But would Harry truly remain trapped?
It certainly seemed as though he had no other way to escape.
The multiversal Dimensional Demon Gods had planned carefully, accounting for every ability Harry currently possessed. Naturally, they would not allow him to slip away so easily.
What they did not know was that the wider multiverse was not the only place Harry could travel to.
Among the other worlds available to him, there was one that was especially unusual. Whenever Harry entered that world, time throughout the wider multiverse came to a complete standstill.
He could remain in the wizarding world for as long as necessary, returning to the wider multiverse only after finding a solution to his current predicament.
In fact, Harry already knew what he needed to do. He merely had to stay in the wizarding world until he had completely mastered the Soul King's authority. Once he could maintain universal-level power for extended periods, he would be able to break free from the Dimensional Demon Gods' restraints and return to Earth in his own universe.
Harry had no interest in wasting time trading threats with the Demon Gods.
He immediately activated the primordial chaos power within him. His surroundings rapidly blurred and lost their color. When Harry opened his eyes again, he had already returned to the wizarding world.
Harry appeared inside his portable castle.
He had only recently completed his fifth year at Hogwarts and returned to live with the Dursleys.
However, he had no intention of remaining with them for long. Muggle technology had only just begun entering the wizarding world, and Harry needed to take charge of the situation. He planned to join Dumbledore in completing the legislation governing technological devices.
The Muggle world had already established the foundations of the internet. Should some foolish wizard post information about the wizarding world online, the entire magical community could be exposed almost immediately.
If the wizarding world were revealed under the current circumstances, war could easily break out between wizards and Muggles.
Neither Harry nor Dumbledore wanted that to happen.
After spending a week with the Dursleys, Harry left their home and traveled to the Burrow.
Surrounded by the green trees of the English countryside, the Burrow retained its famously crooked and haphazard appearance.
A careful observer, however, would have noticed several differences.
An old wooden rack beside the front door still held a pumpkin lantern and several broomsticks, but it now also supported a silver-gray vintage radio.
Its casing was slightly worn, and handwritten labels from the Weasley family had been stuck beside its tuning dial, each bearing the name of a different broadcast station.
The electric lights hanging from the ceiling, Fred and George's game console, and the television in the living room also revealed the growing influence of the Muggle world.
When Harry pushed open the Burrow's front door, the doorbell rang.
The Weasley family, who were eating together in the living room, all turned toward him.
They stared in surprise for a moment before their faces lit up with delight.
Mr. Weasley sprang to his feet and complained good-naturedly, "Harry, why didn't you tell us you were coming? Fortunately, we made more food than usual today. Come on, sit down and eat."
Harry naturally took a seat beside Ginny and accepted the plate Mr. Weasley handed him.
"It was a last-minute decision. I was originally planning to visit you in a few days."
Mr. Weasley froze and looked at him in surprise.
"You already know?"
Harry had not expected that response. He shook his head in confusion.
"Know what? I only came because I'm planning to meet Dumbledore at the Ministry of Magic. We need to finish drafting the legislation governing Muggle technology."
Mr. Weasley hesitated before finally speaking.
"A rumor concerning you has recently begun spreading throughout the wizarding world."
It was obvious that everyone except Harry already knew about it.
Ginny puffed out her cheeks and said fiercely, "I'd better not find out which bastard started these rumors. If I do, I'll make them regret it."
Ron nodded.
"Don't let it bother you, Harry. The people spreading those rumors have no idea how many incredible things you've done."
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nodded together.
"That's right, Harry. You were the one who pushed forward the proposal to introduce Muggle technology into the wizarding world. You've made life much more convenient for most witches and wizards.
"You also helped us realize that Muggle technology has quietly advanced to the point where it is beginning to catch up with magic."
Even after hearing the Weasleys' reassurances, Harry remained confused.
"So what exactly happened? Stop trying to comfort me and tell me what the rumor actually says."
Mr. Weasley sat back down on his wooden chair, unconsciously running a finger around the rim of his enamel cup.
When he looked up, the flickering firelight from the hearth reflected across his glasses, making the concern in his eyes even more apparent.
"For the past week, rumors about you have been flying through the wizarding world as though they've grown wings."
Mr. Weasley paused.
"Some people are saying that you're the third Dark Lord.
"They're also claiming that the officials in the Ministry of Magic and the students at Hogwarts have all become your followers."
"Followers?" Harry repeated without revealing any emotion. "What else?"
Seeing that Harry did not appear angry, Mr. Weasley relaxed slightly and continued.
"The most ridiculous part is that they've even invented a name for these so-called followers. They're calling them Lenders."
Harry's expression immediately became strange.
He had not expected the term Lender to spread beyond the Lending System's members.
Still, he was not particularly surprised. As the number of Lenders continued growing, it had been inevitable that outsiders would eventually notice them.
Most likely, a wizard who was dissatisfied with Harry had discovered the group and begun spreading information about the Lenders.
Mr. Weasley drained the cold tea from his cup, leaving the tea leaves settled at the bottom.
"Try not to worry about it. Lucius has already ordered the Ministry's Public Information Office to issue a clarification."
Harry shook his head.
"It's fine, Mr. Weasley. I don't mind.
"In a way, aside from accusing me of being a Dark Lord, what they're saying isn't entirely wrong.
"A considerable portion of the people at the Ministry and Hogwarts are now Lenders. Of course, you understand what being a Lender actually means. Our relationship is mutually beneficial.
"Other people don't know that, though. When they hear about the Lenders, they may assume I'm some kind of demon who signs contracts with witches and wizards to deceive them and steal their souls.
"Once information about the Lenders began spreading, it was inevitable that many ignorant witches and wizards who didn't understand the details would become frightened."
Mr. Weasley nodded, but concern remained on his face.
"We still can't allow the rumor to keep spreading. They're accusing you of being the third Dark Lord and severely damaging the reputation of every Lender.
"If this continues, the International Confederation of Wizards may begin demanding answers."
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