On the high-altitude platform at the center of Merlin City, a location usually sealed off except for sacred rituals in the past, the mood was unusually tense. This was no ordinary meeting ground—this elevated pillar was the foundation for Merlin City's Phase II Floating City, a structure of both futuristic ambition and enormous political weight.
Today, however, it had become a platform for reckoning.
Earl Dantes stood atop his massive Black Dragon, refusing to dismount, the posture clearly broadcasting: Keep your distance.
The reason for choosing this location was simple—the Black Dragon was massive, and only a space this vast could accommodate it safely. No other part of Merlin City could bear the creature's weight or wingspan.
Soon, the city's most powerful and influential individuals arrived—those who had once fiercely competed for the right to oversee the city's defense. But now, none of them looked proud. Heads downcast, shoulders hunched, they had lost their swagger. Not one dared to look up at the Earl. The only reason they had come was the desperate hope that Earl Dantes might help them recover their now-lost fortunes.
"Everyone's here," the Earl said flatly, still perched on his dragon.
"I handed Merlin City over to you for management, and this is what you've done with it?"
His tone was ice cold, a stark contrast to the affable demeanor he had once shown. The rage in his voice sent shivers down every spine.
Someone among the group stammered, "One of our own betrayed us… no one could have predicted—"
Crack!
The Earl raised a finger, and a flash of lightning burst forth. It struck the speaker, who collapsed, convulsing on the floor.
"Excuses!" the Earl bellowed.
"These are just pitiful excuses for your incompetence! Don't you understand why your men betrayed you for such a measly gain?"
The representatives looked at the twitching body in horror, none daring to speak again.
"Because of your blind ignorance and gross negligence," the Earl continued, "five billion Galleons were stolen from the vaults of the Merlin City Central Bank. I demand an explanation."
They exchanged panicked glances. It was Lucius Malfoy who finally stepped forward, his voice cautious but hopeful, relying on his perceived closeness to the Earl.
"Earl, couldn't the Gerebato magic crystal and the Galleons stolen from each family… still be recovered?"
"Recovered?" The Earl let out a bitter laugh.
"When I arrived, there were only foreign wizards in red robes from the Fire Serpent Party looting the city. The local black-robed wizards had already evacuated! What was I supposed to pursue them with? My fingernails?"
His voice rose with fury.
"They planted magical plants around the city—enhanced species—just to slow me and the other reinforcements down! If Mr. Barty Crouch hadn't risked punishment to help my attendant unlock the Ministry of Magic's emergency passage, I'd still be outside deciphering the defensive array!"
At that moment, more than half the representatives collapsed from shock. Even Ollivander Avery fell to his knees.
It was over. Completely and utterly over.
"Earl Dantes!" one cried, "What about the Merlin City Phase II project?"
The Earl turned cold eyes toward the speaker. "What about it?"
"Do you have a Gerebato crystal? Do you still have Galleons to hire me to engrave protective arrays? Without those, what floating city are you building?"
Silence. Deafening silence.
The Earl's gaze swept across the platform. "Now, the families responsible for Merlin City's defense must consider how to compensate me—and how to repay the residents who lost everything during this catastrophe. And if I am not satisfied…"
He gently tapped his dragon's back. The enormous wings stretched wide.
"…I don't mind flying to your hometowns to collect my debts—personally."
The wind from Big Butt's wings forced those closest to retreat several paces, nearly knocked over by the gust.
"I'm retaking control of the city's defense. I must've been mad to think any of you could safeguard Merlin City."
As the dragon rose into the sky, Old Avery pushed through the crowd despite the wind, desperation in his eyes.
"Earl Dantes! We are old friends! Help me! If you don't help me, I'm finished!"
But the Earl's voice floated down from above, already fading into the distance.
"Olymbos, come see me at my castle later."
The Black Dragon disappeared into the clouds.
A frigid wind swept across the platform, mirroring the frozen expressions of the gathered lords and traders.
What now?
If the loss were merely personal investments, they might survive—given a hundred years or so. But no. Every Galleon they had used came from bond sales—meaning they were in debt, and worse, they now also owed five billion Galleons stolen during the chaos.
It was financial annihilation.
"The Ewoyn family!" someone suddenly exclaimed. "Young Master Ewoyn! He hasn't paid for Phase II yet. We could ask for an advance!"
"Yes! If we can get just ten billion Galleons, we can ask the Earl to find another magic crystal and engrave the protective array. He won't refuse us with interest promised!"
"Exactly! Once Phase II is built, and the Eastern wizarding families arrive, we'll easily pay off the Earl's five billion!"
"Quick! Go find Young Master Ewoyn!"
Ignoring the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, Old Avery ran toward the teleportation portal.
"I'll get him!"
Just as he reached it, someone teleported in—a young man from the Italian Uridin family, always the first to catch wind of disaster.
"Bad news!"
He shouted, "Young Master Ewoyn has already left the city with his guards!"
"What?! Where?!"
"To the Ministry of Magic."
"Is he… leaving Britain?"
"Don't let him go! Send people to intercept him!"
But by the time they reached the Ministry, the news had arrived:
Mr. Ewoyn had returned to the East.
Hebrides – Dentis Castle, Colonsay Island
In the courtyard, Earl Dantes smiled as the Ewoyn family's guards stepped out one by one from the Spandim Gate.
"Boss," said Ewoyn humbly, "We've tricked all those nobles. What now? Should we go conquer the European and American wizarding worlds? Their wealth is ours. We could sweep through effortlessly! Then, Boss, you'll become the most powerful wizard alive!"
The Earl rolled his eyes. "We will focus on Britain. Our people deserve good lives. As for the rest of the world, let others deal with that. Never forget: Greed clouds judgment. Greed destroys nations."
"I understand, Boss."
Ewoyn didn't truly care for conquest. If the Earl wanted Britain, he would help take it. If the Earl wanted the world, he'd try for that too. His current life was already unimaginably better than before.
Still, Ewoyn's enthusiasm raised a flag for the Earl. Others in the Fire Serpent Party might share the same ambitions. Ideological training would be necessary. Perhaps even a rectification campaign.
As he pondered, an attendant arrived.
"Earl Dantes, Ollivander Avery is here. Shall I escort him to the reception room?"
The Earl smiled.
"No need. Just bring him to the first-floor hall. This won't take long."
Minutes later, First-Floor Hall
"Earl Dantes, you must help me!"
Old Avery looked like a man pleading for his life, tears streaming without shame.
"If you don't, my family is finished!"
The Earl tilted his head.
"Is your ruin my responsibility? Did I force you to oppose me? When you stood with those noble families and tried to pressure me, did you not realize the consequences?"
"I was forced!" Avery wailed. "Please! Just this once! Haven't I always followed your lead before?"
The Earl sighed.
"Olymbos, I don't want to abandon you. But my bank was just robbed. There's going to be a run on deposits—panic everywhere. I need every Galleon ready for the crisis. I can't help with your bonds right now."
Old Avery paled as though aged a decade in an instant.
But then the Earl spoke again:
"However, I have a suggestion you may like."
Avery's eyes lit up. "A solution?"
The Earl nodded.
"Sell your properties. I'll buy them at market price. Then take the money and leave Britain. Start fresh—find your grandson Gai Avery, wasn't it? I heard he's overseas."
"But… I haven't heard from him lately. I told him the Ministry declared him innocent, but he wrote back saying he wouldn't return. Since then, nothing."
"Then search for him once you're abroad," the Earl said. "Use the funds to ensure your family survives. A few decades later, return if you want. Your creditors will be gone."
Avery blinked. The words made sense. So much sense.
"Yes… Yes! Why should I care about the rest of them? Gai is my blood. He's the only one who matters!"
He looked up, eyes burning with new life.
"Earl Dantes! I agree. Let's sell the property. When can we finalize the deal?"
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