Strictly speaking, the hailstorm that Link had conjured should be considered an ultra–low temperature freezing rain formed entirely of magic.
As for those massive hailstones, Link never actually expected them to cause much direct damage to the enemy, they were nothing more than by-products brought about by the extreme cold.
But since even the by-products had reached such a level, the true power of this freezing rain naturally could not be underestimated.
The elite Death Eaters charging through the hailstorm slowed drastically within moments under the influence of the cold. And this was despite the fact that they had already cast warming and waterproofing charms.
But slowing them down was only the first step in Link's tactics.
Rumble!
A thick purple bolt of lightning streaked across the rolling storm clouds, casting a violet sheen across the ground.
The elite Death Eaters struggling forward in the freezing rain were shocked at the sight. Even wizards of their level could not help but feel fear when confronted with the might of heaven and earth, this was an instinct etched into humanity's very DNA.
Yet what truly made them uneasy was that after the thunder, Link, standing atop the sheet of ice, grinned wickedly and once again swung his wand.
"Die!"
BOOM!
Thunder roared again. But this time, the lightning was not content to just dance among the clouds. Following the arc of Link's wand, it came crashing down mercilessly upon a squad of Death Eaters.
With a blinding flash of white, the poor group was vaporized in an instant, leaving not even the faintest trace behind.
This scene made the surrounding squads tense up, and even far-off Pettigrew Peter gaped in shock. Only Voldemort and the armored Death Eater remained relatively calm.
They both knew perfectly well that Link had not fully mastered the primal force of lightning. An attack of that scale required too many conditions to be met, it was impossible for him to release it continuously.
And indeed, this was the case.
After obliterating one squad with lightning, Link shifted tactics, apparating down personally to engage the remaining Death Eaters in close combat.
As the caster, Link was unaffected by his own hailstorm.
This gave him a tremendous speed advantage, allowing him to play hit-and-run, stringing his enemies along like kites on a line.
He darted about, firing off Exploding Hexes and Disarming Charms, occasionally even slipping in one or two sickly green Killing Curses.
Of course, he also made sure to weave invisible Blades of Air and Human Body Explosion spells into his barrage.
In truth, these unseen, intangible, high-powered curses were Link's real killing moves. The rest were mere feints.
But compared to the previous wave of Death Eaters, this group's combat ability was far superior.
They fought like a well-trained army. Whenever a squad was attacked, they didn't even need to speak, one member would immediately step up to intercept and defend, while the others coordinated with covering fire and counterattacks.
Link's insidious curses and tricky tactics still claimed victims, killing some on the spot. But overall, he failed to inflict serious losses.
Instead, Link himself was left flustered under their organized counterfire, repeatedly struck by spells and forced to rely on Shield Charms and the Bat-Bogey Hex for protection.
Worse still, as time passed, the seemingly scattered squads of Death Eaters gradually maneuvered into a coordinated encirclement, aiming to trap Link within.
Link sensed it keenly, but there was nothing he could do.
The moment the encirclement closed, the Death Eaters stopped attacking in unison, raised their wands, and chanted, "Barrier of Ronios!"
Several golden walls of light shot up, converging overhead and forming a half-dome that sealed Link inside.
Then, step by step, the Death Eaters advanced methodically, using the golden barrier to compress Link's space.
Link resisted fiercely, even going so far as to burn through his magic to summon another massive Swordstorm.
But it was all useless.
No matter how strong the attack, when it struck the golden barrier, it dissolved into nothing.
"Tch!"
Link clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, tilting his head back.
Through his Super-Sensory Charm, he could clearly see the spatial coordinates on his body still transmitting signals nonstop. So why hadn't the reinforcements stationed outside Hogwarts arrived yet?
Link hesitated.
His situation was now at its most dangerous critical point. If reinforcements didn't come soon, he would have to consider retreat.
That wasn't difficult for him, he carried a special Portkey embedded with phoenix feathers. It triggered almost instantly, and its space-piercing ability was extremely strong.
Unless it ran into the kind of permanent ancient wards set by the Department of Mysteries, no one in this world could truly stop him.
He wasn't too worried about Snape or Harry either.
The former, Link could tell Voldemort had no intention of killing anymore.
As for the latter, Snape would protect Harry.
Thinking this, Link already reached for the Portkey.
The barrier was shrinking steadily; if he didn't leave now, he really would be captured alive.
But just then, a thin crack split open in the air beside him.
Link raised an eyebrow and looked toward the sound. The crack widened, forming into an irregular spatial gateway, out of which stepped a dozen robed wizards, their faces hidden beneath their hoods.
"Young master, we're here to help you."
The tallest wizard in front raised a dragon-tooth pendant and spoke to Link.
The rest quickly formed a protective circle around him.
It was obvious, these were the German reinforcements Mrs. Flamel had secured.
What shocked Link was that they had arrived even faster than his own family's beast-hunters.
Seeing Link's expression, the tall wizard seemed to misunderstand and explained gently, "We could have been even faster. But the area here has been sealed with Anti-Disapparition Jinxes, which delayed us."
At that, Link finally understood.
So Voldemort was the true old schemer, not only deploying so many men, but also laying down anti-apparition wards.
Such wards were extremely difficult and time-consuming to establish.
Taking a deep breath, Link nodded.
"This isn't your fault. All right, let's focus on business."
The tall wizard nodded back, raising his wand and joining the protective circle.
———
Meanwhile, the Death Eaters outside also noticed the change and hastened to push the barrier inward, hoping to capture Link and his unexpected allies together.
But compared to Link, these veteran wizards clearly had far more experience dealing with such wards.
To Link's astonishment, they chanted unknown incantations and stabbed their wands into the charred ground.
Immediately, cracks spread open, releasing a radiant silver light that spread rapidly, linking into a circle and enclosing everyone within.
Then, a shocking scene unfolded.
The golden barrier, impervious to all of Link's attacks, shattered into sparkling light-rain the instant it touched the silver circle, dispersing harmlessly into the storm.
"We used 'All-Curse's End', a high-level black defense magic derived from Finite Incantatem," the tall wizard explained softly when he saw Link staring.
"Though its casting is cumbersome, it can break, suppress, and terminate most spells. It can also designate a protected zone."
Link's eyes lit up, nodding repeatedly.
Though the wizard described it modestly as "derived," Link could tell, this "All-Curse's End" was definitely one of the most advanced black defense magics. Its effectiveness was extraordinary, and its difficulty to cast must also be terrifyingly high.
This gave Link a whole new appreciation of his "reinforcements."
He had thought Mrs. Flamel's allies would be unimpressive, perhaps just a bunch of useless hangers-on.
But judging from this, it seemed his family in Germany still had some real foundations after all!
———
While Link spoke with the tall wizard, the Death Eaters outside could no longer restrain themselves and launched another assault.
They clearly recognized "All-Curse's End," and so their spells arced in parabolas, trying to bypass the silver shell.
But the dozen black-robed wizards showed their strength again.
Though their protective wall looked thin, it was unyielding. Any spell flung at them was deflected or blocked with strange techniques that left Link dumbfounded. Sometimes they even had enough energy to counterattack swiftly and fiercely.
Of course, against the disciplined, army-like Death Eaters, the damage they inflicted was limited. But they held the line, stalemating the enemy.
And even that stalemate didn't last long.
Because another wave of Link's reinforcements had arrived, his family's magical beast hunters.
Unlike the German veterans, the beast hunters had no dignity at all.
As soon as they squeezed out of the small portal, their leader dropped to one knee before Link with a thud,
"Forgive us, young master! We're late!"
His body trembled as he spoke, looking utterly terrified.
No wonder, the lives of these beast hunters and their families were entirely bound to the Flamel family. In other words, one word from Link could doom them all.
And they really had taken too long. Though the main reason was Voldemort's Anti-Apparition wards, the Flamel family never cared about excuses, only results.
From the fact that Link had nearly been captured alive, this squad leader feared Link might literally tear them apart.
And he wasn't wrong. The Link who had been soft-spoken with the German wizard just moments ago now turned, face dark as thunder, and snarled at his own hunters, "You've utterly disgraced me! I'll deal with you later! For now, get out there and hold the line!"
At this, the hunters, including their leader, let out a breath of relief.
Though they hadn't spent much time with Link, as subordinates they understood his temperament well.
If Link was scolding them now, it meant punishment later wouldn't be too severe. But if he had instead spoken gently to them… then they'd be finished.
Overjoyed, they still kept up appearances, nodding fearfully before rushing to the outer ring to join the fight.
Unlike either the Death Eaters or the Germans, the Flamel hunters fought in a completely different way.
Magic spells weren't their main weapons. As soon as they arrived, they pulled all sorts of crossbows and gaudy long-range weapons from their enchanted bags.
Some even dumped piles of parts on the ground, quickly assembling heavy ballistae that soon stood bristling around Link.
These were their standard tools for hunting massive magical beasts, powered by wizards and wands but firing pure magic bolts, devastatingly lethal, often laced with lightning, fire, poison, explosions, and more.
As soon as the ballistae were set up, the tide of battle shifted again.
Even the most disciplined Death Eaters faltered under such overwhelming firepower, forced into retreat after retreat.
Seeing this, Link finally felt his foul mood ease a little.
The squad leader, seizing the chance, sidled up obsequiously, "Young master, this is only our first wave of support. Steward Krell is still outside, bringing the rest. They should arrive soon."
Link didn't answer, just nodded. But clearly, his spirits had improved.
———
Voldemort, however, was far less pleased.
Watching the battle suddenly turn, his feelings were complex.
On one hand, he thought, those disobedient Death Eaters, their deaths were meaningless.
On the other, he couldn't help but feel regret.
Taking a deep breath, he finally turned his gaze toward Pettigrew Peter.
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