---
Chapter 420: Old and Useless!!
It was as if Darren didn't understand their true intentions at all.
He stared at them anxiously and pleaded loudly,
"Let him go! He's old and useless—take me instead!"
At the same time, he quietly cast a spell to wake Amos Diggory.
The moment Diggory regained consciousness, he clearly heard Darren calling him "old and useless."
His blood pressure almost exploded.
Grinding his teeth, he cursed back,
"You little brat—what nonsense are you talking about? You're the useless one—"
Before he could finish—
A burst of curses from the Death Eaters slammed into him.
Diggory collapsed again.
Unconscious.
However, his words had already been heard by the newly arrived Ministry officials.
And among the crowd—
Rita Skeeter had arrived.
Her eyes glittered wildly.
The magic quill in her hand wrote at insane speed.
At the same time—
Cedric Diggory arrived.
The moment he saw his father bound and bleeding, his face turned deathly pale.
When he looked at Darren—
His eyes were full of desperation.
Because he was afraid.
Afraid Darren might truly give up on saving his father after what Diggory had just said.
Everyone there knew one thing clearly:
No one else on the field could suppress so many Death Eaters.
Only Darren.
If Darren chose to abandon his father—
No one could force Darren to save him.
And Cedric also knew…
That everything tonight was the result of his father's arrogance.
Diggory had been the one to question Darren's authority.
The one who lectured him.
The one who interfered instead of cooperating.
Even Cedric himself did not think Darren had done anything wrong.
Now…
He was terrified that the Ministry would choose to abandon his father.
After all—
How could they trade dozens of dangerous Death Eaters for a single minor official?
Especially one who had offended Darren himself.
Cedric's eyes went red.
He looked at Darren helplessly.
Darren met his gaze.
And nodded slightly.
Reassurance.
Then Darren turned back toward the Death Eaters, tightened his lips, and declared:
"Release Mr. Diggory.
You name the price."
Then he turned toward Fudge.
His voice was firm.
"Minister Fudge, I want to save Mr. Diggory.
No matter what his mistakes were—life is life.
I will not allow him to die here.
If they escape because of this…
I will take full responsibility."
[Ding, Father Value +70]
[Ding, Father Value +50]
[Ding, Father Value +90]
[Ding…]
The Father Value surged.
Darren was satisfied.
But Fudge's face darkened.
From the start, he had been delighted to see Darren bringing down so many Death Eaters.
With a bit of exaggeration, he could even claim it had all happened under his brilliant leadership.
But now—
Because of Amos Diggory…
He might have to let them go.
Which meant…
Zero credit.
And dangerous consequences.
Fudge's hatred toward Diggory almost overflowed.
He wished Diggory would just die already.
That way Darren would lose control and wipe all of them out.
However—
Ignoring Darren was not an option.
Ever since Darren had received that key, Fudge now treated him like a higher authority than Dumbledore.
Offending Darren meant risking far more than political humiliation.
So Fudge could only force a smile and raise his voice.
"Everyone…
Follow Darren's instructions.
The Ministry of Magic will never abandon one of its own."
At the very least…
He had to earn goodwill.
Darren smiled gently.
Then he looked back at the Death Eaters.
"What do you want?
As long as you release Mr. Diggory…
I will give you anything."
The Death Eaters laughed strangely.
"Anything?"
"Then throw away your wand."
"And come with us as our hostage."
Gasps erupted around the field.
"No!"
"Darren, don't!"
Harry ran forward, his eyes burning red.
Hermione screamed through tears,
"So many Aurors, so many grown wizards—
And you want a fourteen-year-old to take responsibility?!
You should be ashamed of yourselves!"
"Darren, get back here!"
Mr. Weasley roared.
"Leave this to the Aurors!"
The shouting infuriated the Death Eaters.
They turned their wands on Diggory.
Cruciatus Curse.
Again.
And again.
Diggory screamed in agony.
His body convulsed.
Darren's face turned cold.
Then pale.
Slowly—
He raised his wand.
The Death Eaters instantly went on high alert.
They thought he was about to attack.
Instead—
He threw it.
His wand hit the ground far away.
"I won't resist.
Stop torturing him.
I'll go with you."
He turned.
Looked at Harry.
His eyes were red…
But he was still smiling.
"Brother…
If I don't come back…
Forget you ever had another brother.
Okay?"
"Shut up, Darren!!
You're not allowed to go!
You're not allowed to go!!"
Harry collapsed.
Darren turned away.
And looked at Mr. Weasley.
"I'm sorry, sir.
Please take my brother away.
I might…
Still come back."
He forced a smile.
Then he looked at Ginny and Hermione.
"Don't be afraid.
Maybe I've always been 'blessed by fate.'
And if this really is my destiny…
Then don't cry for me."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
The Father Value skyrocketed.
Darren almost burst out laughing inside.
Then—
He walked forward.
Straight toward the Death Eaters.
They raised their wands.
Darren said coldly,
"Release Mr. Diggory.
Or I'll kill you all even without a wand."
"Let him go."
A muffled voice ordered.
The Death Eaters shoved Diggory aside.
"Don't try anything.
Or we will kill Darren first."
They seized Darren.
Tied his hands.
And sealed his magic.
No one knew—
Whether he would survive.
Some Aurors gripped their wands.
Ready to attack.
Desperate to save him.
Then Mr. Weasley roared in fury:
"Whoever dares attack now—
Whoever gets Darren Potter killed—
Remember this:
He is Harry Potter's brother!
He is Nicolas Flamel's student!
And if he dies because of you—
Your lives will be finished as well!"
Silence.
Heavy.
Darren was dragged away into the darkness.