#435 - Trap (asking for monthly ticket recommendation ticket)
“After Thunderbird caused such a big disaster, is there still a possibility of establishing a British branch? Now the British Ministry of Magic has started monitoring Portkeys throughout the country. I don't think Thunderbird has any chance of returning to Britain.” Asselia sighed helplessly.
“That's what I'm here for this time. As long as that troublesome Anduin is dealt with, cutting off the Ministry of Magic's source of equipment, the construction progress of the British branch can keep up!” Thunderbird said, then, remembering the young wizard who humiliated him, couldn't help but snort.
“Is that the young man you mentioned to me before?” Sphinx interjected at this time, “Since you returned to headquarters, you have been unwilling to mention what happened in Britain. Could he be the culprit who caused your mission to fail?”
“It's none of your business. I came to Egypt this time to deal with personal matters. After meeting today, don't come looking for me again, and there's no need to contact me.” Thunderbird's attitude towards Sphinx wasn't as bad as it was towards Asselia, but he still didn't give him much face.
“But I have to find out what happened at the time. This is also being responsible to headquarters. Although headquarters didn't pursue your failure, the loss of those goods and partners, although heavy, will only take us more time. But my infiltration team is trapped in Britain. You have to give me an explanation. That's four Silver Spears, enough to support two branches.” Although Sphinx's attitude was gentle, his tone still revealed firmness.
“I don't know how your infiltration team disappeared. I only know that it might be related to Newt Scamander. As for the initial operation…” Thunderbird was obviously unwilling to talk about his embarrassing experience, then turned to look at Asselia, “Did you find out how they found me? Why could they find the delivery location so accurately?”
“I didn't know at the time, but afterwards, Anduin sold a tactical map to the Ministry of Magic that could display terrain and people over a very large area. I suspect your exposure is related to that item.” Asselia responded according to the script Anduin had arranged for her.
“It's that Anduin again. If this guy isn't eliminated, he'll be a constant threat.” Thunderbird was furious when he learned that Anduin might have been the reason for the last failed operation.
“It seems the reason for your previous failure lies with that young man.” Sphinx didn't really know what had happened at the time. The Spears had a high status in the club. If he didn't want to talk about it, there was no way to force him, but he still speculated from Thunderbird's words. →
“But according to what you said, that Anduin can be considered a genius in alchemy. I've seen the list of award winners at this year's Alchemy Conference. He won the Gold Award for Pioneering Contribution, and his winning age is even younger than Dumbledore's back then. He can be considered the youngest winner in history. Wouldn't it be a waste to eliminate such a talent directly? Is there no possibility of absorbing him?” Sphinx muttered regretfully.
“Hmph, he's not just about alchemy.” Thunderbird snorted coldly, then said indignantly, “Do you think I haven't tried to recruit him? That guy is impervious to persuasion, doesn't take me seriously at all, and is a little bastard who likes to use unorthodox methods.”
“Unorthodox methods?”
You're just bad-tempered. It would be a miracle if anyone agreed to be personally recruited, Sphinx thought to himself, then was startled. Could that young man named Anduin have faced Thunderbird head-on? Being able to survive under Thunderbird might prove that his strength isn't bad…
After Sphinx muttered to himself, he looked at Thunderbird again, “So you came to Egypt this time to deal with that Anduin. Do you need my help? You don't want me to join forces with you, do you?”
“My affairs naturally have to be resolved by myself, and based on your strength? Hmph!” Thunderbird snorted with a hint of sarcasm, “The British Ministry of Magic is very cautious about people flowing in from abroad. I've been waiting a long time for Anduin to have the opportunity to go abroad.”
Thunderbird looked at Sphinx specifically when he said this, “I need you to help me distract the people around him, and it would be best to hold up the Egyptian Ministry of Magic for a while so that I have plenty of opportunities to act.”
“And you.” Thunderbird looked at Asselia uncertainly, “I hope you can find a way to lure Anduin out. Although I'm not sure you have that ability, if you can't do it, I'll have to find an opportunity to strike myself.”
“You want me to create an opportunity for you to face him alone? Do you want to have a one-on-one duel with him?” Asselia really couldn't figure out what Thunderbird was thinking.
“I still have a lot of scores to settle with him. Last time he ambushed me with dirty tricks. This time I'll teach him what a real duel is.” Thunderbird said, raising his arrogant head again, “Can you do it?”
“It's possible. After Anduin entered Egypt, he often inquired about whether anyone was selling local rare materials. I can tell him that I've contacted a black market merchant for him and lure him out. But I don't know much about the local situation in Egypt. Are there any places here that are hidden enough?” Asselia looked at Sphinx next to her.
“The Ebushawi Mountains in the suburbs of Cairo are very quiet at night, and it used to be a black market trading location. I can also give you a real black market invitation.” Sphinx said, taking out a letter from his pocket and handing it to Asselia.
Then Sphinx looked at Thunderbird again, “The Alchemy Research Center will hold a banquet the day after tomorrow, inviting wizards above the rank of Minister from various countries' Ministries of Magic, and most of the Egyptian Ministry of Magic's armed forces will be deployed at the scene. No one will interfere with you then.”
“Are you sure that banquet won't invite Anduin? He's also going to attend a banquet tomorrow.” Asselia asked in confusion.
“No.” Sphinx shook his head decisively, “Tomorrow's banquet is a formal banquet. In addition to the ministers, there are also alchemy masters from various countries. The banquet the day after tomorrow is specifically for high-level officials of the Ministry of Magic, discussing international wizarding trade agreements.”
“That's good.” Thunderbird grinned when he heard this, then looked at Asselia, “If you can really help this time, maybe I'll be impressed. Remember, 10 PM the day after tomorrow, I want to see that brat there.”
“No problem. With this invitation as bait, I'm confident I can get him to come out.” Asselia responded with confidence.
