(Hey, GGAD was back again.)
Austria, Nurmengard.
Though the once-dilapidated tower still bore the marks of age, it now felt much more lived-in, with lights glowing on many floors.
One meeting room inside the tower was particularly brightly lit.
Twenty or thirty old men sat around a long conference table, leaving only the seat at its head and the first seat on the left empty.
Each wore a white collared shirt and a fine suit, with a neatly knotted tie, impeccably combed hair, and a ramrod-straight back.
Though their hair was silver-white, every one of these old men was brimming with vigor.
The veteran Acolytes took turns reporting on the recent affairs of Grindelwald's Army to Abernathy, who occupied the first seat on the right.
"Hundreds of people have recently applied to make a pilgrimage to Austria. Our old comrades all want to bring their children to pay their respects to the master. I can hardly keep turning down such heartfelt requests."
"Abernathy, have you reported to the master that the various Ministries of Magic have begun targeting us again?"
"Capturing a Phoenix may no longer be feasible until old Percy develops a more powerful Spatial Restraint Artifact. However, we've discovered another mutated species resembling a thunderbird that can teleport. Perhaps it could serve as a substitute."
"Has the master lost his resolve? Why have there been no further orders? I request that we seek an audience together."
"Perhaps we could ask Miss Vita to return early and persuade the master. Infiltrating the Austrian Ministry of Magic can wait."
"Wait? If not for Miss Vita, the place would already be surrounded by Aurors!"
"..."
Abernathy sat upright with a solemn expression and said nothing. This was called a meeting, but in truth, it was merely an opportunity for his old