Chapter 22: Diverting the Conflict

"What kind of trouble could we possibly have gotten into?" Tom asked, looking puzzled.

"Tom, it’s not unusual for criminals to operate in organized groups... and besides, it’s truly impossible for a simple human-trafficking den to accumulate such a vast amount of wealth," Lived explained.

"Are you saying that the traffickers' den was just a part of a crime syndicate, and the gold we took was funds that the organization had stashed there?" Tom began to understand.

"If that were the only issue, it wouldn't be the worst of it," Lived said, frowning. "Think about it: wouldn't the person in charge of such a large sum of money be someone very important within their organization? And we scared that person—someone likely vital to them—into insanity..."

"This is my fault... I should have thought of that sooner. I should have done a cleaner job!" Lived looked vexed.

Tom couldn't help but nod. "When you put it that way, we really have forged a deep enmity with them."

He then shook his head, saying, "But what does that matter? How would they even know that we were the ones involved?"

Lived sighed. "Have you forgotten the children we released? If they find those children, they will certainly extract our information from them..."

"Once they have our physical descriptions, they can ask passersby and eventually track down where we came from..."

"A crime syndicate capable of amassing that much wealth surely has the resources to do that."

"Sigh... I shouldn't have said a single word to those kidnapped children... No, I shouldn't have even let them see me at all!"

This was Lived's first time playing the game of thieves robbing thieves, and he was indeed inexperienced.

Tom said dismissively, "No matter how powerful they are, they’re just Muggles. We’re wizards. Are you honestly afraid of Muggles coming to cause trouble?"

In Tom's eyes, these Muggles, who couldn't even withstand a single "basic attack" from him, posed no threat, no matter how many came. He didn't understand why Lived and Dumbledore both considered this a serious matter.

"Tom, we might not be afraid, but what about Mrs. Cole and the others? What about the other children at Wool's Orphanage? Those people will find their way there sooner or later. Think about it: if they show up and can't find us, what will happen?" Lived stared intensely at Tom. "This is our mistake; we can't just be indifferent to their lives and let them bear the consequences for us."

Tom was speechless for a moment. In truth, he really wanted to nod and say he didn't care at all about the lives of the others in the orphanage.

However, as his inner state had subtly shifted, a flicker of light had been ignited within Tom's cold heart by Lived, and in the end, he found he couldn't utter such heartless words.

"Then... then we just need to get ahead of them and capture all these guys, right?" Tom mumbled after a long silence.

Lived quickly dismissed the idea. "Even if we have the ability to bring them to justice, we can't pinpoint exactly who these people are."

"If even one of them slips through the net, the future repercussions would be endless."

"Besides, even if we sent them to prison, they have so much money that they would certainly be able to reduce their sentences to the absolute minimum."

"Once they’re released after serving their time... do you think they won't come back for double the revenge?"

Tom snorted coldly, "Then we’ll just kill them all!"

"That's not a good way to think, Tom. We can't just kill everyone who offends us!"

As Lived said this, he glanced discreetly at Dumbledore.

Although he secretly agreed that killing them all would be best, given that every one of them had blood on their hands, how could he say such a thing in front of Dumbledore? Wouldn't that invite Dumbledore's suspicion?

*You silly boy, Tom! You're still too young!*

By now, Dumbledore had been quietly observing their conversation for quite some time.

In his view, both Lived and Tom were exceptionally intelligent and resolute children. Yet, they seemed to possess diametrically opposed personalities. The kind-hearted Lived and the cold-hearted Tom...

Dumbledore was most concerned about Tom; he knew the boy's nature well. He could not predict what kind of terrifying person such a cold, ruthless child with a craving for power would become when he grew up.

But now, Dumbledore was pleased to discover that under Lived’s influence, a glimmer of humanity had begun to shine within the lonely and aloof Tom!

This discovery filled Dumbledore with joy and gave him great hope for Lived. He hoped that Lived’s presence would help steer Tom back onto the right path.

And even in the worst-case scenario—if Tom were to lose control one day—Dumbledore was certain that Lived would be able to restrain him.

Lived, unaware of Dumbledore's thoughts, was internally calculating how to resolve the massive mess he had stirred up.

"Professor... do you have any way to ensure the safety of the others at Wool's Orphanage?" Lived turned and asked Dumbledore.

He trusted that since Dumbledore had arrived, he must have a solution. Dumbledore was, after all, a man who always planned before he acted.

"We simply need to shift the focus of the conflict," Dumbledore replied, not failing Lived's expectations.

"You told those rescued children that the traffickers were captured by the adults in your family, didn't you?"

"That's right. There were only the two of us, and it was hard to explain... so I just casually said that the adults in my family subdued the criminals," Lived nodded.

"Hmm... that's perfect. Since you told the children that, they will certainly pass that information along," Dumbledore said smoothly. "In this orphanage, what adult would have the capability to easily subdue such vicious traffickers? It couldn't have been Mrs. Cole, could it?"

Lived suddenly realized: "So, as long as we have no connection to the orphanage from start to finish, they will never suspect the orphanage, because the orphanage lacks the capability..."

"They will only suspect that we belong to another criminal organization that plays the game of 'thieves robbing thieves,' and any clues leading back to the orphanage must be false trails."

"As long as we fabricate some traces of this 'fake' organization for them to find, it will divert their attention, and the orphanage will be safe."

"Exactly. That is the logic," Dumbledore said, smiling and clapping his hands.

Tom frowned. "But we are from the orphanage... how can we possibly erase our traces from the orphanage entirely?"

"Leave that to me, Tom," Dumbledore smiled. "We are wizards, aren't we? The wonder of magic lies in its ability to easily turn the mundane into the miraculous..."

Lived suddenly thought of something. "Professor, once our traces at the orphanage are completely erased... will Mrs. Cole and the others forget us entirely?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I am sorry, Lived. I have to do this. Of course, if you are not willing, I can think of another way."

Before Lived could speak, Tom waved his hand repeatedly. "I don't know what Lived thinks, but I don't mind at all. Anyway... in Mrs. Cole's eyes, I was always just a nuisance... a blight. If she forgets me, that’s actually a good thing for them..."

Dumbledore looked at Tom deeply, then turned to Lived.

"I have no objections either. Even if she forgets me, I won't forget the kindness she showed me..." Lived was equally decisive.

In reality, Lived had been in this world for less than a month. While he was indeed grateful to Mrs. Cole for keeping him off the streets, it would be hypocritical to claim he felt a deep attachment to the place.

"Very well, then that is what we shall do. Pack your things now. Someone will come to collect you at daybreak... I, too, must go and make some preparations."