Mysterious Journey

Chapter 924: The Demon King's Council Chamber

"Treatment? Restoring things to the way they were?"

Grindelwald raised his head, observing Elena with interest.

"In my opinion, it's not that troublesome. A simple Imperius Curse would solve the problem. As for the Ministry of Magic, haven't you already simulated it many times? With your current strength, you can completely destroy them before they can react."

"But..."

Grindelwald exchanged a glance with Dumbledore, and continued slowly.

"And then what? Have you figured out how to establish a new government on the ruins? What should the future of the magical and non-magical worlds look like? How should the various levels and industries operate? And of course, most importantly, what should be done with those opponents who haven't been destroyed, chasing and killing them in every corner like driving away Veela—"

"The Obliviate Charm isn't a panacea. The key is, it doesn't solve the problem—it only postpones it."

"Then what do you think counts as solving the problem, Professor Apocalis?"

Elena frowned, turning to look at the old Dark Lord behind her.

She had originally expected Grindelwald to be ambiguous about her idea of using Umbridge as a scapegoat, and Dumbledore to hesitate or object. However, as it stood, it was the Headmaster who was being ambiguous, while Grindelwald was a firm opponent.

"Oh, it's simple—"

The first generation Dark Lord slowly picked up his teacup and took a sip, a smile appearing on his wrinkled face.

"Do nothing. Don't you understand? Ms. Umbridge has already done it for us."

"What do you mean? Don't you think that's contradictory?"

Elena stared intently at Grindelwald, asking softly with some confusion.

"I think you should know what the Ministry of Magic will do if these two letters are successfully sent out: Umbridge will gain more power and freedom at Hogwarts, and what's worse, Quirinus Quirrell will face the risk of being suddenly arrested—if he falls into the hands of the Aurors, it's easy for..."

"Oh, yes, that's indeed a very, very big problem."

Grindelwald nodded in agreement, turning his head toward Dumbledore not far away.

"Albus, would you allow Aurors to rush into Hogwarts and arrest your teacher on trumped-up charges? Just out of curiosity, what usually happens if a wizard is found to be illegally possessing a prohibited item like the 'Muggle Killing Curse'?"

"Of course not. After all, I'm already so old; they'll show some respect for the elderly."

Dumbledore blinked his eyes mischievously, saying thoughtfully.

"As for illegally possessing firearms, that is indeed a problem. If we follow the Wizengamot's handling method, such behavior would usually be handed over to the court for trial—but there are two small inaccuracies here. First, the possessor must have the intention to attack, or have made some dangerous attacking movements, then we would punish them on the grounds of 'possessing dangerous items' or 'attempted murder'..."

"However, before that, there's an even more important point..."

Dumbledore glanced at Elena, sighed helplessly, and spread his hands, saying.

"The wizard's act of possessing firearms must be 'illegal' first. If laws and regulations agree to this point, then even if the Ministry of Magic intends to arrest someone for this, they would first have to arrest the person who suggested and agreed to him possessing them—Ms. Kaslana just reminded me that it seems to be the Headmaster of Hogwarts who approved Professor Quirrell's possession of firearms."

"But this reason can't be told to the Ministry of Magic, can it?! The matter of the institute, and the institute's senior members, being armed..."

Elena's brow furrowed even deeper, her gaze shifting between the two old wizards.

The two old men seemed to have reached some strange tacit understanding, but she hadn't figured out what it was yet.

"Why can't we tell them? It's a very reasonable and legitimate thing."

Dumbledore asked back somewhat strangely, adjusting his glasses on his nose.

"Ms. Kaslana, do you think we're engaging in some shady illegal activities? Hogwarts is a magical school established to pass on knowledge, to study knowledge, to explore teaching methods... these are originally the school's responsibilities. If some Muggle knowledge can help us better educate our students, why can't we introduce it openly?"

"The Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards are so easily persuaded? I thought violating the Statute of Secrecy was a serious crime."

Elena crossed her arms in front of her chest, her tone full of sarcasm and mockery.

If it were as simple as Dumbledore said, Grindelwald wouldn't have started the Wizarding War decades ago. Although his ideas at the time were mixed with many other things, the Statute of Secrecy was definitely a major trigger.

"It's a bit difficult, but it might be a bit easier after some achievements have been produced."

Dumbledore revealed a warm smile, patiently answering unhurriedly.

"Now there are mathematics and grammar classes at Hogwarts, and the new theory of Transfiguration is closely related to Muggle knowledge. On the other hand, the research and development of magical cold medicine is also about to advance to the industrial stage—besides, I heard that you have also started many interesting new projects over there, most of which are magical research directions that we haven't tried before..."

"So you plan to directly reveal everything on this occasion, and gamble on the other party's attitude?"

Elena said somewhat suspiciously, looking back and forth between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

This isn't like encountering a multiple-choice question you don't know on an exam, just randomly guessing a correct answer. If the worst-case scenario happens, then the Third Wizarding War would likely be directly triggered, which is no joke.

Perhaps Grindelwald might become a radical, but Dumbledore has no reason to go crazy with him.

"Not all at once, but little by little, cautiously informing..."

Grindelwald shook his head, correcting Elena's description.

"Forced compromise is more authentic than active cooperation. Whether it's that Ministry of Magic official, or Quirinus Quirrell, we have to make those on the outside think that they have the initiative, that all the information is a valuable victory squeezed out step by step by them... besides, haven't you already proved it once before?"

The Dark Lord, who had retreated to the second line, took out a Galleon with the Hogwarts castle printed on the back and played with it in his hand.

"Compared to upholding justice and following fairness... people only erupt with the purest and strongest motivation and emotions when guarding their possessions—since you want to change the world, why not first make them think that the world is their own?"

It must be admitted that the shocking financial scam last semester had opened the eyes of this old Dark Lord.

From that moment on, Grindelwald truly acknowledged that a little witch who had just turned twelve was dangerous enough to be comparable to himself, and her talent in capital manipulation was the best of the era—she almost overturned the entire magical world with just an old deed, and also reigned over Gringotts, which even he couldn't do back then.

And what shocked Grindelwald the most was the subsequent trial, which was probably the most just rabble in history.

However, Elena obviously didn't hear the old Dark Lord's inner thoughts at this time.

"So, are you saying... you plan to directly give the institute to those Ministry of Magic officials?"

Elena narrowed her eyes, humming noncommittally.

"Only the right to supervise and the right to know, these things are just a matter of saying a word... the subsequent research process and topic selection are still up to you—ten Albuses aren't as good as you when it comes to fooling and packaging purposes."

Amidst Dumbledore's wry smile, Grindelwald unhesitatingly chose the rhetorical method of comparison.

"Besides, even if those Ministry of Magic officials want to interfere in the research process, they don't have the ability to do so—"

"What about Professor Quirrell? What are you going to do..."

Elena waved her hand, impatiently interrupting the old potato's rambling explanation, and asked quickly.

"Nominal appointment, profit sharing, decentralization, I have also considered these things. If Professor Dumbledore and you think the time is ripe, then just proceed according to your ideas. Anyway, you are the ones who will communicate with the Ministry of Magic officials. But this will still go back to the starting point of everything, what about Quirinus Quirrell?"

"Hmm, don't you suspect that he might be the leaker?"

Grindelwald said casually, picking his ears and grinning.

"Regardless of whether he is leaking secrets or not, his behavior has obviously troubled our 'Little Empress', so he deserves some punishment. Anyway, at most, it's just going to court and going through the process, it's nothing—anyway, we still have the head of the Wizengamot's Golden Badge Wizards on our side, not to mention Azkaban, maybe there won't even be a fine..."

"Gellert, the Wizengamot isn't my one-man show. There will be a jury vote at that time."

Dumbledore couldn't help but interrupt, under Grindelwald's description, he almost turned into a Dark Lord too.

He pondered for a few seconds, his expression gradually becoming serious and earnest, heavily frowning.

"Elena's previous concerns do have some merit. The only two directions of defense I can currently think of are: one is Quirinus's current identity at Hogwarts—the professor of Muggle Studies is still somewhat of an exception; and the other is the special funds for the institute that have been reviewed by the Ministry of Magic before, but this will inevitably expose Quirinus..."

"In the process of fighting against the Dark Lord, he unfortunately suffered a curse, lost his magic and became a squib-like waste."

Elena suddenly said, her fingers on her lips, softly saying thoughtfully.

"On the one hand, this can continue to strengthen Voldemort's terrifying image in the wizarding world. Compared to Avada Kedavra, this unknown curse is obviously more vicious. It will arouse the unease of all wizarding families—and on the other hand, if we first take this opportunity to let the public know about Professor Quirrell's condition, and then find a way to cure him after a while..."

The girl's lake-blue eyes met Grindelwald's gaze, flashing with astonishing brightness.

"Professor Dumbledore, I wonder if the wizarding world has statistics—how many squibs have there been in human society over the years? I believe that any wizarding family will inevitably be extremely desperate and helpless when they discover that their child is a squib."

"If, I mean if... at this time we can let them see a glimmer of hope..."

Elena stood up and walked to Fawkes's bird stand, skillfully grabbing a handful of small fish rice and picking through it in her hand.

"As for Umbridge, it's good to let her swell up a bit. I've already thought of another reason to stimulate her and the Ministry of Magic—if she continues to lurk in the castle so low-key, it will be detrimental to us accepting the wreckage left by the Ministry of Magic, but..."

She casually poured the unsaturated small fish rice back into the bird trough, glanced at the Dumbledore who was smiling wryly.

"Professor, you might have to be wronged a bit, and so will Professor Quirrell..."

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Yay!