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Chapter 1692: A War with No Victors (One Hundred and Forty-Two)
Chapter 1692: A War with No Victors (One Hundred and Forty-Two)
"But..."
While Cedric was inclined to believe Albert's words, he felt that it might not be enough to convince Kingsley.
As if sensing Cedric's dilemma, Albert smiled and asked, "Oh, do you have any doubts?"
"You know this is never just a personal matter for me," Cedric reminded Albert directly, suggesting that it would be best to come up with a more convincing explanation for Kingsley.
"The knowledge of Horcruxes is not some hidden secret among Dark Wizards. Take Voldemort, for instance. His fear of death would drive him to seek immortality, so it's not surprising that someone unearthed the method of creating Horcruxes from ancient texts."
Albert turned to a bewildered Cedric and calmly shared what he knew as gossip within the wizarding world.
"Don't you find it odd? Since Horcruxes offer immortality and Dark Wizards know of their existence, why is it that we rarely hear any news related to Horcruxes? And why is Voldemort the only Dark Wizard we know of who has returned to life through their use?"
"Is it because the process of creating Horcruxes is incredibly difficult and requires a high level of skill in the Dark Arts?" Cedric asked tentatively.
"Creating Horcruxes is challenging, yes," Albert replied, "but that's not the main reason, and it doesn't stop humans from pursuing eternal life."
A malicious smile appeared on Albert's face as he continued, "Many powerful Dark Wizards, despite knowing that Horcruxes can prolong their existence, choose never to create them."
"Because Horcruxes have terrible side effects," Cedric guessed immediately. "It's a trap in itself?"
"Exactly," Albert said, spreading his hands. "Voldemort may have returned multiple times due to his numerous Horcruxes, but in all of wizarding history, he's the only one who has achieved this feat."
"Most Dark Wizards would likely perish immediately due to the instability of their souls caused by the act of splitting them!" Albert added with a cold laugh. "And even if they somehow created a Horcrux, they wouldn't be able to cheat death repeatedly like Voldemort, I assure you."
"Is that so?"
Cedric was stunned and asked foolishly.
"Can you perform wandless magic?" Albert asked, his smile not reaching his eyes.
"Me? No," Cedric retorted. "Those who can skillfully perform wandless magic are rare, probably counting less than a handful in all of Hogwarts."
"Then, how many wizards in the world do you think are proficient in wandless magic?" Albert probed further.
"Probably not many," Cedric said, suddenly understanding the implication of Albert's words.
"A group of wizards who haven't even mastered wandless magic," Albert said. "How many of them do you think could, like Voldemort, harness a minuscule amount of magic when they've lost their bodies and wands?"
"A very small number, I presume," Cedric said, showing his growing trust in Albert's argument.
"I don't possess that ability," Albert said suddenly. "Do you know what that means?"
Cedric swallowed, feeling a chill run down his spine. "What does it imply?"
"The price of immortality—trapped between life and death."
The smile on Albert's face was devoid of kindness, sending a shiver down Cedric's spine.
"That's truly terrifying," Cedric muttered.
"You could say it's one of the cruelest punishments imaginable," Albert whispered.
Cedric was very curious about this. "How do you know all this?"
Albert deftly passed the question onto the late headmaster. "For that, you'd have to ask Dumbledore or consult the ancient literature he so adored."
"When a person fractures their soul, it becomes fragmented and incomplete—a condition known as a 'fractured soul'. The existence of a Horcrux ensures that the wizard is forever denied a complete soul after death, preventing them from finding peace in the afterlife."
"In fact, a wizard with an incomplete soul, merely a fragment, is in a state worse off than even the lowliest of ghosts. They are but a shell, barely existing."
"That's a horrifying existence," Cedric remarked.
"Indeed. Some people embrace death and move on, while others return as ghosts. But those madmen who create Horcruxes, even if their Horcruxes are destroyed and they are slain, can never find true peace. They are forever trapped between life and death, suffering eternal torment, beyond anyone's help."
Cedric couldn't help but swallow hard, finally grasping the true insidiousness of Horcruxes.
No wonder Professor McGonagall and Albert hadn't been overly worried about this information becoming public. Sometimes, the more you tried to hide something, the more it intrigued people.
Often, it was better to lay all the cards on the table. Once a batch of stubborn fools met their end, people would realize that Horcruxes were nothing but a path to damnation.
"Moreover!" Albert added, with a significant tone. "How many wizards in this world possess the knowledge to resurrect someone?"
Even with assistance, it was almost unthinkable. If it weren't the case, Dumbledore wouldn't be resting in his coffin; he would have returned from the grave.
Cedric's face twitched as he considered that Dumbledore's decision to stay dead was likely a choice the man had made himself.
"So, Horcruxes are but a trap. Unless the person creating them possesses power akin to Voldemort," he concluded, thinking that Kingsley would probably, hopefully, not be overly concerned about this matter after perusing the report.
After all, how many Voldemorts could there be?
Just one.
Okay, fine, one was more than enough.
"As much as I loathe to admit it, we must concede that Voldemort was a genius," Aethelabus whispered.
"You sound a tad too pleased about that," Cedric noted dryly.
Cedric felt exasperated by Albert's lack of discretion, especially as the ghosts floating by had clearly eavesdropped on their conversation.
"To be honest, Voldemort was rather handsome in his youth. From what I've seen in memories of his student days, he was as handsome and popular as you, Cedric. Thus, it's highly likely that his physical degeneration and unstable soul were a result of the soul-splitting process. After he resurrected, he didn't even have a nose left."
Albert's words left Cedric speechless, but he had to concede that Albert was correct—Voldemort had been reduced to little more than a shell of a human being.
"There will always be a few stubborn fools in this world," Albert said meaningfully. "But after that bunch of idiots serve as examples, no one will be foolish enough to tread the same path."
(End of Chapter)
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