Chapter 411: Nobody? The Dark Lord's Compromise
Bang!
Aaron, without a word, punched Geins in his left cheek.
Although he was extremely tired, he still overexerted his strength to throw that punch.
Geins rubbed his aching cheek and forced a smile, "If Young Master still isn't satisfied, he can hit me a few more times."
Aaron took a few deep breaths, barely suppressing the anger in his heart. "From the day I was born until now, this is the first time I've seen you all gathered together. It's truly rare.
But I sent out my distress signal nearly an hour ago. Even if you came by donkey cart, you should have arrived much earlier!"
Geins hesitated for a moment, then said seriously and solemnly, "This is a rule of the Gaius family. To prevent future generations from bullying others by relying on their power, we cannot intervene unless Young Master's life is in danger."
"Don't try to fool me with your bullshit rules. I'll just ask one thing: When did you arrive?"
"We arrived shortly after Young Master sent out his distress signal, but we concealed ourselves using special methods."
Hearing this, Aaron's temper instantly flared, and the anger in his eyes seemed to solidify.
"So... you just watched me get injured, bleed, and fight for my life, and you did nothing?"
"It's not like that," Geins immediately explained. "We were prepared.
Rolo recorded your entire battle process. After we return, he will make a copy and give it to Miss Adrian, as she specifically requested it.
Anna prepared healing potions, bandages, tranquilizers, and painkillers, but Young Master has Phoenix tears, so he probably won't need them.
Ben analyzed the comparison of forces. If we really had to intervene, we would have to consider the worst-case scenario: two of the seven of us would die, but we could ensure Young Master's safe evacuation."
Aaron was stunned. He looked at the remaining people and saw expressions of readiness to die on their faces. For a moment, he was speechless, and half of his overwhelming anger subsided.
He wanted to curse, but even without a conscience, he couldn't be rude to people who were willing to protect him with their lives.
"You went to such lengths to stall for time just to wait for them?" Lord Voldemort mused. "Are these your bodyguards?"
"What else?" Aaron slowly pulled back his sleeve, revealing the World Tree pattern. "If I hadn't seen you use the Dark Mark to summon Death Eaters, I would have almost forgotten that I also have a mark.
To be honest, I never counted on Dumbledore, because Moody—no, Barty Crouch Jr.—is here.
He disguised himself as Dumbledore's most trusted person. He should be very clear about this year's arrangements. If he wasn't confident, he would never have appeared in this graveyard.
However, my calculations also had a flaw. I didn't expect them to have arrived so early, and I certainly didn't expect them to only appear when my life was in danger."
"That's the rule, Young Master, but you really shouldn't experiment with your life.
What if we hadn't come, and that Avada Kedavra spell had hit you?"
"You forced me into it. What choice did I have but to gamble?" Aaron said nonchalantly. If he hadn't absorbed the divine power of the Dog Talisman, even with three more guts, he wouldn't dare to joke with his life.
Geins's mouth twitched slightly, then he looked at Lord Voldemort. "So, can we take our Young Master and leave? He's not in a good state right now."
"Do you think that's possible?" Lord Voldemort sneered, and the surrounding Death Eaters also closed in, forming a larger circle around the few people.
Geins spread his hands. "The Gaius family will not interfere in the affairs of the magic world without reason, but if the Dark Lord intends to keep the family's heir today, that's another matter entirely.
I believe Mr. Malfoy should have some understanding of our families. In the upcoming war between you and Dumbledore, whoever we support will gain an absolute advantage, and whoever we support will win."
Lord Voldemort's lips curled into a smile, and his eyes, as he looked at Aaron, glowed red. "In that case, I certainly can't let you leave."
"Avada Kedavra!"
A Killing Curse shot directly at Geins. He was not surprised by this and immediately raised his magic wand to retaliate.
Green and white spells collided in mid-air, and countless sparks fell to the ground.
The two spells constantly vied, and transparent shockwaves spread out in all directions from the two, creating a blank area.
"Attack!" Barty Crouch Jr. shouted loudly, and the other Death Eaters all prepared to attack.
The six bodyguards exchanged glances, and their wands simultaneously tapped the ground.
Six ice-blue lines connected, forming a hexagonal outer ring, followed by a huge starburst that appeared, creating a defensive barrier.
Countless spells struck the barrier, creating ripples, but that was all.
"Oh my goodness!" Aaron's eyes lit up, and he felt a strong sense of security.
This barrier was comparable to an ultimate defensive magicarray, and it was constructed by six beings above High-level Archmages. Even if Lord Voldemort personally attacked, he wouldn't be able to break it for a while.
Boom!
An explosion suddenly sounded outside the barrier.
Geins and Lord Voldemort completed their first exchange. Geins retreated three steps before barely stabilizing himself, while Lord Voldemort only retreated half a step, but his expression was not good, even somewhat solemn.
"Who are you?"
"Geins Dominic, just an unknown nobody."
"What a joke?" Lord Voldemort was angered into laughter. "A High-level Archmage is an unknown nobody? Saying something like that would make people laugh their heads off."
As his voice fell, everyone stared dumbfounded at Geins within the barrier, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The Death Eaters looked at each other, but a hint of awe grew in their hearts.
Harry and the others also had their mouths wide open. They were still very weak, but they knew the significance of an Archmage. A High-level Archmage could be an elder in any faction.
"But I really don't have much of a reputation," Geins said, shrugging. "I'm just the butler of the Gaius family, usually just handling some family trivialities."
"I thought you were an Archmage, but I thought you were at most a Mid-level Archmage. I didn't expect..." Aaron's expression was complex, then he said sarcastically, "You hid yourself too well!"
"Mainly, I didn't want to put too much pressure on Young Master," Geins explained with some helplessness.
Aaron thought of something, and a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
He thought his own Initial-level Archmage status was already low-key enough, but he didn't expect there to be someone even more powerful.
A High-level Archmage leading a group of High-level Mages—he probably wouldn't be able to shake off these people before graduation.
"I admit your strength is enough to warrant my attention, but leaving won't be that easy," Lord Voldemort said coldly.
Geins was unconcerned, simply pointing to the orange-red barrier. "This barrier was the first magic they learned after getting their wands, specifically prepared for this kind of situation.
Don't even mention you; even a Saint Archmage would need half a minute to break it.
Furthermore, this barrier can isolate all pre-set magic, which means Apparition can be used within it."
A hint of gloom appeared in Lord Voldemort's crimson eyes. "There are limitations, aren't there? Otherwise, you wouldn't be asking for my opinion."
"Of course," Geins sighed, his tone heavy. "The barrier has powerful defenses, but those who set it up cannot use other magic.
This means I and Young Master can leave, but the others will remain here, which is the worst-case scenario we envisioned: six people facing the Dark Lord and his group of Death Eaters. If nothing goes wrong, at least two will die."
"What?" Aaron's eyes widened. "Isn't that price a bit too high?"
"It's very high. I personally trained them; they are all my students and all have the potential to become Archmages.
But for Young Master's safety, sacrifice is necessary."
"Hey!" Aaron's expression became particularly unnatural. "Don't say it so casually!"
"This is reality. After all, we are facing the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. To think of leaving without paying a price would be somewhat naive," Geins said seriously, then changed the subject, looking meaningfully at Lord Voldemort. "But if Lord Voldemort is willing to let them go, then that's another matter entirely."
Lord Voldemort's expression was unpredictable. He understood that keeping Aaron was no longer possible.
These six Archmages were clearly willing to die. As long as their goal could be achieved, they could face death at any time.
But this would mean he would be tearing apart relations with a powerful Wizarding family. If they supported Dumbledore, then his time ruling the magic world would become indefinitely postponed.
"I can let you go, but what do I get?"
"The Gaius family will not be your enemy," Geins said righteously. "The other three hidden families are the same.
As long as you don't actively provoke us, we will not interfere with any of your actions in the magic world."
"Why?" Harry Potter asked anxiously. "You have the ability to stop the Dark Lord's forces. Uniting with Dumbledorecould..."
"Mr. Potter, having the ability does not mean having the obligation," Geins interrupted. "Unless what the Dark Lordintends to do would bring catastrophic disaster to Wizards, our families have no reason to intervene.
Saying too much to you, you wouldn't understand, but this rule was established at the very beginning of the four families' founding."
Hearing this, Lord Voldemort seemed to understand something. The gloom on his face completely dissipated, and he even showed a benevolent smile.
The four hidden families would not be enemies, and might even be friends.
They would not offer help in times of need, supporting one faction, but they would certainly add to the splendor, maintaining order for the winning side, which did not conflict with his goals.
"No wonder your families have been able to exist for thousands of years," Lord Voldemort said admiringly. "I like people who know how to adapt to circumstances. You may leave."
Geins and Aaron exchanged glances, feeling that Lord Voldemort might have misunderstood something.
Knowing how to adapt to circumstances couldn't make a Wizarding family exist and develop for thousands of years. The reason their families could stand stably behind the scenes, watching the rise and fall of events, was entirely due to a continuous stream of talent and the heritage left by their ancestors.
However, being low-key was one thing; they didn't need to explain to Lord Voldemort.