"I'm just pretending to be a writer; in reality, I'm just a prophet. Albus, you're too greedy. How could I possibly know everything in this world?" Grindelwald didn't have any intention of checking. He seemed to be very disgusted by the object on the table, even shifting the chair under his buttocks away from the ancient and mysterious pendant box on the table.
"I can only tell you, it shouldn't be just one." Grindelwald's words confirmed Dumbledore's worries. Although he had long known that the stubborn figure from years ago might be avoiding death in this way, he had never thought that the madman would have the audacity to repeatedly cut his soul.
This will ultimately lead to a doomed fate.
At the same time, it is a very troublesome issue for the living.
"The hidden dangers are too great."
Dumbledore's gaze flickered as he stared at the pendant box on the table.
"Are you so anxious to get rid of your student? I've never seen you so eager before." Grindelwald raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing and relaxed. "Why insist on settling it personally? Cheating death once, it'll come knocking countless times. Those who deceive the god of death never come to a good end."
His advice was gentle.
But Dumbledore's brow did not relax because of it.
"I know what you're worried about, Albus. With me and you here together, the students here will truly be safe, and the only thing we need worry about is..."
Grindelwald's words were interrupted before he could finish.
"Can you see anything else?"
Dumbledore persisted, a hint of pleading in his eyes.
Grindelwald was slightly taken aback.
But he still sighed and shook his head in response. "In fact, I can see this disgusting thing only because it's related to a pain you'll need to endure in the future."
"It's because of yet another handshake with you that I saw it... Even though my research into destiny is far ahead of yours, the more detailed the prophecy, the stronger the connection I need with the target of the prophecy." Grindelwald seemed to forcibly quell the inner resistance as he placed his hand on the pendant box.
His eye changed color for just an instant.
"Why not personally ask our dear Black Demon King? He's right there, in the forests of Albania... Tsk tsk, the wicked Black Demon King is hunting a rat."
"A real rat, mind you." Grindelwald said teasingly as he withdrew his hand and walked over to the sink, vigorously washing his hands.
Regarding someone like Voldemort, he truly felt nothing but disdain and disgust. The Soul Artifact — if it were really so useful, how could there be only a few users?
History has never lacked exceptional talent.
"Remember what I've done for you, Albus. I feel I've been tainted with misfortune just touching this sort of thing." Grindelwald flicked the water from his hands and came back.
"I know he's there."
Dumbledore finally spoke softly at this moment.
"..."
Grindelwald's expression stiffened a bit.
"Unlucky!"
In the end, he could only vent his inner resentment on the pendant box on the table.
"We can't catch him there. He's more slippery than anyone, and if he finds out we discovered his secret, he'll become more cowardly and cautious than anyone." Dumbledore looked at the pendant box on the table, with the evil Dark Arts aura and the soul yet untreated.
"I will carefully trace the path of his life. If you find anything new, be sure to tell me." Dumbledore said as he moved toward the door.
"Of course."
Watching Dumbledore walk toward the door, Grindelwald's thoughts seemed to drift back to a morning several days ago, with images he had seen at the time surfacing in his mind.
"Albus, I'm as always choosing to help you." Grindelwald seemed to respond to Dumbledore's request, yet silently, his pale eyes seemed to review the messages from a few days earlier.
It was a peculiar ring sealed in some dilapidated old house.
"Thank you, Gellert. I just always wanted you to look after the school, not to do too much, okay?" Dumbledore suddenly turned back to warn.
Grindelwald's eyes had already returned to normal a step ahead.
"Not a single student will die."
Grindelwald broke into a smile.
"..."
Dumbledore's sigh grew louder, and he stood at the door with one hand on the doorknob, hesitated for a moment, and still asked Grindelwald.
"Is Gilderoy Lockhart still alive? He was supposed to be the substitute professor at the school. I didn't expect that as soon as I left, you found someone to replace him."
"I was thinking of arranging a relatively idle position for you."
Though Dumbledore inviting Gilderoy Lockhart already indicated Dumbledore had chosen his resources, his way of doing things was ultimately somewhat different from Grindelwald.
"I just want a position of my own choosing."
After speaking.
Grindelwald continued to add.
"Actually, I'm very willing to share memories of Gilderoy Lockhart with you. If you saw what was in his mind, you would definitely agree with how I arranged for Gilderoy Lockhart."
"Don't worry, he's not dead. I promised you, I'll only kill Dark Wizards..." Grindelwald's words made Dumbledore nod, open the door without further inquiry, and walk out. Seeing the door slowly close, Grindelwald let out a small breath, closing his eyes as if feeling a bit weary.