Earl Dantes returned to the Castle in the Hebrides.
He went straight to the ballroom on the top floor—though it hadn't truly been used as a ballroom in a long time.
Vida Rosier, who had been in a meeting in Merlin City just an hour ago, was already there.
"Ewoyn! Are you a troll? How many times have I told you—a representative of a well-bred family shouldn't shake his leg like a common hooligan!"
Faced with Vida Rosier's scolding, Ewoyn instinctively shrank his neck.
"I've just been standing too long... my legs are numb."
"You're still shrinking your neck! Have you ever seen the head of a noble family behave like that?"
As Earl Dantes stepped into the ballroom, Ewoyn immediately looked like a bullied child who had just seen his parent.
"Boss..."
The rest of his sentence was swallowed. From his pitiful expression, the unsaid words were likely: "Save me."
The Earl shook his head.
"Ewoyn, in half a month, you will appear in Merlin City as the representative of the Jenny Weasley Family. Do you look like a noble right now?
If I remember correctly, you've been practicing for a month already, haven't you?"
Ewoyn cried out in protest.
"Boss, my acting is totally on point! Didn't I just pretend to be the magic crystal seller and fool everyone?"
The Earl rolled his eyes at him.
"Ha? Acting? Vida Rosier, please tell this idiot what he did wrong when he played the seller earlier."
Vida Rosier chuckled softly.
"When you touched the constructs, you should've displayed fondness and pride—like a creator admiring his own work. But you showed too much reverence, which immediately gave away the fact that you had a master, and those two constructs weren't yours.
If the Earl hadn't covered for you, today's performance would've been a complete disaster."
The Earl spread his hands, clearly exasperated.
"That's it—your acting is awful. If you don't work harder, you won't be able to maintain the identity of the Jenny Weasley Family's heir."
Ewoyn let out a dramatic wail, but he had no choice. Straightening his back, lifting his chin, he turned to resume practicing his posture in front of the mirror.
A hearty laugh echoed from the entrance of the ballroom.
"Why don't I just use Polyjuice Potion? I'd love to meet old friends and their descendants again."
The Earl turned and saw the energetic old man entering the room. He pursed his lips.
"Again? Did you completely forget about getting exposed and arrested in the U.S., old man?"
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"Brat, you sure like bringing up my past. How about a duel? Let's see who's stronger now."
Ewoyn kept still, quietly sneaking a glance at his boss, hoping to get a read on how to react. But the Earl immediately shut that down:
"Mind your own business. Practice!"
He looked back at Grindelwald.
"If it's just a spar, I admit I'm no match. But if we go all out, you might not come out the winner either."
Grindelwald pursed his lips and muttered, "Little monster." He didn't argue further, and instead turned toward a corner of the room, picking up some dumbbells to train with—clearly trying to regain his physical condition. As for who he was doing it for... that was up to personal speculation.
The Earl was about to say, "Otherwise, your lover won't recognize you," but stopped himself when he remembered Vida Rosier was present.
He grinned instead.
"It's fortunate that Vida Rosier is so devoted to you. Otherwise, who could tolerate an old man like you who smells of mothballs?"
Vida Rosier gave a satisfied glance to the Earl, then returned her hawk-like gaze to Ewoyn—as if the slightest flaw in his movements would provoke immediate correction.
Grindelwald stopped paying attention to the conversation and immersed himself in his training.
Meanwhile, the Earl exited the ballroom and ran into a waiting servant.
"Earl, a Gringotts banker wishes to see you."
"A banker?" The Earl frowned.
"Is it a Goblin named Pucci?"
"Exactly, sir."
"Understood. Escort him to the reception room."
"Yes, Earl."
Pucci was the Goblin banker who had assisted Dana when he exchanged Merlin's vault gold coins for Galleons.
He had also been the first person in the British Wizarding World to hear the name Dark Dentis.
Originally, Dana should've resolved this loose end, but he had forgotten during the flurry of other affairs. Still, even if Pucci spread rumors, the Earl wasn't afraid.
When Pucci was led into the reception room, his mind was already overwhelmed.
He had heard Earl Dantes was wealthy, but he hadn't expected this level of wealth.
He remembered when Dantes first came to him—dressed in worn robes, seemingly ordinary. He'd never guessed the man was an Earl who possessed riches comparable to all of Gringotts combined.
When one places a mental filter on another, even illogical things are reinterpreted into believable narratives.
Now, Pucci fully believed that Earl Dantes must've claimed his title and inheritance through a victorious family struggle. His humble appearance back then? Surely the most dangerous moment of that struggle!
In fact, the 25,000 Galleons he'd exchanged for Dantes probably played a decisive role in that battle for control!
The golden doors to the reception room opened. The Earl was seated, smiling gently at the entrance.
"Indeed, Mr. Pucci. Long time no see."
Seeing the handsome young man smiling at him, Pucci suddenly became cautious and respectful.
But when he recalled the unimaginable fortune the Earl commanded, he quickly regained composure and boldly stepped in.
"Earl! When we first met, I knew you were no ordinary wizard. But I never imagined you were a true Earl with a fortune rivaling a kingdom's. When I saw your name in the news, I thought it must've been someone else!"
"Please sit, Mr. Pucci," the Earl gestured. Once the servant had exited and the door closed, he continued,
"What brings you to me this time?"
Pucci's expression turned grave.
"Earl, because you refused Gringotts' request to establish a branch in Merlin City—and your bank offers interest to wizard depositors—our customers have been withdrawing Galleons en masse. The elders are panicking... and have decided to eliminate you!"
The Earl showed no surprise. Goblins were inherently greedy. When their market share was being devoured, retaliating was predictable.
"But Mr. Pucci, you're a Gringotts banker. Why are you warning me?"
Pucci grinned awkwardly.
"Because we're friends! I couldn't sit by and let my dearest friend fall victim to those short-sighted fools."
The Earl didn't change expression.
"Tell me the real reason."
"Alright, Earl," Pucci said with a sheepish smile.
"In truth, I believe Gringotts has no way to compete with the Merlin City Central Bank. One charges to store money, the other pays interest—it's obvious which anyone would choose.
The elders plotting against you is like throwing an egg at a rock. Even if they somehow... say, ambush you, what awaits them is annihilation by your forces.
So Gringotts is finished. It's just a matter of time. I came here to align myself with you... before the inevitable."
Ah, a Goblin turncoat. Surrendering before the battle had even begun.
"Of course, I've heard the rumors," Pucci added with a grin.
"They say the Earl treats his people well. And with my talents, I'm sure I'll be... highly valued?"
Highly valued? The Earl thought. Who dares trust a traitor?
But he smiled and said warmly:
"I'm very glad to hear that, Pucci, my good friend! I will indeed reward you generously—but for now, I want you to remain in Gringotts and become... my informant."
Pucci froze. He hadn't expected that.
Be an undercover agent? That sounded terrifying. He was sure his acting skills weren't good enough and he'd be discovered instantly.
But then his gaze fell on the pouch of gold on the table. 500 Galleons.
Suddenly, it all made sense.
Who said he couldn't act? Pucci was a natural-born performer!
"I will not disappoint you, Your Excellency the Earl!"
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