Asterion sat elegantly with a cup of tea, enjoying the quiet of Dumbledore's office. Across from him, Morgan was adorably devouring a cookie.
Apparently, cookies had become her favorite food, so much so that the girl used her power of omnipotence to endlessly create cookies with different flavors.
When Asterion said the most diverse flavors, she really meant the most diverse, including cookies that tasted like chicken or even octopus. The flavors were so disgusting that Asterion thought of wiping out all chickens and octopuses from the face of the earth.
Dumbledore looked away from Morgan, glared at the boy and spoke in a slightly irritated tone.
"You look relaxed as the world slowly burns, Lord Black."
"I suffer an attempt on my precious life and you blame the victim, the world is becoming madder and madder." Asterion responded to Dumbledore's words with a calm tone, a smile playing on his lips.
"Humph!" Dumbledore couldn't help but snort coldly when he heard his reply, he knew very well that what had happened in Slovakia was pure nonsense and information control by House Black. Ordinary, naive wizards might believe the nonsense written in the newspapers, but powerful wizards and powerful families might actually know what had happened.
"But I have to say, keeping Rita Skeeter alive finally paid off, the woman knows how to whip up the masses. She's a good tool; when you die, I'll have her write a book about your life, Dumbledore. Everyone will love getting to know the real Albus Dumbledore." Asterion commented, bringing the cup to his lips, his smile not fading for a minute. He was obviously in a very good mood.
Hearing his words, even with over a hundred years of experience, Dumbledore couldn't control his features. His lips twitched unnaturally as the lines on his face tightened.
Dumbledore was sure that when he died, Rita Skeeter would indeed besmirch his name with the most vile and filthy words that mankind had created in ten thousand years of existence.
Dumbledore had to agree with Asterion that the woman had a great talent for writing, a talent that unfortunately tended toward evil, especially in Asterion's hands.
"Do you know how many letters have arrived on my desk since yesterday?" Dumbledore asked angrily, leaning back in his chair and stroking his own forehead. He had never seen such a pile of letters before!
For the first time in his life, Dumbledore wanted to pull out his wand and set fire to that hideous pile of paper.
"Just stick to the script, Dumbledore. They'll calm down, nobody really wants a third wizarding world war." Asterion smiled sarcastically and replied calmly. Not at all worried about his actions on foreign soil.
There have been two Wizarding World Wars, all at important times in the Gregorian calendar.
In the year 476, the First Magical World War took place. At that time, when the Witch Gods still existed, a devastating war took place between human and inhuman forces.
The reason for the war was simple: magical resources, which obviously weren't infinite.
The consequences of this war were obvious: the center of Western magical civilization - Rome - had fallen because of its great arrogance.
A civilization protected by witch gods collapsed like a sand castle, Rome burned as never before.
Of course, the side of the magical beings also suffered losses from which they could never recover. The Elder Dragons were practically extinct in this battle, these winged beings were considered the gods of all magical races.
In the end, what remained of the Elder Dragons were dragons with low IQs and almost no talent compared to their parents.
The Second Magical World War took place in 1453, and once again human and magical forces clashed.
But this time, the war was caused by rapid human expansionism. The magical creatures that had once populated the world were gradually being swept away by an indomitable and unstoppable river - humanity.
Hunted for the precious magical properties that their bodies carried, the magical beings once again started another magical world war, and the world collapsed into a myriad of wars that once again devastated the continent.
The result of the war was even more tragic, almost all intelligent magical races either became extinct, fled, were enslaved or signed a non-aggression pact with humanity.
Veela, goblins, house elves and centaurs were a good example of the aftermath of the Second World War.
Even if Asterion had made such a mess of things this time, the Third Wizarding World War wouldn't have happened. Speaking of the Wizarding World War, instead of being a battle between two factions like the previous two, the Wizarding World War III would be fought between humanity.
Of course, if Asterion had done what was done in France or Germany, the consequences wouldn't just be cards, but a declaration of war that would lead to World War III.
However, no one wants a war of that magnitude; the modern world is not the same as it was in centuries past. Such a war, no matter how hard they try to hide it, would eventually be discovered by Muggles, leading to something even more terrifying. The existence of cursed spirits is known to all of humanity.
Just to imagine the fear of seven billion people all at once, perhaps the most powerful cursed spirit in the world could be born, and a cursed spirit of that magnitude would not be so easy to exorcise.
But Asterion looked at Morgan and smiled softly as he stroked her hair. With Morgan, he wasn't as worried about the existence of the wizarding world being revealed, and thus the truth about the Cursed Spirit.
Dumbledore noticed the affection and kindness in Asterion's eyes and looked at the Cursed Spirit eating cookies. He couldn't help but think of an absurd possibility.
Wasn't Asterion in love with his own Cursed Spirit?
Even with more than a hundred years of experience, he never thought that his mind would ever be capable of such an absurd idea.
"Even if it's impossible for Asterion to fall in love with a Cursed Spirit, I must still prepare Asterion's marriage to Daphne as quickly as possible." Dumbledore thought as he looked carefully at Asterion. He had always believed that a gentleman would not stand under a falling bridge. He'd better prepare himself and prevent something so absurd from happening.
"Even if they don't want a third world war, they can still force sessions against England. A lot of people were unhappy with you attack in Europe." Dumbledore commented, sipping his tea with lemon drops.
"That really is a problem... but one that's easy to solve. Tell them I can exorcise a Special Grade Cursed Spirit for free for any country nearby." Asterion spoke calmly, smiling elegantly.
His words made Dumbledore narrow his eyes and look at Asterion a little more cautiously. Asterion's suggestion was very good indeed. Inviting a Special Grade Wizard wasn't cheap at all, and besides, exorcism work was practically tailor-made for House Black.
Not only would they earn money, but they would also get another cursed spirit, so there was no downside, and even if Asterion worked for free, he would still get a Special Grade cursed spirit!
What's more, his reputation would spread even further around the world, earning him the goodwill of many witches and wizards around the world.
Asterion's proposal killed two ducks with one shot. This made Dumbledore more cautious with the fourteen-year-old. Arcturus had taught the boy well.
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Next Chapter Second Volume: Chapter 177 - Conspiracies and Secrets (7), Chapter 178 - Decision and two wives (1), Chapter 179 - Decision and two wives (2), Chapter 180 - The Old King of Camelot (1), Chapter 181 - The Old King of Camelot (2), Chapter 182 - The Old King of Camelot (3), Chapter 183 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (1), Chapter 184 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (2), Chapter 185 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (3), Chapter 186 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (4), Chapter 187 - Second Test of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (5), Chapter 188 - Asterion & Daphne (R-18), Chapter 189 - Asterion & Daphne, Chapter 190 - How to Train Your Dragon (1).