Just the King's Blood contained in a single arm had already given Link a massive boost in strength.
It had even brought him to a level comparable to a legendary wizard.
So what about all the King's Blood contained in an entire clone?
This was a very simple deduction.
So it was easy to understand why Link wanted to hunt Voldemort's clones.
No one could refuse such an easy way to increase their strength, even if that increase might come with hidden risks.
Dumbledore really wanted to persuade Link not to crave the King's Blood so much.
But after thinking it over, he realized he had no standing to say such things.
And even if he did say them, he wouldn't be able to convince Link anyway.
Because just as Link had said, Dumbledore really had no choice.
They were already tied together, and Dumbledore's own goal was also to eliminate all of Voldemort's clones.
Which meant that once Link took action, Dumbledore couldn't just stand by and ignore it.
Letting out a deep sigh, Dumbledore nodded and said, "Then we'll follow your plan. We move tonight. Sigh… what a pity. If we're moving this quickly, I'll have to get busy again this afternoon."
"You mean gathering intelligence on Beauxbatons?" Link raised an eyebrow.
"Actually, there's no need to go through so much trouble. Didn't Beauxbatons already prepare everything for us?"
As he spoke, Link picked up a small booklet from the coffee table. It was half metal, half paper. He poured some magic into it.
A soft glow instantly appeared from it, gradually crossing over itself until it formed a three-dimensional map of the castle.
With a thought from Link, the 3D castle map began expanding and shrinking repeatedly, finally locking onto the guest room where they currently were.
Dumbledore and the others were instantly drawn in by the change.
To their shock, the precision of the castle model in front of them was frighteningly high.
Even the layout inside their guest room was depicted in exact detail.
"This should be a rough model, right?", Dumbledore said, sounding a bit incredulous.
Link didn't bother explaining. He simply handed the booklet to Fleur, the local among them.
Fleur examined it thoroughly for quite a while, finally confirming something.
This booklet really was a complete three-dimensional map of the entire Beauxbatons castle complex. And not just the guest room area.
Aside from some specially classified areas, everywhere else, including Headmistress Maxime's office, was mapped with incredible precision.
"This really is… unbelievable," Dumbledore said, his eyes flickering slightly. "They just left something like this in the guest rooms?"
Link smiled, "It's actually easy to understand. The guests staying here all came to inspect Beauxbatons."
"Giving them an accurate map saves a lot of manpower. Otherwise, if someone had to personally guide every guest everywhere, the Beauxbatons students would be exhausted."
"More importantly, this 3D map is also a way to show off Beauxbatons' technical skill and financial strength."
Dumbledore fell silent.
Indeed, a map like this was already a simplified version of the Marauder's Map.
If Hogwarts were asked to produce large numbers of these, it simply wouldn't be possible.
The cost in Galleons would be too shocking.
"Put the map away. Don't go out this afternoon either," Link said.
"Just rest in the suite and prepare. After the banquet tonight, there's still some intense exercise waiting."
After saying that, Link stood and walked toward the master bedroom behind him.
"Wait, Link."
Emily suddenly called out to him. "What are you planning to do about Gabrielle?"
Link turned toward the voice and saw Fleur hiding slightly behind Emily, looking at him anxiously.
It was obvious Emily was asking on Fleur's behalf.
"You two really are close," Link teased, smiling.
"Don't worry. When the time comes, we'll just take Gabrielle along with us back to England. After all, your parents have already been relocated, haven't they?"
"But…"
Fleur held one hand over her chest, wanting to say something more.
But Link had already turned and walked toward the bedroom.
Emily's evaluation of Link was actually very accurate.
Link really didn't have particularly deep feelings for Fleur.
The real reason he came to Beauxbatons was to hunt Voldemort's clone.
As for rescuing Gabrielle, that was only something to do along the way.
A small favor like that, Link was willing to do for Fleur's sake.
But if Fleur expected him to reveal his real identity just to persuade Gabrielle, she was thinking too much.
That wasn't his responsibility.
And judging from Gabrielle's behavior today, the conflict between the Veela sisters was even more serious than he had expected.
Instead of simple persuasion, direct action would be more straightforward.
After all, the result would be the same.
———
[Several Hours Later]
As the last traces of dim yellow sunlight faded with the setting sun, Link, who had been sitting cross-legged on the bed in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes.
A flash of orange-yellow light, almost the same color as the twilight outside, flickered in his pupils.
Then it slowly faded.
Finally dissolving into the secret runic patterns deep within his eyes.
This was a phenomenon that only happened when magic power was so full it was almost overflowing.
It also meant Link's physical condition had been adjusted to its peak.
Creak!
The bedroom door opened softly.
Krell poked his head in and looked around the room, his gaze meeting Link's directly.
Their eyes met. Krell showed no surprise that Link had woken early. He bowed respectfully and said, "Young master, the person who came to escort us to the hall for the banquet is already waiting at the door. However…"
Krell paused.
"However, it seems there's been a small change."
"What change?"
"You'll understand once you see. Some things I shouldn't judge on my own."
Link frowned slightly but still stood and walked out of the room.
In the living room, Emily and Fleur were still sitting where they had been before, apparently talking together the entire afternoon.
This kind of heart-to-heart talk between close friends was clearly effective.
Fleur still looked somewhat pale, as if she had cried, but her spirit was much better.
At least now, when she saw Link, she knew to smile.
Even if the smile was forced and didn't look very good.
Link nodded at Fleur in response, then followed Krell to the door.
Dumbledore was already there, talking with the person who had come to escort them.
And now Link finally understood what Krell meant by a change.
The one who came to escort them this time wasn't Gabrielle.
Instead, it was another tall, beautiful girl.
"Good evening, Mr. Washington," the girl said in a soft, charming voice.
"I am a sixth-year Beauxbatons student, Saucy Lola. I've come to escort you to the hall for the welcome banquet, and I will also be responsible for your Beauxbatons tour for the next three days."
As she spoke, Lola gave a bow toward Link and Dumbledore outside the door.
As she bent over, the modified neckline of her Beauxbatons uniform revealed a large expanse of smooth skin.
Unfortunately, the two men present had both trained Occlumency and Legilimency to near perfection. Their hearts were like stone. They weren't moved by this kind of temptation at all. Not even the slightest reaction.
This caused a trace of disappointment to appear in Lola's eyes as she secretly observed them.
"Why are you the one escorting us instead of Gabrielle? I remember she was supposed to be responsible for our visit," Link said with a frown.
"You mean Gabrielle Delacour?" Lola said, blinking her bright eyes. "On this matter, I must apologize on behalf of all Beauxbatons staff and students!"
She bowed again, even lower than before.
"If we had known in advance that you were distinguished guests from the famous pure-blood Washington family, we would never have allowed a low-grade mixed-blood student like Gabrielle Delacour to handle your reception."
"I imagine the Veela scent on her must have made you uncomfortable all morning, right?"
'A famous pure-blood family?'
'What a joke!'
'There is no Washington family in this world!', Link complained inwardly, the corner of his mouth lifting into a mocking smile.
But Lola misunderstood that smile.
Her expression brightened and she continued, "Please rest assured. I am a pure-blood witch from the Lola family."
"Although our family isn't well known even in France and our numbers are small, my pure-blood status is unquestionable."
"The entire Beauxbatons and even the French magical community can testify to that. Our Lola family has never intermarried with Muggles or Squibs!"
"So let me get this straight," Link said with a half-smile.
"You heard that we came to Beauxbatons and that our identities are special and noble. So while we didn't call Gabrielle this afternoon, you took the opportunity to steal her job so you could show your face in front of us, right?"
Link wasn't guessing.
He had read this directly from Lola's mind using Legilimency.
It was the truth.
A flash of panic crossed Lola's face, but she quickly composed herself and smiled again.
"This is also a way for Beauxbatons to show respect to the Washington family. After all, with Gabrielle Delacour's bloodline and status, she really isn't suitable for such occasions. I doubt she could satisfy you."
'Understood.'
They thought Gabrielle's Veela blood made her unqualified to handle diplomatic reception for a top-tier pure-blood family like this.
So they replaced her midway.
'Wow. It seemed bloodline discrimination at Beauxbatons was already quite serious.'
'But even if they wanted to replace her, why choose Lola?'
'Her blood might be pure, but she came from a third-rate French family. Her status still isn't high enough.'
'Is it because she's flirtatious?'
Link recalled the large expanse of skin she had revealed earlier while bowing and felt he had guessed the truth.
Link's lips curved slightly as he nodded.
Seeing this, Lola was overjoyed and was about to step closer to say more.
But before she could speak, Fleur suddenly stepped out from behind Link, gritting her teeth in anger, "Saucy Lola! Who gave you the nerve to steal Gabrielle's job?"
"Oh? Isn't this our Beauxbatons champion, Fleur Delacour?" Lola covered her mouth and laughed mockingly.
"I thought you'd never come back to Beauxbatons in this lifetime. After all, you're the biggest disgrace Beauxbatons has had in nearly a hundred years!"
Fleur's face turned pale green. Her breathing became more and more rapid, but she couldn't say a word.
Lola's appearance had brought back too many memories.
The time when all of Beauxbatons treated her as a disgrace. When no matter where she went, people pointed at her.
Just thinking about it made her feel like she couldn't breathe, like she might faint.
That period had been suffocating.
She held her chest and took a long time to calm herself before finally saying, "I don't want to argue about that. Bring Gabrielle back. We only accept her as our guide!"
Lola looked slightly surprised.
She looked at Fleur's somewhat worn face and messy clothes from crying all afternoon, then looked at Link and Dumbledore. A look of sudden understanding appeared in her eyes.
"Well, well. Who would have thought," Lola said sarcastically.
"Our Beauxbatons champion really made something of herself after graduation. She actually latched onto an outstanding wizard like Mr. Washington."
"Tsk tsk! But why insist on Gabrielle Delacour handling your reception? Could it be you want your little sister to also…"
Lola didn't continue.
But what she meant was obvious.
Fleur was almost driven mad with anger.
Veela had always been known for their charm.
On one hand, they toyed with ordinary Muggles.
On the other hand, they themselves were treated as playthings by wizards.
Someone like Fleur's grandmother, who became a wizard's official wife, was already considered among the very top of Veela.
After all, very few wizards dared to face public opinion and marry a Veela.
It was like in feudal times marrying a low-status male servant, or in modern times marrying your own right hand and announcing it publicly.
Too embarrassing.
So being seen as someone kept by a noble was something Fleur had long been mentally prepared for.
But she never expected Lola to imply she wanted to drag Gabrielle down too
Fleur was so angry she wanted to rush forward and tear Lola's face apart.
Meanwhile, Link and Dumbledore couldn't help but laugh.
They could both see clearly.
When Lola said those things, there was actually a hint of envy in her eyes.
This Lola had clearly stolen Gabrielle's job hoping to attach herself to a wealthy patron.
Her harsh attitude toward Fleur was simply because she thought Fleur had beaten her to it.
This was… honestly hard to respond to.
Shaking his head, Link put on a serious face and said, "I'm very satisfied with Miss Delacour's work as a guide. So there's no need to change people. Go bring Miss Delacour back."
Link's words were like a heavy hammer striking Lola's heart. Her face instantly turned pale.
She bit her lip, pressing one hand to her chest, the pressure revealing a deep cleavage as she said, "Won't you reconsider?"
"The Delacour sisters may be beautiful, but their bloodline and status really aren't suitable for such occasions! You..."
Before she could finish, Link gently raised one finger.
At once, a terrifying pressure combining magical force and his personal aura surged toward Lola, shaking her mind so badly she nearly collapsed to the floor.
"I don't want to repeat myself. Do as I say," Link said coldly. "Also, I will report this matter to Madame Maxime."
"If Beauxbatons students spend their days thinking about such things, and internal conflict has reached this level, then I may have to seriously reconsider whether Beauxbatons should be designated as a school for Washington family descendants."
Lola couldn't speak anymore.
She hurriedly bowed to Link, nodding repeatedly, then fled the guest area in embarrassment.
But at the moment she disappeared around the hallway corner, Link clearly sensed a strong wave of resentment from her.
Obviously, this matter wasn't over for her.
A woman like that would definitely seek revenge.
And it would surely be vicious.
Gabrielle's life at school probably wouldn't be easy after this.
Since Lola didn't dare target Link's group, she would inevitably vent her hatred on Gabrielle.
But it didn't matter.
After tonight, none of this would be a problem anymore.
Link smiled coldly and shut the door firmly.
———
[About Fifteen Minutes Later]
The guest room door was knocked on again.
Krell opened it with a smile. Outside stood Lola, Gabrielle, and a handsome middle-aged male professor who looked rather scholarly.
Lola had clearly been crying.
Her eyes were swollen and red, looking extremely aggrieved.
Gabrielle, on the other hand, looked calm and indifferent, as if none of this concerned her.
The male professor seemed a bit disappointed that Link had only sent out a house-elf to meet them, but he didn't dare show dissatisfaction.
He still expressed deep apologies respectfully.
Then he quickly left with Lola, leaving Gabrielle alone at the door.
Only after their figures disappeared at the end of the corridor did Gabrielle finally lose her composure.
Her raised head slowly lowered. The cold expression on her face turned into one of grievance. A layer of moisture gathered in her eyes.
Link's group, already fully prepared, walked out of the suite.
Seeing her like this, their feelings were complicated.
Fleur especially felt heartache.
She reached out, wanting to hug Gabrielle, but remembering how she had been pushed away by Gabrielle's spell that morning, she awkwardly withdrew her hand.
But to her surprise, Gabrielle suddenly stepped forward and threw herself into her arms.