The wizarding world is small; the sudden death of seven or eight people could not be hidden.
Thus, the next day, a report titled "Extreme Malevolence! A Dwarf Blasts Eight Wizards to Death!" shocked the British wizarding community.
According to survivors, they were having a dinner party at the Roncorn family's ancient castle when a sleazy wizard burst in. He captured Roncorn and threatened everyone to join the Death Eaters or he would kill Roncorn and their friends.
A few wizards, in an attempt to save Roncorn and their friends, reluctantly agreed to Peter Pettigrew's demands and allowed him to brand them with the "Dark Mark."
Later, while Pettigrew was distracted marking everyone, Arlo's Captain—Rasim Selwyn, who was recuperating at the Roncorn castle due to illness and thus had not been disarmed, coincidentally appeared. To save the captured wizards, he launched an attack on Pettigrew, leading to a fierce battle.
During the chaos, Pettigrew used his wand to create a terrible explosion, killing several honorable wizards.
Both Pettigrew and Roncorn vanished without a trace.
Some suspect they perished in the explosion, while others believe Pettigrew fled with hostages.
"Master, is it okay to say it this way?"
In the large Rosier estate, Murphy listens to Ansethus's report.
Ansethus had just completed his third interview with Rita Skeeter, with the Watchers and Arlo soon to inquire.
"Though it's a bit forced, let it be."
"Should we investigate Pettigrew's whereabouts and eliminate him? He's a fugitive, but if Arlo captures him and discovers he never came here, our story won't hold."
"Pettigrew?"
Murphy shakes his head, "No need, he won't be caught."
The rat has been confined in his laboratory since his abduction; how could Arlo capture him?
"Yes, yes, I was overthinking. With the master's wisdom, there's surely a plan."
Murphy gives him a look. The mind seeds he planted in these wizarding nobles were supposed to be magical contracts, not loyalty through faith, right?
Why so obsequious?
"Less flattery. How's the task I gave you coming along?"
"Yes, master, you are correct," Ansethus nods humbly. "With the groundwork laid by the master, progress is smooth. We've secured enough votes, adding to his original supporters, we're 80% sure of pushing Barty Crouch to the ministerial position."
"Hm," Murphy stands up, "Try for the remaining votes as well. Also, improve relations with Fudge, bring him into our circle."
"Yes." Ansethus follows Murphy out of the mansion. "But master, aren't you worried about Crouch betraying us? He's not one to follow orders quietly."
"Betray?" Murphy shakes his head, "He wouldn't dare. Besides, it doesn't matter."
Not to mention the mind seed magic contract makes betrayal difficult, but having little Barty Crouch in his control, Murphy could dispose of him anytime.
Furthermore, at this point, what would a betrayal by Crouch really change? ... In May, Blue Rear sold two million units, with orders still rising.
Umbrella Corporation surpassed tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Intel, becoming the leading global tech giant overnight.
The global semiconductor technology leadership shifted from the United States to Britain.
Americans were frustrated, having just managed to push back Japan's challenge to their tech dominance with harsh tactics, now Britain was causing trouble!
Endless, isn't it? Do they not see who's in charge here?!
Soon, strategies to counter Umbrella began to emerge, initially planning to sanction it under national security threats, targeting companies providing key technologies and prohibiting their cooperation with Umbrella.
However, they discovered Umbrella hadn't used any American technology, even in cooperation with Seagate, limited to mechanical hard drives, where Umbrella was the tech provider. Cutting off cooperation would starve Seagate, not affecting Umbrella's operations significantly.
A semiconductor tech company that didn't use any American technology from start to finish?!
Unscientific!
Unrealistic!
Even if true, could they really develop everything in-house? Without American tech, what about Japanese, Korean, or other European technologies? After inquiries, the Commerce Department came to a frustrating conclusion.
Umbrella Corporation, from chip design to production, system development, to desktop terminals, is a full industry chain company without any technological shortcomings.
Another Samsung, but out of American control.
Americans were puzzled; why did such a company emerge in the declining Britain instead of the great USA? ... While Americans were distressed, the British Ministry of Magic was also in turmoil.
Due to Rasim Selwyn's heroic stand against Pettigrew, he was nominated by Barty Crouch as the new head of the Auror Office and quickly received Millicent Bagnold's approval.
On his first day, Rasim Selwyn dismissed Kingsley Shacklebolt and several Aurors.
Accusing them of abuse of power, arbitrary wizarding arrests, involvement in the "Nameless" case, bearing direct responsibility, he requested an investigation by the Wizengamot, led by the Watchers.
However, the former "disgraced Aurors" refused to cooperate, clashing with the Watchers, leading to an armed conflict and eventually, Kingsley and three former Aurors escaped and vanished.
Some say they sought a famous wizard's help; others believe they fled to the United States, seeking asylum with the American Ministry of Magic.
Regardless, the Auror headquarters is no longer chaotic as before but peaceful.
By the end of May, the long-delayed Ministry of Magic election process finally began. Millicent Bagnold, after her final speech, withdrew from the next election, endorsing Barty Crouch's work and supporting him.
She was also hired as a senior consultant by Supreme Potion Chain after retirement, mainly responsible for global expansion negotiations, receiving a salary 1.2 times higher than her ministerial position due to her irreplaceable value.
In June, after a series of contests, Barty Crouch defeated Fudge, becoming the new Minister for Magic.
The same month, half-blood wizard Winston Robinson was elected Commander of the Watchers, Alex Wood entered the Magical Transportation Department as the head of the Floo Network Authority, with the previous head, Dolph, reassigned as head of the Centaur Office. Seraphina Wood, under former head Fudge's recommendation, entered the Magical Accidents and Catastrophes Department as Deputy Head of the Obliviator Headquarters.
Meanwhile, several Muggle researchers who signed the mind seed magic contracts underwent werewolf transformation. They were employed by Supreme Potion or wizarding security stores, starting to learn living in the wizarding world.
The Magic Research Institute seemed to become an incubator, with more and more people emerging and finding their place in the wizarding world. ... In the Scottish Highlands, Hogwarts Castle.
Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore opens the window, receiving a letter from an owl.
"Thank you, Polly."
The owl hoots and flies away.
Dumbledore reads the letter, sighs softly, folds it back into the envelope, and places it in a drawer filled with thousands of letters.
"Anything to worry about, Dumbledore?" asks a portrait of an elderly wizard with a hat.
"Shacklebolt refuses my protection; he's trying his luck in America."
"Ah, Shacklebolt. An Auror, inconsequential. But with Crouch as minister, what do you plan to do?"
Dumbledore doesn't answer; he closes the window and stands there, watching the setting sun, lost in thought.
Outside, the long night approaches.
The sky grows darker.
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