Chapter 279 "Pinnacle of Human Alchemy"

"What's happening?" Voldemort furrowed his non-existent eyebrows. "Barbarossa, your magic didn't harm him? Did it fail?"

"This is inconceivable! The furious waves of the tempestuous sea could lay waste to a small town's defenses in ancient times. How could it be that even a few transfigured clones remain unscathed?" Barbarossa bristled at the suggestion of incompetence.

"Hmph, what if the opponent is employing a strong magical barrier to halt all of our spells?" Voldemort sneered contemptuously.

"'Invulnerability to All Evil' is rumored to be the pinnacle of defensive spells, indeed capable of thwarting such attacks. But does he have the time for it? Even if the pre-cast incantation for 'Invulnerability to All Evil' couldn't be done easily by Merlin, it would still require at least three minutes... From the moment I initiated the spell to his counterattack with that bird, barely a minute has elapsed," Barbarossa retorted icily, refusing to yield.

"Enough! Cease your bickering!" Morgan's once serene countenance turned frosty as she interjected sharply. "Speak less with your mouths and observe more with your eyes. You'll soon discern... his clones are unlike any we've encountered before."

Though the prowess of the trio stood on equal footing, both Voldemort and Barbarossa, having tasted defeat at Skyler's hands, now deferred to Morgan's lead.

Upon her directive, their squabbling ceased, attention pivoting towards Skyler. Barbarossa scrutinized the clones intently, eventually discerning a telltale lack of vitality in their eyes—a stark departure from their previous agility, resembling instead...inferi.

"Hahaha..." Voldemort's laughter brimmed with smugness. Skyler Malfoy, you are truly cut from the same cloth as I. A loyal disciple molded by Dumbledore's teachings, parroting ideals of love and justice. Yet beneath this façade lies a mastery of dark arts rivalling my own. These so-called clones trailing behind you—are they not inferi? Constructs fashioned from the remains of those you've slain. Oh, the dreadful taste, to fashion them in your own likeness..."

Before Skyler could retort, Morgan interjected. Locking her gaze onto Skyler's, she spoke in a low, unwavering tone. "They are not inferi."

"How can they not be? Look at those lifeless eyes and pallid complexions. Ms. Le Fay, do not forget—you face a master of inferi!" Voldemort asserted firmly. "The count of inferi under my command tallies not in the hundreds, but eight hundred. I stand by my judgment."

Morgan brushed aside Voldemort's boasts, addressing Skyler directly. "Undead magic is rooted in alchemy. I detect a potent aroma of alchemy... If my deduction is correct... this is human alchemy, isn't it?"

Skyler, positioned at the forefront, reverted to his usual demeanor, a smile playing across his lips. "As expected of the Dark Witch—knowledgeable and formidable, far surpassing your dim-witted lackeys."

"Damn it!" Barbarossa erupted, his temper flaring. "Are you courting death?"

"Boy... I concede your strength but remember; you are still a human. It would be wise not to cross me," Voldemort's eyes blazed with emerald fury, his voice chilling.

"Human alchemy..." Morgan mused aloud. "Unexpected, truly unexpected... Even in my era, human alchemy was deemed one of the highest taboos in the wizarding world. Only the most deranged dared to delve into its depths... I never fathomed that after millennia of slumber, someone would dare to explore human alchemy to this extent..."

"Though I've slumbered, the Shadow Dragon's intelligence network remained unbroken for a millennia. These puppets of yours—I can discern the rise and fall of their breath, the coursing of blood in their veins, the steady rhythm of their hearts... They're nearly indistinguishable from living humans! Only the Hohenheim family, renowned for their mastery of human body alchemy in Germany, could achieve such precision."

"If my deductions serve me right," Morgan ventured, "the doll hails from the Hohenheim lineage, does it not?"

A glint of cunning flashed in Skyler's eyes. "You seem well-acquainted with my circumstances, akin to a Hogwarts insider. It prompts me to wonder... could there be a mole within Hogwarts?"

"Hmph, Hogwarts boasts a plethora of students. There's no need for internal espionage to keep tabs on you," Morgan retorted, her demeanor cool and composed.

"Hehehehe," Skyler chuckled, a sly grin forming. "Your swift denial only deepens my suspicions—how could mere students possess knowledge of my whereabouts? Is your informant none other than Irma Pince?"

Morgan's countenance momentarily froze, but she swiftly regained her composure, her expression and tone icy as she remarked, "Your speculations are your own affair and bear no relevance to me."

Skyler remained calm, a smirk playing at his lips.

He possessed the ability to clandestinely surveil, coupled with proficiency in legilimency, the art of delving into minds.

Despite Morgan's subtle movements, they didn't escape Skyler's keen observation. Moreover, since his first year at school, he had sensed a peculiar aura emanating from Ms. Pince. Now, there seemed to be a clue to the librarian's true identity.

However, Skyler opted not to dwell on the matter, steering the conversation back to the topic at hand. "Nevertheless, your conjecture is accurate. These are the alchemy puppets bestowed upon me by Eleanor," he disclosed, "a symbol of the enduring alliance between our families."

Upon hearing Skyler's affectionate reference to the Hohenheim family's young Eleanor, a pang of discomfort pricked at Morgan's heart. Without thinking, she interjected, "Though I've had no dealings with the Hohenheim family, they are known Paladins from the ancient times."

"The descendants of Hohenheim naturally uphold the pride befitting their lineage—human body alchemy, to my knowledge, stands as the most closely guarded secret within their family. It's their prized possession, a legacy not casually shared. Do you truly expect me to believe they'd entrust such a vital asset to you merely for the sake of an alliance?"

"It appears your ties with the Hohenheim family run deeper than I presumed... Rather than presenting this as a gift from the Hohenheim family, you might as well claim it as a token of affection from that doll-like girl," Morgan quipped, a peculiar slip of the tongue. Then, she added, "You, young man, seem to be rather fortunate..."

Abruptly, she winced and clutched her chest as though struck by a sudden pang.

Morgan, ever astute, swiftly deduced the cause. Despite her dominion over this body, Meredith's personality hadn't entirely receded but remained suppressed. The recent exchange seemed to trigger a resurgence of Meredith's persona, subtly influencing Morgan's consciousness.

Simultaneously, she discerned that this conversation was likely a deliberate ploy orchestrated by Skyler, exploiting the natural inclination towards jealousy to provoke her dormant persona.

Forcing herself to regain composure, she retorted coldly, "Boy, spare me your attempts to rattle my resolve with your words—I grew weary of such tactics a millennium ago!"

"They're nothing more than mindless puppets," Morgan continued icily. "To ordinary wizards, these humanoid weapons, unflinching in the face of death, might inspire dread. But to us—whether there are a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand of them—in what case should we fear them?"

Having forcibly steadied her mind, Morgan suppressed the intrusive thoughts and endeavored to clarify her thinking. These puppets bore an uncanny resemblance to Skyler, causing a jarring visual impact that momentarily disoriented the trio.

In essence, they were akin to Inferi, save for their immunity to flames—an apparent weakness eradicated. For wizards of their caliber, numerous strategies existed to counter such adversaries.

"Oh, is that so?" Skyler's expression shifted to one of mild disappointment. He shook his head, then spoke with deliberate slowness, "It appears I may have overestimated you... Your perspective seems rather narrow."

"If what you claim is true, then what sets these 'human puppets'—hailed as the pinnacle of human alchemy in this age—apart from those crudely fashioned metal automatons? Why not opt for the latter? Traditional alchemy can fashion metal puppets with copper skin and iron bones. Wouldn't they offer superior defense, convenience, and cost-effectiveness?"