"-- I will first report to the conference on a serious incident that occurred last night in Externa --"
Twelve massive Roman columns support the classical-style circular meeting hall, and the conference tables, arranged in concentric circles, are filled to capacity.
Representatives from all countries with magical civilizations in Asia, North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Oceania have been sent to attend the conference in Paris.
The serious expressions and dim candlelight create an atmosphere of intense pressure in this large meeting hall.
The seven seats in the innermost concentric circle are occupied by the Chair, Albus Dumbledore, and five standing vice-presidents, including Amostus Brenn and Hope Dreggon, as well as the current acting vice-president, the Minister of Magic of France, Trelawney Nash.
German Minister of Magic, Arlen Rake, who had his left arm bandaged and hanging from his neck, stands in the center of the large conference hall on the chair platform and addresses the conference.
Contrary to what most people imagine.
The Minister Ardena, known for his explosive temper, did not seem particularly angry; his pale face had no extra expressions. However, it was clear from the abnormal pauses in his speech rhythm and the slight gasps that he was far from the calm demeanor he portrayed.
"At 9:27 p.m. last night, a mob of rioters appeared near the famous Muggle attraction Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, attacking Muggles indiscriminately in the vicinity and resulting in 31 deaths and 172 injuries."
At present, no country's newspapers have reported this incident, whether Muggle or wizarding.
The wizards sitting in this magnificent conference hall are not ordinary people, and they have all heard about this news.
However, the specific casualties' figures are only known by the German Ministry of Magic.
There is no doubt that this is a serious incident that can be recorded in the wizarding history books, much like the recent Muggle bridge collapse in London.
Chills filled the air as the sound of gasps echoed here and there. Many people cast their dissatisfied glances towards the seven seats in the innermost circle, the two youngest and oldest wizards.
People expected that after the bad news was disclosed, the two highly publicized individuals would show some subtle changes in their expressions, but the reality disappointed them.
Amostus and Dumbledore, sitting at the center of the focus of attention, were there like two statues, their eyes downcast and their expressions devoid of emotion.
"When I arrived with my Aurors, these extremely evil rioters did not put up a fight. They were very perceptive and escaped the scene before we had even set up a magical barrier --"
Ardena continued in his unusual manner of speaking in short bursts with several deep breaths in between,
"There were many Muggle witnesses, so I had to summon all employees of the German Ministry of Magic to the scene to erase their memories, and I appointed a special envoy to liaise with the Muggle Prime Minister, requesting his assistance in blocking off the accident site on a larger scale. As for myself, I led a detachment of elite Aurors in pursuit."
"Have you found them, Minister Ardena?"
The Minister of Magic from France, Trelawney Nash, sitting next to Amostus among the seven, glanced sideways at him with a corner of his eye, and with a deep voice asked a question that everyone already knew the answer to.
"The Ministry has indeed discovered some clues, Minister Nash. I believe that if we continue the pursuit, we will find those despicable criminals and have them hanged, but..."
The Minister Ardena suddenly raised his voice,
"New bad news has interrupted our pursuit plan, and I have no choice but to prioritize it!"
Minister Ardena's gaze swept around the room, finally settling on the seven seats.
"I believe that the representatives, Chairman Dumbledore, and the Vice-Presidents have already been briefed on the relevant information. Yes, that's right. The town of Externa has been attacked."
The European magical community is home to three world-renowned wizarding schools, which are Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang.
At the same time, there are three famous wizarding prisons in the European magical community: Azkaban, Externa, and Nurmengard.
Among the three prisons, Externa stands undisputedly first in terms of scale.
As for the other two prisons, Nurmengard's origin does not need to be elaborated upon, while Azkaban is almost exclusively a magical prison serving Britain.
And the Externa, which is officially obsolete but actually serves as the 'public prison' for various European countries.
Even without the wizarding extremists sent by Amostus Brenn as Vice-Chairman, the criminals held there are still the most among the three prisons.
"Meaning being attacked --"
The Asian wizard in the purple robe with regional characteristics furrowed his brows repeatedly.
"All the criminals in Externa have been rescued?"
"Oh, perhaps the situation won't be as bad --"
The Minister Ardena on the chair stage answered with a tone that was somewhat mocking,
"Perhaps you may not be aware that Externa is located in the mountain range of the Eastern Alps, and last night, due to a confrontation between Aurors from the Ministry and intruders, the entire mountain collapsed."
Currently, we are in the process of clearing away the debris of the collapsed mountain, and among the ruins, we have found some bodies of prisoners who were held at Externa. Please understand that in order to determine how many prisoners have escaped and how many have perished under the mountain collapse, it will take until we have cleared all the ruins.
The Asian-face wizard nodded in agreement and remained silent.
"Then, Minister Ardena, do you suspect --"
The Minister of Magic from France, Trelawney Nash, immediately followed up with a question.
"The majority of the prisoners have already been rescued?"
"I personally hope that such a terrible situation won't occur."
Minister Ardena said coldly,
"The situation is roughly like this. We currently cannot determine how many prisoners have been rescued, and we cannot confirm the location of the attackers who breached Externa."
I want to solemnly remind everyone here that perhaps the goal of these powerful mages is to break into prisons in various countries and save criminals, and then use this opportunity to strengthen their own power.”
Looking around the quiet hall, Minister Ardena suddenly made an unexpected move. He stepped out from behind the desk on the chair platform and, facing the rows of eyes upon him, suddenly bent over and bowed to the attendees.
Throughout, the calm Dumbledore had a faint glow in his eyes, while Amostus also raised his head at the appropriate time and leaned back in his chair, gazing at the Minister of Magic from Germany, with no visible expressions on his face.
"Arland?"
Chairman Dumbledore asked in a gentle tone as the chair of the meeting.
"I think I should represent the International Ministry of Magic to the international wizarding community and offer my apologies!"
Minister Ardena did not heed Dumbledore's words. His gaze swept over everyone present, his voice booming in the large conference hall like thunder.
"We have betrayed the trust of the world's magical civilization. We came close to exposing magic to Muggles seriously, we did not guard Externa properly, and now all the magical civilizations of the world are threatened by these monsters known as Death Eaters."
The passionate and repentant tone, as well as the grandiose attitude of taking full responsibility, resounded throughout the conference hall. Minister Ardena of the German Ministry of Magic was emotionally agitated in apologizing to the world's magical civilization through the joint conference, assuming full responsibility for it.
This was indeed directed at us.
Amostus, seated in the seven-seated row, was thinking with a lack of interest.
