Chapter 300 "Tom's Negotiation"

Wentworth's response left Tom speechless. After a prolonged silence, Tom, wearing a perplexed expression, finally inquired, "I'm curious, who are you? You seem to be aware of my existence, but that's impossible!"

Pretending to have an epiphany, Wentworth replied, "Oh! I apologize for my oversight. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Wentworth Grindelwald."

Tom echoed Wentworth's name, then, after a moment, he looked visibly startled and uttered in disbelief, "Grindelwald? Are you a descendant of Gellert Grindelwald?"

Wentworth gently shook his head, clarifying, "Not quite. My grandfather is his brother."

Upon hearing Wentworth's revelation, Tom grasped the connection. He looked at Wentworth in surprise and remarked incredulously, "I didn't expect Dumbledore would permit the descendants of the Grindelwald family into Hogwarts!"

As Tom's eyes brightened, he suggested, "So, by nature, we should be allies!"

Reacting swiftly, Wentworth extended his hand to halt Tom and asserted, "Hold on. You and I are not natural allies. My grandfather made it clear that he doesn't harbor hatred toward Muggles. They're not worthless but misunderstood. We're not cut from the same cloth. On the contrary, we might even be competitors, right?"

Upon hearing Wentworth's words, Tom swiftly offered an explanation, "As long as you're willing to aid in my revival, I'm open to forming an alliance with your Alliance. Together, we'll conquer the entire world! Rest assured, I only require the United Kingdom and a few other places. In return, Alliance will be yours, and you'll reign as the king of the wizarding world!"

Though Tom's motives remained unclear, his words at this moment were undeniably sincere and provocatively tempting.

However, he had underestimated Wentworth.

Wentworth, upon hearing Tom's proposition, was momentarily stunned before erupting into laughter, the sound resonating throughout the room. By the end, laughter had rendered Wentworth unable to straighten up.

Observing this, Tom, with a dark expression, queried, "Is what I said is a mere joke for you?"

Leaning on the corner of the table, Wentworth slowly stood up, pointing at young Tom and remarked, "Are you drawing a line for me and the Alliance to stay? I help with all of your heavy duties, and you think I would be willing to share an ounce of my power with you?"

Tom, somewhat annoyed by Wentworth's laughter, responded with a darkened face, "What if I am?"

Upon hearing Tom's answer, Wentworth gradually ceased laughing. He then straightened his body and sneered, "Tom, do you know what typically happens when someone crosses a drawn line they are expected to stay in?"

Tom regarded Wentworth with a furrowed brow, shaking his head slowly, "I don't quite catch what you are trying to say here..."

Unfazed, Wentworth, sporting a slight smile, extended his fingers, stating with deliberate calmness, "It's very simple. In the first scenario, the one who crosses the line is going to be exterminated. In the second, the drawn line is going to be extended further for the sake of the one that held the power. Care to guess the fate of our Alliance in where do we stand here?"

Facing Wentworth's question, Tom remained silent, merely observing Wentworth intently.

Not waiting for Tom's response, Wentworth raised a third finger and enunciated, "For Alliance, it's typically the third scenario—we make those who dare to cross the line and the one that draws the line before us disappears."

Upon hearing Wentworth's declaration, Tom erupted in anger, pointing accusingly at Wentworth and exclaiming, "Wentworth Grindelwald, don't get too arrogant. You should know you stand before the most powerful dark wizard in history!"

Wentworth, dismissing Tom's claim with a disapproving gesture, expressed disdainfully, "You're a wizard defeated by an infant's flesh! The most powerful dark wizard ever? That's all? Don't you dare joke with me! Tom, my grandfather is a better dark wizard than you could ever wish for!"

Tom was left speechless by Wentworth's retort. As a memory, heaving violently, his chest revealed a brewing storm of emotions, while Wentworth remained visibly unswayed and notably irked.

Wentworth proceeded with determination, declaring, "Well, Tom, your time has passed, and you can depart in peace!"

Without waiting Tom's response, Wentworth swiftly drew his wand and pointed it at the diary before him, uttering, "Avada Kedavra!" His expression turned fierce as the green light pointed to the diary.

Yet, to his dismay, the magic spell passed through, leaving the diary unscathed.

Frowning at the unsuccessful attempt, Wentworth persisted, "Crucio! Avada Kedavra!"

Observing the futile attempts, Tom sneered, remarking, "Don't waste your efforts. How could the Horcrux I created be so easily destroyed by you? Frankly, with your current abilities, you lack the means to dismantle my Horcrux."

Impatient with Tom's comments, Wentworth retorted, "If you don't cease, I'll hand you over to Albus Dumbledore! Headmaster Dumbledore would undoubtedly relish another conversation with the most exceptional student ever at Hogwarts."

Taken aback by Wentworth's words, Tom expressed disbelief, "So, you won't deliver me to Dumbledore? I thought you'd seek Dumbledore's assistance without hesitation!"

Wentworth curled his lips disdainfully, remarking, "Tom, let me impart another idiom from the Far East: Thieves should respect each other! As long as Dumbledore hasn't confirmed the destruction of all your Horcruxes, you remain a potential threat, able to return at any time."

"In this way, I'm safest. Our Headmaster has never relinquished the idea of utilizing me and Alliance against you and your Death Eaters."

Upon hearing Wentworth's words, Tom expressed excitement, asking, "Can he tolerate you using him like this? That old man hasn't caught up the slightest with your plans."

Wentworth shrugged, responding casually, "Why not? Haven't I also employed his idea to study safely at Hogwarts?"

Unfazed by Wentworth's answer, Tom hastily offered, "Whatever you wish to learn, I can teach you! I am well-versed in history... I am also a formidable wizard!"

With a sneer, Wentworth retorted, "We have powerful wizards in Alliance. What I require is a skilled teacher, not just a potent sorcerer. Additionally, I've always harbored doubts about your strength."

"And stop thinking too highly of yourself; you are no better than my grandfather. If it's not for his last bout with Dumbledore, then Grandpa Gellert would still be reigning in the wizarding world as the strongest dark wizard of all time, with the Alliance's influence reaching every single nook and cranny of this world." Wentworth boasted pridefully with his chest puffed, looking at Tom, who was having an annoyed expression.

Even the apparition of his past can be seen clearly having popping veins from his temple and hands while dealing with Wentworth.

Meanwhile, in Nurmengarde, a certain someone is playing with his pet dragon while sneezing, "Someone must be calling me from the outside world lately; this sneeze just came randomly," He said as he playfully petted the dragon before him on the head.