Chapter 181: Refuse to Die (I)

Little Barty's face showed an expression of fanaticism, like a cultist seeing their evil god.

If most of the pure-bloods who initially followed Voldemort did so for their own interests, specifically for the benefit of pure-bloods, Barty was completely different.

Whether someone was pure-blood or not was irrelevant to him. What he cared about was Voldemort's experiences, which were remarkably similar to his own, and Voldemort's powerful charisma!

Yes, Voldemort did have charisma.. Well, at least he used to.

For Voldemort's cause, Barty was willing to give his life!

Of course, for a talent like Barty, Voldemort wouldn't treat him as expendable unless absolutely necessary.

A useful tool should be kept for the long term.

"I certainly won't use your body, Barty,"

Voldemort said hoarsely.

"You still need to be with me, to help restore our former glory. On my path forward, I always need companions!"

Naturally, Voldemort didn't truly care about anyone's life; he only cared about himself.

But for someone as loyal as Barty, Voldemort had to mix threat and reward, making them feel their special importance to him.

This way, people would follow him wholeheartedly, even sacrificing everything for him! 

Just like how he once confided in Barty about his past.

Did he genuinely feel a shared misery with Barty, prompting him to open up? 

No!

Instead, Voldemort understood that the more he found points of empathy with someone like Barty, the more he could make him wholeheartedly his servant.

"I am truly glad that in such circumstances, I still have you by my side, Barty." Voldemort's joy was genuine.

Barty Jr. was different from Wormtail; he was a competent subordinate. His magical talent was strong. Ten years ago, just after graduating, he was already capable of matching seasoned Death Eaters like Bellatrix. Even if he hadn't made much progress over the years, he was still a formidable assistant.

Not to mention—

"I will teach you a few things, Barty,"

Voldemort said proudly, "and then we will resurrect. Now that you are back by my side, this matter is foolproof!

"But we must let those traitors know the fate of a betrayer!"

"Of course, my great master!" Barty Jr. said fervently. "We should prepare a grand stage to welcome your rebirth and let them know you are still alive!"

——

Pop!!!

The air burst like a soap bubble.

Cyrus, along with Newt and Tina, appeared on a filthy ship.

The moment they landed, Cyrus cast a Disillusionment Charm, rendering all three of them invisible. The sound of their Apparition was drowned out by the crashing waves of the sea.

Newt and Tina both felt a bit nauseous.

On one hand, their age had caught up with them, and their physical resilience wasn't what it used to be. On the other hand, Cyrus had performed multiple Apparitions in quick succession.

They hadn't even touched the ground before being yanked away again, plunged into another rift before their bodies had time to recover their human form.

Tina even suspected that her intestines were all knotted up.

She and Newt leaned against the mast, dry heaving. Cyrus casually set up a magical barrier to prevent them from being discovered.

But honestly, at this point, even if they were discovered, it wouldn't matter much.

Just a few poachers—what could they do, fight back and win?

"Ugh—" Newt steadied himself, finally easing the discomfort in his chest. He looked around and saw that there was only one wizard on deck.

A ship like this didn't need a crew; it could sail the sea on its own.

"It's best to collect evidence of their crimes first and then send them to Azkaban," Newt suggested.

Cyrus didn't particularly care about Newt wanting to send these people to Azkaban. Poachers, while despicable, weren't as deserving of death as some Dark wizards.

However, gathering evidence sounded like too much trouble.

Cyrus locked the ship's space to prevent Apparition, then raised his wand towards the ship's structure—

Boom!!!

The magically reinforced wooden door was instantly blasted to smithereens!

In an instant, Cyrus leveled everything above the ship's deck! The wizard who was keeping watch was caught in the blast and fell into the sea from the lookout.

Without a glance, Cyrus walked towards the stairs leading to the cabin. Inside, the poachers and the dark wizard naturally heard the commotion and rushed out with their wands drawn.

"Kid, are you an Auror?" the buyer's wizard asked, but the poacher didn't waste any time and immediately cast a spell at Cyrus!

"Diffindo!"

A crescent-shaped blade came slashing through the air!

Without even looking, Cyrus casually deflected the spell.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he lashed out with an invisible whip, striking the opponent!

The other wizard finally reacted, hastily trying to raise his wand, but as he reached for his waist, he realized his wand had disappeared without him noticing.

Looking up, he saw a small brown creature laughing and using his wand to pick its teeth.

It was the Niffler that Newt had released earlier.

Poachers had to deal with fierce magical creatures and also contend with Aurors and dark wizards from various countries.

Their personnel and skills were not lacking. In an instant, seven or eight wizards emerged from below deck. However, due to the narrow passage, those in the back hesitated to cast too many spells, fearing they might injure their comrades in the front.

But Cyrus had no such concerns.

With a flick of his wand, a transparent barrier pushed forward, knocking all of them back!

The wizards at the front were sent tumbling backwards, and those behind them were like snowballs rolling down, all collapsing in a heap.

Cyrus held back his strength, not knowing how large the ship's hold was and fearing he might accidentally harm the magical creatures inside.

Newt and Tina exchanged glances; this was the easiest poacher capture they had ever experienced.

These ruthless poachers, who even dared to target dragons, seemed like a ragtag bunch in 'Tom Riddle's' hands.

"Incarcerous."

Cyrus conjured ropes to bind them all, then walked deeper into the ship's hold.

Indeed, it was enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, making the space about the size of a playground. The smell was horrendous, a mixture of animal waste, body odors, and the stench of blood. The sudden assault on his senses made Cyrus feel like he had been punched in the back of the head.

"Lumos Maxima!"

First, he cast a spell to block the stench, then threw out a large ball of light, illuminating the hold.

Rows of rusty steel cages were packed tightly together, filled with injured magical creatures.

Many of them looked like they were on the verge of death, especially a young dragon.

Its throat had been slit, and a tube was inserted into the wound, causing its blood to flow continuously.

Those fuckers...

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