"Jury, after one night's deliberation, have you reached a final decision?"
Hearing Louise Perrin's inquiry, the forty-nine jury wizards all focused their attention on an elderly man.
Just looking at his appearance, the old man should have an advanced age of over eighty years old.
This was someone Lucas knew, or rather a lot of people in the wizarding world knew him.
France's old Minister for Magic, Victor Bertrand. (T/N: the mtl name was Sean Hope but that doesn't sound French at all so I googled and the French minister in Grindelwald's time was named Victor nolastname, the character is played by David Bertrand so I just mixed the names. I just showed my OCD right? xD)
Lucas frowned, not expecting this guy to come.
Victor Bertrand was the leader of the rebellion against Gellert Grindelwald.
"After a long deliberation, the Supreme Wizarding Court voted to revoke the state seizure of the stores under the name of the Saint Investment Group by Germany and France."
"The compensation of 800,000 Galleons proposed by Lucas Grindelwald is rejected, but considering the huge economic losses of the 63 stores over the past year, the Ministry of Magic of Germany and France will compensate a total of 200,000 Galleons."
Victor handed the parchment in his hand to the court assistant beside him to deliver the document with their decision to the Chief Mage.
Lucas, who was sitting below, heaved a sigh of relief in his heart.
He thought the old man was here to make trouble and didn't expect him to just come out for a formality.
Although he doesn't understand why Victor Bertrand helped him, but as long as he wins.
Lucas looked at Orwell in the gallery at this moment, and saw that his face was showing an extremely ugly expression.
He has been preaching in Germany that Lucas and the Saints Group are heinous criminals.
But now the criminal in his mouth has won the court hearing.
And he is about to take away 100,000 Galleons in compensation from him.
If it is known by the wizards in Germany, his position as minister will be left hanging by a thread.
No, it should be said that he has now entered the countdown to step down.
Lucas stood up and thanked the jury around him.
"Thank you for your righteous words. I hereby assure you that as long as I am here, the Saints Investment Group will redouble their efforts to contribute to the future of the French magic community."
With his guarantee, some of the younger wizards present looked satisfied.
Orwell stood up reluctantly at this moment.
"Everyone, I swear to Merlin, this guy is not as simple as he appears on the surface, please think again seriously, he is a Grindelwald!"
"Minister Orwell, when you and I exchanged views on this issue, you said at the time that our French Court would make the decision and you will not interfere in any form with the result, but what do you mean by your statement just now? Do you want to go back on your word?"
The speaker was the French Director of Magical Law Enforcement.
As the most powerful department, the director's words carry a lot of weight.
Seeing this, Orwell looked towards the highest position in the courtroom and saw Louise Perrin's faking ignorance.
Everything is over now!
These four words flashed in his mind as he sat down on the chair despondently.
Louise Perrin got up and re-announced the resolution of the Supreme Wizarding Court of France.
[Congratulations to the host for completing the new achievement: Tongue Fighting Hero; reward: 500 achievement points.]
The court session is over and the members of the Supreme Wizarding Court began to exit.
Lucas did not leave immediately, but stayed behind and greeted every wizard who left, thanking each of them for their fair resolution.
His elegant, humble attitude won the favor of everyone.
Including Louise Perrin, Lucas stepped forward to express his gratitude.
Waiting until everyone leaves.
The Director of Magical Law Enforcement, David Fielding, came before Lucas.
"Mr. Grindelwald, thank you for donating one hundred thousand Galleons to the French Foundation for Magical Orphans."
"I should thank Director Fielding. Thank you for giving me such an opportunity. The Saints Group has always been a strong supporter of charity."
Not long ago, members of the Saints Group found out some information about David Fielding.
As the chief director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, he actually set up a foundation in spite of his busy schedule.
As soon as he learned about the worrying financial situation of the foundation, Lucas sent one hundred thousand Galleons to the other party.
That's why Lucas said yesterday that the victory is sealed. As long as he impresses the jury first, Director Fielding will naturally help with the rest.
"By the way, Director Fielding, why was the ex Minister Victor Bertrand here today?
"I invited him here. Although my uncle has retired for many years, his prestige is still there."
"He also asked me to tell you that after decades have passed, don't mention the past, as long as you sincerely do things for the magic world in the future."
Unexpectedly, there was such a relationship between the two.
No wonder Fielding has such a strong say in the French Ministry of Magic.
…
Five days have passed since the court session.
Lucas accompanied Hermione and Cho Chang in Paris these days.
The rest of the time was spent in contact with various French families making connections.
Thanks to the good impression he made in the court, no one has yet refused to open their door.
"Aunt Vinda, is the German hundred thousand Galleons coming?"
"Not yet."
Lucas threw the newspaper on the table.
On the front page was a photo of Orwell walking out of the German Ministry of Magic.
One hundred thousand Galleons became the straw that broke the camel's back.
In just five days the German wizards cast 90% of the votes in favor of driving Orwell out of office.
"Aunt Vinda, if I were to invite Orwell to work in our Saints Group, would he be willing?"
Vinda chuckled and said: "I guess he would rather die than work for our group.
"Tsk, what a pity!"
The reason why Lucas would say such a thing.
It was entirely because when Orwell stepped down, the system rewarded him with 100 achievement points.
Said to be the reward for the "Defeat a Strong Enemy" achievement.
But this supposedly powerful enemy is only worth 100 points, which is not worth much.
This time Lucas received 200,000 Galleons in compensation from the two countries.
But he was not very happy.
Lucas donated a total of 100,000 galleons of various materials to the two countries in the past two years.
This time, in order to secure the chance of winning, another 100,000 galleons was donated to Director Fielding's foundation.
He planned to take advantage of this incident, and the lion opened his mouth. Even if it is less than 800,000, 500,000 or even 300,000 is good.
Unexpectedly, the old guy Victor Bertrand only gave him 200,000 Galleons as compensation.
He probably wants to tell Lucas that they will not owe each other from now on.
Victor Bertrand, is really not an easy person to deal with.
At this moment, the door was suddenly opened and Abernathy walked in hurriedly.
"More than 60 shops have reopened, and our people are so busy, but you are still chatting here."
"Uncle Abernathy, haven't I already handed over the business of the two countries to the Carrow family, why do you worry so much about it?"
Abernathy was going to retort a few words.
But before the words were spoken, one hundred thousand Galleons from the German Ministry of Magic arrived.
…
Time flies.
In the blink of an eye, the seven-day tour of France will come to an end.
The Grangers had a great time these days.
On the way back, Lucas also took the plane with them.
To be honest, Lucas had never flown on a plane in his life.
After the experience, he suddenly felt that using a portkey was more convenient.
Once he was finally back to his Wiltshire estate the sun was already setting and the sky was about to fall into darkness.
The next day Lucas arrived at Malfoy Manor early in the morning.
When he saw Draco playing with Crabbe and Goyle in the yard.
Without saying a word, he went up and knocked the platinum haired boy unconscious and dragged him away.
Crabbe and Goyle watched Draco being dragged out of the manor, dumbfounded.
When Draco woke up from the coma he saw Lucas breaking a ward on a building.
"Is this Grimmauld Place?"
"Oh? You actually know this place, that makes things much easier."
At this time, the old house of the Black family has shown its true appearance.
Just looking at the appearance, no one will believe that this dilapidated house with dirty windows could be the mansion of one of the oldest and most noble pure-blood families in the wizarding world, the Black family.
"Lucas, what are you doing here?"
"I came to find something."
Lucas gripped the silver twisting serpent handle.
Accompanied by an unlocking spell.
The Black family house which has been dusty for many years, finally welcomes a new visitor.
"Huh? The inside is much cleaner than the outside. Didn't Mom say that there are no people in the Black family left.
Looking at the clean and tidy interior furnishings Draco was very surprised.
Lucas glanced at him like he was a fool.
"Although the people of the Black family haven't come back for some time, there are still portraits and a house elf here."
"Why are you looking at me like that? I haven't forgiven you for knocking me out yet."
Lucas ignored Draco who was shouting behind him and stepped into the long hallway.
Because of the traceless extension spell, the mansion of the Black family is very large on the inside.
Just as Lucas was about to find the target of this trip.
An old, raspy voice suddenly came from a dark corner in the distance.
"Oh, Master Malfoy, you are welcome!"
Draco hurriedly turned his head and looked towards the corner, and under the dim light he saw a house elf standing there, watching the two of them with a knife in his hands.
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