"From a soul into a living person! That is Achieving Godhood!"
Grindelwald and Sean's words were like a boulder dropped into still water. Even Stephanie, who usually wore the most indifferent expression, was so shocked that she rose from her chair.
Hermione covered her mouth in disbelief. "Th... this is the ritual for Achieving Godhood?"
Sean shook his head. "This isn't a ritual. It's a process—why else would Herpo know so much? And why has he been desperately seeking to return to the real world, to cross the barrier between the Realm of Illusion and reality? Why did the gates of the Realm of Illusion close automatically after Robin and the Wisdom Snake fell?"
Daisy stammered as she tried to answer, "Maybe there's just something Herpo wants in the real world?"
"Then what does Herpo want?" Sean countered.
Daisy fell silent. Yes, the only thing Herpo wanted was to truly become a god...
Grindelwald merely chuckled and sat back down in his velvet-backed chair. Leisurely swinging one crossed leg, he said, "We cannot prove our speculation or offer solid evidence for our view. But if we eliminate every possibility and account for all the unreasonable things, there is only one conclusion."
"This is the process..." Stephanie murmured. "Herpo needs to complete all of this. When he changes from an illusory state back into a living person, that will be a true god... But isn't this speculation a little too bold? If we make our arrangements based on this assumption and it turns out to be wrong, wouldn't that...?"
Grindelwald waved dismissively. "There's no conflict. We already have to stop whatever Herpo is trying to do, and besides—"
The old man turned his gaze toward Sean. His tone carried a smile, and his eyes brimmed with pride in his apprentice. "The