I'm going to the Silver Wand headquarters. The Thunderbirds should know about the club's failed strategy in Germany by now, it's time to stir things up a bit. Maybe we can even force the Golden Snidget out."
With that, Alex stood, changed into his Silver Wand uniform, grabbed a few newspapers from the last couple of days, and put on a fierce expression.
Fang sighed quietly beside him, his boss's dramatic flair was definitely back in full force.
When Alex arrived at the Silver Wand headquarters, he wasted no time slapping the newspapers down on the long table in the reception room.
He immediately started yelling at Ashwinder, "What's going on here? Why didn't you catch them all at once?
There's a huge problem with the club's strategy, and I had to find out from the newspapers!"
Ashwinder shifted nervously.
"I don't know the full details either. I only heard about it through a message from Golden Snidget, and we haven't figured out what really happened yet."
"And what about the Golden Snidget? He hasn't run off, has he?" Alex pressed urgently.
Thunderbird shot a fierce glare at the Ashwinder as he spoke, stepping closer with a warning in his eyes.
"Didn't you ask him everything? You Silver Wands should know better. You don't want to make me angry, do you?"
The Ashwinder, clearly unsettled by Thunderbird's threatening tone, quickly responded, "Of course not! Ever since this whole incident started, Golden Snidget hasn't returned to headquarters.
I'm just as confused as anyone. And if we really planned to ditch you all, why would I have brought you into headquarters in the first place?"
Thunderbird paused, narrowing his eyes.
"So you haven't seen him at all, except when Golden Snidget summoned him?" he asked irritably.
"Is it possible he's planning to abandon us all? Even you?"
"Impossible!" Ashwinder said firmly, shaking his head.
Then, almost before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "Almost everything the club owns is stored at headquarters, and there's also a secret passage connecting to the Horned Basilisk's residence..."
Realizing too late he'd said too much, the Ashwinder quickly shut his mouth and looked down, embarrassed.
Thunderbird fixed him with a sharp look.
"Wait, what? There's a direct passage from headquarters to the Horned Basilisk's place?"
"Well..." Ashwinder hesitated, knowing he'd slipped up.
"Yes, there's a portal at headquarters that leads straight to the Horned Basilisk's home. But it's one-way and can only be used if the Horned Basilisk allows it."
"So, not only are you guarding headquarters, but you're also watching over the Horned Basilisk's door? What about your molt period?" Thunderbird asked, surprised.
"Right," the Ashwinder nodded, "I'm allowed to go 'over there' once a month. Besides delivering supplies to the Horned Basilisk, there's also..."
He sighed deeply, reluctant to reveal his secret.
"So, there's no need for you to wonder if the Horned Basilisk is still alive. He's been there all along, very close to us."
Hearing this, Alex finally understood the truth.
It's no surprise that the Ashwinder managed to stay at the headquarters for such a long time without worrying about surviving the molt period.
The co-author was under the protection of the Horned Basilisk.
This means that these silver guns have always been aware of the Horned Basilisk's existence, so it's almost laughable that he's so eager to see it, especially since Golden Snidget wants to bring him directly to the Horned Basilisk.
The Horned Basilisk's residence must hold the secrets of the headquarters.
But then, why did Golden Snidget agree so readily to take him there?
Thinking about it, Alex couldn't help but shudder inside.
Either Golden Snidget has deadly intentions toward him, or he plans to do something sinister with the Horned Basilisk.
What could possibly happen next?
Alex ran through the possibilities in his mind, carefully checked the supplies he'd prepared, and clenched his teeth.
Whatever lies ahead, he knew he'd have to face it head-on to find out.
"In that case, you should contact Golden Snidget right now!" Thunderbird's voice cut through the silence.
"The club's situation has reached this point, I have to see him today. Otherwise, I'm staying here at the headquarters."
After saying that, Thunderbird moved to the sofa beside him and sat down, striking a proud pose like a big horse with a golden knife.
"Are you trying to embarrass me?" Ashwinder anxiously approached Thunderbird, who was acting wildly.
"I can't control him. What if he really refuses to show up?"
"Then find a way to get me to the Horned Basilisk. Forget about the club's future for now. Even the source of the elixir might be in trouble. Aren't you worried?"
"You're right," Ashwinder admitted.
Thunderbird mocked, "As the watchdog of the Horned Basilisk, he can't just give up on you. But what about me?
Have you ever thought about how I feel?"
"Hey..." Ashwinder sighed helplessly, seeing Thunderbird's stubborn determination.
"Okay, I'll try to contact him, but I can't promise it'll work. Whether we can meet the Horned Basilisk isn't up to me."
Recent events had drained Ashwinder.
The club had been doing well, so even if the British transfer station failed, it wouldn't have been a big deal.
But suddenly, bad luck struck the Silver Wand.
One disaster followed another, the breeding park was completely wiped out, and the Diricawl transport team vanished without a trace.
It felt like someone who knew the club inside and out was manipulating everything behind the scenes, pulling their strings like a puppet master.
During this tense time, Ashwinder barely slept, consumed by worry.
After sending a message to Golden Snidget through a mask, Ashwinder and Thunderbird sat silently in the reception room, staring at each other without a word.
It seemed Ashwinder had made the situation sound serious in his message because, shortly after, Golden Snidget arrived at headquarters.
When Thunderbird saw Golden Snidget, he immediately stood and demanded, "Tell me everything. I want an explanation!"
Golden Snidget's voice was oddly hesitant and tired.
"What explanation?"
"How can you ask that? What's going on with the German Ministry of Magic? How did the separatist wizards get taken over by someone else?" Thunderbird pressed, frustration clear in his voice.
"Didn't you say the situation was under your control?"
Thunderbird's tone was sharp, as if he was ready to snap at any moment.
When he asked about the mess, Golden Snidget's fury was clear.
"What happened? Haven't you been reading the newspapers?
Our entire plan has been ruined by Andre.
There's nothing left, our breeding park, the supplies from Northern Europe, even the foundation of the Ministry of Magic itself!
Blame that damn Andre and that traitor Claremont. He was a snake from the start!"