With the situation as it was now.
The slightest movement from either side would inevitably be magnified, examined, and interpreted by others.
One move could affect everything. That was the principle at work.
And among all of this, every action taken by the Dark Lord's forces was the focus of everyone's attention.
On top of that, the arrogant and increasingly deranged Voldemort no longer had the discretion and patience he once possessed. Almost none of his actions showed any intention of being concealed.
Because of that, the moment there was even the slightest movement, someone would notice it.
Beyond that, it was also because Voldemort's subordinates were all lawless beings, dark creatures who destroyed almost everywhere they went.
So even if Voldemort wanted to keep a low profile, he simply could not.
In other words, that was why their every move was so easily discovered.
...
At dawn.
The air was cool, and the morning light was faint.
Below a mountain road, there was a small town wrapped in thick fog.
Because of this fog, the town looked hazy and indistinct. With such beautiful scenery and distinctive charm, it was surely a very popular summer retreat.
In fact, this place was indeed a famous Muggle resort.
Its popularity was enough to attract even wizards.
However.
If one walked into the resort and observed carefully, one would definitely notice that something seemed to be missing from the town.
Vitality.
More precisely, the Muggles who lived here.
And on the outskirts of this resort, eyes from various forces were watching the movements inside.
On one small hill where the villa at the center of town could be seen, two wizards were lying hidden.
"How is it?"
"Not clear. For now, all we know is that the Giant chieftain, Kacus, and that Werewolf, Fenrir Greyback, entered the villa at the center around dawn."
"You weren't discovered, were you?"
"Don't worry. I've been watching the Dementors flying overhead the whole time."
Black masks and clothing.
Invisibility Cloaks draped over their bodies.
From their attire and the contents of their conversation, one could tell exactly what they were doing here and what kind of task they carried.
Surveillance.
Reconnaissance.
Although the reason was unknown, it was surely closely connected to those two things.
As for who they were watching, the Giant and Werewolf mentioned just now were enough to reveal what kind of terrible presence was hidden in this ordinary little town.
One of them grabbed a handful of tobacco, the kind produced only in the magical world, and stuffed it straight into his mouth.
Judging from the wizard's reaction, it probably had some kind of refreshing, mind-clearing effect.
"Can you find out anything?"
"That's not part of my mission. Besides, I still want to go back alive."
"All right... I was overthinking it."
The male wizard who had appeared a step later shrugged.
Although he did want to earn some merit, the moment he thought of the dark wizard inside, his body could not help trembling.
After all, that was the most terrifying figure of modern times.
The Dark Lord.
...
In truth.
From their point of view, they could not obtain all the information accurately.
What they did not know was that aside from the Giant chieftain and the Werewolf leader, countless dark creatures from all over were gathering in this direction.
In fact, after only a few more days, they would discover that they had been surrounded by these dark creatures. By then, leaving this place would no longer be as easy as it was now.
But no matter what Voldemort was planning, one thing was clear at this moment. He truly had taken action recently.
Realizing this, the scout wizard immediately said to his partner, "Don't wait any longer. Once night falls, leave at once and bring back word of what happened here."
"Mm... I still want to keep watching, but I suppose that's the only choice."
"Then it's decided... quiet."
He had only spoken halfway.
The scout seemed to notice something and immediately pressed down his partner's head, then warned him in a low voice.
"Look over there."
"Is that... You-Know-Who?!"
Even from a distance, those gleaming scarlet eyes with long, narrow pupils looked even brighter in the darkness.
The figure slowly walking out of the villa was tall and thin, like a skeleton. The exposed skin seemed to be covered in pale scales, giving off a pearl-like glow.
He had no hair, no lips around his mouth, and not even a nose, only two long, thin nostrils. It was a face that inspired both fear and horror, the kind that could frighten a child into nightmares.
Beyond that, the cold, venomous air around him, like a poisonous snake, was the real reason they recognized Voldemort's identity at first glance.
"So that's You-Know-Who?"
"Don't make a sound, you idiot!"
"...."
"...."
Perhaps it was because of the distance, or perhaps their voices really were quiet.
That was why they had not been discovered by the Voldemort who had appeared.
And the instant Voldemort walked out of the villa, a series of crackling Apparition sounds rang through the air.
Crack! Crack!
As the air twisted and swirled.
In an extremely short time, the space in front of Voldemort was filled with wizards in black robes and hoods.
The next second.
The scout wizard lying on the small hill and his partner saw a scene that made their pupils tremble.
Half-kneeling.
Heads lowered.
Then, with fanatical eyes, they growled in low voices.
"Great Master, XXX obeys your command!"
"Great Master, XXX obeys your command!"
It had to be said.
Although the other party was indeed Voldemort, whom everyone wanted to condemn, seeing this scene was still truly shocking.
Then.
Voldemort slowly raised his spider-leg-like fingers. In that instant, every Death Eater half-kneeling before him lifted their head, taking on a posture of attentive listening.
Then.
A high, cold, hoarse voice rang through the air. At first listen, it sounded like the hiss of a snake.
"In ten days, everyone will attack Hogwarts!"
Those words.
Made the two wizards lying on the hill, watching this place, widen their eyes with all their strength.
Had they heard wrong?
Attack Hogwarts?!
If that was the case, then it explained why Voldemort had gathered his subordinates.