Chapter 220: Top Secret Footage
After the massive protests, everyone's attention was focused on the reshuffling of government ministers and the specific cause of the fire.
The latest official statement released claimed that a Russian intelligence agent carrying a tactical nuclear briefcase was killed by terrorists while attempting to steal intelligence from the "Swimming Pool." The briefcase was taken, and the terrorists ultimately launched a suicide attack.
Because this story was so outlandish, and combined with the strong societal resistance towards Russian political ideology and socio-economic systems at the time, people logically accepted this explanation. They also heeded the announcement's call to avoid the 20th arrondissement for a short time to escape radiation.
The end of the announcement also stated: For the safety of the citizens, the government has spent a huge sum to seal off the "radiation zone."
On TV, one could see the President's apology and the resignation of several ministers.
Thus, the wave of protests passed.
Leaving behind only the performance requirements for various public sectors to launch "safety campaigns."
The Wizarding World.
The Magi-Metal Wizards attended classes day after day.
Until one night, several figures shrouded completely in black robes, walking silently, crept into the homes of a few involved parties.
While Martin and the others were sound asleep, these intruders secretly did unspeakable things.
Then, some "Top Secret" footage began circulating in the wizarding markets. These videos spread like wildfire through the European wizarding community, faster even than some contraband materials.
Still lying in the hospital wing, Ryan looked blankly at the "Top Secret" footage Penelope handed him.
The footage detailed the super-explosion seen from Martin and the others' perspectives, with the voices of Ryan and the others clearly audible.
"What's going on?"
Ryan had originally thought everything was under control, but seeing this footage left him bewildered. What did the wizards pulling strings behind the scenes mean by distributing this? Were they trying to mimic Muggle protests, expose the incident to stir up public opinion, and force the Ministry of Magic to react?
But releasing just this clip was useless. At the very least, they needed to explain the cause and effect of why these people were captured, and emphasize that the Magi-Metal Wizards brought it upon themselves.
Otherwise, the public sentiment aroused would only lean towards "Muggles harming wizards," followed by "pillars of the wizarding community rescuing wizards." This would only elevate his reputation even further!
"Penelope, did you see any other similar footage in Hogsmeade?"
Penelope shook her head. She had discovered this contraband by following a few third-year students into a small shop. The shop didn't even have a sign. After discovering the content, she had searched carefully and confirmed this was the only type of content available.
"That's too strange. What does this person mean? Isn't this handing me a knife?"
Ryan had considered that those people might still be unwilling to give up after examining Martin's memories and might try some tricks. He was prepared with countermeasures, but he hadn't expected them to play it this way.
"What happened?" Penelope asked, sitting down next to Ryan.
Ryan recounted the events of the past few days to Penelope in detail, ending with: "I can't figure out the meaning of this right now. In your view, what use is this to the person behind it?"
"I think your analysis is sound. If the person behind this wanted to make an issue of it, they would definitely need to highlight the Magi-Metal Wizards' own violation of the Statute of Secrecy first, then leverage that for the next step." Penelope analyzed it for a while and also found this approach strange; it was basically giving away points.
This way, Ryan didn't need to do anything. The Magi-Metal Wizards with a conscience would handle everything properly, and even those without a conscience would know the best course of action when faced with such an issue.
Because having Ryan meant they had someone backing them. Without Ryan, they were fish on the chopping block. This was very unfavorable for Mr. Hawke's plan to bridge two worlds and strengthen himself.
So, as long as Martin and the others said a few words or published a statement in mainstream newspapers claiming they were persecuted by Muggles and that the two famous schools, Beauxbatons and Hogwarts, did their best to rescue them, this storm would not only subside but also further strengthen the reputations of Beauxbatons, Hogwarts, and Ryan. The entire wizarding world would know a powerful wizard had appeared.
And all Magi-Metal Wizards would know their creator was willing to protect them and possessed the power to do so.
"Perhaps the person who came up with this idea wants to proceed in stages—first using this scene to attract attention. Such powerful magic, such destructive magic capable of overturning the wizarding worldview, is enough to attract the gaze of all wizards, making this incident the center of attention for a while..."
She found the most reasonable explanation.
Ryan also agreed with Penelope's most likely explanation but scoffed at it. "Time waits for no one. Operating in stages leaves obvious flaws. If it's truly as you say, then the person acting is clearly hesitant. They only know this method works in the ordinary world, but worrying their method might fail, they resorted to this poor strategy."
"Could it be a trap?" Penelope worried that someone intentionally left obvious flaws to hide a trap.
Trap... how could they set a trap here? Ryan tapped his fingers on the bedsheet.
It's known that the person behind this acted to use the Statute of Secrecy to pressure me.
And my goal is to neutralize the opponent's moves...
"Trap or not, I'll just act first!" he said. "Wait a moment. I'll contact Martin."
He picked up his Communicator to contact Martin, instructed him on what to do next, and then hung up.
"What's the plan?"
"I told Martin to go to Madame Maxime and ask to report the news to Gargoyle's Roar, providing material. Then let the newspaper reporters go to the Magi-Metal Academy to collect evidence."
Ryan said, "Strike first and sway public opinion to our side."
"Is Martin trustworthy?"
"Among the captured Magi-Metal Wizards, he's the only one trustworthy. But don't worry. That self-proclaimed genius Hawke isn't as smart as he thinks, but he has the basic ability to judge the situation. After witnessing what happened, he won't think of kicking me aside anytime soon; he'll only seek my protection. So he'll definitely speak well in front of the reporters."
Ryan took an apple from the fruit basket. He was about to tap it with his finger but awkwardly remembered he couldn't use magic right now and couldn't make the peel fall off by itself.
"Let me." Penelope didn't take the apple from Ryan. Instead, she took out her wand from her pocket and tapped it. The apple peel peeled off in regular circles, as if an invisible knife were paring it.
As an outstanding person, Ryan never had a habit of exploiting his friends. He handed the peeled apple to Penelope. "This is for you."
Penelope took the peeled apple without surprise, her hair falling down to cover half her face, bringing a faint fragrance.
At this moment, Harry, with dark circles under his eyes, who claimed he rushed over anxiously to visit Senior Ryan after hearing of his injury, quietly, very quietly, retracted the foot he had stepped into the hospital wing with and hid silently outside the door, not daring to breathe loudly.
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