Chapter 91: Conflict
However, they did have their own rules. Under normal circumstances, they only excavated the graves of deceased elders from their own family. This was because the Addams clan possessed a form of magic that allowed them to commune with the spirits of their kin. To them, digging up a grave was nothing more than paying a visit to relatives.
Unclaimed ancient tombs in the wilderness were another matter entirely. They greatly enjoyed the thrill of opening up new ground, while whatever lay inside was of secondary importance.
Of course, if the current situation in the Soviet had not been so chaotic—if the Magical Committee had not been stretched too thin—they would never have dared to act so openly. Normally, ruins of this kind would certainly fall under the strict supervision of the magical authorities.
Russell, for his part, didn't think there was anything strange about it. In his past life, the cultivation novels and stories he'd read were full of similar plots. Put politely, it was "inheriting the legacy of ancient masters." Put bluntly, it was grave robbing.
"Here, Russell—this is for you."
Gomez handed him a brand-new entrenching shovel.
Russell tested it out and found it lacking somehow. He pulled out his wand and, drawing on memories from novels he'd once read, began to work. Before long, the shovel's shape shifted.
The blade became a semi-cylindrical form, resembling a curved tile tube. He gave it a few experimental swings and nodded in satisfaction.
After a moment's thought, he used Transfiguration again to create three Tomb Raiding amulets. He handed them to Wednesday and Pugsley, instructing them to hang the charms around their necks.
After some discussion, the Addams clan decided to take trucks to the ruins.
On the way, Russell enthusiastically explained the lore of the Tomb Raiding to them. Wednesday and Pugsley listened with shining eyes, clutching their amulets as if they were priceless treasures.
Just as they were about to reach their destination, something unexpected happened.
Around the ruins stood a number of people armed with hunting rifles and wands, clearly surveying the area. The moment they noticed the newcomers, they became alert.
"Leave at once. This is our territory."
A wizard who appeared to be the leader stepped forward, his wand pointed straight at the Addams clan, threat unmistakable in his posture.
"Hey, we found this place first—and the land ownership documents are ours as well."
Naturally, the Addams clan refused to back down. Their leader on this trip, Bern Addams, reached into his coat and produced a yellowed piece of parchment, waving it in the air.
To his surprise, the opposing wizard merely snorted. With a casual wave of his hand, a man holding a hunting rifle raised it without hesitation and fired, punching a hole straight through the parchment.
"Hah."
He lowered the barrel, blew on it mockingly, and grinned.
"Now it's not. Get lost."
"Is that so?"
Bern's expression darkened as he put the damaged parchment away. In a flash, he drew his wand.
"Reducto."
A streak of red light shot forth. The man who had fired the shot was struck squarely in the body; his hunting rifle shattered into pieces, and he collapsed with a scream.
That single spell was like opening Pandora's box.
In an instant, both sides erupted into open conflict. Brilliantly colored spells streaked wildly through the air, punctuated by the deafening crack of gunfire.
Russell immediately pulled Wednesday and Pugsley down with him, flattening themselves against the ground.
True to reputation, the Addams of the Soviet were explosive in temperament—no warnings, no hesitation, straight to violence. They were nothing like their Soviet counterparts.
That said, both sides were still exercising restraint. No one had used particularly lethal curses such as Avada Kedavra, the Cruciatus Curse, or even Fiendfyre—likely because once those were unleashed, things would spiral completely out of control.
Russell stayed behind cover, occasionally firing off opportunistic spells.
Wednesday, however, was far more ruthless. Though she crouched beside him, the spells she cast were tinged with an ominous black aura.
Russell could only think: Friend, why is your wand smoking like the staff of a villain?
Still, the most destructive presence on their side was Pugsley. Having received personal tutelage from Uncle Fester, the explosives he made were in a completely different league.
Russell was already certain that once Pugsley enrolled at Hogwarts, he would get along famously with the Weasley twins. Just imagining explosives combined with dungbombs made him instinctively pity Filch, the poor caretaker.
Eventually, their impressive "battlefield performance" drew attention. Several enemy gunmen locked onto their position and raised their weapons.
Fortunately, Russell had already cast a Shield Charm. A few bullets slammed into the barrier and fell away harmlessly—otherwise, he would already be full of holes.
"Fall back," Russell whispered urgently, signaling Wednesday and Pugsley to crawl toward Gomez.
Just as Russell prepared to move himself, an enemy wizard suddenly appeared nearby.
"Die—Confringo!"
A blinding red blast shattered Russell's flimsy Shield Charm like paper and shot straight toward him.
There was only time for one desperate roll. It was clumsy and undignified—but it worked.
The curse slammed into the ground beside him, collapsing the earth and revealing a dark opening beneath.
Russell lost his footing and slid straight into the hole.
No one noticed—except the enemy wizard.
Seeing Russell fall in, the man rushed forward and began hurling Blasting Curses into the opening as if they cost nothing, clearly intent on collapsing the tunnel and burying Russell alive.
The commotion drew attention.
Nearby Addams turned in surprise, stunned to find an enemy so close.
Several wands snapped toward him at once.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
"Confringo!"
"Bombarda!"
Three spells hit almost simultaneously.
The enemy wizard was instantly reduced to ashes.
"…Damn it," one of them muttered.
"We weren't supposed to kill him."
They exchanged glances and, without another word, silently agreed to bury the incident.
---
Russell slid for a short distance before landing hard on solid ground.
Grimacing, he stood up. Darkness surrounded him—absolute and complete.
"Lumos."
The reassuring glow illuminated his surroundings, and to his surprise, torches lined the walls nearby.
Once they were all lit, Russell could clearly see the tunnel he had fallen through.
It was a grave-robber's shaft.
Which meant…
"I'm already inside the ruins."
Well, I'll be damned. This really is Ghost Blowing Out the Lamp, he thought dryly.
He tried to climb back up, but the walls were far too smooth.
At that moment, a deep rumbling echoed above.
Russell sprinted away just in time.
Moments later, a cascade of stones thundered down the shaft, sealing it completely.
"…Guess I'll have to find another way out."
With no other choice, he pulled Morgan's diary from his pocket.
"Master, I seem to have accidentally gotten trapped inside some ruins. Do you have any idea how I might get out?"
The reply came quickly.
"Ruins? Where exactly? If it's too far away, I may not be able to help—different regions often use entirely different magical systems."