What Has the Wizarding World Come To?

Not long after Gringotts opened that morning, Quirrell and Voldemort headed toward it.

Voldemort once again explained to Quirrell how they would break into Gringotts that day.

"Pretend you're there to conduct business. Find a high-ranking Goblin in Gringotts, then I'll control your body and use the Imperius Curse to make it take us to the underground vaults."

"It's that simple. Did you bring the Galleons?"

Quirrell nodded nervously, gripping the money pouch at his waist with particular force.

For Voldemort's plan to break into Gringotts and seize the Philosopher's Stone, he had spent the entire night mortgaging all the assets he had accumulated thus far through the black market, borrowing this many Galleons.

At the thought of the interest on those black-market loans, Quirrell's heart bled.

But when he thought again about how this was a sacrifice for his master's glorious return, Quirrell felt that it was all worth it.

Once Voldemort made his comeback, he would surely receive rewards beyond imagination!

Besides, those Goblins at Gringotts probably would not even dream that Voldemort himself would personally make a move to break into Gringotts.

What could possibly go wrong?

Impossible!

With that thought, Quirrell calmed down. He stepped into Gringotts, took out his money pouch and gave it a shake, then said to the Goblins.

"I have a major transaction to conduct. Bring me your lobby manager."

But when the Goblins saw Quirrell, especially his large turban, coldness churned in the depths of their eyes.

A large turban—so this was the guy from last night!

The note that thief had left yesterday clearly said he would enter Gringotts under the moonlight to steal treasure, yet he had come during the day instead?

It seemed that letter had been meant to lull Gringotts into lowering its guard during the day!

Sure enough, he was a cunning thief. Not a single word he said could be trusted!

Gringotts' lobby manager quickly approached, not revealing the slightest hint of anything unusual as he spoke enthusiastically to Quirrell.

"Esteemed guest, congratulations. Your transaction is Gringotts' one hundred thousandth transaction this year."

"To thank both new and returning customers, Gringotts has decided to give you an underground vault free of charge. You may choose its location, and it will be free forever!"

"Would you like to come with me and pick one out now?"

Upon hearing this, Quirrell was first stunned, then a surge of joy rose uncontrollably in his heart.

Gringotts' underground vaults were not cheap. They were exceedingly rare; those who owned one were either from ancient families or possessed wealth and power.

Although Quirrell had been an outstanding Hogwarts graduate, after all these years he had still failed to earn himself an underground vault at Gringotts.

Yet he had never expected to be so lucky today—to receive one as a gift, with free use forever?!

More importantly, the crucial step in breaking into Gringotts—entering the underground vaults—had just been solved?

This was far too lucky!

Quirrell could not help saying inwardly to Voldemort.

"Master, our luck is incredible. Getting the Philosopher's Stone will be effortless now!"

"This must be the good fortune you have brought me by residing in my body, great Master, great Black Magic Lord!"

Voldemort merely said flatly.

"Enough. Look at how pathetic you are. One underground vault has you this excited?"

"Once I rebuild my body, forget one underground vault. Even rewarding you with an ancient family's vault would be effortless."

"Quickly, let the Goblin take you into the underground vaults."

Hearing Voldemort's promise, Quirrell was overwhelmed with gratitude. He hurriedly followed Gringotts' lobby manager toward the underground vaults.

At that moment, the Goblins nearby also crowded around Quirrell and escorted him downward.

Quirrell was still marveling inwardly.

"So this is Gringotts' VIP treatment?"

"Those wealthy and powerful wizards receive this kind of escort every time they come here. It really is a marvelous experience."

"But soon, I too will become one of the most powerful and wealthiest wizards!"

Before long, riding in the Goblins' mine cart, Quirrell arrived at the entrance to the underground vaults.

A group of Goblins was already waiting there in battle formation.

At first, Quirrell thought they had come to welcome him as their lucky customer, and he even nodded at them.

But the next moment, a massive figure crawled through the passage from its far end. Before it even approached, it was already radiating scorching heat.

It was none other than the Ukrainian Ironbelly guarding Gringotts' underground vaults. The Goblins had brought it out!

Seeing such an impressive display, Quirrell looked even more flattered.

"Such a grand reception?"

"Gringotts truly treats its guests with great ceremony."

Yet in the next moment, the Goblins all sneered and mocked Quirrell.

"You idiot."

"You didn't really think we were here to welcome you and give you an expensive underground vault, did you?"

Their eyes gleamed with murderous ferocity.

"Today, you will die beneath Gringotts and be buried in a dragon's belly!"

Hearing those words, Quirrell was dumbfounded. Voldemort, attached to Quirrell's body, was dumbfounded as well.

This was not how the plan was supposed to go!

What the hell was going on?!

Quirrell cried out in a trembling voice.

"Master, has our plan been exposed?"

Voldemort reacted extremely quickly, snapping at Quirrell with absolute certainty.

"Nonsense!"

"The plan was decided on the spur of the moment. Even I did not expect to invade Gringotts so soon. How could Gringotts' Goblins possibly know?"

"Could it be that I leaked the secret to Gringotts?"

"In that case, there is only one answer..."

"The Goblins of Gringotts are trying to rob us and murder us?!"

Quirrell blankly let out an "Ah."

"Rob us and murder us?"

"Gringotts is doing that to me?"

"Master, is there some mistake?"

Voldemort said coldly.

"What else could it be?"

"Besides, they're Goblins—insatiably greedy Goblins. What wouldn't they do for Galleons?"

Before Quirrell and Voldemort could say another word, beams of spell light burst from the Goblins' hands and came whistling toward Quirrell.

Quirrell's scalp went numb.

He was indeed a fairly capable wizard, but there was no way he could withstand the combined assault of so many Goblins.

At that moment, Voldemort directly took control of Quirrell's body.

With a flick of the Wand, terrifying magic poured forth.

Rage churned within his chest.

"I had only been away from the Wizarding World for a little over a decade, and Dumbledore was already slandering me behind my back with his students, even claiming that I had plagiarized all my magic from him. Utterly shameless."

"Earlier, I heard that a Dark wizard had been freely conducting human experiments and killed dozens of people, yet the Ministry of Magic Aurors were completely helpless."

"And now Gringotts is actually willing to lure a customer into its underground vaults and rob and murder him for less than a thousand Galleons..."

"Damn it, how did the Wizarding World become such a mess?"