"Heh… that Tom kid…"
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed behind his half-moon spectacles, his expression unreadable.
He wasn't exactly pleased with Tom's antics, finding the blatant deflection of blame onto another version of himself rather amusing.
Though I can't say Tom has actually done anything wrong… has he?
"But even with this… will it truly work?"
It wasn't that Gellert Grindelwald lacked faith in other wizards. No, he simply didn't have any to begin with.
"I do not know," Dumbledore replied. His method of protecting the wizarding world had never been to coddle others. "But perhaps we can trust them to find him, at the very least."
Aside from themselves, Gellert Grindelwald, and that Tom Riddle fellow, no one else could possibly subdue another Tom, let alone capture or eliminate him.
However, merely locating him? That wasn't entirely out of the question.
Even legendary wizards were still human.
And while they could certainly prevent ordinary wizards from discovering them, could he maintain a Disillusionment Charm twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week?
Not to mention, his pursuers would be out there, around the clock.
Powerful wizards often possessed their own unique methods, and even for another Tom Riddle, remaining hidden indefinitely would prove difficult.
"Very well, it seems we need not concern ourselves with these matters for the moment."
"Ah, I am feeling rather weary. I believe I shall retire for the evening."
...
The news of the "Voldemort (remnant soul)" being wanted spread like wildfire.
In a single night, it had reached every corner of the Eurasian magical world and even across the Americas and Africa. Nearly every wizard knew of it.
From elderly wizards with one foot in the grave to young ones still listening to bedtime stories, everyone knew that the Dark Lord had issued a bounty for the capture of his "rebellious, evil incarnation."
While few understood how this so-called "evil incarnation" could transform into a monster, the wizards simply attributed it to the Dark Lord's extraordinary power and left it at that.
What truly captured their interest was the staggering bounty: a whopping fifty million Galleons!
Had there ever been a bounty that high in the entire history of the wizarding world?
There had only been one greater: the bounty on the real Dark Lord, set at one hundred million Galleons!
However, everyone knew that to be the Dark Lord's twisted joke. The Ministry of Magic danced to his tune; how could they ever hope to claim it?
And even if the Ministry were willing to pay such an astronomical sum, one had to consider if they would live long enough to enjoy it.
Most wizards could scarcely fathom the power of the "world's strongest wizard," but they knew that the Death Eaters scattered throughout the wizarding world were a force to be reckoned with.
Putting aside their political and economic influence...
Perhaps one could defeat a powerful wizard through brute force and numbers, but when the enemy also had overwhelming numbers, that was a different story altogether.
Therefore, naturally, no one dared to harbor any malicious intent.
But this was different.
The Dark Lord had specifically named this target for capture, and the Death Eaters couldn't possibly interfere.
Fifty million Galleons!
Even those noble lords might not have that much liquid capital, right?
Money talked, and a fortune like that would always attract brave men, and foolish ones, too!
Alone, none of them might stand a chance against this "manifestation of evil" of the Dark Lord. Anyone so closely linked to him was not to be trifled with.
But how strong could he be on his own? Stronger than the Dark Lord? I might fear the Dark Lord, but should I fear an imposter?
Just a jumped-up cricket!
A slightly stronger monster!
Let's team up and grind him down!
Fifty million Galleons was more than enough to share!
In just one night, the entire magical world had launched a massive, large-scale operation.
The last time anything like this had happened was during the medieval witch hunts. Except those were carried out by Muggles, while this time it was wizards doing the hunting.
Although both targeted wizards.
...
At that moment, Voldemort's Remnant Soul remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around him.
He was still lost in daydreams.
As expected, my other self values my abilities… As long as I can demonstrate enough strength… then… hehehehe… the second-in-command position will be mine!
That's right, how could Harry Potter ever be second-in-command?
Only I, another Voldemort, am qualified to be Tom Riddle's right-hand man!
Even if he can't rule the whole world, I can still sit in the seat second only to the king!
Just like those Muggle cards, there's a King and a Queen, right?
Even if I can't be the King, the Queen is still royalty!
If Tom doesn't speak, I will still be the Dark Lord who reigns supreme over the entire world!
In the stillness of the English Highlands at night, Voldemort's Remnant Soul sat atop a box, grinning foolishly as he gazed up at the sky, as if the full moon reflected his former glory as second-in-command.
Just as he had never considered himself a match for Tom Riddle, Voldemort's Remnant Soul didn't believe anyone else could truly pose a threat. After all, aside from him and Tom Riddle, Dumbledore and Grindelwald – those two old fogeys – were past their prime.
In a one-on-one duel, Voldemort's Remnant Soul was confident he could defeat either of them.
Therefore, he was certain that besides Tom Riddle, he was the strongest, and since Tom Riddle was another version of himself, he was practically the strongest.
However…
Voldemort's Remnant Soul glanced down at the box beneath him. Perhaps he still needed that dark magic Lanlock had mentioned.
He didn't actually believe the dark magic Lanlock spoke of could defeat Tom Riddle. After all, when that forbidden phenomenon (Tom Riddle's breakthrough) occurred, a spectacle that encompassed half of Europe had also loomed over him.
That was beyond the reach of magic, or at least that's what Voldemort's Remnant Soul thought.
His previous hope for Lanlock's black magic was simply because he had no other choice.
You'd better actually be able to prevent me from being defeated anytime soon.
Voldemort's Remnant Soul gently stroked the box beneath him, his crimson eyes gleaming with a mixture of longing and anticipation.
However, just as Voldemort's Remnant Soul was still lost in his beautiful fantasy...
"Expelliarmus!"
"Immobulus!"
"Bombarda!"
What the hell?!
His powerful reflexes allowed Voldemort's Remnant Soul to instantly Apparate without any incantation or wand.
Boom!
When he reappeared, he saw a large crater where he had been standing. "…"
"You're asking for death!"
Who dared to be so bold?!
His crimson eyes were filled with savagery. He turned his head and saw at least thirty people chasing after him. "…"
These people were nothing more than insects to him, easily crushed.
But that wasn't what he needed now. He couldn't expose himself. Even if his other self didn't cause him trouble, the other side had clearly stated they wouldn't help him, and the Death Eaters might still come after him.
He needed time. He needed to disappear for a while.
These guys aren't difficult to deal with, but taking on so many will make a lot of noise and might even attract those two old fogeys, Dumbledore and Grindelwald. Next time, I might not be so lucky to escape if they appear.
Having made his decision, Voldemort's Remnant Soul didn't hesitate. He turned, grabbed the box, transformed into black mist, and flew into the sky. Time to run!
---