"Good," Sound Bird said, folding the map in his hand and letting out a long sigh of relief as he glanced at the woman beside him.
"We should be able to leave the Pure Land Society's influence in about half a day."
"We can't take this lightly anymore," Augurey said with a frown, shaking her head.
"We're entering Finnmark County now, and this is the most dangerous part of our journey. Durmstrang Academy is here, and it's a major gathering spot for wizards. If we're not careful, the Pure Land Society could discover us."
After saying this, Augurey lifted her head and called out to the escort convoy around her.
"We're canceling all the planned stops from now on. We're heading straight for the border at full speed. Once we're out of Northern Europe, we'll be safe for the time being. Then we can rest together properly and even speed up our travel."
As soon as Augurey gave the order, complaints broke out all around.
"This is torture!" someone wailed.
"Is this really necessary? There are so many of us. If we just keep watch around the perimeter, what could possibly go wrong?" another protested.
"We only stopped to rest once in the last two days, and now we have to keep going? If we run into enemies, how are we supposed to have the energy to fight back?"
These grumbles came from both the local wizards Augurey had recruited and the American collaborators.
Seeing their unhappiness, Augurey's expression turned cold.
"No! The longer we stay in Finnmark County, the higher the risk of getting attacked. We cannot afford to stay here!"
Her stern tone made the wizards' faces fall.
Many looked openly displeased.
"Augurey, forcing everyone like this isn't the answer," whispered Sound Bird, standing nearby.
"You have to remember, we're at the northernmost tip of Europe. Temperatures are below minus 20 degrees. Living here is tough enough, let alone traveling overnight."
And he was right.
The ground was buried in snow, and just breathing felt painful in the freezing air.
Even though they had enough medicine and warm clothes, most of them were still trembling, covered in snow.
On top of that, these wizards had to stay alert and take care of magical creatures at all times.
After hearing Sound Bird's advice, Augurey looked embarrassed.
She glanced around at the wizards nearby and noticed they all looked exhausted and frostbitten, their bodies dusted with snow, ice crystals clinging to their eyebrows and beards, and the biting wind was so harsh that many couldn't even open their eyes.
To cope, some had cast the Bubble-Head Charm on themselves to avoid breathing in the freezing air.
But in this environment, where temperatures were extreme, the charm, which usually lasts half an hour, was shattering in less than five minutes.
Other protective spells like Water and Fire Intrusion were barely working and only wasted their magic.
"How could I have been so careless? I should have made them rest before entering Finnmark County," Augurey admitted, realizing her mistake.
Since she had lived in the far north all year round and was much stronger than most wizards, she had assumed others could endure these conditions just as well.
She hadn't expected everyone to struggle so much.
"Augurey, I think we should find a place for everyone to rest briefly, at least so they can recover their magic," Sound Bird suggested, shivering as well.
"Most of these North American wizards aren't used to this kind of environment, and even the magical creatures won't last much longer."
Augurey agreed, seeing that the group was on the verge of collapse.
Forcing them to keep going would only cause many to fall before they even crossed the Norwegian border.
"We can give them a break, but we have to pass through Durmstrang School of Magic first. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable," she decided after consulting the map.
"That works. It'll take about two more hours to get there," Sound Bird nodded.
She then announced the plan loudly to the group.
Upon hearing the news, the wizards cheered with relief and renewed energy.
Traveling in such harsh, ghostly weather had been brutal, but the promise of rest lifted their spirits, and they quickened their pace once again.
As Augurey and her group pushed through obstacles and hurried onward, back at Durmstrang, Karkaroff sought out their headmaster.
"Is what you're saying true? There are dozens of people with silver wands sneaking around right under my nose? Have they lost their minds?" Seth Jacob, Durmstrang's headmaster, eyed Karkaroff with suspicion.
"It's true, Headmaster Jacob," Karkaroff replied, his usual submissive and timid demeanor replaced by a serious and commanding presence, like a dignified gentleman.
"I received a reliable report that those Silver Wand scoundrels are trying to take advantage of your inattentiveness to sneak across from Finnmark County. They might even be moving around the school now."
He sighed deeply before continuing.
"You've always been kind to me, and I've never forgotten that kindness. So the moment I heard this, I felt it was my duty to inform you immediately."
Jacob, seeing Karkaroff's sincerity and recalling how he had promoted him to vice-principal, nodded thoughtfully.
"So they're trying to play us for fools, huh? They're clever."
But his expression soon darkened.
"I never expected these dishonorable rats to get so bold as to disrespect the Jacob family."
He snorted in anger.
"Enough talk. Let's go now. We have to show these bastards who really rules Norway."
Hearing this, Karkaroff felt a pang of guilt.
He hadn't expected to be pulled into this so directly.
Gathering his composure, he said firmly, "Headmaster Jacob, those Silver Wand trash are insulting the Jacob family's honor. It's only right for you to lead your wizards in confronting them.
I don't want to overshadow your authority by getting involved myself. Also, Professor Donnelly from Potions has been on an extended leave lately, so there should be someone at the school keeping watch."
"Hey, Karkaroff, you're being way too modest," Jacobsen said with a smile, shaking his head.
He then gently placed his hands on Karkaroff's shoulders.
"Though this isn't really your concern, I was deeply touched when I heard you were the first to be informed, to protect the Jacob family's reputation. From today on, consider yourself a friend of the Jacob family, we've got your back."
As he spoke, Jacobsen's eyes burned with intensity, silently promising Karkaroff that he would be under the Jacob family's protection in Northern Europe moving forward.
Hearing this heartfelt declaration, Karkaroff inwardly cursed his mother.
He didn't want to rely on anyone else, yet after all this time, he had a vague understanding of Alex's plan.
He realized Jacobsen probably wouldn't return from this trip, so letting him go now felt like sending a lamb into the lion's den.
Still, Jacobsen's determination left no room for refusal.
He grabbed Karkaroff's arm and apparated out of Durmstrang.
Immediately, he cast a high-level Patronus Charm to alert the rest of the family members.
Seeing there was no turning back, Karkaroff quickly seized a chance to send a message to Alex.
Right now, he could only hope he would come to his rescue.