The wizards present glared at the applauding man with fury in their eyes.
We're already embarrassed enough —why are you applauding?
Isn't this purely adding insult to injury?
"Mr William, do you have some brilliant insight?" asked the Italian representative.
"Brilliant insight? Compared to you lot, indeed it is brilliant," said the man called William, lounging lazily in his seat. "After all, even a house-elf would be smarter than a bunch of fools trying to threaten Lawrence. At least they understand... what submission means."
"Are you insulting us?" The Italian representative was both shocked and enraged.
"I wouldn't call it insulting, merely stating facts," William gently shook his head, then turned to Wayne's father-in-law. "Mr Chang, you're quite an interesting man. We should have a drink together when you have time."
"Thank you, perhaps another time," Mr Chang replied cautiously, unable to gauge William's intentions.
"I thought I was going to witness a good show, but it turned out to be another circus."
William sighed. "Since your problems remain unresolved, let's deal with my matters first."
"Your matters?"
"Indeed. The Minister for Magic of Finland, the Head of the Norwegian Department of International Magical Cooperation, and the Czech Minister for Magic - I've come for you." William spoke with deliberate slowness.
The three named individuals looked at each other in confusion, completely unable to recall any connection with this German representative.
"Can't remember? No matter." Noticing their bewilderment, William chuckled softly. "I'll help jog your memories."
"Sixty years ago, when Grindelwald was defeated and surrendered, he demanded that no one harm the lives of his followers, only imprison them."
"All other nations honoured that agreement, except... except you, along with the northern bears. Eighty-three followers who didn't die in the war were killed by you lot, who added insult to injury."
William's eyes gradually turned icy cold; his gaze toward the three men was filled with murderous intent.
Those present weren't fools and had already sensed something amiss with William. Some drew their wands and called for the guards protecting them.
"You're not William. Who are you really?" asked Keynes, the Chairman of the United Wizarding Council, sternly.
"Another foolish question."
Just as everyone watched William warily, he gently smoothed his hair, and his appearance and physique began to transform.
A man with white short hair and heterochromatic eyes appeared before everyone.
"Weren't you discussing how to deal with me? If you have any good strategies left, speak them all now. Perhaps I can even offer some suggestions."
Silence!
Deathly silence!
"Grindelwald..." Someone doubted their eyes, rubbing them vigorously before looking again. Finding no change, they sceptically drew their wand and cast purification spells, thinking it must be some kind of deception.
It was all too theatrical.
A meeting discussing how to deal with Grindelwald had actually allowed the subject of their deliberations to slip in, sitting openly before them and seriously participating in their deliberations.
He had even proposed several useful strategies earlier that had earned unanimous praise from many.
Thinking back on it now, those people's faces burned with embarrassment.
What followed was indignation and panic.
This was essentially trampling on their dignity while simultaneously asking if they were enjoying it.
But this wasn't Grindelwald's first time pulling such stunts. Years ago, he had impersonated Percival Graves and nearly became the next President of the Magical Congress of the United States. Had Newt not exposed him, he would likely have taken power within two years.
"Kill him! Now, all together - kill him!"
"He's alone! This is our best chance!"
The Finnish Minister for Magic screamed in terror - Grindelwald had just singled him out.
It felt like Death himself had delivered his death warrant!
With representatives from dozens of countries present, each accompanied by one or two Aurors as guards, there were over a hundred Aurors collectively.
At his shouts, the representatives gradually regained their composure and began issuing commands.
Yet none ordered attacks against Grindelwald - instead, they all instructed their guards to protect them. Those closest to Grindelwald scrambled away in panic, some even crawling in their haste.
In moments, a large space formed around Grindelwald, creating a standoff.
Snap!
Grindelwald snapped his fingers, and a ring of blue flames erupted around the conference hall. The roaring Fiendfyre leapt higher, occasionally morphing into ferocious beasts that glared hungrily at the wizards inside.
"Since nobody seems in the mood for negotiations today," Grindelwald drawled lazily, pointing toward the sole remaining exit, "we shall reconvene another time. Do mind your step on the way out."
Whoosh!
Everyone present madly rushed toward the only escape route.
Watching this scene, a flicker of contempt passed through Grindelwald's eyes.
'Just like always, nothing ever changes.'
These privileged gentlemen never considered fighting for themselves. Even with an overwhelming numerical advantage, the slightest threat to their safety made them abandon all thought of resistance, concerned only with survival.
The French representative, being closest, didn't even bother keeping his white flag as he became the first to escape.
Then Grindelwald's voice cut through the chaos again.
"The three gentlemen I named earlier, along with Mr Chang from Britain, do stay behind and keep this old man company."
The representatives from Norway, Finland, and Czechoslovakia pretended not to hear, continuing their frantic dash toward the exit.
Grindelwald frowned slightly and waved his hand. The long conference table transformed into iron cages, trapping them all inside. Their wands flew from their grasp, pulled away by an invisible force, leaving them completely helpless.
Representatives from other countries averted their eyes, quickening their pace as they hurried past.
When Mr Chang heard his name, he initially panicked but quickly composed himself. He returned to his original seat with Kingsley and another Auror.
'It's not that I'm unafraid,' he thought, 'but I've brought too many trump cards.'
Not to mention his ultimate weapon - calling for backup!
Detecting no hostility in Grindelwald's tone, Mr Chang reasoned this probably wasn't trouble directed at him. Better to hear what the man wanted.
In the space of a single sentence and two minutes, the conference that had been clamouring about dealing with Grindelwald was cleared.
A true Dark Lord wasn't some brute who merely used power to achieve goals, but rather someone who excelled at manipulating hearts and minds.
Making people tremble from the depths of their souls.
"Grindelwald, spare us! I wasn't the one who killed your followers back then - I hadn't even been born yet!"
"Mr Grindelwald, if you let us go, I'll withdraw Norway from all operations against you."
"I'm willing to join, to become a follower!"
Facing their pleas for mercy, Grindelwald's expression remained impassive as he gently lowered his palm, controlling the raging Fiendfyre.
"You think I'd simply kill you? No, of course I won't do that."
Grindelwald walked over to the Finnish Minister's cage, looking down at him from above. "While you were coming here, my people have taken control of all three Ministries of Magic."
"I'm only here to invite you back to face justice's judgment."
After speaking, Grindelwald knocked them unconscious and turned with a smile to face the speechless Mr Chang.
Hearing the words 'justice's judgement' from a Dark Lord's mouth was truly ironic.
"Mr Chang, um... your full name... Kaiwen Chang, correct?"
"That's right, Mr Grindelwald."
Seeing Grindelwald standing, Kaiwen Chang didn't dare remain seated and stood up himself. Behind him, Kingsley was sweating profusely, his wand gripped tightly.
Only when truly facing Grindelwald could one understand what despair meant.
The wand that usually responded like an extension of his arm now felt impossibly heavy to lift, the lightweight wooden stick weighing like a thousand pounds.
"I quite agree with your earlier statement."
Grindelwald paid no attention to their defensive posture, instead applauding appreciatively. "When asking for help, one should naturally have the proper attitude."
"Now, I'd like Mr Chang to do me a favour."
"I can actually be of help to Mr Grindelwald?" Kaiwen Chang expressed surprise.
He hadn't realised he was so remarkable that he could be useful to Grindelwald.
"I want to make a deal with Lawrence."
Grindelwald slowly straightened his posture, shedding his previous casual demeanour as his expression turned serious. "I've heard Lawrence possesses a treasure called the Water of Life that can restore youth and extend lifespan."
"I need the Water of Life, no less than two centuries' worth."
Kingsley's eyebrow twitched violently, and he instinctively wanted to speak up and refuse on Kaiwen Chang's behalf.
He had assumed Grindelwald wanted the Water of Life for himself to regain his youth.
If he truly restored himself, it would be a nightmare for the entire world.
But in reality, Grindelwald wasn't seeking the Water of Life for himself.
It was for his old comrades.
His body had already been largely restored by Ho-Oh before the Horcrux experiments began, requiring no further adjustment. Meanwhile, Vinda Rosier, Rodriguez, and others were all approaching their centenary.
Out of a sense of debt and his need for capable assistants, Grindelwald wanted to give them a helping hand.
As for why he didn't approach Wayne directly?
If he went straight to him, after Vinda, Rod, and the others regained their youth, someone would inevitably notice his connection with Wayne.
This was something Wayne had explicitly forbidden him from revealing - the lad was planning to use him to scheme against others again.
That's why he chose to mention it to Mr Chang, and in front of so many people at that, intending for the message to spread.
Grindelwald understood Wayne's character perfectly and knew well that one must give to receive. The previous time he'd received Ho-Oh's gift was precisely because he had helped Wayne.
This was the first time he had ever engaged in a proper transaction.
"I'm sorry, Mr Grindelwald, but I cannot make decisions on Wayne's behalf."
Kaiwen Chang spoke cautiously, not wanting to cause trouble for Wayne, which made Kingsley breathe a sigh of relief, grateful that Mr Chang actually had such backbone.
"Don't be so quick to refuse."
Grindelwald wasn't angry either, shaking his head slowly as he noticed Mr Chang's constant fidgeting with the ring on his hand. His gaze paused for a moment. "You only need to relay my message."
"As long as Lawrence agrees to my conditions, he can ask for anything he wants."
"The treasured collections of major pure-blood families, the life of the Minister for Magic, even control over those countries - all these are negotiable."
Grindelwald cheerfully listed these shocking conditions, waving his hand as the raging fiendfyre was drawn into his palm, transforming into a small flame.
Finally, he clenched his fist, and the flame went out with a "Nox".
"I look forward to your reply, Mr Chang. You can send the letter to the German Ministry of Magic, addressed to my name."
"Well then, until we meet again."
After performing a farewell bow like a perfect gentleman, Grindelwald took a step back and disappeared from the dilapidated conference hall.
Kaiwen Chang remained sitting there as calmly as ever, looking completely at ease.
Only when he was certain Grindelwald had truly left did all the strength seem to drain from his body, collapsing limply onto the sofa.
Kingsley looked at him strangely: "So you can be scared too?"
Seeing how Kaiwen Chang had been chatting and smiling so composedly earlier, he had thought the man wasn't afraid of Grindelwald at all.
"Nonsense, that was Grindelwald. How could I not be afraid?" Kaiwen Chang said weakly. "Quick, help me up. I can't stand - my legs have gone numb."
Kingsley: "..."