A dozen minutes later, Erwin returned to the hotel.
In the woods, Thorfinn Rowle stared at the Dark Mark on his arm. He felt like he'd been played for a fool. But his resolve quickly hardened—he'd witnessed the Cavendish family's power firsthand.
The Ministry of Magic was a small pond, so secrets didn't last long. Rowle knew plenty about the Cavendish family. Unlike most pure-bloods, he was a half-blood wizard. His father still lived in the Muggle world, and Rowle visited often, keeping up with its changes. He understood exactly what Erwin's enchanted communicator meant.
Anyone with a grasp of Muggle economics could see the potential. But in the wizarding world, such innovations carried no weight. Even if they suspected Erwin's game, no one spoke up—they pretended ignorance. Wizards craved Muggle comforts, after all.
So despite the trickery, Rowle wouldn't refuse. The Cavendish family was ascendant, backed by Erwin's raw strength and now the Acolytes. No family or faction could halt their rise. Aligning with power was just good sense.
Inside the hotel, the Acolytes who'd guarded Nurmengard had gathered. When Erwin entered, they rose and bowed deeply.
He waved them off. "No need for ceremony. Since His Majesty Grindelwald entrusted the Acolytes to me, it's my privilege. You're my nominal subordinates, but truth be told, I'm young and green—I'll need your guidance on plenty."
Erwin's tone rang sincere, but no one there was naive. Before his arrival, Vinda had briefed them on their new leader. Believing his humility at face value would be a fatal mistake; it would end in swift retribution.
Erwin took his seat, and only then did the others follow.
He turned to Vinda. "Aunt Vinda, how many Acolytes remain?"
She replied, "The original core is nearly gone—about twenty left, with a dozen back in the fold. Then there are the recruits: around a hundred, though they're not fully vetted."
Erwin nodded. That matched his expectations. The "new" Acolytes were peripheral—gathered over years, with unproven loyalty and skill. The veterans were aging, their numbers thinned by the Wizarding War and time. Twenty core members was better than he'd hoped. The Death Eaters, by contrast, had barely ten left, riddled with turncoats and schemers.
"That's a solid start," Erwin said. "Where are they now?"
"Some are here; others haven't gotten word yet," Vinda answered. "But if you call, I can summon them at once."
"Not today. Rest up—nothing more to handle. Aunt Vinda, stay a moment. Tell me about the Acolytes' state."
The group nodded, understanding this was just an introduction to their new Patriarch. They bowed politely to Erwin and Apparated away, scattering into the night.
Erwin signaled a waiter for two coffees, then leaned in. "Aunt Vinda, give me the full picture."
She sighed. "We're in rough shape. This lot's getting on— no fresh blood, and the recruits' loyalty's shaky. They've never been fully integrated."
Erwin agreed; stagnation bred weakness.
"But we old guard can still fight," Vinda added. "Our power's only grown with age. The real issue started three years back: infiltrators. We can't pinpoint them, but I suspect the Solent family. Most Acolytes are true, but two or three waver. To revive us, we purge first."
Erwin's eyes narrowed. "They're elders—moving against them risks backlash."
Vinda's face darkened, murder in her gaze. "They chose sides; death's their due. I would've handled it myself, but my absence drew too much heat. Now? No restraints. Let's cull them and show the world the Acolytes are back."
Erwin chuckled softly. "You're rushing it, Aunt. Killing traitors? That's the lazy way."
Vinda frowned, intrigued.
"His Majesty Grindelwald meant the Acolytes to unite wizards for the greater good—freely, without chains. He disbanded us from that tower himself. Slaying them for shifting allegiances? That's not our way."
She pondered, nodding slowly. "So we forgive and forget?"
"Hardly." Erwin's smile turned sharp. "The best punishment isn't death—it's dread. We'll show the world we're not mindless killers. We offer mercy to rebels, no grudges held. But they won't escape unscathed. Make them kneel at the tower, begging His Majesty's pardon."
Vinda's eyes lit with approval.
"Aunt Vinda, rally every Acolyte. It's time the wizarding world knows: the Acolytes have returned."
...
With that said, here are the 5 daily chapters for today!
But don't go anywhere just yet. The Review Target has been reached! I am adding 15 Bonus Chapters to the queue right now.
Stay tuned and keep your notifications on, because a massive wave of chapters is headed your way shortly!
Want to trigger even more? Keep those Power Stones and Reviews coming, and I'll keep the chapters flowing. Let's keep this momentum alive!
— MrGrim