Credence, now in control of the Obscurus, plunged downward and escaped through the subway tracks.
Newt subtly managed a relieved smile; truth be told, he hadn't known how to protect this poor Obscurus from so many determined Aurors.
Even Graves breathed a sigh of relief. Credence was a crucial part of his plan and couldn't be lost. That was why he had played the role of Graves—to save Credence's life, as the boy was incredibly useful to him.
August glanced at Newt. He knew Newt had already guessed the wizard's true identity before the others. Dumbledore had likely instructed him to be wary of certain individuals upon his arrival; he knew his indomitable best friend had probably changed identities and infiltrated the upper echelons of American wizarding society.
"Mr. Graves, can you explain what you're doing now?" Picquery, seeing the Obscurus escape, didn't order her Aurors to pursue it. Instead, she questioned her senior subordinate.
"[Revelio]!" At that moment, Newt suddenly acted: his wand tip glowed, and a spell was already taking effect on Graves.
Immediately, Graves' body stiffened, and then his physique surprisingly shifted, becoming slightly shorter and more robust.
Before everyone stood a man with white hair and a rather intriguing expression.
"Gellert Grindelwald!"
The wizards gasped, unable to believe it was true. Even President Picquery was profoundly shocked. She had suspected Graves' identity might be a disguise, but she never imagined her most capable subordinate was The Dark Wizard widely recognized as the most dangerous in magical history.
Newt had already suspected it, so he was the calmest, apart from August. Tina and her sister were utterly speechless.
"Hello everyone, it seems we need to reintroduce ourselves." He showed no sign of nervousness, surrounded by so many enemies. Grindelwald still made an elegant bow. "But I believe you all know who I am."
"Mr. Grindelwald, I think you should first consider your current situation. Do you believe we'll let you go?" Picquery scoffed.
The wizarding world's greatest terrorist was hiding within the American Magical Congress, holding the position of Head of Security. Using the greatest Dark Wizard in the world to catch him was, without a doubt, a profound irony. It was not only a great insult to her, but to the entire American wizarding world. She could already imagine how those stern European magical newspapers would report on this matter.
The only chance to save her reputation now was to capture this audacious and dangerous individual.
Grindelwald seemed to understand her thoughts and laughed mockingly: "Don't worry, I'll tell everyone how well President Picquery looked after me."
"Aurors, disarm Mr. Grindelwald and arrest him!" Picquery wasted no time with him and immediately ordered the Aurors to attack en masse.
There was no need to observe duel etiquette with a Dark Wizard like Grindelwald. He was a powerful Dark Wizard, and a collective effort was the correct decision.
In an instant, dozens of spells shot towards Grindelwald, but he simply scoffed, waving his hand to block them all, even deflecting some back, knocking down several Aurors.
"Do you plan to catch me with these Aurors?" Grindelwald laughed arrogantly. He exuded arrogance; this group of Aurors was being suppressed by a single person, while they could only defend themselves. "You Aurors aren't as strong as this young man!"
He looked at August: "Young wizard, now that you know my true identity, are you not considering what I just said?"
While counter-attacking, he tempted him: "Whether it's money or knowledge, you can get it from me. Even the position of Dark Wizard—I can hand it over to you in the future!"
It was contradictory to say, but Grindelwald's sole purpose was to change the plight of wizards; for him, power was merely a means to an end. He didn't covet it. To him, as long as his goal could be achieved, there was nothing he wouldn't abandon.
"Thank you for the Dark Wizard's high regard." August stepped forward under Picquery's cautious gaze. "However, I don't like living in hiding."
August suddenly cast [Magic Cut], as a response to Grindelwald's recruitment.
"Wandless magic!" Picquery, seeing this unknown wizard perform such an advanced technique, immediately felt that Grindelwald's words were not far from the truth.
"What a pity! I thought an exceptional young man like you could understand my philosophy." Grindelwald blocked the attack, casually returning a piercing curse, and, seeing August gracefully dodge it, sighed with disappointment and regret.
"Why should we hide? Are wizards something to be ashamed of?" he roared, filled with conviction and belief in his words.
"I want to ask all of you!" he shouted loudly to the surrounding Aurors. "Whose laws should we protect? Ours, or those of the Muggles?"
He pointed to the common people outside the light barrier, looking into their curious eyes: "Look at them—in their eyes, we are nothing more than a group of circus clowns now!"
"I refuse to submit to these laws. I hope wizards can openly use magic in the world. We are not a minority; we are a superior existence!" Grindelwald proclaimed his ideals once more.
"I don't hate Muggles; they simply need better leadership to unleash their potential. Their creativity is invaluable!" he passionately declared to Picquery. "Why sever the connection between Muggles and wizards? Together, we can rebuild a better world!"
"You've gone mad!" Picquery was unruffled, but seeing some Aurors seemed to find some truth in Grindelwald's words, she realized she couldn't let this continue.
"[Piertotum Locomotor]!" She waved her wand, and two stone lion statues guarding the entrance of a Beaux-Arts style building, enclosed within the light barrier, seemed to spring to life, leaping from their pedestals and roaring as they charged towards Grindelwald.
"[Confringo]!" A red light erupted from Grindelwald's wand, rocketing towards one of the Stone Statues. The Blasting Curse, supercharged by the Elder Wand, was incredibly powerful, instantly shattering the stone lion.
Picquery didn't expect to defeat Grindelwald with just that; otherwise, he wouldn't be known as the most dangerous Dark Wizard.
She raised her wand and cast a powerful spell, a red beam forming a large net that enveloped Grindelwald.
Grindelwald first complimented it, then his body suddenly turned illusory, passing through the electric net and floating to the side.
The dome covering them had an anti-Apparition function, so Grindelwald could only use this method to dodge.
"As expected of the President, the power of your spell is far greater than that of these Aurors!" Grindelwald regained his form and praised her.
"Surrender, Grindelwald, you have nowhere to run," Picquery scoffed.
The Aurors gathered around, their wand tips glowing with dangerous light.