Chapter 177: I Can’t Convince You, But I Can Kill You
In 1968, the Magical Congress of the United States of America reinstated the Rappaport Law 《》, and by 1971, the few vanguard leaders who had forced the Magical Congress to compromise were either dead or had fled.
The human rights vanguard movement in the American wizarding world suffered a severe blow.
And the Magical Congress, having witnessed the “dangers” of the vanguard movement, decided for the first time to infiltrate and observe Muggle society. Twenty years later, several institutions established for this purpose recently compiled a 20-year observation report to verify the accuracy of the “Wilkinson Prophecy.”
“…Since the 1950s, the Muggle government has conducted thousands of nuclear explosion experiments in states like Nevada. The radioactive waste and dust generated by the explosions have affected approximately one million Muggles across several states. The disease known as cancer has accumulated over decades and has appeared on a large scale in several states, all of which the Muggle populace is completely unaware of…”
“The Muggle government and consortiums seem very keen on using their own countrymen for various experiments. Our investigators have found that they even mix radioactive substances into biscuits and sell them to children to observe the effects of radiation on growth and development. Incidentally, we have obtained all related research data, which plays an important role in another project of the Congress.”
“…In recent years, we have observed that the tendency towards political division in the Muggle world is fermenting, and the flaws in the electoral system are gradually becoming apparent. The Muggle Donkey Party has begun to break away from traditional voter groups, shifting its focus to areas previously ignored such as environmentalism, equal rights, African Americans, and sexual minorities. The Elephant Party, on the other hand, is moving further towards traditional Southern ideology… The above observations are consistent with the ‘Wilkinson Prophecy’ and can be considered the beginning of the Muggle world’s decline…”
Michael showed no discernible emotion as he flipped through the shocking text and data in the report.
The decline of the Muggle world was something that he, along with all pure-blood families, would welcome. They would not only fail to empathize with the tragedies within but would also actively contribute to them.
However, his focus was not on these matters at the moment.
“Mr. Minister, Woolworth has arrived.”
The Auror driving ahead reminded him.
Even late at night, many Muggles were coming and going from the Woolworth Building, the old revolving doors constantly swiveling as Muggles entered and exited.
Occasionally, people in peculiar clothing, who did not attract any attention from the Muggles, would wave their wands at the door and walk in while reciting spells.
As Michael got out of the car, a middle-aged wizard, who had been waiting by the door, dressed in a trench coat and top hat, and appearing quite old-fashioned, quickly approached.
“Minister Graves, Mr. Chairman is waiting for you.”
Michael remained unhurried. “How is the Congress session progressing?”
The middle-aged wizard gave a wry smile. “Still arguing. Some representatives believe that Weasley has official diplomatic status, and for the sake of international image, we cannot and should not take any forceful measures against him. Otherwise, the Federation’s reputation and diplomatic environment will be in a very unfavorable predicament.”
“Which families are raising the strongest objections?”
“The Potter family, the Weiss family, and the Stuart family.”
“Hmph!”
Michael Graves snorted unhappily and said no more. This answer was not beyond his expectations. The Potter and Weiss families were famously pro-Ilvermorny.
The Stuart family was even more so. Their ancestors were James Stuart and Isolt Sayre. James Stuart himself was nothing special, just a Muggle.
What was important was Isolt Sayre, whose mother Leona was from the Gaunt Family, and her father was also not simple. The Sayre family was a direct descendant of the legendary witch Morrigan.
It was these two who founded Ilvermorny in the 17th century.
Since then, the Stuart family had been in charge of Ilvermorny. In over 200 years, the Magical Congress had indeed considered taking control of Ilvermorny from the Stuart family.
Unfortunately, the two ancestors of this family had left their descendants a generous inheritance—both wealth and connections.
The Potter and Weiss families were among the legacies left by Isolt Sayre.
There was also the Boot family, not listed among the twelve pure-blood families, but with considerable influence. Their ancestor was adopted by Isolt and James.
Of course, if they only had the protection of these families, the Stuart family would not have been able to withstand the pressure and continue to “monopolize” Ilvermorny.
The problem was that Isolt was a very kind witch with great charisma. Before founding Ilvermorny, she traveled throughout North America and helped many magical creature populations and Native American tribes.
Thus, after Ilvermorny was founded, a Pukwudgie tribe, in gratitude to Isolt, moved their entire clan nearby, vowing to help the school defend against invaders.
At the same time, the Wampanoag and Narragansett tribes of Native Americans also established an alliance with Isolt. The alliance stipulated that Ilvermorny would be open to their descendants for enrollment, and they, in turn, vowed to stand with the Stuart family forever.
The Stuart family’s greatest reliance was not at all pure-blood families, nor the students taught by Ilvermorny over the years, but the Native Americans!
In Muggle society, Native Americans were at the bottom of the social hierarchy, but in the wizarding world, indigenous wizards who also possessed magic were a force to be reckoned with.
Especially after Isolt introduced them to wand-making technology.
Thinking of the Stuart family, Michael rubbed his temples with a headache. In fact, the biggest obstacle to the implementation of the Rappaport Law 《》, or rather, the biggest obstacle to pure-blood families completely dominating magic, had always been the Stuart family and their Ilvermorny.
After 200 years of effort by the pure-blood families, they had only managed to ensure that pure-blood children received preferential treatment in terms of resources upon enrollment compared to Muggles and half-bloods.
That was all.
Michael, silent, entered the building accompanied by the middle-aged wizard. With a spell, the revolving door spun, and the Muggle-dominated hall visible through the glass transformed into a vast, magnificent, and immense square.
In the center of the square, the most conspicuous feature was undoubtedly the tall, tower-like magical clock.
Beneath the magical clock was a bustling crowd of employees from various departments of the Congress.
Michael glanced casually, as he was accustomed to such scenes. He didn’t look any further, allowing the wizard who greeted him to lead the way into an elevator.
The two of them arrived at the top floor. The wizarding world’s Woolworth Building had over 100 floors. It shared a coordinate with the Muggle Woolworth Building but seemed to exist in two different worlds in terms of space.
Exiting the elevator and passing through several corridors, he arrived at a door.
A magical scanner on the door scanned him, then opened automatically.
The clamor from inside the room immediately assailed his ears.
“…The times have long changed. The Federation cannot detach itself from the world, nor has any country in this world achieved progress by isolating itself!”
“Stuart, no one wants to detach from the world. We are discussing how to handle Vaughn Weasley…”
“How to handle him? Do you mean you want to kill him? What’s the difference between that and what I’m saying? Vaughn Weasley’s diplomatic status is legal, and it is both his identity label and our credibility label. If the Congress takes forceful measures against Vaughn Weasley, then tell me, how will you respond to international inquiries? How will you respond to public opinion? Who will dare to trust the credibility of the Magical Congress in the future?”
“Don’t twist my words, Stuart. The Congress has never acknowledged his diplomatic status…”
In the vast, tiered conference hall, the tiered seats were sparsely populated, with only the circular conference table in the center packed with Congressional representatives.
A wizard, about 50 years old, with disheveled brown hair and a lion-like appearance, glared at the fat wizard opposite him and retorted aggressively:
“Ilvermorny has the right to make final decisions on any academic activity, including inviting scholars for academic visits. This is a legal right granted to Ilvermorny by Congress. Or do you believe Congress is illegal?”
“You—”
“Stuart, you’ve gone too far!” another fat wizard couldn’t help but stand up.
The lion-headed wizard, known as Stuart, was not without his allies. Beside him, a burly wizard with dark hair slammed his fist on the table. “Who has gone too far? Is there anything wrong with us safeguarding the reputation of Congress and the Federation? I think you are the ones with ulterior motives, always talking about fighting and killing, kill your grandmother’s head!”
“I can’t take it anymore!”
The fat wizard howled, raising his fist, intending to rush over and fight.
The dark-haired wizard was not to be outdone, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to engage.
People on both sides, seeing the situation escalating, quickly tried to pull and persuade, leading to a moment of chaos.
Fake politics: everyone sits together, quotes classics, engages in verbal duels, without a single vulgar word, embodying the essence of intellectual combat, spicy yet elegant.
Real politics: if words fail, fists do! I can’t convince you, but I can beat you to death!
Michael’s expression remained impassive, and he didn’t even intervene. He had seen such scenes countless times. Congress was not a place of harmony; where there were people, there were disputes and conflicting demands.
Let alone a general assembly where representatives from different factions attended, even in small factional meetings, two representatives with opposing political views might resort to physical altercations while talking.
If you take it seriously, you lose.
His gaze swept over the chaotic crowd and landed on the other side of the circular conference table, where an elderly wizard in a solemn and ornate robe, clearly of high status, was seated.
As if sensing his gaze, the old wizard, who had been watching the fight and the mediation, looked up, glanced at Michael, and gave him a knowing wink.
Michael quietly withdrew from the conference hall. Not long after, the old wizard emerged.
“Mr. Chairman, Josiah,” Michael Graves bowed, showing his respect.
Josiah Park.
Chairman of the Magical Congress of the United States of America, Chief Wizard.
As his surname indicated, he did not belong to any of the twelve pure-blood families, which was a tradition for the twelve pure-blood families in America.
Unlike the pure-blood families in England who intermarried and formed close-knit ties, the probability of the twelve pure-blood families in America forming kinship ties was relatively small.
Compared to intermarriage, they trusted ties of interest more and were fond of balance.
For example, the twelve families were not allowed to participate in the election of the Chairman, ensuring that each family was responsible only for the power originally allocated, and no one could overstep their bounds.
Typical clan politics!
Therefore, except for the first few terms, the Chairmen of the Magical Congress since the 18th century had come from minor families outside the twelve pure-bloods. Seraphina Picquery decades ago was like this, and so is Josiah Park today.
“My dear Graves, I’ve finally been waiting for your return.” Josiah Park warmly shook Michael’s hand and hugged him. “How was it? Did you meet Vaughn Weasley?”
Michael put on his usual urbane smile again. “I did. An incredibly mature young wizard… No, he’s no longer a young wizard. His magical strength is very formidable.”
Hearing this, Josiah Park’s smile somewhat receded. “How strong?”
“At least as strong as I am.”
“…”
Chairman Park’s brow furrowed deeply. He did not doubt Michael’s judgment. The latter was the Minister of Magical Security and a seasoned Auror.
He had extensive experience in assessing a wizard’s strength.
“He probably didn’t agree to our terms, did he?”
“Yes, he said he needed time to consider. I think it’s mostly an excuse. Such a talented wizard would never accept our terms.”
“This is becoming troublesome… Are we really going to resort to force in the end?”
Josiah Park murmured hesitantly.
Michael’s gaze lowered, his thoughts unreadable. All that could be heard was him saying, “I hope the Congress can finalize a countermeasure soon. On my way back today, I received an urgent report: the team sent to intercept werewolves around Boston was attacked by werewolves.”
“Several teams have been wiped out. According to the survivors who escaped, some were ambushed by werewolves, and others were lured by decoys. Such tactics indicate that the werewolves are not as disorganized as we originally thought; someone has organized them.”
“Who?”
“I suspect it’s Vaughn Weasley,” Michael said calmly. “Besides him, I don’t think any other force could easily gain the trust of the werewolves.”
As he spoke, he raised his head slightly, his polite smile vanishing, and looked seriously at Josiah Park. “Mr. Chairman, there is no more time for the representatives to continue this bickering. Once those werewolves break through our blockade and reach Boston, and successfully meet with Vaughn Weasley, you should understand how passive our situation will become.”
“This… I don’t have any good solutions either.”
Josiah Park gave a wry smile and reopened the door to the conference hall, where the shouting had already resumed.
Around the circular conference table, two factions pushed and cursed each other:
“You damn Ilvermorny faction, constantly opposing the Congress’s motions and protecting Weasley, what are your intentions?”
“What are our intentions? You should ask yourselves! A bunch of despicable scoundrels, don’t think we don’t know that you’ve been condoning those civilian organizations to force us to hand over pure-blood students. Do you want to wait until we can’t hold on anymore, so you have an excuse to drive the Stuart family out of the school? Let me tell you, not a chance!”
“That’s right, so what if we protect Weasley? Come on, hit me if you dare!”
“Ah—”
A brawl finally broke out.
Fortunately, during the conference, no representative was allowed to carry a wand or use magic, so serious injuries or deaths were unlikely in the short term.
Chairman Park closed the door again, shutting out the noise and screams from within. He met Michael’s gaze and sighed, “Can you resolve the differences between the two factions?”
Michael pursed his lips. Not to mention him, even a resurrected Merlin couldn’t solve it.
Furthermore, it was not within his purview.
“My suggestion is that if we are to target Vaughn Weasley, now is the best time. And it does not require official forces from Congress. I have arranged for Third Salem to hold a protest in Boston to attract the attention of Weasley and Ajinbad.”
“As long as Congress approves the action, we can use the name of Third Salem to launch an attack on them.”
Chairman Park’s brow furrowed.
This was indeed a solution, and one he had approved.
However…
“I need to reconsider, and Congress must also unify its opinion,” Josiah Park said with difficulty.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of annoyance and displeasure crossed Michael Graves’s eyes. He knew that this was merely Chairman’s excuse.
In reality, the Ilvermorny faction had very little power in Congress.
Neither the Potters, the Weisses, nor the Stuarts had the ability to prevent a congressional resolution from passing.
The current stalemate was entirely the result of the Chairman’s manipulation. No one knew what he was thinking; perhaps he didn’t want to be the bad guy and offend the Stuart family.
Or perhaps, he wanted to play a game of balance in Congress!
“Small families are unreliable. Why can’t they just follow the lead and constantly scheme with their petty thoughts?”
With this thought, Michael Graves showed no outward change. His expression remained deferential, and he asked for instructions, “What about Third Salem?”
Regarding this question, Josiah Park, who had seemed indecisive moments before, now answered crisply, “Continue with the decoy. At least they can temporarily distract Weasley and Ajinbad… Speaking of which, how did you know that news about Third Salem would attract their attention?”
Michael Graves paused for a moment, then said nonchalantly, “It has nothing to do with Weasley. Third Salem is mainly to attract Ajinbad. After all, he is here to investigate the Federation. If he encounters something that could lead to the leakage of magic, Ajinbad must investigate thoroughly. In my judgment, the current Federation and WAC are likely cooperating. If Ajinbad investigates, Weasley will inevitably act together.”
“I see.”
Josiah Park nodded and smiled, “I thought it was because they found out about the rumors of that Purifier. By the way, do you know about the legend of the Purifier that’s been circulating recently?”
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Michael Graves’s mind.
He appeared to be thinking and confirmed, “I’ve heard some whispers. I heard it’s a group that hunts wizards and leaves almost no survivors. But its authenticity is unknown. Due to the strategic retreat of Congress and the mingling of civilian organizations, I haven’t obtained concrete intelligence. Mr. Chairman, would you like to investigate this matter?”
His demeanor was flawless.
Josiah Park looked at him for a few moments, then laughed heartily, “No, there’s no need. Perhaps, as you say, it’s a sensational rumor spread by some civilian organization… For now, the WAC matter is more important. You’ve worked hard, Michael. I will unify the council and reach a consensus as soon as possible.”
With that, he patted Michael on the shoulder and returned to the conference hall.
Michael was left alone outside the door, his expression gradually darkening.
…
Late at night, in downtown Boston.
The crowd jumped and reveled amidst the sound waves!
A few simple camping tables were set up around. As the revelry had been going on for some time, the tables were a mess, with spilled drinks everywhere. The residual foam reflected the flickering lights, along with the devilish, clawing figures.
Lupin emerged from the crowd, his head spinning.
He went into the woods and walked all the way to the seaside. The terrible sound waves were largely muffled by the trees, finally ceasing to torture his ears. He breathed a sigh of relief:
“This is madness!”
He was referring to the dancing Muggles.
Although they had their own designation, calling themselves the Third Salem Movement Organization, based on Lupin’s interactions throughout the day, he found that their identities were quite… complex.
“This is absurd!” Lupin shook his dizzy head. His poor brain had received far too much information today that it shouldn’t have.
Lupin suspected it might be about to break down.
So he had to get out to calm down and give his brain some space to rest.
He found an open spot by the river and sat down. The quiet river flowed gently at his feet in the deep night, and a cool breeze blew.
After a while of wind and staring blankly at the river reflecting the city lights, Lupin’s dazed mind finally began to work slowly again.
“A day of bad luck…” he thought, looking down at the tight leather clothes that felt like torture instruments. “I should have realized something was wrong when Tonks told me to wear this. I shouldn’t have participated in today’s mission.”
But he couldn’t explain why, every time he saw Tonks, he felt like an idiot.
Even… he couldn’t think too much about that girl…
His cheeks felt hot, and his head started to feel dizzy again. Lupin quickly shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the main task—investigating the so-called Third Salem.
“But there’s been no progress at all!”
“Men and women are the same, and then there are transgender, pansexual individuals who believe gender is a constraint and discrimination. And anarchism. Oh yes, environmentalism, vegetarianism, and animal protection have some common ground. They believe humans shouldn’t eat meat, and eating meat requires raising livestock, and livestock farting and burping emit greenhouse gases…”
As he sorted through the people he had encountered today, Lupin couldn’t help but want to complain: “What kind of chaotic nonsense is this? What has happened to Muggle youth?”
Of course, complaining was not off-topic, because he was very puzzled—
Do Muggles who gather so many inexplicable elements actually have anything to do with magic?
“Why did you come here without saying a word?”
A voice came from behind.
Lupin turned around and saw Kingsley, dressed in colorful attire, emerging from the woods.
“Just came out for some air. If I stayed there any longer, I’m afraid I would have cast a spell on them.”
Lupin’s face tensed as he spoke.
“Sigh—” Kingsley sighed, tugging at his floral shirt. “Laugh if you want to!”
Lupin suppressed it. “Those Muggles weren’t laughing at you. To avoid them noticing something was wrong, I had to hold back.”
Kingsley, who came up beside him and sat by the river like him, rolled his eyes at Lupin, too lazy to deal with his earnest demeanor. He asked, “After interacting with them for a day, did you get any valuable information?”
“No!” Lupin shook his head.
“Neither did I,” Kingsley rubbed his face. The dark night made it impossible for Lupin to see the expression on his dark face, only hearing his helpless tone:
“I chatted with many people—I have to say, Tonks’s persona for us was very accurate. When those people saw I was of African descent, and heard I was from a single-parent family and had bipolar disorder, they were very patient with me.”
He then asked Lupin, “Do you know why they chose to celebrate here after their parade? In fact, they all have a common identity.”
“What?”
Kingsley pointed to the other side of the river, behind the large shadow formed by the trees, where a cluster of buildings was faintly visible. “That’s Harvard University for Muggles, and nearby business schools, etc. They are all students from there.”
Lupin did not know this information.
University students?
Lupin didn’t know much about Muggles, but he did know that universities were the highest educational institutions for Muggles, places for cultivating high-level intellectual talent and elites.
This made his expression somewhat odd.
Recalling the various bizarre elements possessed by the group behind them, Lupin sighed, “Is this what Muggle elites are like?”
“Yes, it’s truly… unbelievable.”
Kingsley had to force himself to refrain from uttering any overly strong words.
At this moment, a voice intruded on their idle chat: “This is just the beginning. They will become even more unbelievable in the future.”
“Who!”
The two reacted quickly, standing up at once, drawing the wands hidden on their persons, and scanning their surroundings.
There was nothing around them except a few clumps of weeds.
Only in the middle of the river not far away, beneath the flowing water, a faint, silver-blue light suddenly appeared.
The light came against the current. As it gradually approached, the two finally distinguished it.
It was a cat, semi-transparent all over, emitting a faint silver-blue glow.
A Patronus!
The moment he recognized the Patronus, Kingsley’s nerves tensed.
An unknown wizard, and one who could cast the Patronus Charm, a spell that was quite difficult to master and had little practical combat value, was likely not a minor figure. This made him vigilant—while a Patronus indeed represented a wizard’s inner sanctuary, there was no rule stating that only good people could cast it.
As long as one was not corrupted by Dark Arts, everyone’s heart contained positive and affirmative emotions.
“Lupin, you…”
Kingsley stared intently at the Patronus, about to tell Lupin to provide cover.
Then, he was stunned to notice that Lupin beside him suddenly put away his wand and bowed to the cat-shaped Patronus, “Mr. President, what brings you here?”
“Mr. Weasley?”
Kingsley was taken aback and suddenly felt a bit awkward. He had only recently joined Vaughn’s side and had not yet seen Vaughn’s Patronus.
Fortunately, Vaughn did not seem to notice his reaction.
The Patronus, treading on the water, slowly approached the two:
“I came to see your progress and happened to overhear your conversation.”
Kingsley, well-versed in subordinate etiquette, immediately said, “My apologies, Mr. Weasley. We shouldn’t be…”
He didn’t care if Vaughn had genuinely “happened” to overhear, or if he had been tracking them for a long time and deliberately came out to reprimand them.
The important thing was to admit fault first!
Seeing Kingsley’s slippery nature, Vaughn interrupted his apology without much concern:
“No, Kingsley, I’m not blaming you. I genuinely want to know, after interacting with those Muggles, what are your opinions of them?”
Kingsley was not yet accustomed to Vaughn’s style.
However, Lupin, having been with Vaughn for a longer time, knew that their president often asked seemingly inexplicable questions.
He thought for a moment and then, picking up from their previous topic, asked, “Mr. President, you said earlier that the Muggles’ current behavior is just the beginning. What did you mean by that?”
“Literally. Homosexuality, transgenderism, pansexuality, environmentalism, animal rights… these concepts that you already find incomprehensible and absurd will continue to deepen and expand in the future, and then spread from the small group you see now to the entire American society.”
Upon hearing this, Lupin’s expression became somewhat suspicious.
Kingsley felt the same.
They were among the few wizards who were not overly arrogant towards Muggles. Kingsley, in particular, had extensive experience in Muggle society, having served as a bodyguard for a Muggle president and handled many cases of magical exposure. Throughout his career, he had interacted with Muggles from all walks of life.
Although Lupin did not have such extensive experience, his personality was delicate, and he was good at considering issues from others’ perspectives.
In their view, Muggles, especially high-ranking Muggles, were not stupid. Many possessed wisdom far exceeding that of wizards.
Therefore, would those wise high-ranking individuals allow strange things like homosexuality, transgenderism, environmentalism, and animal rights to spread from a niche to mainstream?
Would they allow most of their elites to be trained into such foolish, anti-intellectual beings?
Sensing their thoughts, Vaughn, who was attached to the Patronus, smiled but didn’t elaborate, merely saying, “You will understand in the future.”
The higher echelons of Muggle society were indeed not stupid, especially in the United States of America.
They were certainly aware of the dangers of neoliberalism and the new left. However, that was precisely the trend they wished to see. If the people’s contradictions were not diverted to racial discrimination and gender discrimination, wouldn’t the old left, which had finally been suppressed by the right, re-emerge?
There was no need to delve deeper into this topic.
The reason he had overheard their conversation and couldn’t help but reveal himself was not just because of their idle chat, which had touched upon the “future” in his memory that was chaotic.
It was also because of the conversation happening at that moment in the Suitcase Space.
…
In the Suitcase Space, Vaughn, multitasking, was simultaneously monitoring the Patronus’s side and listening to the intelligence shared by Ajinbad:
“…Around 1968, the Federation received word that the Magical Congress at the time had passed a plan called the ‘Wilkinson Prophecy.'”
“From the literal meaning, one can infer that the core of the plan originated from Wilkinson’s prophecy. The Wilkinson family controls the Department of Mysteries, and all American federal seers have been recruited by them.”
