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Chapter 2: The Dark Lord's Heir! The Acolyte Returns!

Nurmengard.

Hundreds of acolytes have assembled in the square, with more arriving continuously. Despite the large crowd, the atmosphere remains subdued. Aside from occasional whispers, most people stand in quiet anticipation.

They await the young man who will determine the future of the acolytes.

"The number of people is nearly sufficient, and there are many Aurors present. Augustus, are you sure you don't want to meet your adoptive father first?"

Hearing the concern in the voice of the old man behind him, Augustus smiled faintly.

"Uncle Abernethy, the test began the moment I stepped into Nurmengard."

"But…"

"Let's go; it's time to meet your old friend!"

With a wave of his wand, the castle gates slowly opened.

Vita remained silent, following Augustus without a word.

Abernethy, clearly worried about Augustus, glanced into the castle, took a deep breath, and chose to follow.

As Augustus made his way through the square, the murmurs of the acolytes gradually faded. Compared to the raucous reception that accompanied Grindelwald's appearances, the current crowd's demeanor was far colder. Even a few older figures displayed signs of impatience.

"Director, should we apprehend him now?"

A young Auror asked the middle-aged man beside him, who shook his head in response.

"Let's wait and see."

"Don't forget, this is Nurmengard! If the occupant of the tower is provoked, no one will be able to handle it."

"He's just a child, only eleven years old. What can he do?" Another young Auror sneered dismissively.

"I believe Grindelwald is simply old and confused. How could he let a mere child inherit the Alliance?"

"I hope that's the case!" The middle-aged man stared solemnly at the center of the square.

In the square, Augustus walked confidently to the center, brushing his wand across his chest and bowing slightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering here today."

"Over the past few decades, we've been displaced, hiding from place to place. We've lost many friends, companions, and comrades."

"The fact that the alliance have come this far is thanks to your efforts and protection."

"I am here to express my gratitude to all of you!"

Augustus bowed deeply. His gaze swept around, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he recalled the glory of the alliance in their prime. The once formidable alliance now had only a few hundred members.

Among them were many elderly, weak, and infirm.

Yet, he wasn't discouraged. After a brief pause, he continued.

"I understand why you are here, and I know your dreams, persistence, and desires."

"Many say that we are mistakes and sinners, that we've corrupted this magical world."

"Nonsense!"

"They are merely fools."

Shouts and curses erupted from the crowd, clearly disgruntled by this.

Augustus raised a hand, and the voices gradually quieted.

"Back then, Mr. Gellert Grindelwald warned the wizarding world, and in return, he was imprisoned for decades. Many believe that as his adopted son, I should harbor hatred and remain at odds with them."

"But the truth is the opposite. I hold no hatred for them. Not at all."

"In fact, if it were possible, I would wish for peaceful coexistence with them."

"We are not driven by hatred; we simply have different beliefs."

"That is all."

Many of the elderly present had participated in the rally at Père Lachaise Cemetery years ago.

They remembered Grindelwald's imposing presence!

Looking at the confident and dignified young man before them, they seemed to see the figure from those days again.

The figure that inspired them to follow him at all costs and pledge their loyalty.

"Grindelwald…"

An old man seemed to experience a momentary illusion, mistaking Augustus for Gellert Grindelwald himself, and began to approach the stage trembling.

"Wake up, Rawl!" A companion grabbed him and shook him vigorously to bring him back to reality.

Augustus observed all this from the stage.

He glanced at Vita Rosier, who nodded and handed him a skull-shaped pipe.

"I may not possess the same strong prophetic abilities as my father, Mr. Gellert Grindelwald, but I can still present reality to you."

Augustus took a deep breath and exhaled.

A massive cloud of smoke enveloped the entire square, forming a hazy image of a torrent of steel.

Tanks, planes, missiles!

The explosion of a mushroom cloud made everyone shiver.

They couldn't fathom how Muggles, with no magical abilities, could wield such destructive power with their so-called technology.

Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard alive, might be comparable, but what about ordinary wizards like them?

What could they use to resist?

But Augustus was far from finished. The scene shifted to spacecraft, rockets ,satellites, and various high-tech devices.

From a satellite's perspective, a blue planet suddenly appeared before everyone.

The view descended rapidly towards a specific part of the planet.

The sky, the ocean, the island… until they saw themselves in the picture!

The smoke gradually cleared, and the image halted abruptly.

"Facts speak louder than words." Augustus's voice roused everyone from their shock.

"The power of Muggles is no longer as feeble as we once thought. My father's prophecy was accurate, and the choices made by everyone here were not in vain."

"The truth is held by only a few,"

"It's not us who are wrong; it's the world!"

Applause erupted, growing warmer. Many elderly acolytes, who had once followed Grindelwald, had tears in their eyes as they listened to Augustus.

Years of sadness and grievances were released in this moment.

They had once been passionate youth full of hope and dreams, but decades of hardship had led them to doubt their decisions.

Now, they had their answer! Finally, someone had affirmed that their choice was not wrong!

They were pioneers and leaders!

All sacrifices were for the future of the magical world!

Augustus beamed with unprecedented confidence and surveyed the crowd.

"We don't have much time left. The Muggles are about to turn their weapons against the magical world!"

"I ask everyone here: are you willing to continue hiding like the Ministry of Magic?"

"No."

"No!"

The responses from the crowd were sparse at first.

"Are you willing to risk your lives against the Muggles?"

"No!"

This time, the replies were much louder, and most people had their fists clenched tightly.

"Are you willing to see your friends and loved ones become slaves to the Muggles?"

"No! No!"

Unprecedented shouts surged from the crowd, even including a young Auror among them.

The middle-aged Auror in charge glared at him fiercely, and the young Auror seemed to realize and bowed his head in disappointment.

But the next moment, countless voices rose behind the middle-aged man!

"No! No! No!"

The crowd roared like a tidal wave, their eyes fixed on Augustus with fervent devotion!

Many elderly figures were in tears, unable to suppress their excitement, crying and laughing.

Once desperate, they now felt a resurgence of passion.

The new leader of the Alliance had arrived!

Augustus raised his hand, and the chaotic square fell silent.

"After today, many will perish. If you see my body one day, do not mourn or regret; instead, pick up your wand and continue fighting!"

"We bear the great mission of saving the magical world!"

"Everything, for the greater good!"

"For the greater good!"

The acolytes erupted into madness, shouting Grindelwald's motto with fervor.

Even some men in their seventies and eighties, their faces flushed with youthful zeal.

"Rocas, are we… are we really wrong?"

In the distance, a middle-aged Auror fell into profound self-doubt.

Unconsciously, he had set his wand down.

"Wake up! Nice!" The Auror Director gripped Nice's shoulders and shook him vigorously.

"Rocas… he's right. We share the same identity, the same goal…"

"No, no, no… calm down… calm down!"

"He deserves our loyalty…"

"Nice, you're losing your mind! Remember your duty; you're an Auror!"

The Auror Director stared incredulously at the middle-aged Auror.

"I am an Auror, but I am also part of the wizarding world!"

The middle-aged Auror turned and walked towards Augustus on the stage.

As if on a pilgrimage!

"Nice, you've forced me to do this!"

The Auror Director tightened his grip on his wand.

The veins in his hand bulged from the exertion.

"Avada Kedavra!"