In Austria, within the confines of Nurmengard Castle, Dumbledore ascended the stairs and reappeared at the summit of the tower prison.

Gellert Grindelwald, who had been in tattered clothing, surprisingly donned ordinary household attire this time, hinting at a subtle restoration of his former grandeur, albeit to a modest extent.

Not bothering to look back as he heard approaching footsteps, Gellert remarked, “I knew you would come again. Is Wentworth all right?”

Taking a seat after entering the room, Dumbledore reassured, “Don’t worry, he’s fine. During the holidays, I arranged for him to attend a summer camp to care for magical animals with Newt. He seems to enjoy it.”

Gellert’s hand clenched momentarily, but he soon relaxed it, expressing disdain, “Next vacation, instead of letting him waste his time, let him come to me. I will provide him with an unforgettable experience.” He said while giving Dumbledore an ambiguous smile.

Dumbledore raised his hands in a noncommittal gesture and inquired, “I have a question. When you found me in Godric’s Hollow, did you genuinely encounter me by chance, or was it a deliberate search based on your predictions?”

Upon hearing Dumbledore’s inquiry, Gellert shuddered. After a moment of contemplative silence, he turned around to face Dumbledore and asked, “Albus Dumbledore, what do you mean? Are you implying something of our first meeting?”

Unfazed by Gellert’s question, Dumbledore responded candidly, “For the greater good. All wizards in the wizarding world are familiar with this slogan of your movement. However, what they don’t know is that it was I who first coined this phrase originally—at least, that’s how I remember it. I used it for the first time in a letter to you!”

“But then, I discovered my mistake. I distinctly recall our initial encounter in Godric’s Hollow in 1899. However, to my surprise, I later found that the prophecy skeleton you possessed bore the inscription: ‘For the greater good—1898!'” He took a deep breath to pause and pace himself.

“Subsequently, we formed a blood pact, rendering me unable to raise my wand against you. Concurrently, you established the Alliance!” Dumbledore explained as he tried to control himself from bursting at any second given while recounting their past.

As Dumbledore finished speaking, an eerie silence descended upon the tower of Nurmengard, with only the frigid wind whistling through the air.

After a prolonged solitude, Gellert spoke slowly, “Albus, it’s been decades. Why do you suddenly think of this?”

Confronted with Gellert Grindelwald’s question, Dumbledore slowly shook his head and uttered, “I have never forgotten the fragments of our past, so I always feel that I was deceived by you back then! However, it doesn’t matter; it’s all over now. I’m here to share something important with you—There are others out there who know of your Prophecy Skeleton existence and are currently trying their hardest to get their hands on it. In the process of it, they’ve harmed few innocent bystanders.”

Subsequently, Dumbledore narrated every detail that Wentworth had shared with him.

When Gellert heard about the mysterious note that materialized in his vault, he too furrowed his brows in contemplation.

Once Dumbledore had finished recounting the events, Gellert knitted his brows and remarked, “If the enchantment I placed on Vault 714 hasn’t been forcibly broken and is still intact, then, to open the door, one must use the blood of the Grindelwald family. There’s no doubt about that.”

Upon hearing Gellert’s confirmation, Dumbledore nodded slowly and added, “Since that’s the case, I believe I can make a reasonable guess as to who might be responsible. There’s only one scenario where one could discreetly unlock the vault at Gringotts using the blood of the Grindelwald family.”

Dumbledore displayed a wry smile as he spoke, while Gellert regarded him with a half-smile, remarking, “Do you feel a bit helpless? I understand what you’re alluding to. In truth, you could disclose the truth to Wentworth. As I’ve said before, the vengeance of the Grindelwald family should be carried out by the descendants of the Grindelwald family.”

However, Dumbledore shook his head decisively, expressing a hint of weariness, and stated, “This matter can be set aside for now. I have more pressing matters to attend to before the right time arrives.”

The corners of Gellert’s mouth once again curled into a smile, and he remarked, “Is it for that student you once were? I propose merging your Order of the Phoenix into the Alliance. Our side will handle your troubles for you! It’s a shame you always reject that idea with that righteous ideology of yours, Albus.” He retorted with a bitter smile while staring at Dumbledore.

“The connection, the bond we once had. So that you know, I’ll put it here for you to contemplate. Every single part of it, every single second of it, every ups and downs we shared together, I never regretted it. I always reminisce about those times quite frequently these days, wishing for a time when you actually managed to change your obsolete views of the world and join my side for good.” Gellert expressed his feelings with a melancholic tone.

Dumbledore, however, burst into laughter, gazing into Gellert’s eyes as he said slowly, “Gellert, the Alliance is no longer yours. The current leader of the Alliance is Wentworth Grindelwald, my present student! But don’t worry; I have no intention of integrating the Alliance into the Order of the Phoenix. It’s just that the new leader of the Alliance will foster friendships with many within the Order!”

Upon hearing Dumbledore’s words, the smile on Gellert’s face abruptly froze.

After a pause, Gellert pointed at Dumbledore and warned, “Albus, don’t you dare blame me later on. I warn you, you are playing with fire right now! Abandon whatever plans you have inside your head and let Wentworth live his life the way it should be. Don’t you dare try to influence Wentworth with those words of yours!”

Dumbledore snapped his fingers, and after a brief moment of a melodious phoenix cry, Fawkes appeared in the air, gracefully descending from the distant sky, landing on Dumbledore’s shoulders. Dumbledore remarked, “Playing with fire? I like fire. Perhaps you’ve forgotten what pet the Dumbledore family has been nurturing all their life? It’s Phoenix! A creature of pure flame!”

With Fawkes perched on his shoulder, Dumbledore was about to depart when Gellert’s voice interrupted him, bringing Dumbledore to a halt, “Take a chance and give the Prophecy Skeleton to Wentworth!”

Dumbledore’s movement halted, and with a hint of disbelief, he responded, “Are you sure? You know they are searching for it, and you want me to hand it over to Wentworth? Both of us know the responsibility that comes along with possessing that thing. There would be no trouble in the past if it was not a problematic item. Not to count right now that if I gave it to Wentworth, then it’s the same like painting a target on his back.”

Gellert nodded confidently, asserting, “That’s correct. Give it to him. After all, he’s now by your side. In addition to the wizards of the Alliance, your Order of the Phoenix will also protect him, right? Who says he won’t befriend many in your Order of the Phoenix?”

After contemplating Gellert’s words, Dumbledore fell silent for a moment.

Eventually, a wry smile appeared on his face, and he sighed in front of Grindelwald. “See you later, old friend! Stay healthy and witness how the world will change under your grandson’s name!”

As Dumbledore departed, Gellert returned to his seat by the window, resuming his solitary gaze. After a prolonged silence of enjoying the view Nurmengard could offer from above, he sighed melancholically, “The magical world is becoming increasingly chaotic, but it’s truly intriguing! Let’s see how you’ll make your grandfather proud, Wentworth!”