Traitor

Of the people here, only a few could be considered decent. Sagreles had dealt with them the most. As for the others... either everything they knew was something Sagreles knew as well, or there was simply no need to deal with them.

The atmosphere was somewhat stiff. In the end, "Albatross" stepped forward to ease the tension and calm the attendees.

The old man then methodically arranged seats for the newcomers and guided everyone back to the main topic of exchanging information.

The matter was simple enough. Not long ago, the curse-breaker "Swift" had discovered a hidden magical ruin. After a preliminary investigation, he was certain it was the resting place of a bishop of the Holy See from the eleventh century.

According to the records he had consulted, the tomb contained many precious magical creations. However, the layers upon layers of highly sensitive magical traps had made him hesitate. In the end, Swift returned to Bronze Feather to seek his companions' help.

Everyone was very interested in the commission, but Sagreles was not. He had entered those ruins during his travels, and there was actually nothing of much value inside. Naturally, he had no intention of telling them that.

The next few commissions also concerned the search for rare items and materials, and discussion rose and fell throughout the room. Sagreles moved to sit beside Lady Snow Owl, and the two began speaking in low voices.

"Probably extends one's life by five years?" he said uncertainly. "I'm not sure, but I heard the first dose works best."

As he spoke, he took a small vial from his robes and handed it to Lady Snow Owl.

She accepted the potion bottle and examined it carefully. The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and she nodded in satisfaction before taking an exquisite hourglass from her handbag and handing it to Sagreles.

"Let me make this clear first, this thing can't be used directly..." Lady Snow Owl reminded him again. "It's already damaged."

Although she had stated it in her letter beforehand, professional ethics compelled her to emphasize it again.

"Understood." Sagreles nodded.

He put away the hourglass, then reminded her, "You'd better drink that as soon as possible. Otherwise, it might bring you trouble."

If Voldemort learned that she possessed such a thing, he would certainly do everything in his power to take it from her, even if this small vial of potion was but a drop in the bucket to him.

Lady Snow Owl stared fixedly at the crystal vial in her hand and nodded distractedly...

Meanwhile, the Goblin craftsman who had been speaking with someone else suddenly froze. He turned his head, greed flashing in his swollen eyes as he stared fixedly at the small vial in Lady Snow Owl's hand.

He was a well-traveled and knowledgeable Goblin, but he was also very old.

The instant the transaction was completed, the windows on both sides of the hall suddenly exploded. Shards of flying glass shot toward everyone like arrows.

The Goblin craftsman's expression changed drastically. He abruptly flipped the table over, his voice filled with accusation. "You brought a tail here, Professor?"

Sagreles glanced sideways at him and said disdainfully, "Do I need to work with others to deal with something like you?"

The moment he finished speaking, Aurors from the Ministry of Magic descended from above. Their roars were deafening as Thunderbird immediately shattered the chandelier with a spell, plunging the hall into darkness.

Several Lumos spells lit up almost at once, illuminating everyone's panicked faces. Amid the chaos, the short Goblin finally failed to suppress the greed in his heart and fired a sharp Cutting Curse at Lady Snow Owl's retreating back.

He intended to seize the Elixir of Immortality.

Sagreles waved his wand, and a heavy magical barrier appeared out of thin air, blocking the fatal blow for Snowy Owl.

At the same time, a subtle ripple flashed past like lightning. The Goblin's raised arm fell to the floor with a thud.

"Save it, Grock." Sagreles stepped on the Goblin's severed wrist as he calmly waved his wand, stuffing the other man's shrill screams back down his throat.

"I suggest you save your strength. Otherwise, you won't even be able to scream later!"

He then turned and swept his gaze over the chaotic hall before decisively snapping his fingers.

In an instant, gravity throughout the entire space reversed. Everyone was pulled by an invisible force and hurled violently toward the dome, unable to move.

The dazzling spell lights vanished, and darkness fell once more.

With a light flick of his wand, the seventeen members of Bronze Feather were drawn rapidly toward him as though pulled by ropes.

—Whether they wanted to or not, they were all swept into this sudden spatial transfer.

After a violent surge of magical power, every member of Bronze Feather vanished, leaving only a group of Aurors falling from the ceiling in the hall.

Inside France, at the Safe House.

Eighteen figures appeared out of thin air, instantly cramming the already small room full.

"There's a traitor among us!"

Sagreles announced it expressionlessly.

A grim atmosphere spread through the air.

With a casual Undetectable Extension Charm, Sagreles immediately expanded the Safe House several times over, and it was no longer crowded.

He then waved his wand again, and a Spatial Anchoring spell directly extinguished all possibility of Apparition.

No one spoke. All seventeen stood there, their expressions uncertain as they watched the Goblin lying on the ground, struggling constantly without making a sound.

Although the scene in the hall had been chaotic, everyone had witnessed what he had done with their own eyes.

"Interesting..." Sagreles toyed with his wand, looking at everyone with a half-smile. "Then until the truth is uncovered, no one is allowed to leave!"

This was far more interesting than exchanging information or anything like that.

"Why?" Shrike, the dark wizard, wore a gloomy expression. "Since when was it your turn to give orders in Bronze Feather?"

Falcon and Pelican also nodded instinctively. It seemed Sagreles's label as a dark wizard had inexplicably united them.

However—

"Why?" Sagreles smiled at him, somewhat surprised that he would ask such a stupid question.

A scarlet flash of spell light flickered and vanished. Shrike, who had been standing there one second before, became a puddle of flesh and blood the next, splattering heavily across the wall.

Everyone shuddered in unison. Even Glock, who had been silently screaming on the ground, wisely shut his mouth and allowed beads of sweat to slide from his forehead into his eyes.

"Have you gotten one thing wrong?" Sagreles said expressionlessly. "I'm not asking you. I'm informing you!"

He stared coldly at the others, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to thoroughly purge Bronze Feather from within. Just like the recently deceased Shrike, he practically hoped someone would object, afraid they would fail to reveal their true colors.