Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
As promised, Noah did not waste any more time. The very next day after the Delacour party, Noah, Hayate, Himeko, Fleamont, and Euphemia returned to Meldiana Sanctuary.
They did not return with smiles. There was no dramatic complaint from Noah about surviving the social battlefield. There was no warmth, nor the usual lightness in their presence.
Only a cold, heavy silence followed them through the door. A silence that made everyone understand immediately. Something terrible had happened.
March was the first to see them enter Peverell Manor in Meldiana.
"You're back!" she called, before her smile slowly faded. "Did something bad happen…? All of you look like someone replaced dessert with a disaster report."
Caelus, standing beside her, also noticed the difference in Noah and the others. "Are all of you alright?"
When Noah saw them, something in his chest lightened just a little, enough for a small smile to appear on his face. Himeko, Hayate, Fleamont, and Euphemia felt the same. For a brief moment, just seeing family eased the tension pressing down on them.
"We are fine…" Himeko said after exhaling. "Seeing you two made everything bearable again."
March and Caelus looked at each other in confusion. When they turned back, wanting to ask what she meant, they saw Noah looking outside the window toward the peaceful cottages of Meldiana. Families were already awake, drawing water, preparing breakfast, and beginning their day.
'Which is why, no matter what… we have to give this world the tomorrow it deserves.'
Noah reaffirmed his resolve.
His expression did not change. It did not even twitch. But Hayate felt what he was carrying, so she held his hand and gave it a light squeeze.
Noah turned to her and squeezed back as he smiled. He felt stronger than before.
"Granny, Gramps. Please call everyone," he said. "The Potters, the Greengrasses, Director Ragnok, the sanctuary heads, Uncle Yang, Uncle Dan Heng, and the TSAB team."
He looked directly at March and Caelus.
"Everyone needs to hear what we discussed with the Flamels last night."
"Noah…" March looked at him worriedly, but Caelus placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from asking more.
"Okay. Leave it to us." He did not ask for more details. He only nodded, then turned toward the manor while gently pulling March with him.
"…Thank you, Gramps."
Within the hour, the main study of Peverell Manor was filled. Around the long table sat the usual members and allies.
The Astral Express crew. The Potters. The Greengrasses. Director Ragnok, Gornak, and Rulvek. Headmaster Crowley. Village Chief Bronwen and the other sanctuary chiefs. Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, Hayate-chan, Reinforce Zwei of this world, and the Wolkenritter.
Sirin sat beside Noah with her arms crossed, and could already tell from his expression that the news was worse than another political nuisance. Reinforce sat silently at Hayate's shoulder, sensing her mood without needing a word.
Once everyone had arrived and taken their seats, Noah, Hayate, and Himeko told them everything.
They explained the real reason the Flamels wanted to see Noah. They revealed the existence of Finis Chaldea and described what they had seen through CHALDEAS and SHEBA.
They told them how the planet's life force had been leaking into the Dimensional Gap for months. Chaldea had concluded that something was receiving it. The recent pressure against the world's dimensional wall only confirmed their fears.
Voldemort's sudden increase in power, the foreign signature, Pandora's vision, the gateway and the possible contract with Dormammu all pointed to the same conclusion.
Voldemort was feeding the planet's life force to Dormammu, helping him recover from his injuries while preparing the way for his entry.
And finally, there was Chaldea's projection.
If the current rate continued, the boundary would suffer irreversible collapse before the end of the year, destroying this world.
As Noah and the others expected, no one could speak after the heavy revelation. They sat in their seats, unmoving. Shock, denial, and disbelief crossed their faces, leaving the room heavy and cold.
The ones hit the hardest were those born and raised in this world.
The Potters. The Greengrasses. The goblins. The sanctuary heads. Nanoha-chan and Hayate-chan. This was no longer only about magical terrorists led by a mad Dark Lord trying to conquer the magical world through fear and force. This was now about their home being prepared as a meal for something outside reality.
James Potter sat pale and silent, his hands clenched tightly together. Pandora lowered her head, one hand pressed against her mouth. Cyrus stared blankly at the ceiling, looking completely powerless.
Damien looked as if he had aged years in a single moment, while Elizabeth held his hand under the table.
Charlus gripped his seat's arm rest, staring down at the Chaldea report as though he wanted to personally drag the truth out of the parchment and beat it into something less cruel. Dorea closed her eyes as she placed her cup on the table.
Director Ragnok read the summary one more time, then folded it with terrifying care.
Village Chief Bronwen looked toward the window, where the villagers worked together to expand the sanctuary fields. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Nanoha-chan's hands curled into fists, and Hayate-chan hugged Reinforce Zwei against her chest.
"So that monster wants to eat this world?" Vita clicked her tongue.
"That is the simplest way to say it." Noah nodded.
"Then we smash that arrogant guy!" Vita glared.
"If only it were that simple," Signum said, her voice cold.
"It isn't," Hayate said gently. "Dormammu is still hiding somewhere in the Dimensional Gap. While he cannot fully enter yet, with Voldemort helping him to recover, he can keep weakening the boundary. And then…"
"…He can finally pass through," Shamal finished, her face pale.
Zafira said nothing, but his entire presence had already switched into combat readiness.
"Does Voldemort even know this?" March swallowed hard.
Sirin's eyes narrowed as she answered instead. "He may not know the full truth. Or he may believe he is the one controlling the contract."
"Or worse," Noah said, his voice flat. "He knows something and simply doesn't care."
Welt's hold around his cane tightened. "A man who believes he is the master of a disaster is often its most useful tool."
"Our priority is clear," Dan Heng said, moving the meeting forward before everyone could dwell too deeply on the bad news. "We must stop Voldemort and his forces from expanding the damage to the planet and identify Dormammu's location."
"Yes, that is correct." Himeko smiled and looked around the room. "The news we brought is heavy. Terrible, even. But if we stop now, then we let Voldemort and Dormammu win."
Her words pulled everyone back from the darkest corners of their thoughts. Their despairing expressions slowly faded, replaced by resolve and fighting spirit.
"Here is what we need to do," Noah said, placing both hands on the table. "Just like Uncle Dan Heng said, our top priority is stopping the damage from spreading."
Everyone turned toward him and waited for him to continue.
His expression hardened. "And starting now, we can no longer afford to take it easy."
Everyone nodded in understanding. Before, they had only reached out to those they believed might answer. But now, they needed to reach those willing to fight for their homes. Protection alone was no longer enough. They had to act.
"First, we settle the Ministry side." Noah looked toward Charlus, Fleamont, Damien, and Elizabeth. "I would like to request the Potters and Greengrasses to handle it. We need people ready to fight for their homes, not their positions."
"Leave the Ministry to us." Charlus' expression hardened.
"The Light-side seats will listen." Fleamont nodded.
Damien smiled faintly, though there was no warmth in it. "And the Gray families will listen even more carefully once the Ministry proves they only care about themselves."
"We will explain the situation without mentioning Dormammu, but with enough truth to make them understand the danger." Elizabeth placed her cup down.
"That would be for the best," Noah nodded.
"And if the Ministry still insists on doing nothing and keeping their watch-and-wait policy…" Cyrus raised the critical question, the one no one wanted to think about in the current situation.
"Then we take matters into our own hands," Noah answered plainly. "If they keep acting like nothing is wrong while looking away from burning homes… then we have no need for them."
That made everyone shudder.
For the first time since they had met him, Noah showed them his cold side. The gentle young man they had worked with was no longer willing to compromise.
Then Noah turned toward the Astral Express crew.
"For the second part, we will keep the evacuations going. That does not change. Continue moving targeted families with Gringotts' help. Prioritize Muggle-born families, mixed households, Potter allies, Gray families already threatened, and anyone tied to sanctuary routes."
"We'll get them out." March nodded quickly.
"Before the Death Eaters can even think about reaching them." Caelus' expression lacked his usual goofiness.
Noah smiled at them before turning to Welt and Dan Heng. "Uncle Yang, Uncle Dan Heng, please help organize the route records. Every family moved must be accounted for. Every transfer point must have confirmation from both our side and Gringotts."
"Understood." Welt nodded.
"I will coordinate the records and movement logs." Dan Heng closed his report folder.
"Gringotts will provide secure corridors. Goblin-managed routes, Peverell tunnels, and emergency Portkeys where necessary." Director Ragnok showed his teeth with a sharp smile.
Gornak added, "We can also prepare false ledgers if the Ministry attempts to inspect movements."
"False ledgers?" March blinked.
"Legally adjusted ledgers." Rulvek smiled.
"…That already sounds illegal." Caelus' cheek twitched.
The three goblins simply smirked, which made Caelus wisely look away.
"Miss Himeko, I would like to ask you to remain in contact with Monsieur Delacour regarding continental support. Supplies, fighting forces, information, anything they can provide." Noah added.
"Leave it to me," Himeko replied confidently.
Then Noah turned to Sirin, Hayate, and Reinforce.
"Third, Dormammu."
Sirin raised her chin. "Finally."
"The four of us will work directly with the Flamels and Chaldea," Noah said. "CHALDEAS and SHEBA can detect the pressure points in the dimensional barrier that even Sii missed. This will help us estimate Dormammu's location in the gap."
"And once we find him…" Sirin crossed her arms.
"We will finish the very reason why we came to this universe," Hayate finished.
"I will do my best to support everyone!" Reinforce said, clenching her hands in front of her.
Noah nodded before turning toward the TSAB group.
"Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, Hayate-chan, Rein-chan, and the Wolkenritter. I would like to request the TSAB team to support both evacuations and sanctuary defense. If Voldemort realizes families are escaping faster, he may attack the routes. If he learns the sanctuaries exist, he may attack them directly."
Nanoha-chan nodded, her eyes serious. "We'll protect them."
Fate-chan's expression sharpened. "We can patrol around the transfer points and respond quickly if any route is attacked."
"I can help maintain wide-area barriers around the sanctuaries," Hayate-chan added.
Reinforce Zwei of this world lifted one tiny hand. "Support analysis and magical detection will be handled!"
Signum placed one hand over Laevatein. "The Wolkenritter will secure the evacuation lines."
"Any Death Eater who shows up gets hammered." Vita grinned fiercely.
"I'll prepare medical support and recovery stations." Shamal smiled gently, though her eyes were firm.
"We will make sure everyone gets back safely." Zafira gave a simple nod.
Noah looked at them for a moment, then bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you."
"We're helping because we want to, Noah-san," Nanoha-chan said with a smile.
"This is our world too." Fate-chan nodded.
"And you helped us. So let us help you too." Hayate-chan's expression softened.
"Really… thank you, all of you," he said before looking toward the sanctuary chiefs.
"Next, the sanctuaries. Chief Bronwen, Headmaster Crowley, and the other chiefs prepare for more families. Food, shelter, medical care, children's support, and ward stability. If you need supplies, send the list to Uncle Yang and Gringotts."
Bronwen nodded. "Meldiana will be ready."
"Eirwen Sanctuary will open its secondary kitchens," one of the other chiefs added.
Another nodded. "Caer Glas can take more mixed families once the outer cottages are repaired."
"Rhydwyn Sanctuary's preparations are almost done. In just a day or two, we can receive people again," Rhydwyn Sanctuary's head said.
"Llynfawr Sanctuary is ready and open to receive more evacuees," Llynfawr Sanctuary's head confidently added.
Crowley's voice was grave. "And Wales Magic Academy is more than willing to provide support to anyone who needs it."
Noah looked at them for a moment, then bowed his head again.
"Thank you. All of you, really."
Then he glanced around the table once more. "Starting today, we move more aggressively than before. Evacuations, patrols, sanctuary preparations, continental support, and Chaldea coordination. All of it."
Noah looked into each of their eyes as he continued.
"We won't wait for Voldemort to finish preparing. We won't wait for Dormammu to recover completely and invade this world."
Noah let out a deep breath.
"So let's go and fight for all that is beautiful in this world."
"Yes!!!"
And with those words, everyone set out to protect the world they loved.
—----------
A few days passed, and September arrived. Pandora, Cyrus, and James reluctantly returned to Hogwarts for their education. Noah and everyone else were grateful for their efforts and help, but their studies mattered too.
Together with them, the other Hogwarts students who had evacuated to the sanctuary also returned.
Hogwarts welcomed its students for the new term, but everyone back in Meldiana Sanctuary remained as busy as ever.
As discussed during the previous meeting, the Potters contacted the Light-side houses. Charlus and Fleamont met with their old allies, but their words were careful. They did not mention Dormammu or Chaldea's projection that the world could end before the year was over. They spoke only of increasing Death Eater activity, damaged ley lines, missing families, and the need for emergency shelter before more homes burned.
Some families answered immediately while the others….hesitated.
"We need proof."
"Is the Ministry involved?"
"Can you guarantee our safety?"
Fleamont patiently answered those questions.
"No one can guarantee safety anymore," he said. "What we offer is a place where you and your family can rest with a peaceful mind while we fight for our future."
The Greengrasses worked differently.
Unlike the Potters, Damien and Elizabeth did not appeal to courage first. They appealed to survival.
Gray-side families received letters from them that did not demand loyalty. They only asked one honest question.
'If the Death Eaters came tonight, would the Ministry reach you first?'
That one question traveled faster than any speech.
On the second day, several Gray families began sending subtle inquiries. By the third, two asked for relocation options. By the fourth, one family sent only three words.
'We are ready.'
Gringotts also made their move in the background.
Ragnok, Gornak, and Rulvek opened old Peverell clauses with the joy of goblins using dead law as a living weapon. Forgotten transport rights were awakened. Emergency shelter agreements were reviewed. Goblin pathways that had not been used in decades were cleaned, warded, and placed back into service.
March stared at one stack of goblin documents and whispered, "I may not understand any of this, but it feels dangerous."
"Excellent. That means it is written properly." Rulvek smiled.
The Astral Express crew did not slow down either.
Welt and Dan Heng kept the records aligned. Himeko handled continental messages with Jean Delacour and the Flamels. March and Caelus joined evacuation teams, guiding frightened families through hidden routes before Death Eaters could reach them.
Some rescues were smooth and simple. A knock at midnight. A whispered explanation. A few hurried bags. Then a Portkey activated and carried the family to safety.
Others required more effort and care.
One time, Caelus arrived with soot on his face and a crying child in his arms while March followed behind him with the rescued family.
"Three minutes," she said, dropping into a chair. "We beat them by three minutes."
Caelus let out a deep, heavy breath as sanctuary volunteers guided the family to their new home.
"Way too close."
The TSAB team spread out as planned.
Nanoha-chan and Fate-chan patrolled transfer points from above. Hayate-chan and Reinforce Zwei strengthened the sanctuary barriers. The Wolkenritter guarded roads and emergency exits. More than once, a Death Eater scout turned away from a route without ever realizing Signum had been watching from the trees.
Vita was less subtle.
One scout returned to his master with a broken wand, a dented mask, and a new fear of red-clad knights.
When Noah heard the report, he only stared at Vita.
"What? He was suspicious," Vita said, crossing her arms.
"I approve," Sirin muttered.
"Of course you do." Noah sighed.
Meanwhile, Noah, Sirin, Hayate, and Reinforce spent most of their time working with the Flamels and Chaldea. Messages moved back and forth through secured channels. CHALDEAS and SHEBA provided pressure readings. Nicolas and Perenelle interpreted the reports. Sirin tested the dimensional distortions herself.
Each new reading narrowed the search. The progress was painfully slow, but it still yielded significant results. Dormammu was still hidden somewhere in the gap, but his hiding place was no longer invisible.
However, while Noah's side made progress, Voldemort also noticed their actions.
The monster no longer cared about subtlety.
He sent his Death Eaters to attack known magical villages across Magical Britain, and even made a few attempts across the continent.
The attacks became far more brutal and frantic, especially now that giants, werewolves, vampires, and other dangerous magical creatures had joined his side, making his forces far harder to stop.
The damage done to the places they attacked was significant.
So was the loss of life.
Even families suspected of contacting the Potters became targets. Muggle-born homes were no longer safe, and even Muggles were not spared. Gray families received anonymous warnings telling them to choose their side wisely.
And because the threats were too great, because the attacks could no longer be dismissed as "minor incidents," and because pressure from the International Magic Association continued to build, the British Ministry of Magic finally acted.
They called for a full Wizengamot convention.
On that day, the seats were filled with the remaining magical families. The current Minister, Eugenia Jenkins, spoke for nearly an hour before anyone said anything useful.
She and the Ministry accused House Potter and House Greengrass of destabilizing magical Britain by "spreading panic." Their evacuations were called "a threat to public order."
"The actions of these families are worsening an already delicate situation," she insisted loudly.
Then she complained that Gringotts was overstepping its authority. She also pointed out that foreign involvement through the Delacours and the Flamels was "deeply concerning."
From the Light-side benches, Lord Longbottom, who had finally had enough, replied with open sarcasm.
"The situation is worsening because the Ministry is doing nothing to stop the Dark Lord from rising in power."
From the Dark-side seats, Abraxas Malfoy seized the chance to speak.
"House Potter and House Greengrass claim they are protecting people, yet they refuse to disclose the locations of these so-called shelters. They move citizens without oversight. They coordinate with goblins and foreign powers. If this is not rebellion, then what is it?"
Another added, "They hide behind the Peverell name to gather influence."
That simple jab horrified the power-hungry officials and made them even more eager to push the Potters and Greengrasses into stopping the evacuations and following official procedures.
Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock, slammed the hammer to call for order. Once the room regained some of its composure, he finally spoke.
"There is a difference between rebellion and rescuing families who were under attack or threatened."
For a moment, his words halted the chaos.
Then the Ministry returned to what it did best.
They raised a proposal demanding all evacuation records from House Potter and House Greengrass. Another called for Gringotts to submit transport logs. A third suggested temporary limits on private Portkeys "until the current unrest stabilizes."
Not a single one proposed a faster way to protect Muggle-born families. No one explained why Death Eaters kept arriving before Aurors could do their job. And most of all, no one bothered to ask why terrified families trusted hidden sanctuaries more than the Ministry.
What the Ministry of Magic cared about was control, appearance, and power.
By the time the session ended, no clear action had been taken.
Charlus, Fleamont, and Damien reported everything that same evening.
Noah was not surprised. He did not even look interested and brushed it off with a single word.
"Fine."
That one word scared half the room.
No one wanted to know what Noah truly thought about the Ministry at that moment. So, wisely, they used their energy on more productive tasks instead.
"Whether they move or not does not change what we need to do," Noah added.
His eyes moved toward the sanctuary lights beyond the window.
"There are still people asking for help. Voldemort still needs to be stopped. And Dormammu is still waiting outside this world."
Everyone fell silent again, but this time, it was not despair that filled it, but resolve.
====== Chapter 213 END ======