https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1699-A-War-Without-Victors-One-Hundred-and-Forty-Nine-/12628250/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1701-A-War-Without-a-Victor-Part-151-/12938239/
Chapter 1700: A War Without Victors (One Hundred and Fifty)
Chapter 1700: A War Without Victors (One Hundred and Fifty)
Sana feigned ignorance and walked alongside Albert.
He didn't mind and casually brought up another topic. "Is anyone willing to stay and help manage the village?"
"I've asked around, and Truman doesn't want to go back to the Ministry of Magic. He said he could stay and help," Sana knew what Albert was getting at and continued, "And you shouldn't expect to solve all the problems at once. No one has any experience in farming or animal husbandry."
"We need to start somewhere, or there won't be any progress," Albert said, knowing that if he couldn't rely on himself, there was little point in depending on others.
"You should have faith in them."
"I trusted them too much," Albert shook his head. "If I don't plan this properly before I leave, Avalon will change when I return."
Even if you do, it won't make a difference. Sana wanted to say, but she held her tongue.
She had seen Avalon's plans and knew what Albert intended, but was it truly feasible?
The gap between dreams and reality was something they were both keenly aware of.
"I will place a beautiful future before them," Albert said with a slight curve of his lips. "Like a carrot dangling before a donkey."
"That's a terrible analogy," Sana mumbled.
"Whether they choose to pursue that kind of life is up to them."
"If they don't care about their own village, then what more can I say? They built Avalon with their own hands, and they should be the ones to decide its future."
"So, do you really intend to pay them wages out of your own pocket in the initial stages?" Sana suddenly changed the subject.
"How is that possible? Even if I don't need money, I don't have that much," Albert shrugged at Sana's astonished look. "If Avalon develops as I expect it to, the village will eventually have its own industries and be self-sufficient for its residents."
"Industries?"
"I never lack for skills," Albert said matter-of-factly.
Sana fell silent, understanding Albert's implication.
If the residents of Avalon chose to forge their own path, he would step aside.
"A carrot before the donkey, indeed," Sana said, fixing Albert with a stare. "But I'm more curious as to why you're doing all this."
She didn't think it was out of some noble sense of righteousness.
"Perhaps it's because I already have everything I want, and I no longer have any grand aspirations in life," Albert replied.
While these words might sound arrogant, they were true for him at this point.
Sana's expression was one of astonishment, but she soon understood.
"If I don't do these things, no one else will," Albert continued. "Of course, I also dislike spending too much time on things I don't enjoy. That's why I handed over the highly profitable joke shop to Fred and George, the radio station to Lee Jordan, the magazine publishing house to Sirius Black, and now, this grand utopian experiment of Avalon to you. This way, I can give them a helping hand and they can make some money for me."
"Make money?" Sana found it hard to believe Albert wouldn't lose money instead.
"Of course, we might not make as much as we imagine, considering I'm not exactly strapped for cash, nor am I a bloodsucking, bone-piercing capitalist from the Muggle world."
In his previous life, they would have called him an angel investor.
Investors naturally expect a return on their investments.
For Albert, the greatest return on this investment was never about galleons, but about gaining a group of loyal followers.
With this, he wouldn't have to worry about encountering the same troubles as Dumbledore.
Dumbledore had faced so many unpleasant situations because he had no one to rely on.
Once Albert gained control of a portion of the economy and politics, he would essentially control one pole of the Ministry of Magic. Then, even if others disliked him, they would have to pretend to be nice to him.
Although Albert didn't like such things, he knew they were necessary. Otherwise, he would have had a hard time resolving the gossip incident, even with his system.
Of course, the main reason Albert was willing to do this was that he had a cheat.
In the words of his past life: "When you attain success, help others along the way."
Perhaps he couldn't help the whole world, but he could certainly help his friends.
"I see!"
Sana nodded, obviously not fully believing him, but it didn't matter if only part of what Albert said was true, or if he had only told part of the truth.
He had painted a grand vision for everyone, and for now, they were all buying into it!
That was enough.
"It's really enviable!"
Sana murmured as she watched Albert's departing figure.
Albert turned back and asked, "What's so enviable?"
"I'm envious of you!"
Sana quickened her pace and walked alongside Albert.
"If possible, I think everyone wants to be like you."
Albert didn't respond to this and instead looked at the wall that was constantly being stacked with bricks. Turning to Sana beside him, he asked, "Why are you building the bar in advance?"
"I guess it's because everyone wants to spend their first Christmas here." Sana looked at the rapidly forming bar and smiled as she spoke to Albert, "You'll be celebrating Christmas with us, won't you?"
"I might not be able to stay long." Albert spoke the truth.
"Why don't you bring Isabelle along for the Christmas dinner?" Sana couldn't help but suggest, "I think..."
She seemed about to say something but closed her mouth again.
"I'll have to ask for her opinion on that."
Albert didn't want to force Isabelle, but she would most likely come with him for the Christmas dinner since she was his wife.
However, Albert believed that Isabelle would rather spend Christmas with her family, and even with the time-turner, he still felt it was a bad idea.
"I think that's a great idea, too." Hermione suddenly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
"How did you get here?" Albert asked in surprise.
"Dobby brought me here." Hermione seemed to think of something and suddenly said, "Are you guys overworking Dobby? I feel like he's always busy with one thing or another."
"I'm not sure about that." Albert shook his head. "But I think he's just helping out with the meals."
"If Dobby is too busy, you can consider hiring other house-elves to help." Hermione suggested.
"That's not so easy. There aren't many free house-elves in the entire British wizarding world."
Albert had actually been looking for free house-elves, as they were the best choice to maintain the operations of Avalon. Unfortunately, there just weren't enough free house-elves...
"Wait, are you talking about Dobby? Did he agree?"
(End of Chapter)
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