"War," Tom said softly. "In two world wars, Muggles crossed technological barriers that had once resisted them for hundreds of years. The speed of scientific progress came to be measured in months, even days."
"That is human potential. When survival and resources are at stake, people can unleash strength beyond imagination."
He lifted his head and looked at this once-invincible figure.
"Has the wizarding world ever had a proper war? In my memory, only the war Grindelwald once started truly counted. That conflict also produced a great many elite wizards. It's a pity that because of Dumbledore's existence, people still lived too comfortably. They never fully dug out their own potential."
"I hope this time will be different."
The boy slowly clenched his fist.
"Pressure creates momentum. Momentum brings unexpected surprises. I alone cannot break through the limits of this world. I need more inspiration, more extraordinary people."
"I see now..."
At last, Andros understood what Tom was aiming for.
He wanted to artificially create a dazzling new age, to force the stagnant magical world to change and develop in a healthier direction.
"Then you'd better control the scale of it. Don't let too many innocent people die because of this."
Though he understood Tom's reasoning, Andros did not agree with it. That was simply his nature. He would never sacrifice the interests of others for his own ambitions. But he also had to consider things from Tom's perspective, so the only thing he could do was urge him not to go too far.
"What are you thinking, Andros?" Tom could not help laughing. "What I want is only a tense situation, something that stops wizards from lying on the achievements of the past and refusing to move forward. I'm not actually preparing to start a world war."
"Of course, Grindelwald's followers have accumulated quite a lot of grudges over the years. They can settle those debts themselves. Revenge for revenge, hatred for hatred. You don't need to worry about that."
Hearing Tom say this, Andros finally relaxed.
As long as Tom was not deliberately trying to throw the whole world into chaos, it was fine.
As for the acolytes taking revenge, that hardly counted as slaughtering innocents. In ancient Greece, blood feuds among wizards had been common. Andros had a proper moral compass, but he was not some bleeding-hearted saint who would meddle in everything.
...
New York.
After Grindelwald's escape, the headquarters of the International Confederation of Wizards had been left in utter ruins.
Of course, the main responsibility for that did not actually belong to Grindelwald.
It should probably have been placed on Newt's head instead.
The ceiling had been smashed open by the dragons. The floor had been cracked apart by the Graphorn and the Erumpent. Then there were all the poisonous fumes and the holes blasted everywhere by the fighting.
With the conference chamber as the center, the two floors above and below it were basically unusable now.
Fortunately, no one had died, apart from a few unlucky souls caught in the aftermath and some Aurors and Ministry officials who had been injured by the curses Grindelwald reflected back at them. None of the wounds were life-threatening.
Covered in dust and looking rather miserable, Babajide led a large group of people into the neighboring Woolworth Building, which was also the headquarters of MACUSA, and resumed the unfinished meeting.
Before it officially began again, he first offered his thanks to Newt.
True, Newt had more or less demolished the place, but he had at least delayed Grindelwald's advance and drawn away most of the pressure.
Babajide made a silent decision in his heart.
No matter where a meeting was held in the future, Newt had to be brought along.
In peacetime, that suitcase full of magical creatures was basically a ticking time bomb. But in wartime, it was a suitcase full of bodyguards.
On top of that, Newt himself was a perfectly qualified human shield, fully capable of drawing enemy fire and giving everyone around him a strong sense of security.
"Everyone, you've all seen Grindelwald's arrogance and his strength."
"There is no time to mourn Mr. Picquery's death. What awaits us next is an even graver situation."
This time, no one dismissed the matter lightly.
Every face had turned solemn.
When Grindelwald stood before them, they had been like lambs waiting for slaughter. His overwhelming magic made resistance feel impossible. The Aurors' spells had seemed like no more than childish sparks in his presence, unable to threaten him in the slightest.
With their sense of unity rising, the rest of the meeting proceeded much more smoothly.
At a time like this, all the petty conflicts and divisions were cast aside completely.
Anyone who could become a Minister for Magic or a Director of International Magical Cooperation was no fool. Even Fudge, who was cursed out every day, was still better than most people when it came to political struggle and winning public favor.
These people were the true elite of the wizarding world.
And when a group of elites focused their minds on serious matters instead of scheming against one another, their efficiency became frightening.
Very quickly, they worked out the framework of a mutual defense and support system, striving to track Grindelwald's whereabouts as fast as possible and provide assistance wherever needed.
Crouch ended up being questioned again and again.
Everyone cared about the same issue: could Dumbledore act, and if he did, could he still defeat Grindelwald like he had fifty years ago?
"Everyone, I truly cannot answer that question."
Even someone as rigid as Crouch was beginning to grow annoyed from being pressed so relentlessly.
"Dumbledore's status is unique. The Ministry has no authority over him. You may ask him yourselves. Even if I made any promise now, it would be a meaningless promise."
"I will speak with Dumbledore," Babajide said, stepping in to relieve Crouch.
Then he took out a WhatsApp notebook.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you should all know what this is. Thanks to WhatsApp, I've been able to contact many people as quickly as possible. But at the moment, it's only being sold in Britain, France, Germany, and Spain. Even this one was bought from Britain. You should all acquire some as soon as possible, so we can communicate quickly and share intelligence more effectively in the future."
Crouch's heart stirred, and he quietly took out a necklace.
"I also have another invention by Tom Riddle here, one that can greatly improve all of your personal safety."
In an instant, every gaze in the room turned toward Crouch.