Prove… that you are qualified to bear the title of a Major Arcana?
Erina took a deep look at Lockhart. Did this guy actually have such awareness now?
While the motivation seemed to be primarily to show off in front of the Major Arcana, it had to be admitted that, aside from the impulsive and unrealistic nature of the plan, the current Lockhart was more likable than the weak, vain con artist author of the past.
“Wait, are you saying… there really is a way for werewolves to turn back into humans? Where?! What’s the cure rate?”
At that moment, Macintosh and the other werewolf wizards who had been watching this strange interrogation could no longer contain their curiosity and hurriedly inquired.
“In Salzburg, Austria, there’s a recently established magical hospital that has gathered some of the top doctors and healers from both the magical and non-magical worlds, uniting to solve various intractable diseases—or rather, those ‘terminal illnesses.’”
“Such as malignant dragon pox syphilis, wizard's bane, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, various malignant tumors…”
“Lycanthropy is just one of the targets being conquered.”
“However, although there are successful cases of cure, and theoretical reproduction is not a problem, the cost is too high, and the requirements for treatment personnel and magical materials are also quite high. It is still in the laboratory stage and cannot be clinically promoted.”
“As for the cure rate, from what I knew before, it is currently 100% - mmmph - mmmph -”
“Keep quiet.”
Erina raised her right index finger and casually tapped Lockhart lightly.
The golden-haired young wizard's explanation came to an abrupt halt, his upper and lower lips seeming to be tightly glued together.
“Please be quiet when listening to stories… Of course, the story should also end here.”
Erina gave the surrounding werewolf wizards an elegant "shush" gesture, then turned to look at Lockhart again.
“A highly commendable spirit of adventure. I understand your motives and thoughts, roughly. Unfortunately, from the current situation, you still have a long way to go before you can shoulder the title of a Major Arcana. Besides courage and ambition, there is also wisdom and reliability…”
To be honest, Lockhart's "gamble" was somewhat beyond her expectations.
However, rather than encouraging and affirming this guy's growth, Erina felt that she should first strengthen training in "corporate culture" and "responsibility."
The cost of the Hyperion's warp jump, and the issuance of a level one alert… these things are not ordinary matters like the eight hundred Valentine's Day cards that Lockhart received when he was studying at Hogwarts, or the dozens of meters of flourished signatures printed on the Quidditch pitch. If this guy cries wolf every now and then, he might be torn apart directly by angry goblins and wizards before the Major Arcana council even issues an order.
Of course, these things have to wait until after the return trip, pulling those old grandfathers to discuss.
In front of the werewolves, Erina wouldn't bully her own people—Lockhart can be considered a hostage to be rescued now anyway.
“Here's the antidote to Veritaserum. Drink it all.”
Erina waved her hand to lift the "silence" and took out a reinforced glass test tube from the storage compartment in her chest, throwing it to Lockhart.
“I roughly understand the situation. After we finish the remaining things, we'll leave immediately—”
“The remaining things? Miss—you're going to—”
Lockhart hurriedly caught the potion thrown by Erina and asked subconsciously.
“Shut up. Watch quietly from the side, it won't take too long—”
Erina said softly, turning her head to look at the werewolf wizards standing not far away, a hint of danger flashing in her eyes.
“Since you still regard yourselves as ‘humans’, then you must abide by the rules of ‘human society’. The Cruciatus Curse is one of the three Unforgivable Curses recognized by the magical world. Once any spell is used on a person, they will face a life sentence in Azkaban Wizarding Prison.”
“Given your special identities, I can give you some exemptions—let's tentatively count it as an out-of-court settlement.”
“Those wizards who cast the Cruciatus Curse on Gilderoy Lockhart, hand over your wands, and I won't pursue it today.”
“Otherwise… according to current international regulations, you may have to spend the rest of your lives in a magical prison…”
Erina said calmly, spreading her fingers on both hands and said in a serious manner.
“I'll give you ten seconds to consider.”
“Ten, nine, eight—”
Antillisia Macintosh and the others froze for half a second, exchanging strange glances.
Although they didn't know the true identity of the wizard under this magical armor, judging from the voice and build, the age was probably not very old, at most seventeen or eighteen years old, and probably a petite and relatively young girl - maybe not even an adult.
“Heh—where did this crazy girl come from—”
Antillisia Macintosh shook her head with a chuckle, waving her wand casually in the air.
For a moment, she thought Lockhart was an important member of some incredible organization.
Now it seemed that the guy was more like he had joined some ancient magical family and became a servant serving one of its members—Miss? This word was enough for her to analyze a lot of things. After learning about the existence of "hope" from Lockhart's mouth, she changed her mind.
“What do you think this is? A wizarding court? Or the Ministry of Magic hall?”
“Perhaps this strange magic armor can make you fly and protect you from teeth and claws, but it is not omnipotent after all. It seems you don’t understand who is in charge of this forest—after I strip off your armor, you will understand what is called politeness—”
“Do it, grab that girl, give her a taste of bitterness.”
Antillisia Macintosh said sharply, winking at the surrounding werewolf wizards.
Even if they couldn't get the werewolf-turning-human potion for the time being, the magical armor they had never seen before should be able to help them all exchange for one or two months of Wolfsbane Potion on the black market, not to mention…
This hostage is obviously more valuable than Lockhart!
“Sigh—”
Erina sighed helplessly, which was one of the reasons why she didn't support Lockhart.
She knew too well the cruel side of human nature. In the face of survival, kindness and order were almost worthless.
Unlike those helpless former Soviet researchers and veterans, these werewolves might be pitiful, but they would never be harmless white rabbits to be slaughtered. If they weren't a little ruthless, a little fierce, and a little despicable, they wouldn't have survived to this day.
For these "beasts" living in the shadows, they value immediate interests more than ethereal long-term hopes.
After all, for them, perhaps after today, there will be no tomorrow.
Fortunately, Erina has a lot of experience in how to make others listen to her reasoning peacefully.
Erina looked around at the werewolves with their evil expressions and calmly recited.
“Light Wings—Unfold—”
Moonlight bloomed in the dark forest.
————
————
Yay!