Christine's roar echoed through the air, but Wentworth merely shrugged nonchalantly before responding,
"You're the ones lurking in the shadows. How is that my fault? If you want me to take you seriously, the least you could do is tell me who you are!"
Christine almost blurted out a response but caught herself just in time. Instead, a sly grin crept onto her face. She took a few slow steps back, pulled a chair towards him, and sat down, crossing her legs as she regarded Wentworth with an amused expression.
"Wentworth Grindelwald, you want to know who we are? Fine. Before you die, I'll make sure your curiosity is satisfied. But just telling you outright? That would be far too dull."
Christine rested her chin on one hand, pausing for a moment as if deep in thought. Then, her eyes lit up with excitement, as if an idea had just struck her.
"How about this—we play a little game?"
Her gaze flickered between Wentworth, Kirk, and Cedric, her smile widening as she continued,
"Each of you can duel one of my men. If you win, I'll answer one of your questions. How does that sound?"
Wentworth seemed taken aback by the proposal. He exchanged glances with Kirk and Cedric. Cedric gave a small nod of approval, and after a brief moment of contemplation, Wentworth asked,
"And if we lose?"
Christine let out a hearty laugh before her expression darkened. She glared at Wentworth, her voice dripping with menace,
"If you lose, you forfeit your life."
Wentworth spread his hands in mock indignation, pouting slightly.
"This game doesn't seem particularly fair."
Christin, however, resumed her earlier lighthearted demeanor, chuckling as she waved a dismissive hand.
"You're all going to die today anyway. Does it really matter how? You might as well amuse us before you go. Who knows? If I'm in a good mood, I might make your deaths a little less painful. A banquet without entertainment feels rather lacking, don't you think?"
Before Wentworth could respond, Christine gestured toward one of her men, then pointed at Wentworth and his companions.
The chosen wizard stepped forward eagerly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"If I could be the one to kill the leader of the Pureblood Party… now that would be truly exhilarating!"
He drew his wand from his robes, while the surrounding wizards watched, their expressions a mix of eagerness and impatience. Wentworth surveyed the scene, then scoffed.
"What's so funny?!" the opposing wizard demanded.
Wentworth turned to him, his tone slow and deliberate.
"I'm laughing at your foolishness. If I die here today, do you really think the Pureblood Party will just let it slide? The moment word gets out that you were responsible, you and your entire family will be doomed."
The wizard hesitated, frowning as doubt flickered across his face. But before he could reconsider, Christine spoke lazily,
"Wentworth Grindelwald, your attempts at sowing discord are rather unimpressive. After this, I will make sure every single person here takes an Unbreakable Vow. No one will ever speak of what transpires tonight."
Hearing this, the wizard seemed reassured. He turned his full attention back to Wentworth, his confidence returning.
"My father once lost to a wizard named Grindelwald. Tonight, I'll see if you're worthy of that name!"
Wentworth chuckled dismissively and then, without hesitation, pointed at Cedric.
"You go."
Without a moment's delay, Cedric stepped forward, drawing his wand.
The opposing wizard blinked, then sneered.
"What's this? Are you afraid? Ha! The mighty Grindelwald is actually scared! This is priceless!"
Christin, too, feigned exaggerated shock.
"Oh, Wentworth, you can't be serious. Are you actually afraid?"
Wentworth remained expressionless. He took a step back, grabbed a chair in an imitation of Christine's earlier movement, and sat down. Looking up at the wizard before him, he spoke in an almost bored tone,
"You're just a pawn. Did you really think you were the main player? Pawns should know their place. You want to fight me? You're not even worthy."
Then, turning his gaze toward Christine, Wentworth continued,
"I don't play games—I make the rules."
"You can send them out one by one, but for every duel you lose, you must answer one of my questions. Do you dare?"
Christine, now mirroring Wentworth in posture, felt an unease creeping up inside her once more. Her eyes flicked toward Cedric, who looked no older than twelve or thirteen. Where was Wentworth's confidence coming from?
While Kristin was still contemplating, the opposing wizard's fury boiled over. Feeling deeply insulted, he raised his wand, pointing it directly at Wentworth, and roared,
"Do you think just because you're a Grindelwald, you—"
Before he could finish, a spell shot through the air.
"Expelliarmus!"
His wand flew out of his hand before he could react.
Christine blinked in surprise, her eyes shifting toward Cedric, who had cast the spell. Then she turned back to Wentworth, his expression darkening.
"Are you all that eager to die?"
Wentworth, entirely unfazed, pointed at the now-disarmed wizard, who was still staring in shock at his empty hand.
"It was your man who broke the rules! He was terribly ill-mannered, so I thought I'd help you teach him some discipline. No need to thank me."
Christine frowned, confused. "Rules? What rules?"
Wentworth finally shifted his full attention to Christine, meeting her gaze squarely as he enunciated clearly,
"My rules. The ones standing do not speak. The ones seated do not fight. Those are my rules."
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