Chapter 277 "Already Planned"

"What's the matter? Are you afraid?" A peculiar smile crept onto Morgan's lips, a glint of intrigue dancing in his eyes. "Fear not. I assure you, later on, I shall bestow upon you a surprise..."

"Tsk, tsk," Skyler scoffed, his lips curling with disdain. "For a wizard once as renowned as Merlin himself and hailed as the most formidable sorcerer a millennium past, it's quite the spectacle to witness you now resorting to such crude tactics. Frankly, ever since I discovered Meredith was ensnared by your influence, I've been anticipating this moment. Had you simply relented just now—"

"On the contrary, I would have been sorely disappointed!" Skyler's pupils abruptly dilated into narrow slits reminiscent of serpent's eyes, his voice booming with intensity. "Come forth! Let us behold what treasures lie within the depths of the Dark Demon Queen's dominion, millennia hence!"

Despite his bravado, Skyler remained inherently cautious, never underestimating unfamiliar powers.

His confidence stemmed from one key fact—the other party remained oblivious to his own latent reservoir of this misty energy, albeit unmastered. When the time came for Skyler to act, should he discern the true purpose of this energy, he might just wield it as his ace in the hole.

Morgan fixed her gaze on Skyler, unblinking, as though striving to unravel his true intentions. She harbored doubts about the young man's purported confidence to confront three adversaries alone.

Yet, considering Skyler's deliberate nature and unwavering composure, she reasoned he wasn't one to act rashly. The notion of him engaging in a direct confrontation seemed implausible.

Skyler's demeanor suggested he wasn't bluffing; he appeared poised to act. Could it be...

After a moment, she chuckled softly before remarking, "I must admit, I nearly had you spooked... No matter your prowess, you cannot surpass Merlin himself. Even with the combined might of the three of us, challenging us solo would be foolhardy... Unless you harbor some clandestine scheme, a notion not incongruent with your character. However, in the face of such a vast power disparity, any stratagem would surely falter."

"You're awaiting reinforcements, aren't you?" Morgan's expression turned triumphant. "The only one capable of bolstering a confrontation of this magnitude would be Hogwarts' current headmaster—Dumbledore, isn't it?"

"He's the reason you're undaunted by us! He's your ultimate ace in the hole!"

Observing Skyler's stoic silence, Morgan's confidence swelled as she continued, "Dumbledore's reputation precedes him. Undoubtedly, he possesses the strength to intervene in this conflict and potentially quell it. Yet, introducing such volatile elements... Do you truly believe we haven't anticipated his arrival after meticulously planning for this day?"

"The most potent anti-Apparition wards have been established here. Even if he were the pinnacle of the Grand Magister, his ability to Apparate would be nullified..." Morgan's eyes gleamed with certainty, her voice tinged with pride and chill. "Do you suppose we would overlook the phoenix at his side?"

"Ha! Let me enlighten you. We've long been aware of his phoenix's ability to traverse space and teleport vast distances. My estimation suggests it could likely breach the anti-Apparition barriers here—"

"So..." Morgan paused briefly, then continued, "We've engineered a few obstacles specifically for him, ensuring he's preoccupied elsewhere... Thus, surrender now, for even if this confrontation spirals into chaos, he won't grace us with his presence... Your ace in the hole has been neutralized!"

"Ah..." Skyler breathed out in surprise. It wasn't that Dumbledore's absence flustered him, but rather, he hadn't anticipated these individuals would go so far as to plan for Dumbledore's involvement. This woman, Morgan Le Fay, truly possessed remarkable foresight. No wonder she ascended to the throne of a nation. It required not only formidable magical prowess but also adept strategizing and political acumen.

What truly astonished Skyler, however, was that she had succeeded.

For most ordinary folk, Dumbledore evoked images of a glorious figure radiating an aura of greatness, renowned for his extraordinary magical abilities and formidable combat skills.

Yet, in Skyler's estimation, Dumbledore's true strength lay not solely in his magic, but in his strategic prowess.

His most remarkable feat was a meticulously crafted plan spanning from Harry Potter's infancy to his coming of age at seventeen.

Innumerable variables and intricate relationships were at play, yet Dumbledore orchestrated it all, ultimately leading to Voldemort's defeat despite the latter's overwhelming power compared to Harry Potter's.

The fact that such a mastermind could be manipulated as a mere pawn in Morgan's schemes underscored the magnitude of her cunning stratagems.

Skyler harbored no doubts regarding the validity of Morgan's assertions. Upon a moment's reflection, the explanation became apparent—

As one of Harry Potter's closest confidants, Hermione Granger would undoubtedly have been a primary concern for Dumbledore.

How, then, could she have been abducted within the walls of Hogwarts? The training regimen for Harry Potter had long been Dumbledore's paramount focus, an endeavor too critical to overlook.

Thus, it must be inferred that unforeseen circumstances had diverted much of Dumbledore's attention. Some abrupt event had evidently compromised his typically astute judgment.

So, what could distract a centenarian, nearly at the pinnacle of his wisdom, and devoid of personal desires?

"You..." Skyler hesitated for a prolonged moment before finally speaking, his words deliberate. "If my assumptions are correct, you... may have raided Nurmengard Prison... Correct?"

Skyler pondered further, realizing that Dumbledore's family had all but perished. His sole biological sibling resided in the Pig's Head Inn, not far from Hogwarts.

The only individual who could have been targeted for manipulation by Morgan and her cohorts, thereby inducing a critical misstep from Dumbledore, was the inmate held within Nurmengard Prison.　

"Brilliant!" Morgan's expression softened with admiration. "The day preceding our arrival here, we orchestrated a breach of Nurmengard Prison, liberating the Dark Lord within... The notion of him and Dumbledore, once bitter foes turned unlikely allies, reunited amidst a backdrop of mutual enmity and history—oh, the irony! The prospect of their reunion is positively riveting, wouldn't you agree? Ha!"

"So..." Morgan's demeanor grew serious. "Do you comprehend now? You stand alone, devoid of any support. No matter your might, you are but one individual... You will—"

"Perish here alone!" Morgan's tone dripped with animosity, her inexplicable disdain palpable as she ground her teeth. "It's too late for you to reconsider. I must eradicate you, you wretched—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..." Skyler interjected, his voice tinged with indignation. "While we may have been adversaries from the outset, Miss Morgan, today marks our first encounter, devoid of any prior grievances. Must you vilify me so? Furthermore—"

"You just asserted—" A glint flickered in Skyler's eyes, his trademark evil grin surfacing. "That I am solely—alone?"