The wizard, who was wearing a red vest over a white linen shirt and a black wide-brimmed hat, stood up and took off his hat. "Mr. Allen Harris, I am Alfred Urschel, Minister of the Swiss Ministry of Magic. On behalf of Switzerland, I strongly protest against the Hogwarts' forceful occupation of the Black Forest area from Freiburg to the border between Germany and Switzerland. This practice seriously violates the interests of our country and Germany. It is illegal and invalid!"
A few other small countries, whose neutral zones were currently occupied by the British, also stood up to protest.
"Everyone, the British Ministry of Magic's plan to develop these areas that you can't normally manage. Are there any specific violations or areas that can be criticized?" Allen suddenly raised his voice and suppressed the noise in the hall. He narrowed his eyes slightly and continued, "If there are, please point them out. Otherwise, can I take this as a provocation to our legitimate sovereignty?"
The hall suddenly quieted down. The wizards who were the most active in criticizing the British just now exchanged glances with each other helplessly. None of them wanted to be the first to speak up at this time. Even Alfred Urschel's face was flushed red. He wanted to continue to refute, but he knew that the two sides were not equal in power. The British had seized the opportunity to occupy the nominally unclaimed areas. Although it made sense legally, it was clear that many of these areas were even surrounded by other countries and had nothing to do with the British, let alone the border.
Heinrich clenched his fists in anger. He suppressed his anger at the occupied areas around his country and focused his attention in the direction that was more important to Germany.
"Mr. Harris, let's not talk about the development and ownership of those areas for the time being. But now, the floating city of the Hogwarts is spreading bewitching leaflets all over the German magic world. This is an act of plundering our population!" Heinrich paused and gave up on mentioning the instigation of the British forces behind the previous protests because he knew that he had no evidence and would be counterattacked. "We, the German magic world, request the Hogwarts to immediately stop this instigation and stop the investigation of our wizard immigrants."
This resonated with some of the representatives in the audience. Harris' plan was not only to occupy the undeveloped resources in the neutral areas to deal with the embargo sanctions. They also wanted to plunder the wizard population that was not that big in the first place. Many similar countries had already felt threatened and panicked recently.
"This is the free will of the ordinary wizards in your magic world. We're not plundering the population of any country. We're just helping these miserable wizard refugees under the jurisdiction of the incompetent Ministry of Magic. They can't get enough property security and job opportunities in their own countries. Now, even the basic guarantee of life has become a problem …" Allen calmly replied. "The Hogwarts are only providing humanitarian aid to these refugees. Moreover, the Hogwarts have never forced any wizard to migrate to the floating city, nor have they forced any wizard not to leave the Hogwarts. This is the freedom of the wizards, the right to choose. If you do a good enough job and attract the British wizards to your country, we won't have any objections or obstructions. The loss of population …" Allen said contemptuously. "It only proves that the local Ministry of Magic is not doing a good enough job …"
The wizard representatives in the audience were speechless. Other than having a new understanding of the shamelessness of the British, they also deeply understood that there was no such thing as diplomacy in a weak country. The era where everything could be negotiated was over.
"Representative Harris, although you didn't violate any rules in theory, you've caused a huge uproar. Many wizards from our country have plans to go there. However, I'd like to ask … How are the Hogwarts going to settle so many wizards in Europe in such a short period of time? As we all know, your country's economy was in a slump some time ago. Many companies closed down and wizards lost their jobs … Even if your protection umbrella has money, other than funding, unless you're willing to support them … Otherwise, you still have to provide jobs for the immigrants. In other words, you need to develop new industries …" Bulgaria's Ministry of Magic Chief Obalonsk shook his big black round hat in his hand and questioned from another angle, "Theoretically, I shouldn't interfere with your internal affairs, but this is also related to the other magic circles in Europe. I hope you don't end up sending these wizards back because of the lack of funds … By that time, our countries will have to pay for your mistakes."
"Hmph! What's there to be proud of, Harris? It's not peaceful in their own country either. The magazines in your own country have said that your current policy will affect the job opportunities of the native British wizards …" The United States representative today was no longer the previous Leonard. Instead, it was replaced by a dark-skinned young man. His eyes were dark and big, and he had an unruly look on his face. Compared to the committee members of other countries who lacked exercise all year round, he appeared to be very strong and strong. "Are you guys trying to use the wizards in our country as cheap labor for your protection? So that you can squeeze out the old family businesses in your country that have been working for the United Kingdom for so many years? So that you can monopolize them for profit … "
"The reason why we dare to make such a promise is naturally because we have the confidence to fulfill it." Under the questioning gaze, the corner of Allen's mouth curled up. "In recent years, I've also heard that Harris is using his authority in the Ministry of Magic for personal gain in order to let the protection umbrella monopolize the market. The reason why I didn't respond before was that I thought it was just some ridiculous malicious slander. However, now that this United States representative seems to have also believed in those unscrupulous media reports that have been reporting various rumors for a long time and have been slapped in the face …" As Allen was speaking, he began to reach into his pocket and grabbed something in his fist before raising his hand. "So since the representatives of all countries are here today, I'll take this opportunity to respond."
Then, Allen loosened his fist, and an irregular blood-red crystal stone with streams of light flashing across its surface from time to time appeared in his palm.
This stunned the representatives present. Some of the older wizards quickly took out their glasses and tried to see what this thing that made Allen so confident was. However, many of the wizards were confused by Allen's actions at this time.
Bulgaria's Obalonsk was stunned. "What is that? Is it precious? Why did you take out such a thing? "
"I'm not sure. It seems to be a legendary …" Abakind suddenly gasped. As an Indian, he was obsessed with all kinds of gemstones, but he was really not sure about the one in front of him. "Didn't they say that it has been destroyed?"
“Monoeil！ Is that the Philosopher's Stone?!!! " The French Ministry of Magic's Minister Dati was more familiar with the greatest alchemist born in France, Nico Lemay. Unlike the representatives of other countries, she recognized this thing at a glance and forgot to maintain a dignified image. She leaped from her seat and began to identify the stone in an unladylike manner. "Is it the Philosopher's Stone, or another one?!! Harris, you can make the Philosopher's Stone? "
"To be precise, it was Ms. Loina Ravenclaw and I who made this Philosopher's Stone together." Allen lightly tossed the Philosopher's Stone in his hand. "It's not more difficult than the energy core and the floating city, but the conditions are more demanding. It's worth mentioning that I completed it when I was in my first year. But for the sake of safety, you know what I mean. At that time, Harris was still a small family …"
Heinrich and Obalonsk's nostrils flared in tacit understanding.
Heinrich felt that he was being toyed with by Harris, and the feeling of being unable to fight back made him want to leave at all costs. On the other hand, Obalonsk was filled with jealousy and resentment. He felt like he had been cruelly mocked. It felt like he had punched cotton. He did not know how to face his wife's anger after she lost her family and how to appease the people of his country to stop them from migrating.
The American representative's eyes were filled with malice. Recently, they had been in close contact with some of the pureblood families in England. These families used various occasions and the media they controlled to criticize Harris for profiteering and monopolizing the industry for profiteering. Now, their plan to use this opportunity to attack Harris had failed. He had the Philosopher's Stone, and he had it when he was still in his first year. In the eyes of the ordinary wizards, this kind of criticism was self-defeating. It was just another false accusation that had been exposed and slapped in the face.
Aginbad silently watched these countries suffer. No one cared that Grindelwald was under the supervision of the English Ministry of Magic anymore. Other than the problem of money, what made these people despair was that with the Philosopher's Stone, Family Harris's control of England was not something that could be resolved by the end of their term or the death of their generation. Unlike Nicole Lemour, who had passed away without much ambition and desire, if Family Harris wanted to, they could develop into a powerful family in the next few hundred years.
The French minister looked at Allen with uncertainty. Although she did not have the recipe for the Philosopher's Stone, as a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic, she could more or less know the truth about how Nicole Lemour made the Philosopher's Stone through some secret records. She tried her best to recall her memories. She did not know how to make the Philosopher's Stone.
Even without considering Allen's age, there were no major casualties in the world of magic except for the First War of the Wizarding World nearly 20 years ago. Even if the number of casualties was factored in with the consequences caused by the Unknowns, the demand for the Philosopher's Stone was almost negligible. In recent years, there were no plagues or wars in the world of Muggle that could lead to a situation similar to Nicole Lemour's.
"Madam Dati … Don't worry. Just like what I said on the day I became the headmaster of Hogwarts, I've traveled back in time … And this Philosopher's Stone isn't a product of my own creation … So, Mr. Nico Lemay and I created it in a similar way …" Alan saw through the French minister's fear and used words to mislead her. Satisfied, he looked at the French minister's eyes that were beginning to weaken. Then, he raised his voice and said, "Lastly, it just so happens that I have a small matter to tell everyone. I'll be shooting a short documentary about the current situation of Hogwarts. It will introduce the current situation of the floating city. I hope all of you can watch it when the time comes. Perhaps it will lead to more friendly and closer cooperation between us and improve our relationship that is full of misunderstandings …"
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