Ian's eyes were bloodshot as he stood guard in the highest circle of Aura in the hall. His fingernails dug deep into his palms. He was only a guard, not a councilman. He was forbidden to make a sound in such an occasion, let alone express his thoughts as they did. He had just returned to the country not long ago, so he felt as if something was stuck in his throat, heart, and chest.
Ian knew that he had been used by the missing Anton Fusch. He had been possessed and participated in the attack. Although he had come to his senses at the last moment, he had still caused the deaths of many people. He had even caused his own sister, Jessica, to be almost disfigured.
In the end, due to his personal relationship with Allen, Ian was not held accountable and received more protection. In the United States, in order to keep the operation a secret, even the Radicals themselves did not know about the arrangements of the attack. In addition, his name was not on the list, so no control measures were taken …
Even his uncle, Leonard, who had warned him before, did not blame him after he came back. Instead, he comforted him. However, in the face of the current situation, he was not blamed by anyone. The Ian could not get over it. Harris was going to start a war with the United States. The country was going to suffer such a calamity because of the Radicals' previous actions …
"I'm on the British's list too! I can kiss the Dementors for the sake of our American wizard citizens … But I have to remind you that Harris' appetite is not that small! Their goal is not to take our insignificant lives. I'm afraid that other than handing Ambrose over, Iffamoni will eventually be handed over as well! " Donald, the Radical, stood up. He straightened his thick neck, stretched out his index finger, and snorted coldly. "I heard that the Hogwarts have prepared three chains. Other than Boothbarton and Demstrand who are tied up, there's still one free now!"
After Donald brought up the matter of Elphamoni, the Conservatives and Neutrals who originally had the upper hand did not say anything. No one wanted to become a sinner in the history of American magic and be nailed to the pillar of shame in history and criticized forever.
At this time, Leonard, who had been silent all this while, glanced at Ebbosta who was still in a daze. He tugged at his bow tie, stood up, and said in a loud voice, "Everyone, I think I have something to say."
The councilmen looked at Leonard, who stood up. Although he gave the impression that he was not to be trifled with in the Ministry of Magic and was famous for his duels when he was young, his political views were indeed conservative. He had always shown that he was close to Harris. Now that he stood up to speak, it was most likely that he wanted to persuade everyone to surrender.
"Everyone, I have to admit that in the face of the United Kingdom … or the current Magic Kingdom's request, I don't think we can boast to our American wizard citizens and tell them … tell them that we have enough strength to defend all of this …" Leonard said with a guilty expression.
The councilmen below the stage nodded in understanding. This was also the most practical problem now. Although Germany had never recovered due to the problem of the first The Dark Lord, the rapid defeat of Bulgaria this time, in fact, it could be said that there was basically no resistance at all. Even though the United States had been thriving since the Salem Witch Trial and had always been considered a powerful country in the magic world due to its vast land, in the face of the Hogwarts that had begun to have a regular army, these councilmen who were still clear-headed were not as blind as those hot-blooded civilians outside who shouted that the United States was invincible.
"However, I have to remind everyone that this is something that we have to see … or rather, face up to. Our Iffamoni, a magic school won't be able to satisfy their appetite. This is my understanding of that Director Owen … You should know that he came from our Iffamoni's founder, Aesop Seale's terrifying aunt, Gormley Gunter. Gunter's academy, the most ambitious Slytherin Academy. " Leonard frowned and looked around at the wizards in the conference hall who were shocked by his sudden change of topic. "In fact, no matter what kind of compromise we make … Even if we hand over the annoying Councilman Donald and his people, even if we hand over our alma mater that was founded in the 17th century on top of Mount Greylock in Massachusetts … They won't give up their intention to occupy the entire United States … So now that we're talking about responsibility, what we should do is to do our best to defend our hometown."
A relatively young conservative next to Ebosta questioned in a low voice in annoyance, "Leonard, are you under a spell or something? Let alone France, the United Kingdom didn't even occupy Bulgaria. They let them go just because they wanted a school. Why would they spend so much effort to occupy us? I think they only occupied Germany because those Harris people wanted their hometown back … "
"Neville, I don't think you haven't thought of this. It's precisely because they didn't occupy France that it proves that their target is the United States … If they occupy France, they won't be able to continue their aggression with the same reason … The other countries in the world won't let the United Kingdom continue to occupy them with this endless attack … So they chose a smarter way. Other than giving up on France, they also gave Bulgaria to their current 'friends' in exchange for support for our actions …" Leonard said calmly, but he raised his voice slightly. "The situation in the United States is different from France. Our territory is much larger than Germany and France, and our resources are unique and abundant … This is also the reason why the United Kingdom is so determined to get us … As long as they occupy our apprentices, they can basically be self-sufficient in the future. The economic sanctions imposed on the United Kingdom previously will not work, and that kind of situation will naturally not happen again in the future …"
This made the wizards present fall silent. As far as Leonard's words were concerned, as politicians, such an idea had indeed flashed through their minds. However, in the face of this cruel reality, most of them were just like when Lord Voldemort returned in the past. Even with Dumbledore's confirmation, they were still deceiving themselves and unwilling to believe it.
Now, Leonard had bluntly pointed it out, and he had unreservedly analyzed the reason in front of them.
The neutrals who were inclined to hand over the apprentices began to whisper to each other and discuss Leonard's words. The conservatives did not speak, but the horror in their eyes still proved that their views were shaken.
Since the United Kingdom was eyeing the territory of the United States and wanted material resources, it meant that everyone present had no other choice but to fight. Otherwise, not only would they lose everything, even the United States' magic world itself would not exist.
The radical wizards, who had previously been attacked by the conservatives and neutrals, felt that they had made the wrong decision and wanted to sacrifice themselves to satisfy the United Kingdom's demands, but now, their faces were filled with confidence. They now felt that their purpose was good. Even if their methods were a little rash, their attitude toward the United Kingdom had always been correct.
"We need to be clear that the United Kingdom's magic world is now the most powerful in the world. There is no need to argue and we need to face it head-on, especially after it annexed Germany … We must realize that we will have to survive under the threat of the United Kingdom's invasion … Even if we can't get much help from the international community, even if we have to pay a heavy price to end the resistance, no matter what, we have to fight for it. Otherwise, the United States will not exist in the future. It will become part of the new crown of Mr. Allen Harris." Leonard's tone was heavy but serious. He turned to the rostrum, "Mr. Piquelli, I hope that the Congress can immediately mobilize … Try to unite with those small countries that did not gain any benefits after the attack on the dueling arena in Greece … Contact those countries that have had conflicts with the United Kingdom before … Even those fairies who have been severely hit by the wizard banking industry … Try your best to form an alliance that will help each other like brothers and sisters."
"Leonard, don't forget that we have also opened our own bank that belongs to the wizards. Those fairies …" Donald said loudly. In fact, the radical faction had taken control of the new banking industry in this reform. He, who understood the meaning of Leonard's words, emphasized.
"The wizard bank can be abandoned when necessary. Everything else can be abandoned. The only thing that cannot be abandoned is the United States' magic world!" Leonard slammed the table and interrupted Donald's words, "Now, regardless of whether we are from the conservative faction or the radical faction, or any other faction, we must work together for the common goal and pledge to defend our homeland with our lives. If all of us perform our duties, do not make any mistakes, and make the best arrangements, we will be able to prove that we can protect our homeland and let it weather the storm of war safely."
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