The Minister of Magic Welcomes the Royalist Forces

Seeing Voldemort struck by the Killing Curse and collapse, the Death Eaters around him felt neither fear nor excitement, but a sense of unreality.

They had encountered a situation like this once before. Back then, nearly everyone had thought Voldemort was dead, only for him to return decades later…

Out of their fear of Voldemort, the Death Eaters still remained on guard against Professor Dumbledore.

Professor Dumbledore frowned slightly and raised his wand, preparing to counterattack. Then, at that moment…

"Expelliarmus!"

A series of sharp cracks rang out as a large group of wizards Apparated in the distance. The moment they appeared, they launched an attack on the Death Eaters.

"Voldemort is dead! Look at your Dark Marks!"

The lead wizard shouted, and the already flustered Death Eaters immediately fell into even greater chaos.

Disarming Spells, Stunning Spells, and Binding Spells came in a full set. Surrounded by well-trained wizards, the weakened Death Eaters were swiftly captured one after another.

"Lauren Crowl…"

After a brief moment of surprise, Professor Dumbledore spotted an old acquaintance among the wizards. He then understood what was happening and sighed as he put away his wand and sword.

"Dumbledore, it has been a long time."

Mrs. Lauren nodded to Professor Dumbledore.

"You have saved the Wizarding World once again."

At those words, a trace of bitterness appeared on Professor Dumbledore’s face, though it vanished in an instant. He soon spoke naturally.

"Was it Adam who told you to come at this time?"

Of course, he could see who truly stood behind the camp that had risen to prominence recently. He had previously learned that Adam seemed to have spies among the Death Eaters, and now these people had arrived at precisely the right moment. Someone had clearly tipped them off.

Mrs. Lauren only smiled without answering. Professor Dumbledore did not press the matter and instead asked another question.

"Now that Voldemort is dead, what does Adam plan to do next?"

As they spoke, the Death Eaters had nearly all been captured.

After confirming that the Dark Marks had vanished, everyone knew Voldemort was truly dead. Aside from a handful of Voldemort’s most fanatical loyalists, the remaining Death Eaters readily chose to surrender.

After all, this was not their first time. They were already quite familiar with the entire process. As long as they surrendered obediently, they could be taken safely to the Ministry of Magic, then claim they had been controlled by Voldemort’s Imperius Curse and were victims themselves…

If all went well, they could reach the final step within a few days—they would express deep remorse for the damage they had caused the Wizarding World while under control and be willing to donate a large sum to the Ministry of Magic for the reconstruction of the Wizarding World.

Most Death Eaters had never doubted this. After all, they controlled a vast number of industries in the Wizarding World, and the Wizarding World simply could not do without them.

"It is not about what Adam plans to do. It is about what we plan to do."

Hearing Professor Dumbledore’s question, a sharp glint flashed through Mrs. Lauren’s eyes.

"We will replace the Ministry of Magic and establish a new order. The corrupt Ministry of Magic of the past will be gone forever."

An older Death Eater took several Galleons from his pocket and handed them to the wizard preparing to bind him, hoping to make his trip to the Ministry of Magic a little more comfortable. Instead, he was cleanly knocked out by a Stunning Spell.

Professor Dumbledore saw this and lowered his eyes.

Back then, Mrs. Lauren had retired early because she was too upright and uncompromising. Otherwise, at her age, she should only have retired a few years ago.

Professor Dumbledore glanced again at the Death Eaters, who showed no panic at all as they were taken away.

From Mrs. Lauren’s words and what he had just witnessed, he could almost be certain that the Death Eaters would not meet a pleasant end. The Wizarding World would undoubtedly suffer tremendous upheaval, and many people would likely die.

But knowing that, was he supposed to stop it?

Were those Death Eaters, whose hands were stained with the blood of innocents, truly able to escape judgment just by paying a little money?

With a sigh, Professor Dumbledore prepared to leave.

"Dumbledore, aren’t you coming with us?"

"No, Lauren. I am too old, and too tired. The world ahead belongs to the young."

Professor Dumbledore gave Eugene, who was organizing the transport of the prisoners, one last look before Apparating away without hesitation.

Out of sight, out of mind. He was already too tired. Voldemort was finally dead, and he had no intention of troubling himself by thinking about anything else.

Now, he was merely a retired old man over a hundred years old. His final wish in life was to spend the last stretch of his days with his sister. He wanted nothing else.

Mrs. Lauren looked at the spot where Professor Dumbledore had been standing before leaving.

"Tired, are you? Unfortunately, Adam does not seem like the sort of boy who will let you retire peacefully."

After saying that, Mrs. Lauren did not dwell on it and stepped forward.

"Are we going straight to the Ministry of Magic now?"

"Yes. Things over there should already be settled as well."

Eugene turned around and nodded, then looked into the distance with a puzzled expression.

"Where is Professor Dumbledore?"

"He went back first. He said he was tired."

Mrs. Lauren gave a brief explanation, then frowned.

"I remember everyone is here… Does Adam have people at the Ministry of Magic too?"

And they had to be people important and numerous enough to directly deal with the Ministry of Magic without Eugene’s side providing support…

Mrs. Lauren also recalled that there were people among the Death Eaters who could pass information to Adam. Adam also seemed to know the Order of the Phoenix’s movements extremely well. Then again, Adam had taken over from Dumbledore as Hogwarts’ headmaster…

Thinking about it that way, among all the factions that had fought in the British Wizarding World these past few years, how was it that every side had Adam’s people?

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Magic, Eugene and the others were surprised to discover that Percy was the one who had brought the situation under control there!

After Voldemort’s death, Pius Thicknesse immediately displayed obvious abnormalities. With his cooperation in identifying them, Percy directed the people who had long been dissatisfied with the Ministry of Magic’s continual compromises with Voldemort to swiftly take control of the pro-Death Eater elements within the Ministry.

Pius Thicknesse knew perfectly well that he had indeed been controlled by the Imperius Curse. As long as he honestly cooperated with the investigation, he would basically bear no responsibility. At most, he would be branded incompetent.

Now that Voldemort was dead, cooperating with the identifications and showing that he had always stood on the side of justice was the bright path ahead. Was he supposed to rebel alongside those Death Eaters, whose hearts were not united and who all harbored their own schemes?

Thus, among this procession welcoming the Royalist Forces, one could even see the Minister of Magic.

"You’re finally here!"

Percy came forward with an enthusiastic smile, discreetly sizing Eugene up.

Though he had heard Eugene’s name constantly during this period, this seemed to be the first time they had actually met since Eugene graduated from Hogwarts.

So this was his future immediate superior!

Oh, no, Adam seemed to be his immediate superior after all. Eugene could only be considered his superior on the surface.

It had to be said that Percy understood the situation quite clearly. Having liaised with Adam, he could plainly see that Adam was the one who truly controlled the situation.