Chapter 863
If you need to step into the mud
Chapter 863 If you need to step into the mud
In that instant, many images flashed through Wade's mind—
The small island in the Atlantic Ocean that buried countless sins, the Obscurial that blotted out the sky, Hailey and Mabel who depended on each other for survival, and the various bases that were swallowed up by Grindelwald's flames.
The candlelight flickered in Grindelwald's pupils.
“We’ve been tracking these thieves for a long time. But they’re like goblins; no matter how many nests you destroy, new ones will always pop up from unexpected places.”
"Prometheus... a massive organization secretly led by top Muggle elites, tycoons, and high-ranking government officials. Its fundamental purpose is not to hunt wizards, but to dissect, analyze, and plunder them, ultimately seizing this power for itself."
"This plan even began long before the witch hunts!"
Wade listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rough wood grain of the bench.
Everything he saw on that island is still deeply etched in Vader's mind, and he doesn't hesitate to assume the worst about those people.
At the same time, Wade also sensed a subtle chill and frustration in Grindelwald's tone.
—Because such an organization may not have any leaders or cadres at all, and it is not a gang that can be completely dismantled by eliminating a few key figures.
As long as human desires do not completely disappear, and as long as a significant gap exists between wizards and Muggles, then "Prometheus" will never disappear.
Even if the current deeply entrenched organization is eradicated, new "fire-stealers" will continue to emerge.
No matter how powerful the UMNO is, it's impossible for them to kill all the Muggles.
Grindelwald paused, then continued, "We can confirm that Prometheus's largest force is in America, and their tentacles are likely rooted in every corner of Muggle society—banks, convenience stores, the military, schools, hospitals! Everywhere!"
"Their methods are dirtier than the sewers of New York: kidnapping, murder, instigating wars, human experimentation... there's nothing they wouldn't dare to do to achieve their goals!"
"So Vader, even if you have a perfect identity, you must never be careless... Don't overlook the more dangerous enemies lurking in the shadows when dealing with the Purifiers!"
"I will be careful."
Wade showed no surprise, simply saying softly, "I hope those guys show themselves soon."
"The more a person has, the more afraid of death they are. So even the most greedy beast will know to withdraw its claws when it feels a sufficiently terrifying threat."
Grindelwald's eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile curved his lips: "Sounds like... you're ready to kill?"
Wade looked at him, not avoiding the old man's gaze, and simply said, "If necessary."
A calm tone conveys more power and determination than shouting.
“Oh?” Grindelwald leaned forward, as if trying to see into the deepest thoughts of Wade: “Aren’t you worried about your soul being damaged? Dumbledore cares a lot about that.”
“But Professor Dumbledore also said,” Wade said, “that sending those demons who roam the earth to hell will not harm their souls.”
He paused, his gaze fixed on the orange candlelight, carefully choosing his words as he spoke:
"Maybe he was just trying to comfort me, because he was always worried that... I would confuse 'killing to protect' with pure indiscriminate killing of innocents..."
Grindelwald's face stiffened, but he didn't notice Vader, who was lost in thought ahead.
“But…” Wade said softly, “I can’t always leave all the trouble to Professor Dumbledore and let him bear all the storms.” “It was he who taught me to cherish life and do the right thing…that makes me clearer about my choices when others wantonly commit massacres—”
"It's not about standing on a moral high ground to criticize those who do things, nor is it about standing by and watching to keep your own hands clean... If you have to step into the mud to get rid of the root of the problem, then I won't be stingy with a pair of boots."
Before he knew it, a genuine smile had appeared on Grindelwald's face.
He chuckled softly, his laughter filled with undisguised satisfaction... even smugness.
“Well said… but if Dumbledore heard what you said, he would probably be even more eager to send me back to Nurmengard!”
The solemnity on Wade's face instantly turned into helplessness, and then he chuckled softly.
“Now that you’ve come to this realization, then you must not hesitate when you encounter the enemy!” Grindelwald cautioned. “Tolerance and mercy are meaningless to some people; they will only embolden them to act with even greater arrogance!”
“Yes,” Wade replied.
“Dryne will stay here and assist you in every way,” Grindelwald said. “All the resources you need—people, intelligence, or even unconventional methods—can be mobilized through him.”
“How far can I go?” Wade asked.
Grindelwald laughed and said, "Oh... as long as it doesn't exceed the level I was back then... I can guarantee it for you."
Wade was speechless.
Back then, Grindelwald practically spread the flames of war throughout the entire wizarding world. To surpass him, it would probably take the Third World War.
However, this also reflects Grindelwald's confidence in his old friend.
Dumbledore's students, whom he had carefully trained, were far more principled than he had been back then. Even if he let Wade run wild and cause trouble, he believed he would never create an uncontrollable situation.
Grindelwald waved his hand gently and said, "Go on, Derain is in the back garden."
Without saying another word, Wade stood up nimbly, nodded slightly, and then turned and walked towards the side door.
Just as he was about to leave, Wade subconsciously glanced back.
Grindelwald sat alone on the bench, his thin figure appearing unusually lonely in the empty church. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the church's heavy dome, looking towards some unreachable place.
Then, Wade withdrew his gaze, gently closed the wooden door, and his footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, blending with the pattering rain outside the window.
The church's back garden was even more overgrown with weeds. Vader saw Derain and Antoine standing in the pouring rain, holding umbrellas.
Both of them took off their coats, rolled up their sleeves, and their trousers were covered in spots of mud. Their expressions were unusually solemn.
Before them lay a newly dug pit, emanating the stench of earth and an indescribable musty smell.
Wade walked over, his gaze passing over the two men, and saw what was in the pit—
At the bottom of the pit lay a dense, pale mass of bones. Rainwater washed away the mud, revealing old, indelible scars.
(End of this chapter)