Chapter 233 "Crouch As A Follower"

"The MacFusty clan?" Crouch inquired with confusion, "The dragon-raising clan? What is their current status?"

Skyler smiled mysteriously without offering a direct response, deepening the enigmatic quality in Crouch's eyes. Unpredictable, his smile conveyed a sense of profound mystery. "I require their power. Consequently, I want you to undertake this task for me and find a way to enlist them in our cause."

Crouch remained silent. The MacFusty clan had always resided in distant and desolate mountains on the Hebrides Islands, maintaining minimal contact with most factions in Great Britain, free from involvement or connection.

Crouch's knowledge of the clan mainly stemmed from the Ministry of Magic, where the Taxation Bureau and the Department for the Control of Magical Creatures routinely dispatched individuals to inspect fire dragon breeding.

The primary objectives were to ensure adherence to international confidentiality laws, prevent exposure to Muggles, and collect tax payments. Besides these routine interactions, he knew little about this mysterious clan.

However, this lack of information did not imply that the MacFusty clan was easy to manipulate.

As the 20th century neared its end, the term "clan" had become a relic of history.

Even the mightiest pure-blood factions prefer to identify themselves as "families" rather than clans.

The primary distinction between a clan and a family lies in the fact that a clan constitutes a large group sharing a common ancestor and surname. Clans develop common language, customs, and original religious beliefs through a shared economic existence.

The leader of a clan is referred to as the clan leader or clan head, not the head of the family. Essentially, families can be considered offshoots of ancient clans.

A family may consist of as few as four individuals, akin to the Malfoy family, or be as extensive as the Black family. However, their numbers typically do not exceed a hundred, and even reaching fifty is considered substantial. In contrast, even the smallest in Great Britain's history, a clan encompasses one or two hundred members.

According to confidential Ministry of Magic reports, the MacFusty clan comprises at least a hundred members, with the majority being wizards and less than 10% being squibs.

Squibs are usually assigned tasks such as crop cultivation, castle maintenance, and various menial chores, underscoring their subservient role within the clan.

Crouch can reasonably estimate that there are approximately 70 to 80 adult wizards within the MacFusty clan, potentially exceeding a hundred when factoring in underage wizards.

However, this number of individuals nearly matches the total count of Aurors, Strikers, and Reconnaissance Teams combined within the three major military divisions of the Ministry of Magic.

The prospect of recruiting them appears to be a formidable challenge.

But Skyler's forces would be formidable if Skyler managed to get their hearts together and follow him under no strict rules besides guaranteeing their survival and benefits for allowing them to follow him.

Skyler's response exudes a calm and emotionless tone, assuring Crouch that the task is well within his capabilities. Skyler dismisses any notion of an "impossible task" and assures Crouch that assistance will be provided.

He marks Hebrides Island on the map and designates it as Crouch's destination in a secluded residence, now an uninhabited desert island. Skyler promises someone will be present to assist Crouch when the time comes.

With a confident smile, Skyler emphasizes the necessity for Crouch to avoid public attention due to his current circumstances, as being in the limelight could make him a target for mysterious forces.

Skyler continued, "Being distant from the mainland of Great Britain and relocating to isolated overseas islands will significantly aid in concealing your presence. I require someone articulate, considerate, and capable of communication for this task—a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Observing Skyler's confident demeanor, Crouch felt an inexplicable worry and apprehension. However, these unsettling feelings diminished, and he began to believe the task might not be overly challenging.

"I believe if that's your plan, then I shall be willing to follow. I will wait for further orders from you, my lord," Crouch answered eloquently without even showing a hint of nervousness.

"Please, don't call me lord, Mr. Crouch. You are one of the respectable figures in the wizarding world for me, you don't need to be so extravagant with your service," Skyler replied with a smug smile.

The display of Skyler's wisdom and skill instilled strong confidence in Crouch. Skyler didn't strike him as someone who would recklessly send his own associates into peril.

Naturally, Skyler was entirely certain.

The term "dragon-raising clan" merely referred to a large group of individuals with a shared economic lifestyle centered around the dragon-raising industry. Their magical abilities were oriented towards this specialized field, making their magic somewhat predictable.

As Skyler delved deeper into various magical disciplines, he recognized that intricate methods combined with sophisticated strategies were the key to success in practical combat.

Instead of focusing on mastering a single type of magic, Skyler prefers Serpentis Vigil Club to absorb talents from various fields and develop in the direction of diversified magic.

This approach is evident in the arrangements he made to cultivate the strengths of the six girls under him—Daphne excels in offensive spells and frontal combat, Morag specializes in analyzing and breaking magic spells (such as studying the red loyalty curse),

Cho is skilled in transfiguration, Luna is a summoner, Astoria is a potion master, and Susan excels in defensive magic.

For the task assigned to Crouch, Skyler arranged a helper capable of naturally countering the dragon-raising clan figures—from the first pure-blood family in Germany, the Hohenheim family.

The team of alchemists led by the current family head, Cordes von Hohenheim, will establish a dragon seal around the island where the MacFusty clan castle is located, significantly limiting their combat capabilities.

In addition to this magical restraint, Skyler organized another group of helpers for Crouch, addressing various aspects such as the terrain around the castle, traps, detection and defense magic, and even protection against evil curses for foreign intruders.

These assistants are professional adventurers and interpreters from the Medieval Wizards Federation and the Silver Spear—spell casters and wilderness survival warriors.

Under the leadership of "Joker," one of the four witch masters of the Silver Spear, the team will function as the primary frontal combat force after the Dragon Seal takes effect. Their role includes dismantling various defense mechanisms and settings on the island and serving as a frontal deterrent.

To cover all bases, Skyler arranged for experienced dragon experts and trainers from the Romanian dragon farm to accompany Crouch.

These individuals not only act as bodyguards but also provide additional leverage by making Crouch and the MacFusty clan aware that, even in the event of their annihilation, Skyler could seamlessly take over the Hebridean Black Dragon Breeding Area.

While Skyler prefers a peaceful resolution over a war with such a formidable force, he is confident in his allies and believes that the ancient clan possesses the wisdom to make the right choices in the face of overwhelming power.

Concluding their conversation, Skyler presented Crouch with a special alchemy bracelet. Crafted from solid black gold by goblins, the bracelet features engraved mysterious magic marks.

These include spiritual magic capable of resisting the Imperius Curse and masking his name, rendering him untraceable by owls and most known tracking magic.

With the alchemy bracelet providing an additional layer of security, Skyler had little concern for Crouch's safety, particularly given the assumption that young Barty believed him to be deceased. For Skyler, this bracelet served as a prudent precautionary measure to enhance his overall plan.

Returning to Hogwarts Castle through the secret passage, Skyler allowed Crouch to take a brief respite in the basement of the Miracle Alchemy Workshop. Utilizing the specially opened one-time Floo network connected to Skyler's internal line in the Ministry of Magic, Crouch departed after passing through the fireplace.

[The relationship with the Crouch Family has been established as an ally!]

Despite the numerous activities, Skyler found himself devoid of sleepiness upon returning to the quiet dormitory room. Opting to read a book for a while, he eventually decided to enter the suitcase space.

In addition to the private testing room recently shown to Luna within the suitcase space, Skyler had expanded an underground dungeon.

This space detained the four Hogwarts students captured by him during the Battle at the Bottom of the Lake in the second project.