Hogwarts: Legacy of the Necromancer

Penelope Clearwater had never experienced magic in such a free and unrestricted way.

Countless right arms could appear from anywhere, extending as far as the shoulder, but the positions where they appeared were fixed and couldn't materialize "out of thin air." To make them disappear, they had to retract to their original position.

For example, Penelope Clearwater could extend one right arm after another from the palm of her hand. At that point, it became evident that the "countless" right arms actually had a limit—there were exactly 50 of them.

These right arms, formed from magical energy, possessed their own sense of touch. When they picked up objects, Penelope Clearwater could also feel what they were holding. Once retracted, the arms could bring small items back to her real right hand.

They could also feel pain, but they wouldn't react reflexively or bleed. If they were injured, all they transmitted to Penelope Clearwater was the sensation of pain. However, they would continue performing their tasks as if nothing happened. She wouldn't feel the injury emotionally, nor would it cause harm to her actual body.

Though the arms could be damaged, since they were formed by magic, once they were retracted and summoned again, they would be restored to their original state.

"This innate magic could be called the 'Hand of God,' or maybe the 'Right Hand of the Hundred-Armed Giant.' Because if you manage to activate the bracelet on your left eye, that would give you exactly fifty pairs of hands. The Hundred-Armed Giant would be unstoppable."

Regulus Black was already dressed, sipping wine slowly as he admired Penelope Clearwater's graceful, unclothed body.

She had been so excited that she had completely forgotten to get dressed.

Only after her lover reminded her did Penelope Clearwater react. Her "Hand of God" moved at will, blossoming like a flower. She reached into the magical wardrobe Regulus Black had brought and pulled out a Gothic-style lady's dress.

Penelope Clearwater knew that Regulus Black was extremely particular in this regard.

Noble, classical, and elegant fashion, with a touch of death, darkness, and melancholy—those were Regulus Black's preferences.

Although she wasn't yet fully proficient at using only the "Hand of God" to dress herself, Penelope Clearwater had no intention of giving up. Such a useful innate magic deserved to be mastered.

Once she was fully dressed, she gave Regulus Black a graceful curtsey like a proper lady, then immediately abandoned all elegance. Her long, curly brown hair bouncing, she threw herself into her lover's arms.

"When will you help me light up the bracelet on my left eye?"

Penelope Clearwater asked while swaying her waist flirtatiously, acting cute and coquettish.

"When you can make those right arms of yours cast magic, you'll be able to sense the opportunity to activate your left eye yourself."

Regulus Black remained unmoved. After all, several hours of physical exertion had left him in a transcendent state.

"A little bit of play brings joy, but too much makes one a sage."

Although summer break in Britain was long, there were quite a few girls Regulus Black had to visit. He had already spent an entire day at Penelope Clearwater's house. Although he didn't meet her parents, he had accomplished what he came for.

As expected, Penelope Clearwater's family wasn't a wizarding one. Her father was a Muggle, and her mother was a Squib of mixed blood. No wonder she had always hidden her family background so well. Relying solely on her talent and intelligence, she had become a Ravenclaw prefect. All her efforts were simply so others wouldn't talk behind her back.

How should one put it? Children from poor families mature early.

Regulus Black's snowy owl, Reina, had brought many similar letters, though some were about official matters.

Judy Fox, the Auror squad leader, had a rare opportunity to be promoted to captain and had written asking for Regulus Black's full support.

Given Regulus Black's current connections in the Ministry of Magic, granting that support would be effortless. But he couldn't reply hastily—Judy had her own family behind her. Though their relationship was now acknowledged, it had nearly resulted in retaliation in the beginning. Fortunately, Regulus Black and the girl had earned enough merit together. Though those achievements were minor, they had added up over time.

Regulus Black first wrote to Minister Fudge to inquire about the matter, then replied to Judy Fox to reassure her and even scheduled their next date.

His research on innate magic was progressing smoothly. It was time to give this early follower of his a little reward—a small benefit, so to speak.

There was also Lucy Piddell, Regulus Black's legal advisor and personal attorney. She, too, had sent an official letter.

"Crimson Peak" was about to be released, and a series of premieres, red carpet events, interviews, parties, and fan meet-and-greets had to be attended. Even if he was an investor in the film, as long as he held the title of actor, it was his obligation to participate in the promotions.

"You've seen how the bosses of other film companies passionately promote their own movies, haven't you?"

Lucy Piddle ended her letter with that line, and the tone of reproach was unmistakable.

After all, if even the investor wasn't actively involved in promoting the film, what would the rest of the crew think?

Two of the female leads also wrote to him. Their letters were filled with tender affection, yet they too hoped he would be more enthusiastic.

Enthusiastic—in every sense of the word.

Since his women were all urging him to be more proactive, according to the schedule, the U.S. premiere came first, followed by the one in the U.K.

Regulus Black had a submarine of his own—the Aquarius—which had been stationed at the dock, on standby.

During the day, the dock operated as a busy freight terminal. Fresh fish was merely the surface cargo; various smuggled goods were the true mainstay.

At night, though the docks quieted down, the cargo moved during those hours was far more lucrative—even more so than contraband.

Of course, none of this could be exposed. Even in the wizarding world, such behavior was met with disdain.

Regulus Black did all of this to obtain magical materials more easily. Orders were placed, goods were delivered—the items he needed were far more accessible this way than through the wizarding market. Even Diagon Alley couldn't compare.

Although Muggles had no idea what exactly he was looking for, when it came to the strange demands of the wealthy, they were willing to risk everything for money. People die for wealth, birds die for food—it was as simple as that.

But tonight, the docks weren't being used for smuggling contraband. A submarine shaped like a blade responded to a distant call and surfaced from a hidden section of the dock.

A woman stepped out. She had blue hair, red eyes, a slender frame, and a chest that seemed disproportionately full compared to the rest of her body.

She was the Clockwork Halloween Iron Golem, modeled after the emotionless goddess Ayanami Rei's Iron Golem.

But this one was Unit Four, dressed in a German military uniform. On her right arm was a black swastika armband, and an Iron Cross medal hung on her chest. The small hat and tall boots typically worn by women completed the look, giving her an air of confidence.

Though this was just one of Regulus Black's absurd cosplay whims, it did look quite striking—attractively so. Even the submarine was adorned with swastika markings. One couldn't help but wonder if the vessel's original owner would jump out of his grave in protest—after all, back in the day, he had been part of the Extraordinary Gentlemen's Alliance that fought against Germany: Captain Nemo.

"Everything is ready, Master! We can set sail at any time. By tomorrow, we'll arrive at the American branch."

Unit Four saluted with a German military gesture, then led Regulus Black aboard the Aquarius submarine.

Regulus Black would travel directly to the U.S. via the Aquarius. He had already built a submarine base in the Great Lakes region. In some ways, those wizards he'd captured to serve as his labor force were proving quite useful.

"Oh my god! What am I seeing? Is this a ghost from World War II? A German submarine, freely entering and exiting British territory?"

A police officer assigned to long-term surveillance let out a shocked cry. He had assumed the small dock was under observation because of smuggling activity. He never expected the real catch to be a German submarine. This was far beyond his rank—he had to report it immediately.

Suddenly, an octopus pounced on his head.

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