- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 196
“Those two truly live up to the reputation of the ‘Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix’!”
Watching Grindelwald down below, alternating between calling his followers “brothers,” “sisters,” and “friends,” Leo couldn’t help but quietly marvel in his heart.
The two most powerful wizards in the wizarding world, Grindelwald and Dumbledore, both possessed high intelligence and emotional intelligence, extraordinary talent, and unique charisma.
“The Aurors have already arrived here. Go now, Apparate away from here, and spread our ideas, our freedom, and our great cause to more people!”
Finally, Grindelwald glanced toward Theseus and then returned to the center, shouting loudly to all the wizards.
The wizards nodded excitedly, drawing their wands and preparing to Apparate.
But just at that moment, a deep, resonant voice boomed through the assembly like thunder:
“Wait, I have something to say!”
It was Leo, using the Sonorus Charm to call out to everyone.
He wasn’t kidding—if everyone left, who would witness his upcoming battle with Grindelwald?
It had to be done in full view of everyone to curb Grindelwald’s arrogance and demonstrate Tom Fawley’s strength, drawing the attention of wizards worldwide.
After tonight, every wizard would know that it wasn’t just Dumbledore who could rival Grindelwald; there was also Tom Fawley.
Due to the volume of Leo’s amplified voice, all the wizards present were momentarily stunned and turned their gazes toward him.
“Mr. Fawley, what are you doing?”
Theseus looked at Leo, his eyes filled with confusion.
Hadn’t they agreed to wait until everyone had left to work together to capture Grindelwald? Now that everyone was preparing to leave, why suddenly stop them?
Newt and Tina also looked at Leo with puzzled expressions.
Leo quietly explained:
“Look at these people—they’ve all been brainwashed by Grindelwald. If we let them leave and return to their countries, they’ll spread Grindelwald’s twisted beliefs far and wide.
And look at the Aurors you brought; even more than half of them now have a strange look in their eyes.
We must shake their faith in Grindelwald before they leave. Only then can some of them return to their senses.
Otherwise, it won’t be us surrounding him but him surrounding us!”
Theseus and the others turned to look and found that, as Leo had said, not only did the wizards have a fanatical look in their eyes, but many of the Aurors from various Ministries of Magic they had brought also seemed just as fervent.
There was no helping it—Grindelwald was known as a prophet among wizards, and the terrifying scenes he had just predicted for the Second World War had indeed sent chills down everyone’s spines, especially the horror of a nuclear explosion.
Moreover, most Aurors from various Ministries of Magic were either pure-blood or half-blood, making them more easily attracted to the future of freedom and glory for wizards that Grindelwald depicted.
Imagine a future where wizards no longer had to obey the Statute of Secrecy, no longer had to hide like rats among Muggles and Muggle-borns, but could walk openly anywhere in the world.
They could take all of Muggles’ resources for themselves, make Muggles serve as slaves like house-elves, and do whatever they wanted with handsome Muggle men and beautiful Muggle women.
As long as they had wizard blood, they could live a life of luxury without having to toil for a living like now.
Any wizard with some desire in their heart, who found their current life unsatisfactory, or who longed for freedom, couldn’t help but be tempted. Grindelwald’s vision of the future was indeed very alluring.
Those who could maintain their integrity were either born into Muggle families, had traditional and strict respect for the law, or were compassionate toward Muggles, kind-hearted, and unwilling to endorse such cruel methods or start a war.
“What are you going to do?”
Theseus’s expression grew more serious. He had realized the gravity of the situation. If things went wrong today, they might all die here.
Leo smiled slightly:
“Pull him down from his pedestal!”
“Tom Fawley, the last member of the Fawley family, once helped those American Congress wizards imprison me. Too bad they only managed to hold me for less than two days.”
Seeing Leo step forward, Grindelwald was a bit surprised, but his face soon returned to its charming smile.
When the wizards present heard that Leo was Tom Fawley, who had once captured Grindelwald, they immediately showed expressions of disgust. Some even began shouting, calling him a “traitor.”
As a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and a pure-blood family, not standing with them was seen as a betrayal.
Leo didn’t mind and walked down from the stands, stopping opposite Grindelwald. He then drew his wand and said loudly:
“That’s right, what you just said indeed moved me. Who doesn’t yearn for freedom? But there’s one thing I want to question.”
“Go on,” Grindelwald said, looking at Leo with interest.
Leo pointed his wand at Grindelwald:
“Why should you be the one to lead us? They say you’re the world’s strongest dark wizard, but I don’t agree. I want to duel you, one-on-one.
If you can defeat me, then I will join you!”
At Leo’s words, the crowd erupted in an uproar. Many wizards instantly burst into laughter, mocking him for his overconfidence.
Although Leo had captured Grindelwald, everyone knew it wasn’t a one-on-one capture; it was with the combined efforts of all the wizards from the American Ministry of Magic.
Leo could be credited with the primary achievement, but it didn’t mean his strength was on par with Grindelwald’s.
Moreover, Grindelwald had mentioned during his speech that he allowed himself to be captured because he didn’t want to harm his fellow wizards, not expecting them to send him to prison.
In other words, the so-called capture was simply because Grindelwald had shown mercy.
So now, with Leo stepping forward to challenge Grindelwald to a one-on-one duel, everyone found it both laughable and presumptuous.
“Grindelwald, show him your power!”
“Kill him!”
“Kill this traitor!”
Voices rang out, and the whole crowd was calling for Grindelwald to accept the challenge and deal with Leo.
Grindelwald frowned slightly but quickly relaxed, drawing his wand:
“Since you doubt my ability to lead, let me show you what true magical power is, so you’ll be convinced to join our great cause.”