Chapter 866
2 questions
Chapter 866 Two Questions
Ezra Hughes leaned back, his anger subsiding, leaving only a deep scrutiny.
—Are there really so many people placing their hopes on a fifteen-year-old boy? So much so that two... or even more congressional officials have become lobbyists.
He glanced at Grimm, then fixed his gaze on Reginald Perez's face.
—This arrogant guy only cares about his own little corner of the world. In his eyes, everyone else is just a walking sweet potato. When has he ever cared about "the expectations of the people"?
Leila Picqueli glanced around, then gracefully folded her hands on the table, her face displaying just the right amount of worry:
“Mr. Perez is right. Inviting Mr. Wade Gray is indeed the most effective strategy at the moment. We should be open-minded and break with convention, making resolving the crisis our top priority.”
Corbett smiled and raised his hand, saying, "I agree! It would be best if it could be resolved, but even if it can't... the pressure from public opinion will be shifted."
The crowd discussed it animatedly, and many couldn't help but show expressions of agreement.
The initial panic and overwhelming pressure from seeing the video had long since turned into a dislike for work amidst the relentless busyness. The situation hadn't actually become the worst it could be, but the spreading panic had kept everyone incredibly busy.
If someone's arrival can calm the boiling situation a little and give everyone a chance to catch their breath, then everyone will naturally welcome them.
Moreover, with the arrival of "experts," troubles and crises seem to be swept up and dumped on them, because no one wants to take on responsibilities beyond their capabilities.
Because everyone could see clearly that they were like a group of firefighters carrying hoses to put out fires everywhere, but anyone could hold the ignition source.
Whether the destructive fire will be ignited depends on whether the enemy lurking in the shadows intends to do so; the Magic Council, however, has absolutely no way to stop it.
Just as everyone was about to reach a consensus, a deep and firm voice suddenly rang out:
"I object!"
Ezra Hughes leaned forward, his imposing gaze sweeping across everyone's faces:
"The solution you so excitedly came up with is to have the Magical Congress formally request help from a student in Britain? Do you want to embarrass the American magical community?!"
"Once this invitation is sent out, how will the British Ministry of Magic view us? What will international wizards say about us? Has our government completely lost faith in its own talent and its own technology?"
"This is not just a technical issue, but also a political and dignity issue!"
"It's just a fake video, yet you're already panicking and asking for help from outside! If a bigger crisis really happens, how do you plan to deal with it? Will you abandon the country and flee? Or will you hide in a cave, hoping the enemy won't dig you out?"
Hughes's angry shouts echoed in the conference room, leaving everyone speechless. Those who had spoken earlier were even more red-faced.
In the ensuing heavy silence, Hawthorne, who had not spoken a word, stood up, leaning on the table, and his gaze swept over everyone present.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a question to ask..."
Hawthorne said slowly, "Even if Wade Gray can control what content the streaming service broadcasts, can he really control the Muggle media as well?"
"If he could, he wouldn't be an alchemist, but the President of the United States. No... even the President of the United States can't do that, because the world isn't just the United States!"
Many people, whose judgment had been clouded by panic, exhaustion, and the desire to take shortcuts, seemed to suddenly realize the problem at this moment. They shifted uncomfortably, their eyes secretly glancing at the people sitting in front.
"I'd like to ask another question..."
Hawthorne continued, "If the Purifiers were to turn their manifesto into reality, would they publish the statement 'Magic really exists' in the New York Ghost Newspaper? Or in the British Daily Prophet? Or on Stream Mirror?" "Or perhaps... through Muggle television signals, spreading the truth to tens of millions, billions of ordinary people?"
This statement was like a bucket of ice water, instantly sobering up many people who had been swayed by other voices.
—Yes, Wade Gray can't control the Muggle public opinion. Bending his head to invite that boy over won't solve their predicament at all!
Hawthorne surveyed the deathly silent conference room, each word carrying immense weight:
"Once we've figured out these two issues, then we can discuss how to truly reassure the public and resolve the crisis we're currently facing!"
The meeting room was deathly silent. Some people looked ashamed of their previous shortsightedness, some frowned and looked desperate, and others had expressionless faces.
After a long pause, Leila Picqueli broke the silence first.
She stood up, bowed slightly to Hawthorne and her colleagues, and said with remorse:
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think things through just now. I subconsciously equated the magical world’s Mirror with the Muggle’s news media. They belong to different systems, and our crisis comes from the non-magical world… I shouldn’t have forgotten that.”
She took the blame upon herself, and the reasons for her misjudgment were reasonable. This softened the grim expressions on Perez and Corbett's faces, and they vaguely apologized, as if they had made the wrong judgment for the same reason.
—Although everyone knew perfectly well that Leila Picqueli wouldn't make such a basic mistake, nor would the other two.
Hawthorne's deep gaze lingered on Lyra's face for a moment, his expression softening slightly, and he nodded, saying:
“I understand, Leila, your initial intention was also to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible. Now, let’s focus our efforts on the real crux of the matter…”
No one dared to suggest any more foolish invitations, and the crowd began to murmur amongst themselves:
"We cannot avoid the issue... We must proactively inform the public about the video content and emphasize the strong measures that Congress is taking."
"Perhaps we could follow the example of the British Ministry of Magic? They've been keeping in touch with the Muggle Prime Minister... Could we intimidate the US President and get that lecherous big man to control public opinion on their end..."
"Perhaps we should reinstate the Rappaport Law, authorizing Auror and other government officials to take more forceful intervention measures..."
At a crucial moment in the meeting, a rapid knocking sounded at the door, interrupting the director of the Department of Magical Building Protection, who looked towards the door with displeasure.
A young assistant to the chairman's office pushed open the door, his face showing unease, and announced, "Mr. Hawthorne, gentlemen, Mr. Kingsley Shackler of the British Ministry of Magic is outside and requests an immediate audience."
Hawthorne remained silent, and Lyra immediately frowned, saying, "We are holding a top-level emergency meeting; any meetings must be postponed!"
"That's what I told him too, but..."
The assistant cautiously glanced at everyone and said, "Mr. Shackle said... he said they've brought a solution to the crisis of the wizarding world's exposure..."
(End of this chapter)