Chapter 128

However, despite his bold words, Murphy currently had no way to directly conjure up a magic hospital.

Besides, he never intended to send these bitten clerks to any hospital for convalescence anyway.

It was unknown when the wounds from werewolf bites would be completely healed; was he supposed to let this group of clerks sleep in and collect full wages until then?

Are they the capitalists, or am I the capitalist?

After signing the Thought Steel Seal confidentiality agreement, Murphy brought the clerks and the female healer named Elodie Russell to the Magic Research Institute.

It just so happened that the Transfiguration Research Group needed werewolves for their research on "Advanced Animagus," and such research was also beneficial for the treatment of their wounds—killing two birds with one stone.

To help them adapt to the environment, Murphy specifically had some wizards who had arrived earlier lead them on a tour of the institute, using these guides to help them accept the fact that they were on the ship sooner.

After arranging for these clerks, Murphy returned to the Supreme Potion Shop in Diagon Alley.

"Isaac, list the names and addresses of the remaining clerks for me," Murphy instructed the shop manager. "Starting tomorrow, I will send specialists to protect their safety."

He had been having the wizards from the Watcher Wizard Security Shop catch pests, but now it was time for them to fulfill their original purpose.

"By the way, reporting to the police... I mean, have you reported the werewolf attack to the Aurors?"

"Huh?" Isaac was a bit confused. "The Aurors? But Boss, aren't you a dark... ahem, aren't you on bad terms with them?"

What Isaac wanted to say was, aren't you a dark wizard?

If something happens, you still want the Aurors to stand up for you; aren't you expecting a bit too much?

"Also, in our shop, wouldn't it be bad to let Aurors come in?"

"Who says?" Murphy said righteously. "We operate legally, what are we afraid of?"

"However, when reporting, just say the clerk was attacked on the way to or from work, and ask them to protect the clerk's personal safety; there's no need for them to enter the shop."

By Murphy's estimation, it was indeed unlikely that those Aurors would come to provide him with an escort.

But whether you come or not is one thing, and whether I report it is another.

If I report that I've been attacked and you don't come, that's a whole other matter.

As expected, Isaac reported the attacks on the shop's wizards to the Ministry of Magic for three consecutive days, but the Auror Command didn't pay the slightest bit of attention.

Who didn't know that the Supreme Potion Shop was opened by that dark wizard Murphy?

Murphy had just gotten Scrimgeour removed last year, making all the Aurors look like fools, and everyone hated him to the bone.

Now the Aurors couldn't wait to see him make a fool of himself; help him defend against werewolves?

Are you kidding? Werewolves and a dark wizard fighting each other—what great entertainment! Isn't it nice to eat melon seeds and watch the show?

But soon, they discovered that something seemed a bit off.

First, Rita Skeeter wrote articles in the Daily Prophet for several consecutive days attacking the Aurors for "holding positions without doing their jobs" and "watching idly while wizards are ravaged by werewolves."

Then, Murphy published an article in the Daily Prophet under his own name titled "When Aurors Become the Lackeys of Those in Power, How Should We Protect Ourselves?"

The opening section cited quite a few of Rita Skeeter's reports, explaining the werewolf attacks on the Supreme Potion Shop's clerks, and pointed out that this was not just a blow to the Supreme Potion Shop, but a serious public safety incident.

"If werewolves can attack the clerks of the Supreme Potion Shop at will, who can guarantee they won't attack other wizards? Are we to pin our safety on the 'reason of werewolves'?"

He then explained the self-rescue measures of the Supreme Potion Shop, including high compensation for injured clerks, all-out efforts to treat them, and repeated pleas for help to the Auror Command.

"But the response we received was chilling."

"It seems that due to some personal grudges, they would rather watch those innocent clerks die."

He then concluded, "In our utter helplessness, we have no choice but to protect ourselves."

"I absolutely cannot watch the clerks who work for me suffer such harm for no reason and remain indifferent; I must protect their safety!"

"The Aurors may not care about their lives, but I do!"

"The Aurors may turn a blind eye to evil, but I cannot!"

"If the Aurors cannot protect their safety, then I will!"

Finally, Murphy promoted the Watcher Wizard Security Shop.

"You may have already seen them; they have solved problems for many families plagued by pests. From now on, they will take on more responsibilities and provide security services for the entire wizarding society."

"From small pests to large dark wizards, they will guard against everything that threatens you and your family. They are approachable, they are excellent in combat, and they will be your most loyal guards, your most intimate friends and neighbors."

Yes, Murphy intended to take advantage of this wave of Auror inaction to push the Wizard Security Shop to the forefront.

He never intended for the Wizard Security Shop to be his secret armed force from the start; what he wanted was for them to be a flat replacement for the Aurors—a wizard troop under his control that could walk in the sunlight.

Since the Aurors automatically chose to withdraw in this matter, don't blame me for occupying the high ground.

With the advantage of public opinion, the Watcher Wizard Security Shop ushered in another round of expansion.

The initial batch of "combat wizards" who worked in pest control had now been sent to the front lines of the battle against the werewolves. They worked in pairs, each pair protecting one clerk from the Supreme Potion Shop, communicating with each other via modified "Goblin Gold Coins."

If any pair encountered a werewolf, the other groups could learn the news through the Goblin Gold Coins, allowing them to Apparate over to provide support at the first opportunity.

The clerks were all a bit nervous, but Murphy was not particularly worried.

Before they set off, he gathered the clerks and gave a speech.

"I know you are all very nervous; after all, the opponent is the legendary werewolf, and everyone knows that werewolves are extremely dangerous creatures. They are not like the pests you have dealt with, such as gnomes or doxies; they are cunning, intelligent humans. In their wolf-transformed state, they have fur that can resist spells and sharp claws that can tear flesh, and their bites will turn wizards into things just like them..."

"However, what I want to tell you is that you can be more cautious and careful in your tactics, but you don't need to fear your enemies."

"Because I will tell you a secret: you are stronger than them, you are far stronger than werewolves!"

"My fellow Watchers, have you forgotten the training you have undergone?"

"In the past year, every day, you have undergone at least one to two hours of spell training. How many times have you used the Shield Charm? How many times have you used the Disarming Charm? How many times have you practiced against each other? Can you even count them yourselves?"

"Every Watcher present is proficient in Apparition, the Shield Charm, the Disarming Charm, the Stunning Spell, the Petrification Spell, the Floating Spell, and the Blasting Curse. Your dueling scores are not inferior to any intern Auror."

"And werewolves are far less terrifying than you imagine."

"It is not a full moon now; they cannot transform at will. They are fighting in human form and do not possess the various bonuses of their werewolf state—they are just ordinary wizards."

"And as wizards, the vast majority of them have not undergone formal education; they may not even know as many spells as a Hogwarts student."

"I dare say they haven't undergone much combat training either; they are just a bunch of savages who can transform into monsters on specific days."

"Each of you carries at least ten bottles of Essence of Dittany and enough silver powder, and your robes have been cast with anti-curse spells. You are fully armed, while the other side is just a bunch of homeless vagrants."

"They are absolutely no match for you!"

"Watchers, it is time to step onto your stage."

"Remember, at any moment, the Wizard Security Shop is your backing, and I am your backing. Any injured team member will receive the best treatment in the wizarding world. I will do this for my pharmacists, and I will do even more for you who are fighting on the front lines."

"Therefore, have no concerns, and go forth to claim your glory."

(End of chapter)