Austria.
On a remote, secluded hillside stood the infamous Nurmengard prison.
A cloaked figure appeared soundlessly beneath the cover of night. He looked up at the dark sky over the hillside for a moment, then stepped forward.
With a soft pop.
The figure seemed to pass through an invisible barrier, and the darkness ahead rippled like the surface of a lake.
Beyond the ripples stood a grim tower—Nurmengard.
It was a Wizard Prison specially built to hold opponents during the reign of the first Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald.
After Grindelwald was defeated by Dumbledore, the fully equipped prison was taken over by the International Wizarding Federation and used to hold dangerous criminals from across Europe.
The notorious Grindelwald was imprisoned in the prison he had built himself. Given the danger posed by the Dark Lord, Nurmengard's defenses went without saying.
That was also the main reason Albert had not simply invaded Nurmengard—unless he wanted to fight his way in and take down every guard in the prison.
That was hardly a good idea.
However, with Babajide's help, Albert could visit this Wizard Prison as a guest.
Though it sounded ridiculous, Dumbledore had done exactly that more than once during his lifetime.
"Good evening, sir. Please show me your credentials."
An elderly Nurmengard guard approached Albert with an oil lamp and greeted him first, though his eyes held a measure of wariness.
After all, Albert had chosen a rather unusual time to visit.
Of course, the main reason he had not been immediately treated as an intruder was that Albert had passed through Nurmengard's outermost Protective Magic without obstruction or triggering an alarm, which meant he had received permission.
Albert handed the parchment Babajide had given him to the elderly guard.
"This is quite unusual."
After carefully examining the parchment by