At this moment, Ciel was still waiting in the small greenhouse for the Malfoy family's reply.
But soon, commotion came from the sky outside. He looked up and clearly saw a carriage flying through the air. Pulling the carriage were skeletal, dragon-headed, horse-bodied magical creatures with giant bat wings.
His heart stirred as he recalled the name of these magical creatures—Thestrals. A type of magical creature that could only be seen by those who had personally witnessed death. This carriage was pulled by a full four Thestrals, so it was extremely fast.
In the blink of an eye, it had descended from the sky and landed before him. The Malfoy family crest carved on the carriage also came into view.
Then Lucius emerged from the carriage with Draco, gracefully greeting him: "Mr Sprout, I hope I haven't kept you waiting long."
Ciel raised an eyebrow: "Mr Malfoy? I thought an owl would arrive first, or a house-elf that could directly Apparate with me."
Lucius smiled and shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, no. That would be far too discourteous. How could we invite an important guest with smelly, lowly house-elves? Such protocol is necessary. Please board the carriage, Mr Sprout. Malfoy Manor will be honoured by your presence."
Ciel sighed inwardly. Honestly, having a house-elf bring him via Apparition would be more efficient. But since Lucius had gone to such lengths, he might as well take the Thestral carriage.
Then he accepted Lucius's invitation to board the Thestral carriage. Lucius courteously pointed to a part of the carriage: "There's a ladder here—step on it and you can easily get up."
But the next moment, something neither Ciel nor Lucius expected happened. As soon as Ciel approached the Thestrals, all four turned their heads to look at him. Then the Thestrals slowly bent their knees and lowered themselves, extending their dragon-like necks to lift him onto the carriage.
Draco hadn't personally witnessed death, so he couldn't see the Thestrals. All he could see was the carriage inexplicably lowering several inches.
But Lucius, watching this scene, had shock flickering in his pupils. The reason was simple—only those who had personally witnessed death could see Thestrals. This legend was known to all.
But only extremely few knew this legend had a second half: only those qualified to transcend death could make Thestrals bow and submit.
Lucius had once thought this legend was merely an absurd rumour until years ago when, while following Voldemort, he once personally witnessed Voldemort riding a Thestral carriage. The Thestrals had indeed bowed to Voldemort.
The scene then had been absolutely electrifying. Thinking they followed a wizard qualified to transcend death, even the weakest, most humble Death Eaters couldn't help but proudly puff out their chests.
But no one had expected things to turn out as they did later.
Then Lucius looked at Ciel with an expression that faintly revealed awe. He had previously suspected Ciel might be more terrifying than Voldemort of old. After all, this was a boy with such deep scheming and cunning.
Now his suspicions were confirmed. So this was the next Dark Lord? Truly terrifying, as expected. Fortunately, the Malfoy family had established connections with Ciel early on.
After a while, when his emotions had settled, Lucius finally boarded the carriage too. Only then did the Thestrals spread their giant bat-like wings, pulling the carriage swiftly toward Malfoy Manor.
About half an hour later, the Thestral carriage seemed to pass through an invisible barrier. The next second, a vast, magnificently luxurious manor appeared before Ciel.
The original story had repeatedly emphasised Malfoy Manor's splendour, but seeing it firsthand still left him quite shocked. Peacocks, Thestrals, and such were ordinary fixtures. Various things treasured as precious in the Muggle world were used here like common stones.
There was even a path inlaid with gems and mother-of-pearl extending from the manor entrance all the way to the reception hall.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. No wonder, despite the Malfoy family's fickleness, Voldemort hadn't been too harsh with them. Whether for political activities or directly recruiting soldiers, the Malfoy family was like a moneybag, saving countless troubles!
But he only admired the Malfoy Manor scenery briefly before saying to Lucius, "Mr Malfoy, time is pressing. Let's skip the ceremonies and start dealing with those dark magical items, shall we?"
Hearing these words, Lucius was greatly moved. He had been secretly observing Ciel's expression and found that he seemed uninterested in the Malfoy family's wealth. This trip was truly specifically to help the Malfoy family deal with dark magical items.
Compared to Voldemort, this boy who might become the future Dark Lord was truly much more honourable. If one must follow a Dark Lord, Lucius genuinely felt it would be better to support a Hufflepuff Dark Lord—at least more honourable.
Then, settling his wandering thoughts, Lucius hurriedly led Ciel to a storage room. Inside were several large chests, with dense negative magical particles echoing in the air. Undoubtedly, these chests contained nothing but dark magical items.
No wonder Lucius was so anxious. These things were indeed difficult to handle. Even if casually discarded, they could easily be found by Aurors. If unluckily discovered by Muggles, that would be even worse—they'd be prosecuted under the International Statute of Secrecy.
Processing these dark magical items would require considerable effort. The slightest carelessness could result in harm from the attached dark magic.
But for Ciel, the special Patronus tree seed in his possession could resist even the power from the Delia Island temple. Facing ordinary dark magical items was naturally no problem—after all, this was a seed influenced by mythical-level Patronus Charm, incomparable to ordinary items.
While Lucius was still asking whether Ciel needed any tools or potions for assistance, promising the Malfoy family would provide everything, he shook his head, indicating Lucius and the others should leave, leaving this place to him.
Lucius immediately lowered his head, knowing Ciel probably needed to use methods that couldn't be revealed. He quickly left the room with Draco, showing reverence.
After they left, Ciel waved his wand, carefully checking every part of the room. He hadn't forgotten that Malfoy Manor contained a house-elf named Dobby who had secretly betrayed the Malfoy family.
Regarding the matter between the Malfoy family and Dobby, he had no interest in judging, but he didn't want his methods seen by an untrustworthy house-elf.
After thorough inspection confirmed the room contained nothing hidden and no gaps for eavesdropping or spying, he nodded slightly.
Then he took out the Patronus tree seed. The moment it emerged, the dark magical aura permeating the air was immediately swept away. The oppressive, gloomy atmosphere became refreshingly clear.
He opened the several chests, revealing various oddly shaped dark magical items inside. The Malfoy family had taste—they hadn't collected things like human hands, eyeballs, or fingernails. Most were items like clocks, jewellery, tea sets, and various notebooks with attached dark magic.
Seeing these items, his eyes lit up. This was completely different from what he'd seen in the Room of Requirement—the quality was incomparably higher. After all, items the Malfoy family deemed worthy of collection were naturally not ordinary goods.
Moreover, over so many years, the Malfoy family had been properly maintaining them. The dark magic on these items hadn't declined due to time's passage but had actually grown stronger. Each piece was a treasure.
When these chests opened, dark magical power far more concentrated than before gushed out like a fountain. But the Patronus tree seed was like dark magic's natural enemy—no matter how dense the dark magic, it couldn't advance a single step, instead being continuously annihilated.
During this annihilation process, he could see the three types of reward lustre flickering on the Patronus tree seed finally beginning to change at visible speed. The Legendary-level lustre changed little, but the Diamond-level pure radiance was continuously dissipating, replaced by Epic-level purple light slowly expanding.
This meant the Patronus tree seed's level was gradually breaking free from Diamond level, advancing toward Epic level.
He felt excited and elated. Though Epic and Diamond weren't separated by the chasm between Mythical and Legendary, unless it was an ability like ancient magic, no matter how strong Diamond-level abilities were, they couldn't compare to Epic-level abilities.
But after the excitement, looking at the dark magical items in the chests being continuously purified, he frowned. At this rate, the dark magic in these chests would soon be completely annihilated—that wouldn't be enough.
Then he quickly left the room. Lucius, who had been waiting outside anxiously, saw him emerge so quickly and felt worried. Could Ciel also be unable to handle so many dark magical items?
But moments later, his words truly stunned Lucius: "Almost finished. Got any more?"
Lucius gaped: "Ah?"
Then he reacted: "Yes, there are more. Dark magical items like these—another three or four chests. Plus some dangerous items that need separate storage, about ten pieces or so."
Hearing this, Ciel's eyes lit up slightly: "Bring them all over. I'll handle them together."
Then he returned to the room. Lucius looked at his retreating figure and gulped. Being able to handle so many dark magical items at once, making it sound as easy as cutting vegetables—one could imagine what level his dark magic mastery had reached!
And this was only his first year. Moreover, unlike legendary geniuses like Dumbledore and Grindelwald, who had contacted magic before entering Hogwarts, Ciel had lived in the Muggle world before receiving his letter, with no opportunity to contact magic.
If given more time to grow, it is unimaginable what heights he could reach!
Taking a deep breath, Lucius looked at Draco: "Draco, you must maintain good relations with Mr Sprout. Someday, our Malfoy family's survival might depend on Mr Sprout. Understand?"
After Draco nodded repeatedly, Lucius quickly began assembly-line delivery of dark magical items into the room.
No matter what he sent in, the Patronus tree seed treated everything equally—direct purification. However, those "inferior goods" in chests obviously couldn't provide much growth to the Patronus tree seed, winning through quantity.
But those treasures stored separately gave Ciel considerable surprises. Several treasures had such abundant dark magical power they almost equalled entire chests of dark magical items, with obviously much higher levels, having significant effects on the Patronus tree seed's level improvement.
Soon, in his vision, the three types of reward lustre flowing on the Patronus tree seed had quietly changed. The Legendary-level radiance had grown slightly but not much. But Diamond Light now remained only a small portion, with Epic-level purple radiance occupying absolute dominance.
One or two more dark magical treasures should allow this Patronus tree seed to completely advance to Epic level!
He showed a satisfied expression. This trip to the Malfoy family had truly brought substantial gains. In other places, it would be difficult to obtain such quantity and quality of dark magical items, making the Patronus tree seed's advancement a distant prospect.
Then he once again left the room, telling the anxiously waiting Lucius: "The previous items have all been processed. Are there any more dark magical items?"
Lucius first breathed a sigh of relief. Their family's collected dark magical items were basically all here. If Ciel had cleaned them all up, the upcoming Ministry inspection shouldn't be worrying.
Then an idea surfaced in his mind—he thought of something, an item the Dark Lord had left with him. That thing—he'd never dared touch it all these years. Even the room storing it was completely locked; he'd never entered himself, fearing discovery.
After all, his reason for escaping Azkaban prison was being controlled by the Imperius Curse, not genuinely wanting to follow the Dark Lord in those deeds. Through such claims plus extensive bribing, he'd avoided prison that year.
But if the Dark Lord's reward to him was discovered, that would be the end. No one would spare him.
As for trying to destroy that thing? He didn't dare attempt it. Who knew if the Dark Lord had left strange magic on it? Or what if the Dark Lord returned? This year he'd reappeared at Hogwarts. Dumbledore hadn't killed him again—he would definitely return!
If discovered then, he'd probably suffer unimaginable terrible torture.
Therefore, that thing had almost become Lucius's heart disease.
Today, seeing Ciel's profound dark magic mastery, this future Dark Lord was practically set in stone. Lucius's heartbeat suddenly began racing violently. Maybe Ciel could help him solve this problem?
So after long hesitation and struggle, Lucius gritted his teeth, indicating Ciel should follow him. He led him along the corridor toward a room deep in the mansion, simultaneously lowering his voice: "Mr Sprout, there's one absolutely unique, immensely powerful dark magical item hiding great secrets. It comes from someone whose name cannot be mentioned."
Ciel's steps suddenly stopped. He naturally knew what Lucius meant—Voldemort's Horcrux, Tom Riddle's diary.
This thing—forget whether the Patronus tree seed could handle it. Even if it could, its role in the original plot was too important. The first Horcrux to appear in Dumbledore's view, confirming his suspicions, it also revealed the relationship between Voldemort and Tom Riddle.
Additionally, the diary controlled Ginny to enter the Chamber and release the basilisk, possibly creating Harry and Ginny's romance. Most importantly, it let Gryffindor's sword absorb basilisk blood, becoming the key item for continuously destroying Horcruxes later.
This thing was like a vortex—he didn't want to get involved.
Therefore, even knowing that handling this diary could not only let the Patronus tree seed completely advance to Epic level but possibly even reach Legendary level, he still decisively gave up without any wishful thinking.
"Mr Malfoy, I think we'd better not see this thing."
His decisive refusal left Lucius stopping in his tracks, his expression somewhat pale, restlessly saying: "Mr Sprout—"
Ciel waved his hand, looking at him deeply: "I know Mr Malfoy has probably been troubled by this thing for a long time. But I think if it hasn't caused any harm after so many years, it's actually not the particularly dangerous type and would be hard to expose in the Ministry's routine inspections."
"If you want to handle it, my advice is—find a way to send it to Hogwarts. Headmaster Dumbledore will definitely notice it. Best to place it somewhere conspicuous."
Lucius's eyes instantly widened, his heart surging with shock. He understood Ciel's meaning—this item contained the Dark Lord's great secret? If Dumbledore noticed it, the Dark Lord's weakness for never dying could probably be found.
So the advice was to secretly send this thing to Hogwarts. As for a conspicuous location—naturally near saviour Harry Potter. Everyone knew Dumbledore's gaze would always focus on Harry Potter.
Of course, it couldn't be sent directly to Harry Potter—what if there was danger? Dumbledore probably wouldn't spare him.
Best would be someone connected to Harry Potter. Lucius immediately thought of the detestable red-haired Weasley family.
"When school starts, that family always buys second-hand textbooks. If the diary is mixed in with second-hand textbooks, no one could discover it."
A plan had already formed in Lucius's mind. About to rid himself of major trouble, that light feeling immediately made him breathe easier, repeatedly thanking Ciel.
Simultaneously, regarding Ciel's refusal to process the diary, he felt not contempt but even more awe.
Deep. Unfathomably deep.
This little badger not only had powerful dark magic mastery but also profound scheming and cunning! Moreover, Lucius had a feeling that Ciel should know what the Dark Lord had left behind.
Can't think deeply. Can't think deeply anymore! The more one thought, the more terrifying it became. Dark Lord, White Lord, lords battling—our small Malfoy family should act like we know nothing.
Then Lucius no longer led Ciel toward the room storing the diary, instead inviting him to the Malfoy family's private library.
Before Ciel could frown, Lucius had already seen that he should need quite a few dark magical items. As for why—Ciel didn't say, and he didn't want to ask. Just do this well.
Lucius immediately stated: "Mr Sprout, I think other pure-blood families should also be troubled by this matter. I'll contact them and buy their dark magical items at suitable prices, troubling you to help process them."
"Before then, you can see if there's anything noteworthy in our Malfoy family's treasured books. Not to boast, but perhaps this library is far inferior to Hogwarts Library, some books and materials exist only here."
"Once I've collected a batch of dark magical items, I'll notify you."
Ciel nodded, thinking Lucius Malfoy was indeed skilled at such matters. Having him charge into battle would be difficult, but handling logistics and connecting networks—absolutely first-rate.
Since so, he was quite curious about Lucius's confident library, accepting the invitation to walk toward it.
But after just a few steps, from a nearby room came faint thumping sounds, as if someone was continuously hitting the ground with their head.
Lucius's face immediately turned iron-blue. He lowered his voice: "It's a house-elf in Malfoy Manor called Dobby. Crazy and completely dishonest—I hate it extremely. It must be cleaning nearby and overheard our conversation."
Lucius looked resolute: "Mr Sprout, I'll personally finish it off right now."
Ciel's eyes showed a strange expression. In the original story, Dobby had overheard a conspiracy at Malfoy Manor, which led him to intercept Harry Potter's letters at Privet Drive, cutting off his connection to the magical world, and making various attempts to prevent Harry from attending Hogwarts.
This aligned with the original again. But he thought about it—letting things proceed according to the original trajectory would bring him no losses, actually more benefits.
So he waved his hand: "I'm not some devil. What we just said—there's nothing shameful about it. Just pretend not to know. Let it be, Mr Malfoy."
Hearing this, the cold gleam in Lucius's eyes slowly receded as he continued leading Ciel toward the Malfoy family's treasured library.
Coming to a rather ancient door, Lucius pricked his fingertip on a spiked handle, squeezing out a drop of blood. Only then did the door slowly open.
"Please enter, Mr Sprout. Only the most honoured guests receive treatment to enter a pure-blood family's library. And I dare guarantee the Malfoy family library ranks among the top among all pure-blood families."
While Lucius said these things, Ciel's gaze followed the opening door, looking inside.
The scene that met his eyes left him somewhat surprised: "This is—the World Tree?!"