Chapter 125: The Kirin’s Path—The Magical Ritual

Bhutan, high in the Himalayas, the Ancient Institute of Magical Authority.

This place stands at the pinnacle of the magical world, a secluded paradise. Some of the oldest and most profound magics originate here.

Now, atop the grand platform of the Ancient Institute, former International Wizarding Federation president Anton Vogel was addressing the assembly—

"All three candidates have delivered deeply moving speeches, each bringing remarkably unique perspectives. Their concerns extend beyond our magical realm, reaching even into the Muggle world..."

"Next comes the most crucial part of our election ceremony—the Kirin’s judgment, to determine who among them is the purest, the most trustworthy, and the most suitable to become our next Federation president!"

As his words fell, a wizard clad in traditional Bhutanese robes ascended from the crowd, cradling a small, exquisite magical creature—a deer-like body, a tail akin to a calf’s, four hooves resembling those of an ox, and a curved unicorn horn embedded in its forehead.

"Should we stop him?" For caution, Steven remained invisible, whispering to Bondi.

Bondi shook his head slightly, replying just as quietly, "Dumbledore told me we must wait until Grindelwald is at his most relaxed before exposing him."

Steven frowned, his gaze fixed on the confident Grindelwald atop the dais.

The little Kirin had now bypassed Santos and Liu Tao, standing before Grindelwald. The two candidates exchanged a glance, their expressions mingled with disbelief.

At last, under the gaze of all present, the Kirin bent one leg, lowering its head deeply in a bow to Grindelwald!

A faint smile curled at Grindelwald’s lips.

"The ancient Rite of the Kirin chooses a leader of purity and justice, one who will guide us forward," Vogel explained to the voters below.

Steven found the claim utterly absurd.

A man who sought to destroy all of Paris was being hailed by the former president as pure and just. Steven thought even if someone told him the Grim Reaper was kind, it wouldn’t seem more preposterous.

Yet Vogel ignored the murmurs of doubt and proceeded methodically with the ceremony.

"Now, we move to the voting. Wizards with voting rights, please cast your support into the sky with the colors of your choice: yellow for Visencia Santos, red for Liu Tao, and green for Gellert Grindelwald!"

Fireworks shot upward, soon the Himalayan sky was awash in green light.

"Grindelwald!"

"Grindelwald!!"

Grindelwald’s followers erupted in excitement. Their leader had been a wanted fugitive with a high bounty just days ago; today, he was a candidate for the presidency of the International Wizarding Federation, chosen by the Kirin!

All this confirmed the righteousness of Grindelwald’s vision and the bright future awaiting their leader.

Though yellow and red fireworks still fought to claim space among the green, the ancient magic of the Kirin ceremony swayed many wizards who had doubted Grindelwald's ideals. More supporters of Santos and Liu Tao hesitated, choosing to watch and wait.

The tri-colored fireworks slowly faded, signaling the end of the voting phase.

"The results are in," Anton Vogel announced, holding a magical card, his voice triumphant. "Gellert Grindelwald will become the new leader of the magical world!"

Amid the uproar of cheers below, Grindelwald strode forward with a smile.

He cast a glance at Vida Rozier among the crowd; she, along with a few henchmen, pushed Jacob onto the steps.

With a sneer, she withdrew the serpentwood wand that Dumbledore had entrusted to Jacob from his pocket and handed it to Grindelwald.

Handling the wand—a wand without a core—Grindelwald chuckled.

"This is the man who once tried to kill me. A Muggle," Grindelwald declared, pointing the serpentwood wand at Jacob. "This Muggle dared to marry a witch, seeking to taint our bloodline, to weaken our race, to make us as feeble as himself."

"Not just him, my friends. Thousands of Muggles seek the same! If this continues, the powers we wizards possess will diminish until we are utterly assimilated and devoured by them!"

"For such parasitic vermin, there is but one remedy..."

Grindelwald raised his hand sharply, casting the serpentwood wand to the ground, drawing his own wand.

"Cruciatus!"

Jacob’s face paled as he fell writhing in agony.

"No!!" Newt lunged forward desperately but was restrained by Grindelwald’s men.

Among the crowd, Queenie Goldstein broke free from two men’s grip and rushed to Jacob’s side.

"Save him! Make it stop..." she wept.

Steven was about to intervene when Bondi suddenly whispered, "Don’t, Mr. Strange!"

Covering her mouth, unable to bear the scene yet resolute, she added, "It’s not yet Grindelwald’s most relaxed moment."

Suppressing his fury, Steven watched Grindelwald atop the dais.

The man who had just cast the unforgivable curse on Jacob now boldly proclaimed his first political stance to the global audience—

"Our war against the Muggles officially begins today!"

The crowd of followers roared in approval, launching fireworks skyward to celebrate this stirring moment.

Amid the chaos, Steven quietly freed Newt, intending for him to rescue Jacob.

However, Santos, one of the other candidates on stage, seemed unable to bear Jacob’s suffering. He moved first, casting a universal countercurse to lift the Cruciatus curse.

Seeing this, Newt relaxed slightly, feigning continued restraint as he melted into the jubilant crowd.

Suddenly, a majestic golden-red bird streaked across the sky, its melodious call resonating over the assembly.

Aurelius appeared atop the dais, gazing deeply at Grindelwald.

"He deceived you. That Kirin is dead!" Aurelius’s voice was weak as he staggered toward the crowd.

"He killed the Kirin mother, then used magic to resurrect it—only to manipulate the Kirin to gain your approval!" At this moment, Newt seized the opportunity to rush toward the steps, speaking swiftly. "But he doesn’t seek to lead you; he wants your obedience."

"These two are disrupting the electoral process—subdue them!" Vogel barked from the side.

"Anton, the election is over. What good is hearing them out now?" other Federation representatives coldly stopped Vogel’s action, their eyes encouraging the brave Newt.

Grindelwald laughed, retorting, "Mr. Scamander, what lies has Dumbledore taught you this time to cause me trouble?"

"I was there. I saw it with my own eyes!" Newt declared angrily. "That night, the Kirin mother gave birth to twins."

Recalling the cruelly slain mother Kirin and the two young Kirins also doomed by Grindelwald, Newt’s voice trembled with sorrow.

"Baseless lies! To accuse me on such flimsy grounds is pure fantasy!" Grindelwald sneered. "There were no twins, wasn’t that right?"

"Their mother was murdered on Tianzi Mountain in Guangxi..." Newt began but was cut off.

"Then where is she now, Mr. Scamander? Care to take us to Guangxi to see for ourselves?" Grindelwald challenged, arms crossed, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Newt fell silent, knowing Grindelwald’s followers had surely destroyed the Kirin mother’s body.

At that moment, a witch clad in a qipao ascended the steps, carrying an old-fashioned brown suitcase...

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