In the vast meeting hall, the silence was deafening, and the attendees watched as Minister Aurkonkoes Ardennera stood on the podium, emotionally apologizing to the world magic community. All maintained an eerie silence.
Hope, seated on the seven-person seat, slightly lifted his eyelids, taking in the expressions of those behind the round conference table across and to the side, and he smiled coldly in his heart.
Not to mention the past half-century that Dumbledore has been leading the International Confederation of Wizards, even during the time when the Confederation was still strong, he had never seen so many attendees at a meeting hall of the Confederation keeping such a coordinated silence.
Often, after an issue is raised, those with no direct stake in it will observe from the sidelines while those affected by it engage in an endless argument.
Ignored the consolation for the employees, vice-president and president of the federation.
After all, the International Confederation of Wizards now is completely sustained by the supply of blood from various magic ministries, and has no power to mediate disputes.
Perhaps, the only remaining function it has is to provide a place for representatives from various countries to argue when it involves their international interests.
"Well, Minister Aurkonkoes Ardennera, we are aware of the specific circumstances—"
The oppressive stillness of the meeting hall made Hope's unease ripple through him, and the impassive Amostan, visible only out of the corner of his eye, pushed his anxiety to its peak.
After carefully considering the probability of Amostan Brehan going on a rampage within the meeting hall, Hope couldn't wait any longer. He interrupted the Minister Aurkonkoes Ardennera's unusual, intentionally apologetic speech.
Having gathered everyone's gaze on himself, Hope looked towards Dumbledore, hesitating to speak.
"You may ask your question, Hope."
Dumbledore said mildly.
"Hum——"
Nodding to Dumbledore, Hope shifted his gaze to the face of the German Minister of Magic before the podium.
Aurkonkoes Ardennera's eyes were dark and glowering, and Hope knew that he was angry at being interrupted in his performance.
But, Hope knew he had to do it.
He had dealt with Amostan before and had some understanding of the style of this rising star.
He had to control the situation before Aurkonkoes Ardennera thoroughly enraged Amostan.
After a moment's hesitation, Hope was about to speak when the voice of Thatch, the Minister of Magic from France, sitting on the seven-person seat, spoke first.
"Before the relevant individuals are questioned by the Seven Ministry Council, I propose that all members of the convention rise and observe a three-minute moment of silence in memory of the German Ministry of Magic officials who unfortunately lost their lives in stopping the atrocity and in remembrance of the Muggles who suffered injuries in Berlin!"
Suddenly, Hope's eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze towards Thatch, the French Minister of Magic, was filled with anger.
"Ah, thank you for your benevolence, Minister Thatch—"
The Minister Ardennera before the podium had a watery voice; he pulled out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped at the corner of his eye.
Dumbledore's silver beard twitched as he was among the seven, and a hint of helplessness was seen in his blue eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.
To observe a moment of silence in memory of the deceased was not a problem, but the purpose behind the French Minister of Magic's proposal was not entirely altruistic. It was underpinned by noble rhetoric and even he had to follow suit.
The sound of creaking chairs echoed in the vast hall.
But most people remained seated, watching the young man on the seven-person seat with caution.
It was clear to the wise people in this hall which face the French Minister of Magic was actually slapping, and to respond to Minister Thatch's call at this moment was undoubtedly to add some force to that slap!
Other countries not involved in the conflict, such as those in the Americas or Africa, did not want to be drawn into this mess.
"President Kuahog—"
Behind a row of conference tables from the back of the seven-person seat, Lady Marcia White, who controlled the United States Magical Congress and the International Magical Cooperation Department, looked at Amostan's back with a look of concern. After a brief moment of thought, she leaned towards the nearby Samuel Kuahog, President who appeared to be sleeping with his eyes half-closed, and whispered in his ear.
"I think we should."
The old and experienced Samuel Kuahog didn't say anything but just continued to doze off, with no intention of getting up.
At the seven-person seat, the six individuals besides the French Minister of Magic who had proposed the suggestion all remained seated without moving.
Dumbledore furrowed his brow slightly, and his eyes kept flashing, as if he was experiencing a headache from the current situation.
Hope Dregen, on the other hand, stared at Thatch with unabashed anger. The other three vice-presidents, meanwhile, seemed to have nothing happen and sat there, their eyes focused on the parchment in front of them.
In the meeting hall, fewer than one-tenth of the attendees were willing to leave their seats, and the reason for this was quite simple.
Very few people were willing to provoke the young man sitting in a dignified posture on the seven-person seat.
"Vice President Brehan—"
Glancing around the meeting hall, Minister Thatch on the same seven-person seat looked a bit embarrassed. He gave a friendly smile,
"Don't you think we should observe a moment of silence for the deceased in this incident?"
With half his eyelids lowered, Amostan glanced at the French Minister of Magic with one side of his face, then turned to face the Minister Ardennera who glared at him from in front of the podium. After half-smiling and half-sighing and giving a gentle shake of his head, he slowly stood up.
Before both Ardennera and Thatch showed any signs of satisfaction, the steady voice of Amostan was already spreading through the meeting hall.
"I propose that we observe a moment of silence for all who have worked to prevent evil from spreading over the past fifty years;"
and have withstood the turmoil that threatens to destroy the peace and order;
and have adjudicated those who violate the law;
and the righteous men and women who have sacrificed their health, and even their lives, to protect the balance between the magical world and the Muggle world from being shattered;
as well as the wizards and Muggles who were robbed of their lives due to the evil activities. Let us observe a three-minute moment of silence in their honor!"
Dumbledore's deep eyes suddenly lightened, and he pushed his chair away and stood up happily.
With a disdainful glance at the French Minister of Magic whose expression suddenly stiffened, Hope Dregen wobbled to his feet, while the other three vice-presidents had no more concerns and stood up one after another.
Samuel Kuahog, the President of the United States Magical Congress, woke up from his doze at the right moment, his sturdy hand resting on the conference table as he leisurely stood up.
Seeing Kuahog stand up, the representatives of various magical departments under the influence of the United States Magical Congress in North America stood up one after another.
The Asian-looking wizard with purple robes, who had asked the question earlier, hesitated for a moment before squeezing himself out from behind his chair. Similarly, the followers of his country in various countries gathered.
For a moment, the crowd rising to their feet surged like waves.
Suddenly, Minister Ardennera's face turned grim. The crowd standing up all around him was like an ocean of waves, giving him an unprecedented pressure and making him feel suffocated!
In just three minutes, Ardennera felt as if he had been roasted by a fire for a century!
"So, Minister Ardennera—"
After the moment of silence ended, the people saw the young man on the seven-person seat sitting down slowly and followed suit.
Hope looked coldly,
"Regarding the terrorist incidents in Berlin and the riots that broke out at Eckstas, what information does the German Ministry of Magic have?"
"They are Death Eaters."
Ardennera's forehead bulged with blue veins,
"They are a bunch of pure-blood fanatics from Britain with no moral or ethical boundaries!"
"Thank you—"
Hope asked calmly,
"I believe no one here is unaware of what Death Eaters are."
In your previous statement, you mentioned that you suspect the purpose of this group of rioters is to attack the headquarters of various countries where criminals are incarcerated, rescue criminals in order to strengthen their own ranks.
What are the reasons for your judgment?"
