AN: Welcome back, everyone! This is the last update for this week.
So this will be the start of arranging the foundation of Noah's power base in this world before stepping on the bigger stage.
So this might become a bit boring for some, as there won't be any action and mostly meetings with people so that they can ESTABLISH a proper footing in this world's issues. But I will try to control the info dump and narration so that we can proceed smoothly while not breaking the foundation building.
Oh, by the way, just for everyone's information, the official title of this Arc is Magical World Wards.
That's all for me, see you next week!
===========================
Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
Breakfast in the rented apartment of the Astral Express crew carried a strangely surreal atmosphere. It had been a while since Noah, Himeko, Caelus, and March 7th returned from the Greengrass meeting… and that part was perfectly normal.
What wasn't normal was Noah and Caelus kneeling in front of March 7th, listening as she resumed her lecture.
"While I admit what you two did was cool—admirable, even—that doesn't justify rushing ahead like that," March said, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"Yes, you saved that child. I'm not denying that. But you also drew the full animosity of those masked lunatics."
She shot them a sharp look.
"Noah, with your abilities, you could've pulled the child to your side or shoved that masked guy away with the Force," she continued, her shoulders trembling slightly from restrained frustration. "So why did you teleport right next to him and punch him?!"
Noah opened his mouth to answer, but March raised a hand to stop him.
"Knowing Caelus' habits, I'm sure you're about to say something like, 'I just felt like punching him,' right?!"
Noah slowly turned his face away, refusing to meet her eyes.
That reaction did absolutely nothing to calm her down. If anything, it only confirmed her suspicion.
"You really are Caelus's grandson…"
"Hey, I heard that!" Caelus cut in. "And if we're going down that road, doesn't that technically make you Noah's grandmother?"
The air seemed to grow colder.
Noah snapped his head toward Caelus, eyes wide in disbelief. He couldn't believe he had actually said that out loud.
Caelus regretted it the moment the temperature dropped.
"Hooo… are you perhaps suggesting that the 'me' in Noah's universe is to blame for letting him grow up like you?" March asked, her smile sharpening as her eyes slowly turned red.
"..!" Noah shuddered. He knew that look.
"W-wait, wait! That's n-not what I meant!" Caelus hurried out, paling instantly. "Please calm down!"
"Heee… So what did those words mean then, my dear Raccoon~ ♭."
"W-what I meant is that I shouldn't take all the blame… I mean the me in Noah's universe, that is," Caelus said, choosing his words carefully. "Raising children is supposed to be a joint responsibility! It's not something one person should shoulder alone!"
March narrowed her eyes at him.
The silence that followed made not only Noah and Caelus tense, but everyone else watching as well.
"…Still young, Caelus. Arguing back will only make it worse," Welt murmured.
"That is either very brave… or very unwise," Dan Heng added calmly.
Only Himeko remained composed, sipping her coffee as if this were a morning show. "Fuu… looks like the family dynamic is already firmly established."
"W-what was that?! That's actually s-scary!" Hayate muttered under her breath.
"…S-so March-chan a-actually has this side…" Reinforce whispered, retreating further into Hayate's hair.
"Uhh… seeing March like this reminds me of Granny Evernight," Sirin said, wiping the bead of sweat that slid down her temple.
"…Fine," March finally said. "What you said is reasonable. I'll accept it."
She let out a small scoff and crossed her arms. The red in her eyes faded back to their usual shade. Around the table, everyone released a sigh of relief.
"Ehem." Welt gave a light, mock cough before turning toward Himeko. "By the way, how did your meeting with the Greengrass family go?"
Himeko raised a brow and set her cup down carefully. "Hmm… it was productive."
She glanced at Noah, then Caelus, and finally March. "Thanks to the Greengrass family, we now understand the current situation—and the bigger picture behind it."
"At least now we know what we're dealing with," she added.
Welt's eyes narrowed slightly. "Can you tell us more?"
"Of course." Himeko gave a small nod. "Let's start from when we arrived at the Greengrass estate…"
——————
A soft pop was heard in the courtyard of the Greengrass Estate as the group appeared on the lawn.
Noah landed first, straight-backed and clean, like someone who had done this a thousand times.
Pandora came next, holding Himeko's hand. She let out a small sigh of relief the moment her shoes met the grass without incident.
Himeko luckily managed to land on her feet with Pandora's help, though she had to take one small step forward to catch herself. She brushed her coat and lifted her chin as if nothing had happened.
"That was… more abrupt than expected," she said, sounding more curious than annoyed.
Then came the last two.
Caelus appeared, his footing betrayed him, and he went face-first into the lawn with a heavy thud.
"Gaaa…!"
A second later, March arrived… directly on top of him.
"Woaaa…!"
For a moment, neither of them moved. They could only groan, half-dazed.
"…Why does the ground feel… weird?" March blinked slowly, head spinning as she tried to understand what had happened. Everything still felt tilted, like her body was a beat behind reality.
"It's not the ground…" a muffled voice came from under her.
March glanced down.
"…It's me," Caelus muttered.
March's eyes widened as it finally clicked. "…Oh."
A short, awkward silence.
"…Hi."
"…Get off."
"Right!"
She scrambled up fast, nearly tipping over again before catching herself. She stepped aside and brushed at her clothes like that could undo the disaster.
Caelus lay there staring up at the sky, like he was reconsidering every decision that had brought him here.
"…That's it. I officially hate magical travel," he muttered.
Pandora turned away, covering her mouth as her shoulders shook. She was trying very hard not to laugh.
Himeko let out a sigh, but the faint smile on her lips betrayed her.
"Ugh… if I didn't know better, I'd think it's Aha who invented this travel method," Caelus groaned as he pushed himself up, one hand pressed to his side. "This is exactly the kind of thing THEY would call elation."
March rolled her eyes and offered him her hand. "You say that like you weren't the problem."
Caelus took it and got to his feet, cheeks twitching. "…Says the girl who used me as her landing pad."
"I did not use you," March huffed, helping him to dust off his clothes. "You were simply in the wrong place."
They glared at each other for a second... then sighed at the same time.
"…But you're right," March admitted. "Magical travel is the worst."
Caelus nodded gravely. "Now I understand how fish feel when they get reeled in."
"Pfft." March laughed and brushed grass off his hair, fixing it with quick, familiar actions. "What are you even saying?"
Noah watched them for a moment before speaking.
"Well, Portkey travel is more comfortable than Apparition… and safer too."
Caelus and March froze and slowly turned to him, disbelief written on both faces.
"…There's something worse than that?" March asked.
Noah gave her a flat smile. "You didn't puke or lose a body part, so this counts as great. Right?"
Neither of them asked another question.
Pandora stepped forward, regaining her composure as she gestured toward the estate behind her.
"Everyone," she said with a small, proud smile, "Welcome to Greengrass Manor!"
She spread her arms, presenting the grand mansion. It was the picture of a noble home—refined, elegant, and clearly old in the way that meant it had been cared for, not neglected.
"Let's head inside," Pandora added, already turning toward the entrance.
They followed her across the courtyard and through a well-kept garden filled with flowers and plants, some exotic, some clearly magical, each one tended with careful attention.
Before long, the large double doors opened as they approached, revealing a spacious entrance hall bathed in warm light.
March's eyes lit up immediately. "Whoa… I suddenly feel like I'm in a fairytale or something."
Caelus let out a low whistle, glancing up at the towering ceiling. "…Yeah. This totally screams money, alright."
Himeko took in the details with quiet interest. "As one would expect from a noble family."
Noah didn't comment, but his eyes went all over the place, catching the craftsmanship… and the faint traces of magic worked into the structure.
The interior matched the exterior—polished marble floors, high ceilings, and decorations that were subtle but unmistakably expensive. Nothing was flashy, yet everything carried quiet prestige.
With a soft pop, two small, thin humanoid creatures appeared. They had huge eyes and bat-like ears, and the moment Pandora stepped in, they bounced in place like they couldn't contain themselves.
"Welcome back, Miss Panny!" they said together.
"I'm home, Mimsy. Peggy," Pandora replied, then glanced back at the group. "Please, come in."
"W-what… ehh, who are they?" March asked, already raising her camera. She snapped a quick picture before anyone could stop her.
"House elves," Pandora explained with a small smile. "They help take care of us and the manor."
"House… elves?" Caelus repeated, turning to them with open curiosity. "Hello. I'm Caelus."
Mimsy and Peggy's eyes somehow got even bigger.
"W-we are honored, Sir Caely!" Mimsy squeaked, clapping her hands.
"Very honored! Very honored!" Peggy repeated, clapping just as hard.
Caelus blinked, caught off guard by the volume. "…Oh. Uh—nice to meet you too?"
March lowered her camera and leaned toward Pandora, whispering, "…Are they always this… intense?"
Pandora gave an awkward laugh. "Ahaha… they're just enthusiastic."
Mimsy suddenly snapped back to business and tugged at Pandora's sleeve. "Miss Panny! Master and Mistress are waiting!"
Peggy nodded rapidly. "They heard about the attack in Diagon Alley! They're very worried!"
As if on cue, someone upstairs let out a sharp gasp.
"Pandora!"
Elizabeth Greengrass rushed down the stairs, moving so fast she almost missed a step.
"Ah… I'm back," Pandora said, trying for casual.
Elizabeth didn't even slow. She was on her in seconds, hands already checking her shoulders, arms, sides, then her face, as if her eyes didn't believe what they were seeing.
"Don't 'I'm back' me," she scolded, voice tight despite the efforts to keep herself together. "We heard what happened in Diagon Alley. Are you hurt? Are you sure? Why didn't you send word?"
"I'm fine, Mother," Pandora said gently, catching her hands before they could keep patting. "Really. Everyone was with me."
Elizabeth's eyes went toward the crew, wordlessly asking if Pandora was telling the truth. Understanding her concern, Himeko gave her a reassuring smile and a small nod. A faint, grateful smile appeared on Elizabeth's face before she pulled Pandora into a tight hug.
"…We were extremely worried."
"Ahahaha… from what I saw, I think the Death Eaters should be the ones worrying," Pandora said, returning the hug.
That only confused Elizabeth, but before she could ask, another set of hurried footsteps rushed down the stairs.
"Sister!!!"
Cyrus came running down after their mother, stopping just short of Pandora and Elizabeth. He looked Pandora over with the same worry, only without restraint.
"You're okay, right? We heard there was an attack. Are you injured?"
"I'm fine," Pandora repeated, a little more amused now. "You're all overreacting."
"Overreacting?" Cyrus frowned. "People were saying—"
"…Pandora."
Another voice cut him off.
Damien Greengrass descended the stairs, his eyes never leaving his daughter. He didn't rush like Elizabeth or Cyrus, but the worry was obvious from within his eyes and in the tightness of his expression.
"Thank Merlin… you came back safely."
From the way he said it, there was no noble grace at all. Just relief and concern as a father.
Pandora nodded with a small smile. "Yes, Father."
Damien held her stare for a brief moment longer before giving a nod, acknowledging her answer was enough… or at least for now.
Only after confirming she was truly unharmed did he turn his attention toward Noah and the others.
"It's my honor and pleasure to meet you personally, Heir Peverell and your family," Damien greeted, before bowing deeply without hesitation.
"Thank you for protecting our daughter."
"Thank you… truly, thank you!" Elizabeth added.
Cyrus followed their lead and bowed as well.
"Please, there's no need to bow like this, Lord Greengrass, Lady Greengrass, Young Cyrus," Himeko stepped forward. "We didn't do that much."
She offered them a smile. "Pandora handled herself well. We were only there to support her."
Elizabeth straightened slowly, though her gratitude didn't fade. "Even so… you have our thanks. We won't forget it."
Damien gave a small nod, getting back his composure.
"A debt is still a debt," he said simply. "Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not."
"Well…If you insist… then we will accept it," Himeko replied with a wry smile.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded gratefully toward them.
"Welcome to our home," she said warmly.
"Shall we move to the sitting room?" Damien suggested. "There's a lot we need to discuss."
Himeko gave a light nod.
"Yes," she agreed. "We have much to talk about."
—--------
"I see, so those guys we fought in Diagon Alley are minions of this Dark Lord," Noah said.
The room became solemn after his words.
Damien, who had just taken his seat across from them, gave a small nod. "Yes. They call themselves Death Eaters. Followers of the Dark Lord, who have been gathering influence for some time now."
"If I may ask, what is the name of this Dark Lord?" Himeko asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to connect the pieces in her mind.
Damien hesitated, his expression cramped.
The way he reacted caused the crew to look at each other. Their suspicion is leaning more toward Dormammu's involvement.
"It's alright, Father," Pandora said gently. Her eyes glowed faintly blue. "He won't be able to sense it."
Damien turned toward her. The moment he saw the light in her eyes, the tension in his shoulders relaxed.
"What did you see?" Elizabeth asked in a soft voice.
"The jinx place to his name is being overwhelmed right now by the power of Heir Noah and his family," Pandora explained. " He won't be able to sense it."
Damien and Elizabeth's eyes went wide in surprise. They turned toward Noah and the rest of their group.
The Express members could only stare back, confused and, if anything, became even more curious about Pandora's 'seer' ability was really capable of.
"…Very well," Damien said at last. "If that is the case."
He let out a small exhale before he faced the crew again.
"The Dark Lord's name is Lord Voldemort, Heir of Slytherin," he said evenly. "Most avoid speaking it. Many simply call him… You-Know-Who."
March blinked. "…Wait. So this so-called heir from some important family put a spell on his own name so people would be scared to say it? Did I get that right?"
"It is not simple fear," Elizabeth replied gently. "There are rumors that he can sense whenever his name is spoken. And those who dared to say it… were later found dead."
Caelus leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "…Sounds like a guy who really cares about branding."
March gave him an exasperated look. "…That's what you got from that?"
He shrugged. "I mean, it's working."
"Hmph. A foolish brand, if I may say so," Noah said with clear disdain. "Even the IPC wouldn't advertise in such a stupid way."
"…Not you too." March held her head, already feeling the headache forming.
"What? I'm right, aren't I?" Noah said. "That guy took the saying 'fear one's name' way too literally."
Caelus snorted in amusement while March groaned under her breath.
"…Just what did you do, me from another universe? How did I let my grandson grow up like Caelus?"
Noah had no answer for that. He glanced at Caelus, who was looking back at him with the same awkward expression.
Then, as if reaching a silent agreement, both of them nodded and turned their attention back to Damien.
Himeko shook her head, both amused and exasperated, before letting out a small sigh.
"So what exactly does… This Dark Lord wants?"
"Ehh… Ah…Power," Damien answered after finally recovering from the trio's little skit. "Control over the magical world… and the removal of anyone he considers unworthy of it."
"Unworthy?" Himeko frowned.
"Muggles, Muggle-borns, non-pureblood families… and anyone who opposes his ideology," Elizabeth explained. "To them, blood determines worth."
March looked up and frowned. "That's… absolutely messed up."
"Then the attack today was part of their propaganda, too?" Caelus asked, his face twitching as if he had just heard the dumbest joke in the universe.
"It was," Damien said. "What you encountered in Diagon Alley was not random violence. It was a demonstration."
Caelus clicked his tongue. "So they walk in, make a mess, hurt people, then leave just to remind everyone they can."
"Yes," Damien replied. "And each time it happens, more people begin to fear them… until eventually, they stop resisting at all."
"Haaa… how foolish," Noah said after a short silence.
"Those self-styled Death Eaters are nothing but cowards and spoiled children who only know how to complain."
Damien, Elizabeth, Pandora, and Cyrus all stared at him in surprise. That was clearly not the reaction they had expected from Noah.
"They hide behind masks and throw Killing and Torture curses around like sweets handed to children." His expression twisted with open scorn. "For what? To make people fear them? What a joke."
Himeko closed her eyes and let out a sigh. March looked torn between praising him for the spirit and scolding him for the wording. Caelus, on the other hand, grinned like Noah had said exactly what he wanted to hear.
The four Greengrasses either winced or smiled wryly.
"If they want to know what real fear is… they should try facing Granny Evernight during a lecture!" Noah added passionately.
"…What?" March looked at him with a flat expression.
"Noah!! How could you say that!" Caelus cut in. "Do you want to traumatize those poor bastards until their next life?!"
"Haaaa… these two…" Himeko face-palmed.
The Greengrasses looked at one another, clearly unsure how they were supposed to react.
Cyrus blinked twice. "…What just happened?"
Pandora shook her head in confusion. "…I'm lost as well."
Elizabeth pressed her lips together, trying very hard to remain composed, though the corner of her mouth twitched.
Damien simply cleared his throat and decided not to comment. For now, it was better to just let the scene play out.
Meanwhile, the trio continued without shame.
"I'm just saying. If you're going to make people fear you, at least put some real effort into it. That whole 'don't say my name or I'll find you' thing is just… lazy." Noah crossed his arms. "And what's with the Voldy name? It literally means 'flight of death.' Does he want everyone to know he's trying that hard to sound like a harbinger of doom?"
Caelus blinked, then choked. "Wait, what? That's what his name means?"
"Exactly." Noah nodded. "Aside from his power, that villain has no creativity or originality."
"Ahahahaha! So that's why his minions are called Death Eaters!" Caelus burst out laughing, completely unable to stop himself. "That's terrible!"
March's cheek twitched as the two continued. "…Are you two seriously critiquing a Dark Lord and his group brand name right now?"
Both of them flinched at the same time. Slowly… very slowly, they turned toward her. They had completely forgotten that March was sitting between them.
"It's... a valid point?" Caelus offered carefully.
Noah nodded just as carefully. "A very valid… point."
March stared at them flatly.
That alone said more than enough… Both Noah and Caelus immediately ended their little performance and sat properly beside her.
Seeing how easily March controlled both of them, Himeko couldn't help but hide a proud smile behind her teacup. The Greengrasses, meanwhile, could only watch with a mixture of admiration and disbelief.
Then someone still had the nerve to speak.
"…Still a terrible name though," Caelus muttered.
March's eye twitched again.
"CAELUS—!"
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