galleon to Silver Spear in my name as a reward for their efforts in the battle of Valley of Giants and their assistance in the Giant's relocation... Then, transfer 500 Galleon each to the Nott Family and Gulana as a deposit for their research on magical artificial intelligence."

The deal with Silver Spear was agreed upon back in Valley of Giants, Skylar wouldn't renege on it.

As for the Nott Family and Gulana, Skylar simply didn't want to take advantage of them. The research on the alchemical lock was one thing, since the material belonged to Skylar, and the final Book of Truth was shared by all three parties, so it wasn't fair to say who benefited from whom. But the research on magical artificial intelligence couldn't be calculated that way; those two factions were doing it purely for the sake of their alliance with Skylar.

"Yes, the Hohenheim Family doesn't need it?" Sarf asked.

"No need," Skylar said. "I'm already engaged to Eleanor and am considered one of the heads of the Hohenheim Family. There's no need to be so calculating with them."

"Understood. There's nothing else to report. I'll go find Dobby and Winky now." Sarf reluctantly climbed out of Skylar's arms and straightened her slightly disheveled clothes.

"Don't rush, I have something else for you to do," Skylar said.

His gaze shifted between Sarf and Savannah before he slowly spoke, "Savannah, from today onwards, you will be temporarily housed in Ella Cottage."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Sarf will help you familiarize yourself with everything here. At the same time—you should also familiarize yourself with the interpersonal networks of the various factions under my command, so that you can better assist me in the future."

Savannah stood up, bowed slightly, her gaze calm and focused, and accepted Skylar's order without complaint. Her posture was ramrod straight, like that of a true tactical commander, her eyes reflecting a calm contemplation of the new responsibilities she was about to shoulder.

Skylar's lips curled into a slight smile. "Besides, I have some combatants under my command who are perfect for you to train."

He casually raised his hand, his fingertips flicking slightly, and a wave of magical energy spread out, seemingly darkening the atmosphere in the hall. "The forty-three Inferius that Sarf previously created from the corpses of the House of Avery members will now be entirely under your tactical training."

Savannah nodded slightly, a hint of excitement flashing deep in her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edges of her palms. Ever since she witnessed Skylar's strength and power firsthand, she clearly understood what kind of being her new master was, and it ignited the desire deep within her heart to serve Skylar.

Her magical style differed from that of ordinary wizards; spells, defensive magic, and even Dark Arts were not suitable for her. What she truly excelled at was manipulating inanimate objects in battle. In Termstrong, all Karkaroff could provide her with were some simple alchemical golems.

The purpose of creating those alchemical golems was actually to serve as targets for young wizards to learn magic. More advanced alchemical golems, such as the two skeleton models that Skylar used in his third year, were more suitable for young wizards to use as practice partners in combat because they could be controlled by the Animation Charm. However, the combat power and sturdiness of these golems were ultimately limited, and they were not suitable as pawns on the battlefield.

However, the Inferius are different.

The Inferius possess immense strength and are impervious to physical attacks. Even after being decapitated, they can still fight fiercely. The only pity is that because the process of creating Inferius is too cruel, Inferius use is strictly prohibited in any country.

The Inferius were her ideal pawns, and now, this force will be entirely under her command, allowing her to experiment with various formations and tactics.

Knowing that her talents would finally have a chance to be put to use, Savannah's cold face broke into a bright smile. She knelt before Skylar, lowered her head to kiss the back of his Skylar, and said in a firm tone, "Savannah thanks Master for his trust and reward. I will certainly do my best to train and master these pieces until they are as easy to use as my own limbs, and live up to Master's expectations."

Skylar turned to Sarf, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"As for you, Sarf —I know you don't have much material left." His voice carried a hint of mockery, as if he could see through Sarf's dark pupils to the deepest desires in her heart. "The corpses of those Giants are yours now. Don't waste those strong bones and muscles; turn them into new Inferius!"

Sarf's eyes suddenly lit up, and a smile that was almost bewitching curved her lips. "Yes, Master." Her voice was soft, like a murmur, but the madness hidden beneath her gentle tone was enough to send chills down the spine of any timid wizard.