Seven years away from home didn't sound like a big problem…
~at least not when you had a girl, two succubi in the middle of their growth phase, and immeasurable wealth and power waiting for you.
Garfield opened a portal and, without explanation, dragged Rin, Kumatarō, Kumajirō, and a still-dazed Izuna straight through it, landing them all inside his shop.
The moment the portal unfolded, Lilith who had been guarding the store, noticed immediately.
At first, she thought the newcomer was another heavyweight from Karma Taj.
But when she clearly saw Garfield, Rin, and the three unfamiliar faces behind them…
"Oh my god, Master, you're back!"
Garfield looked at Lilith carefully.
She had clearly grown taller, more mature, and more… dangerous. If anyone had inherited Pandora's contract and temperament perfectly, it was her.
"Lilith." Garfield said warmly, "Long time no see. How's everyone doing?"
Lilith straightened proudly.
"My sister and I have grown a few centimeters." She reported seriously. "Baima is already a proper young lady now, but…"
She paused.
That pause made Garfield's heart skip. His fur stood on end.
Could it be… Queenie?
Lilith watched Garfield stiffen and smiled faintly.
"Master Queenie hasn't been in a good mood lately." She said.
"She went to Europe to help host a company with your students."
"…Hosting a company?" Garfield echoed.
That sounded good.
But then…
"Wait." Garfield frowned. "What students do I have?"
"Grindelwald," Lilith answered naturally, as if it were obvious.
"He respectfully addresses you as Mentor of the Soul, the one who inspires and leads the oppressed toward a happy new life."
"…Ah." Garfield's soul briefly left his body.
Scratching the fur at the back of his head, Garfield sighed deeply. As expected, he'd completely derailed the original course of history.
Still… after thinking it through, it wasn't necessarily bad.
At the very least, this version of Grindelwald helping the poor through industry was better than leading wizards to violently "liberate" Muggles.
"Alright," Garfield said at last. "Where's your sister Vivienne?"
"With Master Queenie." Lilith replied. "Baima is with them as well, protecting them."
That was reassuring.
Garfield gestured behind him.
"You already know Rin, so I won't introduce her." He said. "These two are Kumatarō and Kumajirō."
"And this is Uchiha Izuna."
He pointed decisively. "Arrange rooms for them. Rin and Izuna get the same treatment. Kumatarō and Kumajirō stay with you two."
Lilith narrowed her eyes slightly.
At a glance, Kumatarō and Kumajirō radiated raw, unrefined strength and were steeped in naïve resentment. They were far stronger than the thin, quiet young man named Izuna.
So why was Izuna ranked higher?
Lilith studied them more closely. Then she noticed the subtle glances between Rin and Izuna.
She rubbed her chin.
Ah.
A fool in love.
Lilith understood.
"Very well." She said smoothly. "Rin, please follow me."
She led Rin, Izuna, Kumatarō, and Kumajirō upstairs and settled them into the shop's interior.
Rin and Izuna were each given luxury suites, complete with living room, bedroom, bathroom, and a small private kitchen.
Only Lilith, Vivienne, and Baima normally received that level of accommodation.
Kumatarō and Kumajirō were given a large shared room with a guest bathroom, but no kitchen.
Over the past seven years, the building has undergone countless expansions.
Queenie and Baima had extended it using spell structures when bored. Later, Grindelwald, declaring Garfield's students as his students, contributed advanced spell designs.
Dumbledore, unwilling to be outdone, added his own refinements.
And whenever the Ancient One visited New York to deal with affairs, she adjusted things further.
From the outside, it was still an unremarkable, shabby storefront.
But inside… it could comfortably house thousands.
A palace hidden inside a shack.
And its master had finally come home.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream