"His powers of persuasion...are even better than Harry's."
After concluding "Leech Action," Tom was mildly impressed.
Lanlock's ability to so thoroughly convince his subordinates was quite remarkable. As for capturing intelligent beings...Tom had a fair idea of their motives.
It wasn't ancient magic, nor was it magic of this era; it was a particularly sinister form of Dark Magic, one that should have been lost long ago.
It bore some resemblance to the Dark Arts involved in creating Horcruxes. However, where Horcruxes involved the splitting of souls, this involved the fusing of souls.
This Dark Magic could indeed bestow immense power, but if one fused another's soul with their own, would they remain themselves?
This was why the magic had been lost; even a madman would hesitate to use it.
He didn't know how Lanlock had acquired this Dark Magic, or what he intended to do with it.
Not that he couldn't know, but rather that he didn't want to know. After all, if he knew beforehand, wouldn't it lose its intrigue?
Tom had been patiently enduring it all. Despite possessing the precognitive ability to "see the future at a glance," and the option to view the "script" at any time, he simply resisted the urge, eagerly anticipating the entertainment Lanlock and his cohorts would provide!
As for the possibility of anything going awry, there was virtually no chance.
First, anything that posed a genuine threat to Tom would already be on his radar.
The power that dark magic could provide would, at best, be on par with the Lanlock dragon, and might even be weaker.
At least the Lanlock dragon's power was inherently vast, merely uncontrollable.
This Dark Magic, however, forcibly augmented power; its quantitative change simply couldn't achieve a qualitative leap.
The chasm between himself and a "God of Magic" was absolutely insurmountable.
In short, even if Lanlock managed to complete the spell, Tom's response remained the same: "If I proclaim I will slay him with one hand, then I shall slay him with one hand, and not so much as a finger more."
...
The next day.
Tom and the others departed the vampire inn early.
There was little choice; after the goblins' antics in the early morning, they'd barely had a moment to rest before sunrise.
Fortunately, they were all wizards and required little rest, so they simply set off.
[Jim:] Hmm?
Inside the inn, Lenore Tepesh, frustrated at being unable to accompany Tom, sulked in Cassandra Volle's office.
Cassandra patiently consoled her, "Just because you cannot accompany Tom Riddle does not mean you will never see him again."
"Hmm..."
The little bat's eyes brightened. "Then, may I go find him?"
Cassandra found herself both amused and exasperated. "Just do not venture out alone."
Her expression then turned somewhat somber; it was not safe outside now.
Hunting vampires?
It seemed...it was time they taught these repulsive goblins a lesson.
...
This was a small Muggle town.
Roofs were predominantly red or grey tiled, and the walls were constructed of brick and stone, adorned with intricate carvings. Victorian-style houses perched on a hillside.
Narrow, winding streets were paved with slabs of stone, and occasional cobblestone lanes. Houses, taverns, and various shops lined both sides of the streets, and in the town's center stood a magnificent but decrepit old church.
On one side, verdant forests flourished along the mountainside, the lush trees providing shade to the town.
On the other, a shimmering lake reflected the warm morning sun, a truly breathtaking sight.
Beyond the Muggles' view, a Thestral-drawn carriage landed not far from the town, followed by a large three-wheeled motorcycle.
"You're right… the maiden voyage on this thing is really… not very pleasant."
As the third 'muscle Barbie,' Jim Johnson had successfully secured a spot in Hagrid's "passenger seat," though his "flying talent" was clearly inferior to Harry Potter and the others.
Ignoring Jim's complaints, the group continued their unhurried journey toward the Muggle town ahead.
Tom surveyed the town, listening to Gilderoy Lockhart's detailed explanations.
The town's setting was pleasant, and therefore quite populous.
However, what should have been the town's bustling center was now deserted.
The old, dilapidated church—it was said almost everyone who went inside, never returned.
The reason for the "almost" was that before the "demon" had appeared, some people had ventured inside, but nothing untoward had occurred.
Now, however, the church was completely sealed off following the "demon's" appearance.
No one dared to enter, no one dared to approach, and naturally, no one dared to demolish the church.
However, the townspeople were also loath to demolish it, believing it to be the "demon's" seal; if it were destroyed, the "demon" would emerge and slaughter them all.
"This tale sounds...a bit cliché, does it not?"
Tom remarked casually, "I feel as though I have encountered this type of formulaic horror story countless times."
"Indeed, Muggles are fond of this formula."
Lockhart seemed quite familiar with these matters. "Sir, as you are aware, I currently publish books aimed at Muggles. I have read a number of their books, and it is true that many stories freely borrow from each other."
"But this one is certainly true."
Tom gazed up at the old church in the distance, bathed in sunlight and yet seemingly quite dark. "There truly is a little something lurking inside."
"Indeed...a magic suffused with pain."
Having mastered the essence of "pain" magic, Tom's perception of magic containing this emotion was exceptionally keen.
"Pain?"
Harry seemed somewhat perplexed. "Magic possesses emotions?"
"It is not that magic possesses emotions."
Tom chuckled, patting Harry's head. "It is that emotions possess magic."
"Come, let us resolve this matter."
Tom strode toward the church, the breeze billowing his black robes. "If all proceeds according to plan, we ought to reach our destination by this evening."
...
Though it was still early, the town was gradually awakening.
At least Tom and his companions encountered quite a few townspeople who greeted them as they passed.
Because Tom and his companions had not used the Disillusionment Charm, even Muggles could perceive them.
And with Rubeus Hagrid's towering frame, he was practically impossible to miss.
But it was not merely a matter of greetings; several elderly women, upon observing Tom's striking features, even attempted to introduce their daughters to him.
Regrettably, they were turned away.
Harry and Draco Malfoy were also helpless; they'd been delegated by Cassandra Volle to deal with these aunties.
Nagini also stood beside Tom Riddle, "on guard" against any potential "enemies."
Since securing the most handsome young man was out of the question, settling for second best would not do.
Then Gilderoy Lockhart was approached, but he proved quite adept at managing these women.
His gleaming teeth, in particular, practically won over the aunties!
---