Third generation... Dark Lord? Him?

The teacup in Lockhart's hand quietly slipped, his expression blank as he looked at Erina.

Did this young lady accidentally mix up the script? What qualifications did he have to be a Dark Lord?

"Hey, be steady. The headmaster's office is hard to clean—"

Erina, as if foreseeing the event, waved her wand, summoning an updraft that lifted the teacup back onto the table.

Lockhart wiped the tea that had splashed on his hand, his eyes wide as he stared at Erina. He swallowed and said cautiously,

"I thought... I would be running for Minister for Magic in a normal way. I think you should know that Grindelwald's ideas are long outdated. No one believes that the magical world is ready to accept the scrutiny of the non-magical world. People would think it's crazy and terrible. But if I campaign from the perspective of consolidating the Statute of Secrecy and combating dark magic forces—"

"There's no need to keep emphasizing war!" Erina said calmly. "There aren't that many dark magic forces to target, you know. World integration and anti-discrimination are the major trends."

"The International Confederation of Wizards will not sit idly by and watch such provocation," Lockhart insisted. "And... anti-discrimination as a major social trend?"

He shook his head slowly and firmly, his expression serious as he said in a deep voice, "In today's magical society, how much support do you think we can get?"

"Not much," Erina said coolly. "But it's an incredibly powerful banner because it doesn't have many flaws from an ethical and moral standpoint. I believe many people won't stand up to support it at first, but it will become a torch in the dark times—" She raised her hand and gently stroked the phoenix. "Hmm—darkness will certainly come. You are not the one creating the night. People's current hesitation and resistance are mostly because they still have concerns, but when certain disasters quietly arrive, 'justice' will become a devouring fire..."

"Professor Lockhart, didn't you say before that you hoped the non-magical and magical worlds could live in harmony, and that there would be no discrimination in magical society?"

Hermione suddenly spoke up. She tapped her magic book lightly, and a densely packed record sheet floated out.

"This is Erina's estimate of the magical world. At least 60% of the people are being treated unfairly..."

Lockhart glanced at the content on the screen, rubbed his temples, and said without emotion, "Okay, that is indeed my ideal, and I am working on it. But this is different. The magical society, the magical government, the International Confederation of Wizards... no one wants to see a second Grindelwald rise. These statements are too easy to provoke resistance."

"Even if, in theory, they are indeed the correct direction for social development? Isn't that the purpose of the magical government's existence?"

Lockhart sighed and, after thinking for a few seconds, crouched down and looked at Hermione earnestly.

"The purpose of the magical government is to maintain social order, Miss Justice," he explained calmly, as if giving a lecture.

"That's how outdated, old governments are. That's why we're going to overthrow it."

Erina suddenly spoke, gently stroking Fawkes's feathers, a hint of madness flashing in her lake-blue eyes.

"Mr. Hanged Man, haven't you always wanted to be the center of attention? Wouldn't it be great to surpass Grindelwald and become the righteous 'Dark Lord' in the history books?"

Lockhart blinked and stammered a few times with some difficulty.

"But... I was originally planning... after this mission is over, uh... I planned to hold a wedding with Miss Arkhipovna—"

"I know," Erina nodded, twirling a strand of hair with her finger. "But you should know that Arkhipovna is the core project director of the 'Major Arcana'."

"More importantly, she also has a former Landau Institute senior researcher title—"

Erina looked at the gradually silent Lockhart with interest and said softly,

"You have a lot of media attention now. Your marriage will inevitably cause a lot of news, unless you plan to get married in secret?"

"However, if you successfully complete this mission, you will become a pioneer of reform in magical society, a champion of equality and world integration..."

Erina paused, spread her hands, and said seriously, word by word,

"Ms. Arkhipovna cannot give up her career to marry you, and your current strength and reputation temporarily make it impossible for you to protect her properly."

Erina paused, spread her hands, and said seriously, word by word,

"If Dumbledore were still here, there would be other candidates—but for now, you are the most suitable."

"Of course, if it really doesn't work, we have alternatives... for example, Mr. Tower directly launching a war, but the cost might be a little too heavy."

"This is not a threat, but a hurdle that the Major Arcana will inevitably face since its existence."

War, or become the new Dark Lord?

A secret wedding, and the sacrifice of one of the two people's careers...

Lockhart did not answer immediately but sized up Erina thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping over Hermione on the side.

"Okay, if I campaign according to this logic," he suddenly said, "what level of support can I get?"

"I looked at Erina's budget plan," Hermione coughed lightly. "The initial resource input is zero. After all, we must separate you from other capital."

Lockhart seemed to hear his death sentence and turned to look at Erina in disbelief. "At war with the world?! Just me doing it?!"

"Yes," Erina propped herself up on her hands and jumped down from the desk, taking a tarot card and handing it to Lockhart. "Of course, don't worry, we have comrades lurking in the Auror Office and the International Confederation of Wizards, so there won't be any life-threatening risks. But you might take a trip to Azkaban. People always have a retaliatory compensation mentality for heroes who have been persecuted..."

Lockhart didn't look relaxed at all. From the sound of this process, his original wedding plan would probably be postponed for a long time.

"Looks like I don't have much choice, do I? Unless I can force Professor Dumbledore out."

Lockhart's voice was a little helpless. He picked up the teacup again, took a sip to calm himself down.

"When do we start? I mean the build-up, the campaigning, all that..."

"Two hours ago," the witch princess said cheerfully. The muscles in the corner of Lockhart's eyes twitched again.

"Okay, Hermione," Erina turned to Hermione. "Have you finished looking at the initial campaign strategy and plan for Mr. 'Hanged Man'?"

"...Almost finished looking." Hermione looked at Erina in confusion. She saw Erina pulling her to sit in Dumbledore's seat, while she found her way to the side of the ladder.

"Since your 'Major Arcana Guide' [The Hierophant - 05] is temporarily missing, according to the previous rules, you will temporarily assume part of his original work and responsibility, and I will be responsible for supervising and assisting by the side. This time, it involves the magical society and government election. You will be fully responsible for leading and promoting it. Now you can start explaining."

"Huh?" Hermione widened her eyes in disbelief. She originally thought that today she was just a guide and a recorder.

"Begin, Justice-in-training Miss, Mr. Hanged Man."

Erina said calmly, picking up a grain of fried fish rice from Fawkes's feeder.

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I'm back~ Coo~