Lucius Malfoy sat nervously across from Sansa, trying to maintain his composure while negotiating. Sansa represented Young Master Ewoyn, fully entrusted with procuring ten million Galleons.
"Mr. Sansa," Lucius began, forcing a smile, "I have one hundred and twenty apartments in Merlin City Phase II, and I am offering them exclusively to Young Master Ewoyn for eight million Galleons. This is already a very generous price. You should know that these apartments once reached a peak value of one million two hundred thousand Galleons per unit."
Sansa's lips curved into a faint smile. "Mr. Malfoy, the past value of these apartments does not matter. Your quote cannot compete with the others. Please forgive me for not revealing which offer I am referring to—but know that someone has already offered five million Galleons for a total of fifteen hundred apartments."
Lucius froze. The unit price had fallen below four thousand Galleons—far lower than the pre-sale price he had paid. Even selling at this rate, he would be unable to repay the loan from Merlin City Central Bank. The thought hit him like a thunderbolt: the person who made this offer—likely someone like Old Avery—might have intended to abscond with the money and default on their debts.
He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of his failure. "It's over," he whispered to himself.
After a long pause, he spoke with difficulty: "Mr. Sansa, please do not make a decision so hastily. I need time to reconsider."
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," Sansa replied calmly.
For the past two days, Lucius had repeated this conversation countless times in his mind, but nothing seemed to ease the dread in his chest. When he finally pushed open the door that afternoon, he was met with a long line of family representatives. All kept their heads lowered, avoiding eye contact out of shame. Lucius, uncharacteristically wearing a hat with the brim pulled low, hurried past, hoping to escape recognition.
But his hesitation would cost him dearly. That very afternoon, news spread like wildfire: Young Master Ewoyn had spent ten million Galleons to purchase a staggering fifteen thousand apartments. The sale had been executed by a coalition of major American business associations, who immediately vanished from Britain afterward.
When Merlin City Central Bank representatives visited the firms' U.S. headquarters to collect debts, they found the buildings deserted. Few realized that the Earl's wealth was not so easily evaded. The portkeys used by these individuals to flee Britain had instead delivered them to the Earl's private island—a concentration camp of sorts. Upon arrival, hundreds of wands trained on them, and two living human billboards hung high above the ground, striking terror into the hearts of these once-proud magnates. In panic, they dropped money bags totaling ten million Galleons, spilling golden coins across the floor.
The fate of those who attempted to escape remained uncertain. For those who stayed, the situation was equally dire. Hoping for a miracle, many had poured all their wealth into these properties. With Ewoyn withdrawing from the market, the properties became unsellable. Merlin City Central Bank froze all accounts immediately. All assets had been mortgaged; failure to repay meant losing everything.
Those once-proud families now faced a harsh reality: without wealth, they risked becoming low-level wizards, or worse, beggars. And even low-level wizards had no debts to fear. Here, the former nobles were trapped—wealthy in appearance, but destitute in substance.
Fleeing? Impossible. Earl Dark Dentis, now the Minister for Magic of the British Ministry of Magic, controlled all official channels. Those who owed him money would not be allowed to leave. Smuggling was costly, and the pure-blood families no longer had spare wealth for such ventures. Even if they escaped, they would live lives worse than the low-level wizards they once scorned.
The grand futures these families had envisioned collapsed in a single instant. Shock and despair filled the air, leaving them paralyzed.
Just as despair reached its peak, Earl Dark Dentis gathered everyone together once more. Standing on the stage, his presence radiated authority, and regret blossomed like rampant weeds in the hearts of those below.
"Merlin City Phase II will officially open the day after tomorrow," the Earl began. "A day that should be joyous may feel like an apocalypse to you." He surveyed the crowd. Former pure-blood lords now looked like frightened animals.
"I warned you long ago not to be insatiably greedy, but you ignored me. This outcome is entirely your own doing!"
He continued, "Housing prices in Merlin City Phase II are far below cost. Clearly, none of you can repay the loans from Merlin City Central Bank."
"Friendship is friendship; business is business. Your mortgaged assets are now the bank's property. Given that the loans exceeded the current market value of your collateral, we will use Merlin City Phase II properties to offset the deficit. Does anyone object?"
Silence. The Earl's words were absolute. Even with the current housing prices, taking the properties would still result in a significant loss for the bank.
Lucius Malfoy was the first to speak, desperation in his voice. "Your Excellency, if this happens, we will be ruined! What will become of us?"
Others followed suit, pleading, "Yes! How can we live from now on?"
Some families had issued bonds and already accepted that they would never be repaid, showing indifference. Most debt, however, was interest far exceeding the principal.
The Earl frowned. "You must be accountable for your actions. This situation is your own making. I have already considered past friendships and waived your debts tied to worthless properties. What more do you seek?"
"You've turned Merlin City Phase II into a money-losing venture, and I have yet to settle accounts with you!"
Lucius and others attempted to appeal to emotion, but the Earl's authority was absolute. One commanding word silenced the room instantly.
"I will carry out reforms in the British Wizarding World," the Earl announced. "Some industries will be converted into public assets. If you lack means of livelihood, you may work within these public assets. Wealth will not be extreme, but you can support your families and even earn promotions if you perform well."
"Adapt quickly to your new identities—you are no longer the high-and-mighty pure-blood lords! Abide by the laws of the Ministry of Magic, and you may still live decent lives. But if you stray," he continued coldly, "my Aurors, enforcers, and attendants will remind you why flowers are red!"
Despite the Earl's stern words, the former nobles cheered, convinced of his benevolence. To lose status yet retain a chance to live decently seemed a small mercy.
Earl Dark Dentis observed their reactions, nodding almost imperceptibly. The first hurdle of the Wizarding World revolution had been cleared.
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