#745 - Public trial (asking for monthly ticket recommendation ticket)

"Mr. Wilson!" Umbridge, who had just been reprimanded, suddenly changed her expression. "You should know that's impossible. The Dark Lord died ten years ago at the hands of the Boy Who Lived."

"Oh? If that's the case, why don't you just say his name outright?" Anduin glanced at Umbridge with disdain. "Your behavior speaks volumes, don't you think?"

This book is first published on the entire network by 𝕥𝕨𝕜𝕒𝕟.𝕔𝕠𝕞

"This has nothing to do with whether Vol... the Dark Lord is still alive," Umbridge said stubbornly, her face dark. "In any case, that person cannot still be alive. Please, Mr. Wilson, don't spread alarmist rumors here!"

"Yes, Anduin," Fudge added cautiously. "There must be some misunderstanding. Could it be a case of mistaken identity, or perhaps someone playing a prank?"

Although Fudge's tone was milder than Umbridge's, he also showed a reluctance to accept the truth.

Especially Fudge, who saw the wizarding world as a thriving place and didn't want to stir up any trouble, especially not based on Anduin's word alone.

Although he was inclined to believe Anduin, given the latter's status, which gave him no reason to deceive him, his nature led him to prefer burying his head in the sand, avoiding problems rather than facing them head-on.

Anduin felt contempt for Fudge's attitude. The man was truly unfit for leadership, but keeping him around would clearly be more beneficial to his own plans.

"Don't be so quick to dismiss it. I haven't finished telling you what happened after I encountered Voldemort," Anduin said with a slight smirk. "You're simply worried about how Voldemort's return would affect your positions and lives, aren't you? You don't need to worry about that."

"No matter how eloquently you put it, we won't believe it! The Dark Lord is dead. That's an established fact!" Umbridge was becoming hysterical, completely ignoring Anduin's words.

"In that case, how about we make a bet?" Seeing the old toad continuing to make trouble, Anduin grew annoyed. "If I can prove that Voldemort is still alive, you'll resign from the Ministry of Magic. Deal?"

"You!" Umbridge was taken aback by Anduin's challenge, losing her bluster, but still wearing a defiant expression.

"Anduin, are you really not joking?" Fudge asked, feeling a chill in his heart upon seeing Anduin's certainty.

If Voldemort was truly not dead, he would be in deep trouble. He immediately began to consider how to cover up the matter.

"Indeed," Anduin nodded, then dropped another bombshell. "Because I've already caught Voldemort. He's inside me right now."

"What??!"

Fudge and Umbridge were no longer merely surprised but horrified. They screamed and jumped up from their seats, Umbridge scurrying behind the sofa in terror, frantically reaching for her wand.

"Hey... what are you panicking about?"

Anduin rolled his eyes, speechless at their reaction.

"Y-y-you... you're saying that person is inside you? How could you bring such a dangerous individual into the Ministry of Magic?"

Sudden cold sweat ruined Umbridge's heavy makeup, making her look like an old witch from a fairy tale.

"Ha, you were just adamantly refusing to believe Voldemort was alive. Now you're scared?" Anduin sneered.

"Anduin, explain yourself. What exactly is going on?"

Fudge, in comparison, seemed calmer, but only slightly. He was also sweating nervously.

"Yesterday, I happened to run into Voldemort, and then I casually killed him. Afterward, I discovered that Voldemort's soul was extremely difficult to destroy, so I locked it away. It's that simple."

Anduin shrugged casually. "I told you it wasn't a big deal. You really don't need to be so afraid. That guy can't hurt anyone now."

"That's not a big deal??!"

Fudge stared at Anduin, dumbfounded. He couldn't understand how Anduin could speak of such terrifying things so calmly.

After a moment, Fudge gradually came to his senses. "You're saying... you captured the Dark Lord?"

"Strictly speaking, I captured his soul. His body was already destroyed by me," Anduin said with a helpless shrug.

"Des... destroyed?" Fudge looked at Anduin with horror. The fact that he had captured Voldemort was even more frightening than Voldemort still being alive.

And if what he said was true, he had personally fought Voldemort. How strong was this young man? Not only could he defeat the infamous Dark Lord, but he had even captured him alive?

"Yes, do you want to meet him in person?" Anduin, thinking Fudge didn't believe him, took out the box.

"No, no, no!" Fudge instinctively stopped him. "This, you should keep it yourself."

"As you wish..." After putting the box away, Anduin shrugged helplessly. "Can we sit down and talk calmly now? You really don't need to be so surprised about this little thing."

Calmly? Are you kidding me!

Who could face such a thing calmly?

Fudge spent a long time trying to compose himself before he could relax his stiff legs, but even after sitting down, he was still tense.

"Anduin, you brought this... the Dark Lord here, intending to?" Fudge's mind was still not entirely clear, so he asked somewhat woodenly.

"Well..." Anduin smiled slyly. "Of course, it's to deliver a big gift. How about it? Is the gift surprising enough?"

"Surprising? I think it's more like a fright," Fudge said with a bitter face. "Anduin, stop teasing me. Just tell me what you're thinking, but let me make it clear! I won't help you contain the Dark Lord's soul!"

If you wanted it, I wouldn't give it to you!

Anduin rolled his eyes, then said seriously, "Don't think I'm joking with you. Capturing Voldemort is a great thing for you and the British Ministry of Magic!"

"Think about it. During your term, the former Dark Lord was truly brought to justice. How much good will that do for your reputation?"

"Hmm?"

Hearing Anduin say this, Fudge immediately came to his senses. He had been so frightened by Anduin that his mind had gone blank, but now he realized the true significance of Voldemort's capture.

Was Anduin planning to give him the credit, or at least part of the credit?

Wouldn't that make him a great hero of the Ministry of Magic, even the entire British wizarding world?

The more Fudge thought about it, the brighter his eyes became!

The peaceful wizarding world was being spied on by the Dark Lord, who had not completely died and was brewing other plots in the shadows.

But at this critical moment, the Minister of Magic, Fudge... no, it should be Anduin.

Mr. Wilson of Silver Flash Trading Company noticed the Dark Lord's scheme, and then, under the wise leadership of Minister Fudge, the British Ministry of Magic and Silver Flash Trading Company joined forces to defeat the Dark Lord and imprison his soul!

In just a moment, Fudge had concocted a logical publicity plan in his mind.

Speaking of which, Fudge, as Minister of Magic, was second to none in his ability to put on a show. Perhaps he should have become the editor-in-chief of The Daily Prophet instead of holding public office.

"If I can accumulate such achievements during my term, I might be listed among the top ten Ministers of Magic in history! Like Minister Bardell!" The more Fudge thought about it, the more excited he became, even smiling.

"Anduin... you're simply my, no, the Ministry of Magic's lucky star!"

Fudge had completely changed his previous panicked expression, leaning close to Anduin with a grin, looking at him with a flattering expression, even grabbing Anduin's arm as if he were afraid the god of wealth would fly away if he let go.

Look at your pathetic appearance!

Anduin uncomfortably pulled his hand out of Fudge's grasp. He really couldn't stand Fudge's face. An old man in his fifties was grabbing his hand. Anyone who didn't know better would think their relationship was abnormal.

"This is all I should do, Minister Fudge. Please calm down," Anduin said sternly. "The process of capturing Voldemort can be whatever you make it, but don't forget to promote Silver Flash Trading Company. You should know what I mean."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Fudge nodded repeatedly. "Of course, Anduin, you played the biggest role in this, and the tactical equipment from Silver Flash Trading Company also played a key role."

"Hmm!" Anduin nodded in satisfaction. He liked this about Fudge. As long as it benefited him, he would praise it to the skies. Anduin himself didn't have the nerve to be as shameless as Fudge.

"Also, inform the other department heads in the Ministry about this first, and show me a specific plan. If there are no problems, hold a public trial as soon as possible, the bigger the better. I want the whole world to know about Voldemort's capture!" Anduin said with a cold smile.

"No problem!" Fudge nodded knowingly. "It just so happens that the Magical Communications Network is opening soon. Many foreign reporters and officials will be there. We can ask them to attend the ceremony."

After saying that, Fudge's eyes darted around, and he immediately thought, "I'll discuss it with the department heads later to see if we can hold the public trial tomorrow or the day after, so we can use it to build momentum for the opening ceremony in three days!"

"No problem, you can decide these things." Anduin nodded in satisfaction. It had to be said that Fudge was surprisingly efficient in some ways. Arranging a public trial on short notice was no easy task.

After settling the plan, Anduin didn't waste any more time with Fudge. He really couldn't stand the old man. What was with the random touching?

After Anduin left, Fudge immediately jumped up excitedly. Although the news Anduin had brought him today was frightening, it was a real surprise!

"Congratulations, Minister!" Umbridge had also changed her tune. "The achievement of capturing the Dark Lord will surely push your reputation to its peak!"

"Hmph!"

If Umbridge hadn't spoken, it would have been fine, but as soon as she spoke, Fudge glared at her with dissatisfaction. "You almost killed me today, being so rude in front of Anduin. What if he misunderstood and thought I told you to say that?"

"I... I just couldn't stand his behavior," Umbridge muttered aggrievedly. "You're the Minister of Magic, and he's just a businessman, but he's always ordering us around, making us look like his subordinates."

Subordinates? He's my dad! My real dad!

Fudge cursed inwardly, then looked at her coldly. "Anduin isn't an ordinary businessman. Have you ever seen a businessman who can catch the Dark Lord at will? Or a businessman who can walk all over the wizarding world without fear?"

"Let me tell you the truth, I wouldn't have become the Minister of Magic if Anduin hadn't agreed! I don't dare to keep you by my side if you offend him now. From tomorrow, you'll report to the mailroom."

"Minister!" Umbridge cried, desperately begging for mercy. She hadn't expected a casual remark to cause so much trouble.

But Fudge ignored Umbridge. In his eyes, Anduin's label had changed from 'god of wealth' to 'daddy'.

After sending Umbridge away, Fudge immediately convened an emergency meeting with a group of department heads.

When the department heads heard about Voldemort, their reactions were similar to Fudge's at first, with expressions of surprise and disbelief.

It wasn't until they confirmed the matter with Anduin and Dumbledore through remote communication that they finally accepted the truth. They really hadn't expected that the shadow that had once loomed over the entire British wizarding world had not only not died but had even been imprisoned.

Then everyone immediately realized the significance of this matter to the Ministry of Magic. This was the Dark Lord! To put him on public trial in front of everyone, what an honor!

Thinking of this, the department heads quickly took action under Fudge's command, giving the green light to the public trial.

Finally, everyone unanimously decided to hold the public trial tomorrow!

Although this was a major event, it could easily lead to complications, so everyone agreed that the sooner, the better.

The next thing they had to do was to convey this order without reservation, notifying all the families, celebrities, and reporters they could reach.

Of course, in order not to cause panic and to prevent the hidden Death Eaters from causing any trouble, they did not directly state the specific content of the public trial, but simply summoned the people first.

Even so, the security pressure at that time would be very heavy. For this reason, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes were almost fully mobilized, striving to make the public trial foolproof.

First release latest.