Chapter Five Hundred and Nine Precursors of Collapse (Part 2)
"That's the difference between revolution and politics, Albus..."
Grindelwald stood up and walked to the fireplace to stir the coals inside to make the room warmer.
"When people have to contend with reality for their ideals and future, they often have no room for retreat. For the wizards who follow me, if they take a step back, they will lose love, freedom, respect, truth...;
For the Soviets who huddled in the ruins of Stalingrad that winter, what they would lose by taking a step back would be the entire future..."
The first-generation Dark Lord reached out and touched the frost that had condensed by the window, his eyes becoming particularly complicated.
"However, politics is different. The essence of politics is to achieve balance through constant compromise."
"Human beings are such a contradictory and greedy existence. In a stable environment, they always expect more."
"When the former protection becomes a stumbling block, rather than changing and adapting bit by bit, most simple-minded idiots are more inclined to directly deny it completely and reshape a brand new rule. Obviously, in their eyes
, the latter is much easier and simpler than the former...hey..."
Grindelwald paused and let out a rather dull laugh.
"It seems that I thought the same way back then... Breaking everything into pieces and starting over again will always give people an inexplicable sense of nobility and mission. After all, smart people can always see clearly the shortcomings and ugliness of this world, as well as the
The shortest and quickest path leading to the 'right' direction. Albus, do you now understand where that incongruous sense of déjà vu comes from?"
"..."
Dumbledore was silent for a while, looking at Grindelwald's back quietly, his voice a little dry.
"Gale, I still think...the Soviet Union, those Muggles are different. They are very powerful, aren't they?"
"It's a pity that this is not a war, nor is it simply a comparison of size. It does not rely on life and strength."
Grindelwald shook his head and looked at the blurry reflection on the window with a soft smile.
"The more ideas there are, the more smart people will be. The more smart people there are, the more stupid people will be. The most indispensable thing in every era is smart people."
"You know what? Albus, what this world lacks is people like you who, despite knowing the problem, insist on choosing the most difficult and unpleasant detour. It's like a hopeless fool and idealist.
At the beginning, I seemed like the little fool who was determined to pull those Muggles out of the quagmire."
"It's not the same thing, Gael. Muggles and wizards are different."
Dumbledore stood up and walked to Grindelwald, casually took off the robe from the wooden stand and put it on the old devil's shoulders. There was a rare hesitation in his tone, and then he became firm again.
"Sorry, I still can't fully agree with what you want to say! Everyone is free. We cannot force the thoughts and behaviors we think are right on them. Hogwarts is not the property of kidnappers.
nest."
"It's the same thing!"
Grindelwald turned his head, stared at Dumbledore, who was slightly shorter than him, and said seriously.
"Since we are in human society, there is no such thing as complete freedom. Of course, I do not deny that pure freedom does exist in nature. Beasts without order constraints are all free."
"If they destroy order for the sake of so-called freedom, then they may not even be considered human beings."
The eyes of the first generation Dark Lord were burning with aggressive fire, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
"Let us make a bet? Albus. In two months, in less than two months, without us doing anything, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus... all these countries will fall into cruel chaos.
Times. If the situation really develops to that point, you should stop interfering and questioning this matter in the future."
Facing Grindelwald's rare aggressive look, Dumbledore pursed his lips and fell into silence for a while.
After a long time, Albus Dumbledore took the initiative to look away and took a deep breath.
"But...why? This is not your character, Gale. Has the child ever discussed anything with you alone?"
"No, her little mind has not thought of these things."
Grindelwald grinned, a coldness appeared in his eyes, and he shook his head noncommittally.
"Perhaps in her mind, she has not considered at all that the great Hogwarts Principal may change his mind temporarily on the planned day of action. But there will always be people who have suffered losses who will remember this, right?
What? Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore sighed bitterly and said nothing.
The first-generation Dark Lord glanced at the silent old man, and moved his left hand slightly, as if he wanted to raise it, but before his wrist could be completely turned, it dropped to his side again, and he continued to turn his head and look out the dark window pretending to be casual.
"I know you are confused as to why I value Elena's plan so much, even more than she does."
Grindelwald stared into the darkness in the distance, his voice gradually became calmer, and he spoke slowly.
"Of course, this is not because I started to like Muggles, nor is it because I think the Muggle science that little girl Elena said is so important and powerful. In fact, I can't understand what she said at all.
Something."
"I just suddenly thought that if it is true what Elena saw in the prophecy, when the entire human world collapses in the face of such a behemoth that can cause a catastrophe to civilization, everyone around will swarm to share the benefits.
And the hyenas who add insult to injury. Then one day, when the magic world is facing annihilation, will anyone in this world really think of leaving the spark of civilization for magic?"
"Admit it, Albus. Magic is indeed dying, and there is not much time and opportunity left for wizards."
"Elina is right about one thing. The flesh and blood left on the dead Soviet Union is enough to save any world on the verge of extinction, whether it is the non-magical world or the magical world. If we fail this time, it is very likely that
I can no longer wait for the next opportunity to come back to life, unless I take the risk..."
"...Gail, you may be too pessimistic."
After a while, Dumbledore took a deep breath, his voice a little astringent, "You have indeed changed a lot over the years... If you could have... Sigh... But the so-called day was just the worst.
It’s just a plan, isn’t it…”
"Albus, I did make too many mistakes back then..."
Grindelwald shook his head, raised his hand and put it on Dumbledore's shoulder, his eyes a little confused.
"What I am doing now is not for any greater benefit. In the final analysis, it is to make up for as much as I can before I am buried. After all, the decades of war almost destroyed magic and the magical world...
…”
The old man sighed and said no more.
After another extremely long silence, Dumbledore gently patted the back of Grindelwald's hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe we all think too much."
Dumbledore's eyes slid over the pile of manuscript papers the girl left on the table, and he said softly.
"The Soviet Union is a very powerful country. Since they walked through the military parade in Moscow's Red Square, survived the blockade of Leningrad, and survived the street fighting in Stalingrad... there is no reason why they will fail this year.
It’s not a serious time before Christmas. Even if it eventually disintegrates and becomes independent countries, each one will still be extremely powerful.”
"Perhaps Elena's predictions and deductions are not accurate. Maybe both of us will end up working in vain because of that little girl's willfulness. The non-magical world relied on its own strength to survive that drastic change without any danger.
.There won’t be so many people starving to death, and there won’t be any wars or displacements. Stupid things can’t happen continuously..."
"Oh, really." Grindelwald replied softly, "Yeah...then the wizarding world has also found another correct path that can keep itself mysterious and continue to make progress? That is of course the best situation.
…”
In the Hogwarts principal's office, the tired two people stopped talking and looked at the flames in the fireplace wordlessly.
What will happen in the future...
This can no longer be controlled by one or two people. In less than a month, according to Elena's "prophecy", everything will be settled on Christmas Eve, and when it comes
when……
Dumbledore silently opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out two small brown medicine bottles. One was held in his hand, and the other was handed to the equally worried first-generation Dark Lord. Neither of them spoke anymore.
.
Time has really changed so many things.
Now I just stayed up a little late, and my heart started to feel uncomfortable again...
…
And on the other side, the Ministry of Magic.
Cornelius Fudge checked the note in his hand over and over again, with a mixture of fear and ecstasy on his face.