Chapter 920
Stern in the Newspaper
Chapter 920 Stern in the Newspaper
"Frankie?"
Elsie, surprised, tentatively called out softly.
"It's me! Didn't you recognize me? Oh, I've put on face paint."
The disheveled young wizard strode over, his eyes bright and full of energy.
"Are you also coming to participate in the performance? Or is the young lady here to inspect the work progress?"
"What?" Elsie asked, confused. "We're actually lost...we think we're lost...where are you...?"
"Haha, can't you tell?"
Frankie excitedly waved the wobbly scimitar in his hand and said:
"We're making a movie! FMC's new project, a fantasy blockbuster to be shown in the Muggle world! It's about an epic war between ancient wizards and elves!"
He pointed to the "warriors" in tattered chainmail and the "wizards" in magnificent robes, his tone filled with pride:
"These are all compatriots who volunteered! There's no pay, it's purely for fun and... well, you know, for the safety of all our compatriots!"
He winked at Elsie, as if pleased to connect the event to a grander theme.
"They said that making a movie like this would prevent the wizarding world from being exposed to the Muggles. Even if some careless guys are caught on camera using magic, it can be said to be movie footage!"
Frankie gave a brief explanation, then looked at Wade and asked, "And this is...?"
"My bodyguard, Lawrence."
Elsie turned her gaze away from the "actors" and introduced the male wizard in front of her to Wade:
“This is my former classmate, Frankie Bouman from Thunderbird Academy.”
"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, Lawrence."
Frankie casually shook hands with Wade, then looked Elsie up and down, his eyes growing brighter and brighter, especially at the exquisitely crafted cloak she wore, adorned with her family crest, which made him nod repeatedly in approval.
"Absolutely perfect! Elsie, your demeanor, your attire... you're practically a living, breathing elven princess!"
He excitedly said, "How about it? Want to do a cameo role? It's like experiencing another life! It's really fun!"
Elsie hesitated for two seconds before saying, "Never mind... I have other things to do."
"That's a shame!" Frankie said regretfully, but before he could say anything more, shouts came from the crowd in the distance—
"Frankie, stop chatting with the girl! Come here and listen to how the performance is going to go next!"
Frankie had no choice but to leave in a hurry, waving goodbye as he went.
"When you're done with your work, remember to come visit! We might not have finished filming yet! The director will definitely be willing to find you a suitable role!"
……
The noisy battlefield was left behind; simply passing through an archway naturally formed by two ancient oak trees, the surrounding scenery changed abruptly, like a faded oil painting.
The muddy grass was replaced by a smooth cobblestone path, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of coffee and crucible cake, as well as the mixed smells of various real potion ingredients, dragon dung, broom polish, and the like.
The cacophony of shouts transformed into the hushed conversations of wizards, the flapping of owls' wings, and the clear tinkling of wind chimes at the shop entrance.
The streets are lined with crooked yet enchanting wooden and stone buildings. The shop signs are no longer rough wooden planks, but elegant metal carvings or magical window displays that automatically change images.
In the stationery store, quill pens are dipping themselves in ink from the ink bottle and then writing furiously on parchment.
At the entrance of the potion-making supplies shop, a small cauldron was bouncing merrily, spewing out colorful smoke to attract customers.
Several wizards in robes stood outside the "Pot Bar," holding butterbeers and earnestly discussing the latest paper on "Transfiguration Today."
Magic still permeates this place, but it's an orderly magic, integrated into everyday life. The wizards walk with ease, their faces serene and composed.
Wade laughed, "If this scene were filmed, I think it would be much more interesting than the war we just witnessed." Elsie let out a soft breath, as if completely dispelling the absurd atmosphere of the film set.
She turned to Wade, her tone regaining its usual calm: "If you don't have a target for the time being, let's start with that known member of Prometheus."
Wade nodded and said, "The person Abigail went to see... Liana Lightfoot."
“Hmm.” Elsie took out the Book of Friends from her small handbag and said, “I’ll have someone ask about the whereabouts of Miss Lightford.”
However, as soon as it was unfolded, a line of rapidly flashing silver text came into view—
"Elsie, you've crossed the line."
Return to the manor immediately.
—August Vanderbilt
Elsie's smile faltered, and her slender fingertips paused on the page for half a second.
Then, as if she had only seen an insignificant weather forecast, she calmly flipped through a few pages, picked up the quill pen that came with the Book of Friends, and wrote down her inquiry.
While waiting for a reply, Wade's gaze fell on the newspaper rack outside the bookstore. He paused for a moment, then took out his money and bought two newspapers.
The first newspaper's headline was sensational:
The Magical Congress's Negligence? Wizards End Up on the Streets of Muggles, the Underclass Face a Survival Crisis!
The accompanying photo shows Stern dressed as a Muggle, selling ice cream.
The reporter wrote in the article:
"...The gaunt-faced wizard in the photo was once a member of the magical community and an outstanding student of Iphamoni. Now, he has to force a smile in front of Muggle children just to earn a meager amount of Muggle currency to make ends meet..."
"Does this expose the cruel side of the International Law on Secrecy? It not only isolates two worlds, but also drives some of our compatriots to the brink of despair..."
"The high-ranking officials of the Magical Congress enjoy the services of house-elves, while our ordinary wizards struggle to survive! Where is our job security? Where is our dignity?"
The second newspaper also featured a photo of Stern on its front page, but the man was captured by the Aurors with a look of utter despair on his face, while the center of the photo was a serious and compassionate Lyra Picqueri.
The Purifiers suffer a devastating blow! High-ranking officials captured, the Magic Congress achieves a historic victory!
The content reads: "Early this morning, under the precise command of the president's assistant, Leila Picqueli, the Auror Office of the Magical Congress successfully raided the Purifiers' underground core stronghold in New York, arresting several high-ranking members, including the organization's number two, Rolando Stern..."
"This operation is considered the most successful purge of extremist forces by the Magic Congress in nearly a decade. Rolando Stern—the Purifier's chief strategist and intelligence officer—was captured on the spot within the stronghold..."
"Major media outlets and public figures in the wizarding world have expressed high praise for the success of this operation. The International Federation of Wizards stated: 'This is a great victory for justice and order!'"
The two newspapers presented a stark contrast in content and were deliberately placed next to each other by the shop owner, creating a strong sense of absurdity and rupture.
Wade folded the newspaper, intending to examine it more closely later when he had time.
Then Elsie put away her friend's book, looked up and said:
“Misty Bottom, Watergate Tower penthouse, Lightford is there.”
After a pause, a subtle but genuine regret appeared on her face.
“I’m sorry, you’ll have to go on your own from now on, Wade… My father wants me to go home immediately.”
Wade met Elsie's gaze, smiled, and said, "Thank you for your help, Elsie. Please feel free to contact me if you need anything in the future."
“Of course! The same goes for you. Remember to call me when you need me.” Elsie also smiled and said, “Even if I’m at the manor, I can still mobilize some resources to help you.”
The two said their goodbyes calmly, then turned and walked in opposite directions.
But after walking a few steps, Elsie couldn't help but turn back and see the boy's tall and lonely back before he quickly merged into the crowd and disappeared.
She took a deep breath, put on the smile befitting "Miss Vanderbilt," and headed toward a wizard's inn that offered fireplaces.
(End of this chapter)