The Wizarding World's wizarding powers were now broadly divided into three factions, not counting scattered holdouts such as Russia, which kept its distance, or China, which remained completely closed off.
One faction was led by England and included the Ministries of Magic formerly controlled by Grindelwald's Army and the Pure Land Society, as well as those brought to heel through aggressive dumping of potions or generous terms. Seventy percent of the wizarding population under these ministries had already moved to Hogsmeade.
Another consisted of the countries directly controlled by the Double Serpent Society, such as Italy and Portugal. Of course, the society secretly controlled even more countries. It had always focused on elites and those at the top, which was why it appeared to lack England's strength in numbers.
The final faction consisted of Ministries of Magic such as that of the United States, which refused to play second fiddle. They coordinated their efforts far and wide, persuading the ministries England had not brought into its fold to join them instead. Many of these were in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Of course, England and the Double Serpent Society had deliberately encouraged this consolidation.
The American leadership also believed it had everything under control, as though who ultimately reaped the rewards would simply depend on whose methods proved superior.
In truth, only England and the Double Serpent Society knew that the real outcome would be decided in the Legendary Arena half a month later.
Whoever eliminated the other's strongest forces would rule everything. The Wizarding World was that merciless: strength was all that mattered!
While Shawn embarked on his performance tour of the United States.
In Italy, beneath the Papal City, lay the God Pit.
White-robed believers with devout expressions kept jumping into the enormous pit, where a vast surge of