One was Claremont himself, dressed in fine, elaborate clothing, his expression brimming with confidence.
When everyone clearly saw the other person, their eyes widened in surprise.
It was Pete, dressed in ordinary clothes!
In the memory, Claremont respectfully addressed Pete, "Master, the task you assigned me has been completed. Director Byers of the Department of Magical Transportation believed my so-called inside information yesterday and bet on Quidditch in the black market.
He lost 800 Galleons but still wanted to try his luck today, bringing another 800 Galleons here. I believe he'll lose it all in a few days and won't even have enough left for Floo powder."
Pete didn't show any joy when he heard the news.
Instead, he grumbled, "Why did it take so long? Don't celebrate just yet, things aren't fully settled.
Even though Bayer is useless, he's important for our future plans. The first step to splitting Germany has to start with the Department of Magical Transportation."
Claremont lowered his head nervously and said, "Sorry, master, I understand. I'll keep a close watch on him for the next two days and let you know as soon as Bayer falls into the trap."
Pete nodded with satisfaction.
"Good. And remember, once he loses the Red Eye, it's best to lend him some money, I want to make sure he's truly desperate."
"Yes, master. I know what to do," Claremont replied.
Then, Pete suddenly changed the subject.
"By the way, besides Bayer, you should also keep an eye on the Endeavor Society. I've heard a lot of members there are fed up with the conflicts involving East Germans. Handle that quickly."
"Yes, master, these wizards still lack strength in their resolve, but it would be a waste to simply kick them out of the Endeavor Society," Claremont said thoughtfully.
After a moment, he added, "What if we ask the East German side to cooperate? Let their associations take out a few of these troublemakers"
"The next time we hold a rally..."
"Using conflict to escalate conflict?"
Pete nodded after considering it.
"No problem. Send me photos of those diehards, and I'll arrange it. Someone in East Germany will handle it. But if they still refuse to change their minds..."
Claremont cut in, "Then we can relocate them elsewhere. Breeding Park. [-] was just built recently, but it's short-staffed.
If nothing else, we can bring them in through internal recruitment to work there. After all, the Endeavor Society is a non-governmental organization.
If you just fire a bunch of people, it'll upset the rank-and-file members."
Claremont's tone was mocking, but Pete nodded approvingly.
"You're very thoughtful. Letting you manage this is definitely the right choice."
At that moment, the video abruptly ended, and everyone in the room let out a collective sigh.
If what they'd just seen was true, Pete wasn't just connected to the silver wand group, he might actually be one of them.
Beyond plotting to divide Germany, he had apparently used deceit to manipulate senior Ministry officials.
Perhaps other directors and deputies aligned with him had also been fooled.
Everyone's attention snapped to Pete and the other directors.
Bayer, the director of the Department of Magical Transportation mentioned in the video, looked uncertain, as if learning the truth for the first time.
Pete's usual calm demeanor disappeared; he stood up, face twisted in anger, and shouted, "This is fake! Don't believe it!
It must be that bastard Andre using some complex spell to forge this! Someone pretended to be me and even acted in a play with Claremont!
This evidence is completely fake!" he shouted desperately.
Andre smirked coldly at Pete's panicked expression before turning to Edmond.
"Mr. Schmidt, as a notary, can you tell if there's anything wrong with these memories?"
Edmond nodded thoughtfully.
"Although these memories are well preserved, there are subtle signs that show they were taken out a while ago. They don't seem to be recent fabrications. I'm quite certain about this."
While Edmond might seem less intimidating than Andre in a fight, his reputation in academic circles is solid.
With someone of his credibility backing the evidence, Pete's fate was practically sealed.
"No!!!," he yelled in frustration. "This is a setup, a conspiracy against me! Andre, Claremont, Edmond, they're all working together to frame me!"
Andre shook his head with a mocking smile.
"That's ridiculous. We can have other experts examine these memories anytime to confirm their authenticity. You really think I'd conspire with everyone?"
Pete felt a wave of suffocation wash over him.
Panic, anger, doubt, and despair tangled inside his mind.
Deep down, he knew the memories were true, but how could that be?
How could this even exist?
His eyes snapped toward Claremont, burning with betrayal.
He had treated that man well over the years, yet Claremont had turned out to be a traitor.
Just as Pete's thoughts spiraled, a fire broke out in the backyard of his own camp.
At that moment, Bayer, the head of the Department of Magical Transportation, stood up with a furious expression, glaring at Pete.
"Tell me, is everything in that video true? I didn't expect you to pull me into your mess and resort to such low tactics."
"No! Bayer, please listen, this is all lies and slander!" he pleaded desperately.
Losing Bayer's support now would leave him with no chance.
"But everything shown in that video is the truth," Bayer replied firmly.
By this point, Bayer had already lost his temper completely.
He shouted hysterically at the others, "I only believed all this because I was drowning in a huge gambling debt and desperate for a way out. What kind of messed-up club have you joined?
I never expected you to be so cruel to your own people, dragging Michelle into this mess and making her take the blame. What future could I possibly have with you?"
His harsh words hit like a thunderclap, instantly shocking everyone present.
No one could stay seated; they all stood up in disbelief.
"Wait, even Bayer? You're siding with the silver wand too?"
"Why, Pete? Aren't you already the Minister of Magic? Are you trying to tear apart the German wizarding community?"
"How can a mere Silver Wand member get involved with the Ministry of Magic like this? These people can't be let off!"
"Arrest them! They're the scum of the wizarding world, and if we let them go, there'll only be more trouble ahead!"
Everyone there, whether Wizengamot councilors, local wizards, or reporters, was stunned by what Pete and his group had done.
Initially, they thought Pete had just made some shady deal with the silver wand or used their power behind the scenes.
At worst, it was a scandal.
But now, the Minister of Magic himself was openly involved with the silver wand and its leadership.
This wasn't just outrageous, it was catastrophic.