Kael's expression froze.
Come to think of it, he really didn't know.
The only thing he did know was that Dumbledore's family used to live in Godric's Hollow, next door to Bathilda Bagshot.
But that was where the young Dumbledore would be; the one he needed to find was the Dumbledore who had gone back into the past.
"Looks like you've figured it out too." Nicolas shakily hugged a thick book over to him. "So before anything else, you need to find someone, and ask him where Albus might choose to hide."
"Who should I look for… Professor McGonagall should know, right?"
"She doesn't. Or rather, apart from one person, nobody else knows."
"Who is that person?"
"Grindelwald. Perhaps you've heard the name."
Kael was silent for a moment. "I've heard of him. Sixty years ago, Professor Dumbledore's greatest rival."
"And his best friend." Nicolas said softly. "Much as I hate to admit it, the two of them did have a deep friendship when they were young, and they understood each other completely. Even now, that friendship hasn't faded; it's just been hidden away, buried in the deepest part of their hearts.
"If anyone can guess where Albus might appear after going back in time, it would only be Grindelwald."
"I have to go to him?" Kael couldn't help raising his voice.
He didn't want to meet Grindelwald. As the Dark Wizard who had nearly overturned all of Europe, that man was far too ominous. Kael had even heard that when they imprisoned him, there wasn't a single person stationed nearby.
Because they were afraid the guards would fall under his sway and defect on the spot. In some respects his abilities were even more terrifying than his Magic.
If he had a choice, Kael would rather face Voldemort—of course, the Voldemort after using Soul Artifacts.
Back when he was still Tom Riddle, he actually wasn't much different from Grindelwald; both could make people willingly follow them and gladly offer up their loyalty.
The only difference lay in the paths they took afterward. Tom chose power and immortality, and actively gave up certain other things.
"Do I really have to go?" Kael was a bit resistant.
"Not necessarily." Nicolas said. "If you're willing to search slowly, you don't have to. But as for how long that would take, I wouldn't dare guarantee anything."
"Then what if I stir up a bit of trouble and make Professor Dumbledore come find me?" Kael asked. "He definitely knows me, doesn't he?"
"That's one way." Nicolas nodded. "But can you guarantee that a Dumbledore who's just seen Arianna will still have the mood to pay attention to anything else?"
Kael fell silent.
To be honest, he really couldn't guarantee that.
Dumbledore had been blaming himself over Arianna for a hundred years. After seeing her again, his eyes might not be able to hold anything else at all.
"All right, I'll go." Kael let out a sigh.
"Don't look so worried." Nicolas chuckled. "You're going to save Dumbledore. Not only will he not harm you, he'll even do everything he can to help you. I promise."
"Let's hope so." Kael shook his head, stood up, and said, "Then I'll go now."
"Where exactly are you going?"
"Nimongard, of course. Isn't that where Grindelwald's imprisoned?"
"And do you know where Nimongard is?"
"It should be in Austria, right? I remember seeing that in a book."
"But that book definitely didn't give a specific location. Or do you think Nimongard is just some random tower built by the roadside, that anyone can walk into for a tour?"
Kael halted mid-step and sat back down. "Nicolas, since you're putting it that way, you must know how to get there."
"As it happens, I did take part in building Nimongard." Nicolas blinked, opened the thick book on the table, and said, "Let me find it… ah, here it is."
He propped the book upright, facing the mirror.
Kael immediately leaned in.
He saw an old, faded photograph of a circular stone tower, like a thickened giant chimney.
There was a line of text under the photograph. Kael stared at it for a while, only to find that no matter how he tried, he couldn't remember what it said.
A few seconds later, Nicolas snapped the book shut.
"Wait, I haven't memorized it yet."
"This is enough." Nicolas said. "Go on. By the time you're back, the Time Turner should be repaired."