A Monstrous Joke

Andros was slightly annoyed. Although he was in a special life state, he was still a wizard who had been famous for thousands of years. The attitude of the person in front of him was too arrogant.

However, considering the opponent's terrifying and unpredictable strength, as well as his unreasonable and unpredictable nature, the great Andros believed that he could not be too concerned about saving face for the moment.

"Grindelwald, I believe you understand what I mean by showing yourself," he said in a deep voice.

What do I understand? The two old men basically didn't tell me anything. In my eyes, you are now a dark force that urgently needs to be defeated.

However, Sean, playing Grindelwald, simply switched his legs casually and then lazily propped his chin up with one hand.

"Great Andros," he said, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Did the Returners send you here to play riddles with me?"

Even in his semi-illusory pearl-white state, Andros was still significantly taller than everyone else present. Combined with his strong physique and deep, thunderous voice, he brought a considerable sense of oppression to everyone present.

However, for Sean, who had dealt with Fire Dragon, even transformed into Fire Dragon himself, and kept Basilisk thicker than his house, his size alone posed no threat.

Identity? One of your group members has been petrified by me after I drained his magic. As soon as I find a good way, I'll send him back to the wonderful the Otherworld.

Strength? The two strongest old men in the world have an excellent relationship with me, and I even saved the life of the third strongest old man. As for you?

So Sean remained calm, not even lifting his eyelids.

Andros glanced at "Grindelwald" across from him without revealing his expression. Even he couldn't help but sigh inwardly that this guy, whether in terms of aura or strength, was not someone who could be easily manipulated.

It seems unlikely that I'll be able to get Sickle out of Grindelwald today...

However, Andros did not show it. He said in a deep voice, "Grindelwald, you know a lot of things very well. You don't need to think about overpowering me on the spot. My presence here today has already proven the sincerity of us Returners."

Sean still didn't look at him directly. "I'll say it again, Mr. Andros, you may really be out of touch with the world—sincerity is never just about words."

Unresponsive and sarcastic... Andros grew increasingly annoyed, but he didn't show it.

He looked up at the others in the room. "Tell them all to get out."

Sean wasn't prepared to take the opportunity offered, because he was certain of one thing.

The Returners were, to him, a completely hostile force. Grindelwald was well aware of this, yet he still had himself impersonate him to conduct these private talks with them.

Grindelwald's meaning was clear: he was providing Sean with more information, not having him negotiate with the other party.

"Take a step back and the sky will be clear"? Don't be ridiculous.

Sean chuckled and waved a hand behind him as if introducing someone, "These are my most loyal comrades. We are gathered together for the same goal. As for the world? I don't think they need to avoid it, much less that they shouldn't know certain things."

Sean, oh no, Grindelwald's toughness made Andros's face turn somewhat ugly, and a transparent fluctuation could be seen on his pearly white face.

Although Sean had Grindelwald's characteristic arrogant and nonchalant demeanor, he was still carefully observing the other person.

Observing people's hearts was the first lesson Grindelwald taught him, and as long as you have thoughts and emotions, you have a heart...

Andros placed his hands on his knees, snorted coldly, and finally said, "Then so be it."

"Please." Sean waved his hand lazily.

Andros stared at the people in the room for a few moments before speaking, "Grindelwald, you need to know one thing. No matter what your plan to rebuild the world is, whether you want to be the emperor of the Wizarding World or rule over those stupid Muggle, you have to face one thing first, and maintain one precondition."

He stretched his enormous head forward, a solemn look flashing in his pearly white and jet-black pupils.

That is, the world must remain safe and sound.

Andros a mocking laugh, "Grindelwald, I don't care if you're a true saint or a true tyrant, whatever you do, you have to admit one thing—if the whole world becomes ruins, what can you do?"

Behind Sean, whether it was Professor Rosier, the new president's secretary Abernathy, or any of the other Saints, everyone's expression involuntarily took on a serious tone.

Only Sean's expression remained unchanged.

Andros glanced at him and continued, "Grindelwald, perhaps you have the ability to survive after the world is reduced to ruins, but what can you do then? Your plans, your dreams? By then, whether Muggle or wizards, everyone will be dead. Are you going to build your new oasis out of thin air in a desert?"

"Besides, how could you or I possibly withstand the power of the world?" Andros said with a gloating tone for some reason. "Supreme power is no longer within your reach. Do you think you can resist it?"

Schadenfreude? Sean's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was already racing.

The other person mentioned the world is about to end? Judging from their attitude, this might not be just a bluff. So, what will cause the world to end?

Based on recent events, it is undoubtedly a serious accident caused by Grindelwald's ultra-long-distance time travel. If it is not handled properly, the world's will will directly initiate the repair program, and at that time, the world may really be destroyed.

However, this conjecture no longer holds true once a certain reason comes into play. If the Returners understood the truth about the time disturbance and the awakening of the World Will, then there would be no Returners from the Department of Mysteries. They were clearly also looking for more specific and valuable information.

After Dumbledore gave him a hint, Sean immediately went to the Department of Mysteries. If the Returners wanted to use this to make a plan, it would be too rushed, and besides, his current identity was Grindelwald, so there was no reason for them to tell him this.

Therefore, this is sufficient proof that the Returners do not have a specific understanding of the truth behind this Time Incident.

If this conjecture is not true, Sean immediately thought of himself.

He has the Sin of destroying the world.

The Prophecy repeatedly mentions the destruction of the corrupt old world. Could Andros be referring to this?

Worth considering...

However, other factors should also be considered, especially since such a strange entity as the Returners has already appeared. Based on current evidence, there doesn't seem to be much connection between Sean's Sin and the Returners' reappearance.

After contemplating the topic of the impending world's destruction, Sean keenly noticed the other person's gloating expression.

"Supreme power is no longer yours. Do you think you can withstand it?"

Supreme power... This was a term Sean had never heard of before.

Among the legends associated with this supreme power, only the Deathly Hallows seem to fit the bill. However, it is currently known that the Elder Wand belongs to Dumbledore, the Invisibility Cloak is in Grindelwald's possession, and the Resurrection Stone is most likely in the hands of these two. Of course, it is also possible that Voldemort found the Resurrection Stone.

Even so, it cannot be said definitively that this supreme power is beyond Grindelwald's reach.

Moreover, the other person's gloating tone seemed very real to Sean...

Does that mean that this supreme power might represent something else, something related to Grindelwald, something Grindelwald may have learned about to some extent...?

However, the Returners have determined that this power cannot belong to Grindelwald.

Wow, that's something worth thinking about.

Andros sat calmly on the sofa, looking at Grindelwald who remained expressionless but did not speak immediately, a slight smugness and a sense of satisfaction at his successful revenge showing in his eyes.

Often, silence speaks volumes.

Sean snapped out of his thoughts, raised an eyebrow at the other person, and smiled slightly, "Oh? Just for this?"

Andros scoffed, "Grindelwald, even I have to admit, your outward appearance is impeccable. I admire your ability to remain completely unresponsive in this situation."

"What are you admiring me for? I'm not Grindelwald. I'm not teaming up with that old man to talk to you... "Sean muttered to himself.

However, the other party kept emphasizing that Grindelwald's outward appearances were spot-on, which caught Sean's attention.

The other party seemed quite certain that Grindelwald himself would be psychologically affected by those words...

Sean was slightly puzzled. After all, Gellert Grindelwald wasn't the kind of person who would have unstable emotions; he was among the top tier in both intelligence and strength...

In all the time Sean has known Grindelwald, there has only been one instance of him losing his composure: on the Paris Night, when Dumbledore was present.

Yes, Grindelwald only experiences significant emotional fluctuations because of Dumbledore...

Hmm, something's not right? Sean suddenly realized he'd overlooked something.

During the election for president of the International Confederation of Wizards in Bhutan, just as Grindelwald had won popular support and was preparing to accept the Confederation, his former Guard Corps chief Marshall, assassinated Grindelwald while under control.

At that time, Marshall showed Grindelwald something, and although Grindelwald had made thorough preparations, he was still stunned for a while because of it.

What the controlled Marshall displayed was clearly from the Returners ...

It seems the Returners do indeed possess something or information that could greatly shake Grindelwald's mind...

However, even considering this, Sean did not intend to deliberately show any "emotional unease." After such an experience, Grindelwald would surely be able to maintain his outward demeanor. If Sean deliberately pretended to be weak, it would seem fake and would be easy to see that it was not his true self.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Andros, you Returners can be quite interesting sometimes—you look so pathetic, neither human nor ghost, that you don't even have the courage to face death, yet you're keen on gaining a pitiful sense of superiority from opponents stronger than you—ha, how interesting."

Professor Rosier pursed her lips behind his back; she now understood Lord Grindelwald's meaning even more— Sean's mouth could be truly venomous at times.

Andros only has pearly white skin; otherwise, judging from his current expression, a living person would be covered in bruises.

"Grindelwald, it's pointless to try to gain an advantage verbally," Andros scoffed. "At least I've shown you our sincerity."

"Sincerity?" Sean sneered. "You call it sincerity to only raise questions without offering solutions?"

Andros a deep breath (which was really just a gesture, as he had no organs for breathing at all), his tone growing increasingly dissatisfied. "Grindelwald, we have made it clear to you that this is in good faith! We are here to cooperate!"

His chest heaved as he continued, "You need to understand one thing: what kind of beings are we, the Returners you've always mocked!"

"If the world takes its final step toward destruction, it will not cause us any harm; we can simply watch it all unfold quietly."

"Because of your Half-Ghost turtle shell?" Sean raised an eyebrow, almost blatantly mocking the other party.

But Andros seemed to be in good spirits. He didn't dwell on Sean's sarcasm, but continued, "Grindelwald, understand this. We are willing to cooperate with you because this is, after all, a world we once lived in, and our descendants live and thrive in this world. This is the mercy of us Returners!"

"Do you want more sincerity? Isn't this enough? Grindelwald, you need to understand, I'm here to discuss cooperation! The cooperation is to save this world from destruction!"

Andros's voice grew louder and louder, until he even stood up at the end.

His face was serious, and his eyes held anger at Grindelwald's contemptuous attitude; he seemed to be a truly great man who cared about the world.

The great Andros ... Sean scoffed inwardly.

lie.

However, he is very dedicated and has good acting skills; he even managed to fool himself with his lies.

That seems to be the case; the destruction of the world would have no effect on this special group of Returners.

However, Sean knew from the very first sentence that it was all a lie!

Because those Returners should not exist in this world at all!

These inhuman, ghostly beings have returned from the Otherworld to save the world?!

That's a huge joke!