Moody, standing nearby, also recalled the terrifying Thunderbird they had encountered before. If the Phoenix's power matched that of Thunderbird, acting recklessly would be a huge mistake.
Alex continued, "From what I know, the Phoenix is skilled in dark magic, including the 'corrosion spell' often used by the silver wand, it's said she even created it. She also has the ability to summon ghosts.
When we were in England, we once confiscated an alchemical item that could unleash a swarm of corpses instantly. I'm guessing this Phoenix is very effective in group fights, so if too many people get involved, it's easy to fall into her trap."
"I remember what Alex said," Moody said, nodding. "I once fought a wizard wielding an 'Infernal Corpse Summoning Bag.' That kind of artifact isn't like the usual summoning of living corpses, which requires actual bodies. Instead, it can conjure ghostly corpses out of thin air in moments. It's incredibly difficult to deal with, just one person managed to stop a dozen Aurors before."
"Is there really magic that outrageous?" Andre asked. "Then when we face the Phoenix, we have to send only our best fighters. Ordinary wizards would just get trapped and wouldn't be able to perform at their best."
"Exactly," Alex agreed. "To take on the Phoenix, we need a small but elite team. Also, her hideout is in a Muggle urban area of Berlin. Although it's a somewhat remote part of the city, there are still people around, so we have to be cautious."
"The Muggles will gather, and once the battle begins, it will be easy for innocent bystanders to get hurt. So, besides confronting her directly, we need to assign people to control the crowd and keep the situation under control," Alex explained.
Andre added, "Besides managing the crowd, we also have to maintain strict secrecy. If word gets out, it could cause problems with the club members who might want to come and support us."
Andre had clearly thought this through carefully.
"Leave that to me. I'll set up enough jammers around the Phoenix's hideout beforehand to block any communication from their side. This will also stop her from escaping by Apparition or Portkey."
Seeing how well-prepared Andre was, even gathering detailed information about the other party, Alex nodded seriously.
"Alright, I'll let you take charge of the overall command. Just tell me what we need."
"Sounds good!" Andre's straightforward attitude appealed to Alex. "Next, I want you to contact the Schmidt family right away. If they want to get revenge, they can send people to help with the operation, but no more than two."
"Also, besides the Schmidt family, the main attackers will be just the three of us, me, you, and Moody. No one else is allowed near the battle site. At the same time, I need 8 to 10 Aurors to clear the Muggles from the outskirts, control the scene, and handle the cleanup afterward."
"We need to get all these preparations done immediately. The operation starts tonight!"
"No problem!" Moody and Andre agreed without hesitation, exchanging a look full of determination and fighting spirit.
That night, in a modest Muggle rental house on the outskirts of Berlin, Alex was sitting casually on the couch, though he kept checking his pocket watch nervously.
"Almost time... I wonder if Andre is ready," he muttered, glancing again at the finely crafted silver watch in his hand.
Suddenly, before he could close the watch, the space in the room seemed to warp, accompanied by sharp, crackling sounds breaking through the air.
Within seconds, a dozen people appeared in the once-empty house.
Leading the group were Andre
And Moody, followed by ten Aurors who had all taken part in "Operation Concentric Circles."
Standing beside Andre were two unfamiliar wizards who looked to be around fifty years old. Their finely tailored robes hinted at their importance.
"Sorry, Alex, we're not late," Andre greeted as he stepped inside, then introduced the two men.
"Mr. Schmidt, this is Alex Wilson, the man I told you about. He'll be leading tonight's operation."
He then looked at Alex and explained, "These two are Edmond and Allen Schmidt, brothers. Edmond is the current head of the Schmidt family, the very patriarch implicated by the Phoenix."
Alex raised his eyebrows in surprise.
He had invited members of the Schmidt family mainly to serve as witnesses and to bring them fully onto Andre's side.
He hadn't expected much from them, certainly not that the family patriarch himself would risk leading the team.
This wasn't a game; real danger was involved, and people could die.
The murder of the Schmidt son by the Phoenix had clearly struck a deeper chord than Alex realized.
As Alex met their gaze, Edmond and Allen looked back at him, equally surprised.
The young man Andre had described as their leader was barely twenty.
Coming from a long line of wizards, the Schmidt family was known for their reserved and polite nature, far more refined than ordinary wizards.
They never judged others by appearances alone.
Edmund, the elder brother and head of the Schmidt family, stepped forward first.
With a graceful bow, he greeted, "Hello, Mr. Wilson. We've heard your name for quite some time.
Word is that you're the new generation's leading alchemist. After Dumbledore, you're seen as the next great master alchemist in Britain.
I didn't expect our first meeting to be under such dangerous circumstances. But as a distinguished alchemist, are you sure you should be involved in something this risky?"
Though Edmund's tone was respectful, Alex could sense an underlying doubt about his capabilities.
Before Alex could respond, Edmund chuckled and said, "I admit, I underestimated you at first because you're so young. But I soon realized you're no ordinary wizard."
He continued, "Not only is Alex powerful, but he's also sharp in strategy, tactics, and intelligence gathering. Watching him work showed me what true tactical skill looks like.
He was the first to uncover the club's plan to take over the German Ministry of Magic. Alex even uncovered the silver wand's plot against your Schmidt family and tracked down the Phoenix."
Alex patted his chest confidently, reassuring everyone.
The Aurors and Moody standing nearby all nodded in agreement, clearly impressed by Alex's abilities.
Seeing their reactions, Edmund and Allen realized that the young man before them was far more capable than they had imagined.
They knew Andre, the elder at the Ministry of Magic, very well, and anyone he spoke highly of must be exceptional.
Edmund smiled apologetically at Alex and said seriously, "Since you've already worked with Director Andre, my concerns seem unnecessary. The Silver Wand and Phoenix not only used my child as a pawn but also deceived our entire family and allies.
This is a grave insult to the Schmidt name.