For the Greater Good

"Humanity is different now, though. They seek knowledge and thirst for wisdom and power, and that is what has driven the rapid development of technology.

All of us have Muggles among our family, lovers, and friends. That shows that those who truly know us will not reject us or keep their distance just because we are wizards.

If you have studied human history, you will have noticed that, whether wizards or Muggles, we have always sought integration.

I have always believed that wizards and Muggles will ultimately coexist in harmony, rather than go to war until one side vanishes from this world."

The girl's ideal was too innocent and pure, but none of the Acolytes present thought any less of her for it.

To have such a lofty goal at her age, and to embark on a path entirely different from her father's, a more peaceful path, stirred something in them. They could not help imagining such a wonderful future.

No one was content to live in this world furtively, like a rat in the sewers, and no one wanted their loved ones and the next generation to suffer the ravages of war again.

"Your Excellency, we agree with your ideal in general, but how exactly are we to go about it?"

After another round of discussion, Balk Nagel exchanged and summarized the Acolytes' opinions and put the question to Anna, who sat at the head of the table.

Clearly, this new leader's thinking was so far ahead of its time that they felt utterly lost.

"First and most important is making money, which is also what everyone has been doing these past few years. Controlling the economic lifelines of the wizarding and Muggle worlds gives us a certain amount of influence."

Anna put this point forward first, and the Acolytes nodded in agreement.

"Next, we need to integrate ourselves into the governments of the Wizarding World and the Muggle World. We don't need to hold particularly high positions; we only need to spread our ideas subtly and gradually.

I believe that, apart from a few stubborn Pure-blood wizards, no wizard would oppose such a wonderful future.

As for the Muggle governments, I believe the Wizarding World's alchemical products, Potions, and all manner of magical methods will be enough to tempt them.

To that end, we must also prepare in advance to speak with them as equals.

For example, we could build a haven that belongs entirely to wizards, just like the various countries of the world.

I've always wondered: why can't we have a country of our own?"

Anna's words shocked the Acolytes once again.

Taken to a more extreme conclusion, what she had said was no different from declaring the founding of a nation!

Anna looked a little puzzled as she watched everyone stare in astonishment at her declaration.

"I'm not saying we absolutely have to establish a country. In my plans, that's a last resort. For now, we only need to bring wizards together in one place, more united than before.

Don't you think the places where wizards gather are too scattered and limited?

Here in the United Kingdom, there's only Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, plus Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic. Apart from those, we have no spaces exclusively our own for living and recreation, let alone the wizarding areas in other countries.

If we could establish a haven for wizards, our range of magical products could be dumped in countries around the world, just like the unique local specialties every country has.

When the time comes, magic will be everywhere in their lives, and they'll enjoy its convenience at every moment. That would be the best way to achieve peaceful coexistence.

And everyone who takes part in all this will be among the most illustrious figures in the history of the Wizarding World and the world."

After voicing some of the thoughts she had pondered over the past few years in one go, Anna felt as though her entire soul had grown much lighter.

After all, everything she had said today related to the contract she had once forced upon Death.

"Of course, I won't ask you to agree with my views and ideas immediately. There are many difficulties before us that we'll need to overcome, and you can go back and think it over first.

My suggestion is that you visit a Muggle university or research institute you know of, or secretly observe the experiments Muggle scientists in various countries are conducting.

Believe me, these things will give you many different impressions.

Even if some of you still disagree afterward, I won't force anything on you.

After all, there are as many ways of thinking in this world as there are people.

Just don't forget that we have all gathered here for the Greater Good.

There is still a long time ahead of us, and I very much look forward to seeing us create the future with our own hands."

Anna stood up, picked up the documents in front of her, and bowed slightly to everyone at the long table before leaving the conference hall under Daina's guidance.

Everyone present had signed a soul contract and would never reveal anything they had heard today. That was one of the reasons Anna had felt comfortable sharing her ideas.

Sometimes magic really was more useful than technology. That was an undeniable fact.

"I never imagined that the ideals in Miss's heart, at only six years old, would be so..."

Balk Nagel, who had stayed behind, was in charge of some matters following the meeting. They rarely had a chance to gather like this, and many would choose to stay at the manor for a few days to discuss their respective affairs face-to-face.

"A great ideal that breaks through conventional wizarding wisdom, and a glorious future that no one can easily resist."

Roland Anderson walked over to Balk. Her expression softened, and the excitement in her eyes was hard to conceal.

Balk noticed that everyone present was the same.

Even he was.

Yes, choosing a leader with such firm convictions was a stroke of luck for everyone who sought their own interests.

Perhaps some would disagree with certain parts of what Anna had said, but they also recognized that their young leader was genuinely thinking of them and the future of the wizarding world. Nothing could make them happier than that.

"Perhaps we could do as Miss said and visit those Muggle universities."

"And Cape Kennedy in the United States."

"I remember that the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom is one of the best universities in the Muggle World."

"Tell me, would the ocean or the wilderness be a better location for the wizarding haven?"

"..."

Leaving aside the Acolytes' discussion after the meeting, Anna was led to her room by Daina. Once Daina had left, Anna quickly took the Two-Way Mirror out of her pocket.

"You heard it all."

She sat on the sofa in her room, a trace of fatigue on her face. The meeting had lasted a full three hours and had involved all manner of thinking and debate, far beyond the workload a child could handle.

Grindelwald's face appeared in the Two-Way Mirror, wearing a faint, appreciative smile.

"Good ideas, and excellent rhetoric."

The Two-Way Mirror had been open from the moment the meeting began, so Grindelwald had heard every word she had just said.

Hearing her old father's approval, she gradually felt her uneasy heart grow calm.

"Will they support me? This path is far too difficult."

"For the greater good, they will not shrink back and will welcome the challenge. No one is content to be ordinary."