So, among them, there are quite a few talented potion masters.
There are even a few alchemists.
Upon hearing that after joining the Starry Sky Circus, they could receive free monthly Wolf Poison Potions and basic living support, those werewolves, who were ostracized to varying degrees due to their lycanthropy, naturally flocked in like Old Eight sniffing out poop.
"Yes, sir, we currently have a total of... 563 registered werewolves."
As they walked into the brightly lit camp of the Starry Sky Circus, surrounded by stalls resembling market booths like a Muggle's Easter Market, William even spotted branches of Honeydukes, Zonko's Joke Shop, and Olivander's Wand Shop.
Hmm... isn't it missing a Gringotts?
William rubbed his chin, considering the feasibility of bringing back a few goblins to open a bank.
Behind this mini "Diagon Alley" were several preparatory projects that he was very familiar with.
Mundungus continued his report, and looking at the dazzling array of amusement park projects around, William couldn't help but nod. That's right, if you only have the same old circus acts unless you plan on caging the British Minister of Magic for people to gawk at tomorrow, it will inevitably get boring.
The reason the poachers' circus started to decline was the same; everyone was doing the same old tricks, nothing attractive anymore.
So, of course, they must learn from excellent advanced technologies, like Muggle amusement parks, with Ferris wheels, roller coasters, flying elephants, and the like. Adding a bit of wizard elements and it's not too hard to achieve with magic. The only issue is the labor resources needed for maintenance, but they...
The one thing they don't lack is labor.
"... aside from the werewolves, there are about 788 regular wizards."
These are all paid and not excessively prejudiced against werewolves. Many are even werewolf family members—yes, although lycanthropy is hereditary, it is not a certainty, and many family members can be ancestors, so William now has a surplus population.
"So over there is the 'industrial area' and the circus area."
Mundungus led William to the top of a magical Ferris wheel, pointing to a separately delineated area of tents that comprised the original makeup of the circus. Added to this were an Acromantula ranch, Erumpent pasture, and Bird Snake breeding ground...
And more, these magical creatures are all of high value, like Acromantula venom and Bird Snake silver eggshells.
Looking at the brightly lit camp... no, park below, William nodded appreciatively. It seems Mundungus, besides being sly and sneaky as Lupin described, can indeed accomplish a lot with a strong enough motivator, and William is precisely the person to serve that role.
Then, it seems he doesn't need to fleece the Malfoy Family to support the circus.
Hmm...
William rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment.
Alright, then fleece the Malfoy Family to fund his private vault instead.
Yes, decision happily made.
Touring the fully equipped amusement park area, William nodded in satisfaction. As wizards, they don't need much portability; as long as the labor costs are sufficient, they can pack everything and move it back to the United Kingdom. In fact, that's what the Starry Sky Circus did a while ago.
Why William didn't prevent their original European tour plan, although the essential purpose differed, ultimately achieved the effect William desired.
"Very well, keep amassing troops this way, and when the time is right, strike at Old Bee's base."
Sitting in the largest office of the central tent, William gently stroked the pretty kitty in his arms, his tone calm.
"Yes!"
Though understanding only half, Mundungus replied energetically.
"Then, what about the other matter?"
William nodded, rubbing his brow and changing the subject.
"I've already sent someone to investigate. There's a situation, but he didn't dare approach."
Mundungus quickly spread out a pre-prepared map on the blackboard behind him—a map of the Olympus Mountains, with the highest peak, Mitikas Peak, circled in red—and pointed to this spot while continuing to introduce William to the details.
"Alright, I'll personally go."
William nodded, putting down the kitty in his arms. He initially thought the Seik Crystal was related to Ancient Egyptian mythology, but didn't expect that Hermione... and his first clue pointed directly to the other end of the Mediterranean, Greek mythology, a mythological narrative quite unrelated to Africa.
Perhaps... William had a hypothesis; if time permitted, he might visit Northern Europe too?
The conversation paused, and as Mundungus took his leave, the tightly closed door was pushed open from outside. A messenger dressed like a generic NPC walked in, slightly bowing to Mundungus, saying, "Boss, we've found clues about that big fellow."
Wow, he actually has dialogue.
William frowned, "What big fellow?"
"... Sir, it's a big dog."
Looking at William seated in the main chair, this NPC didn't act out the usual "Who are you? Why should I tell you?" followed by Mundungus saying, "This is our real boss, you're fired," clichés but instead obediently explained the situation.
After hearing the man's introduction, William couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, glancing down at the Niffler hugging his side while counting his treasures, he scooped it up, golden wings bursting from his back. With a low rumble of thunder, William's figure broke through the tent ceiling, disappearing into the night sky.
"You all don't need to come, I'll handle that fellow..."
"Is it an a-an-an... angel?"
The third line of the NPC held unparalleled shock, staring at the disappearing giant bird... no, birdman, feeling his jaw slightly dislocated.
"I don't know either."
Mundungus was silent for a moment, then shook his head, bewildered. After a long silence, he finally spoke again, "Go, find a couple of craftsmen to patch the tent top."
...
...
Admiring the golden wings unfurled behind him, listening to the wind and thunder around his ears, William nodded in a good mood.
Indeed, thanks to Ancient Magic, his Animagus is entirely different from the norm. The almost untouchable taboo for all Animagus owners—Half-Animagus transformation is simple for him.
He can control himself to grow only a pair of wings, or a tail, or claws.
He can even transform just a bird's head. Now, he's a true birdman, each structure of the Thunderbird body reflecting on him, what he transformed was precisely the second pair of wings alongside the Thunderbird, manifested from his sixth pair of ribs.
Of course, it's not that he doesn't want to transform the biggest pair; it's just that those wings correspond to his arms.
Watching the lush forest below, William slowly descended, flapping his wings to maintain his position on the treetops, following the route provided by the NPC, searching bit by bit. Blue glimmers brewed in his eyes, and soon, he found his target.
New Pokémon Dex—
...
"Woof woo woo..."
Seeing the Three-Headed Dog wagging its tail for food in front of him, William couldn't help but grin—what a big guy, indeed a rare creature. Though he had heard of Greece's biological diversity, it lived up to its reputation. They even had a Three-Headed Dog, and a fully grown one at that.
"Great, now I should give you a name—"
William eyed the pure black Three-Headed Dog, which he had shrunk down to his calf's size, pondering for a moment. Meanwhile, Kabuda perched on his shoulder, wearing a schadenfreude expression, "Chirp~" With his master's naming skills, it'd likely end up being something like Fluffy or Blackie...
"I'll call you... Koldovstoretz then."
"Woof woof!"
"Chirp?"
Kabuda's eyes widened, staring at William incredulously, not even noticing the glowing rock falling from its grasp.
Does this even match the style?
"But you have three heads... hmm, let's come up with some nicknames, Big Fluffy, Second Furry, and Xiaoming."
"Chirp..."
Good, though he doesn't know why the leftmost head wasn't named Fluffy Three, instead Xiaoming, it ultimately matched the flavor William was known for. Kabuda secretly breathed a sigh of relief; surely the whole Koldov-whatever was an exception.