Harry nods in satisfaction at the bone statue and headless corpse next to it, "Your gaze has gotten stronger, Nanthisk."
"Ass hasss your spellsss, massster." the snake reciprocates the compliment.
"That Berserk spell was, 'Muah', very well used, master. Where did you learn it? And how did you know that man would follow your will?" Kali asks, curious.
"It was actually from the Necronomicon, the Inanis Spiritus or, 'Vain Spirit' spell... I didn't pick him specifically, I was going to cast it on all of them to see if it would work... It'll help us escape 'Their' attention when they investigate the Castle." he embarrassedly admits before deciding to change the subject.
"What did you think of these magic users Kali? Personally, they were pretty weak and incompetent. With the exception of that green spell that causes instant death..."
"Hmm, that spell, 'Avada Kedavra', I sensed a slight demonic influence from it..."
Harry crooks a curious brow, "What does that mean?"
"It means, there is a high possibility of it originating from Demonic Magic. I suspect it is a broken, deconstructed version of something called Drain Soul, a spell that allowed demons to devour the souls of weaker beings without the other annoying preparations you would naturally have to do."
"So these 'Wizards' possess demonic magic?"
Kali shakes her head, "As I said, 'A broken and deconstructed version'. It's the equivalent of throwing away the steak in a steak dinner and blending what remains... This spell of theirs would prove completely ineffective against any demon or drastically stronger being."
"Would it kill me?" he asks.
"Hmm... It depends on who casts it. A weaker magic user may just hurt you, while a stronger one would instantly kill you." she smiles at the pout which appears on Harry's face at that, "You'll just have to grow stronger if you want to swallow your enemies spells and laugh at their reactions. Nanthisk may survive the spell due to his scales, and I myself have nothing to fear from it."
Harry sighs, "I'd be strong enough already if you'd just let me use rituals-"
"Ah-ah, not yet master... Trust me when I say such things would stunt your growth."
Harry can only grumble in response, knowing that Kali wouldn't deny him such opportunities to grow stronger without a valid reason.
The group turn their attention to looting and cleaning up the corpses, no guards remained and the low number of them probably meant that the prisoners held here weren't much of a threat any longer.
The lower levels of Nurmengard Castle itself were peculiar, a soot-covered fireplace with green powder in a bowl next to it, various magical utensils in a kitchen and common area... The whole place felt like something in a past era though, lacking many modern luxuries even non-magical people possessed...
The only technology of note was a single radio, that had a European channel currently playing... Like the guards, the people spoke German, and seem to be describing something called 'Quidditch'... They loot the radio and continue their search up the tower, soon finding malnourished-looking prisoners of all sorts.
A few men press themselves against their cell bars as Harry walks by them, their leering smiles and grasping hands making the boy want to cut them off. "Come here boy, I'll show you why they called me 'The Spoiler' in multiple countries... I'll be good to you I pr-" the man pauses when he sees Kali walking behind Harry.
"C-creature..."
Kali grins and traces a finger along her lower lip as her eyes glow ominously, "You've shown a lot of lust towards my little master here, now you shrivel in the face of a real woman? Hmph, perhaps they were right in castrating you."
"H-how do you-"
"Idea on what to do with him, Kali?" Harry questions, not really knowing what to do with the man. For someone like this his testicles and penis could serve in a ritual, along with his heart, but half of the ingredients had already been removed apparently... Was there a mage aspiring to learn Ritual magic out there somewhere?
Kali holds her chin, "Rapists are rather common, but serial rapists that like this man? I think I can find a use for him? If nothing else, he can serve to provide information on the state of this world's magicals."
Harry shrugs, "Bag him and tag him then, I'll head further up, maybe I'll find a princess at the top of the tower." he says as Nanthisk follows him.
The number of prisoners got lesser and lesser the further they ascended, but the severity of their crimes grew too... Soon enough, Harry reaches the top of the tower where a single cell lay, it didn't have bars, only a heavily enchanted lead and metal door which had a small window used to slide food through.
"What is it, maasster?" Nanthisk asks as Harry stops and stares at the door for a prolonged period of time.
"These enchantments, we might have to get Kali to strip them..." he gestures towards it, "These look like Nordic runes mixed with Egyptian Hieroglyphs... How they managed to inscribe them without it exploding? I have no idea... Last time I tried two tribesmen got turned to ash..."
Nanthisk bobs his head, "Their flessh wasss bitter and crunchy... Can you prepare more mealsss like that, masster?"
"Sure..."
Kali soon makes her way to their location, slitted eyes quickly locking onto the enchanted door, "Impressive warding for primitives... Watch and learn, master." she says, quickly getting to work breaking through the door.
Her hands glow an eerie green as they brush against specific runes and random areas in midair. She was pulling and plucking seemingly at random, but Harry could vaguely feel the dissipation of magic as she continued.
"And, last..." Kali hums as she grips the air in front of the door hard and pulls with strength.
*Shhooouuuuu*
A breeze abruptly blows through the area, kicking dust from the ceiling and walls of the tower. "Annnd, that's it." Kali smiles as she claps nonexistent dust from her hands.
"Why haven't you taught me that yet, Kali?"
"Because ward breaking requires a focused, gentle yet firm hand, along with the ability to accurately view and sense magic. Keep practising and I'll teach you it when I feel you have the capacity for it, master."