Mysterious Journey

Chapter 720 Undercurrents and Betrayal

"Calibrate time! Prepare for action!"

A wizard standing next to Newt waved his wand, and a huge clock illusion appeared in the air.

Carrying out a large-scale rescue operation within the territory of the former Soviet Union is not an easy task. In this vast land spanning eleven time zones, even a small error can lead to extremely serious consequences.

Accompanied by the male wizard's voice, all the wizards present raised their wrists and began to adjust their watches.

This was a goblin-customized watch specially crafted by Gringotts Wizarding Bank, immune to any magical or electromagnetic interference.

At the same time, after referring to the "Field Support" magic of the Austrian Ministry of Magic, it would also record the wearer's mental and physical condition throughout the journey. In the event of being controlled or seriously injured, it would send a warning message to the nearest Destiny Group contact point, and send the current location information in real time, providing remote strike coordinates for the Hyperion.

Although this area fell under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Magic, after half a year of secret development, Destiny Group had already established several reliable and hidden teleportation points in various cities. According to the worst-case scenario, even if a full-scale war broke out, they could disperse and blend into any non-magical city without a sound.

However, everything seemed to be unfolding according to the most perfect script.

Gringotts and Destiny Group had perfectly diverted the attention of the Ministry of Magic and the non-magical world by causing chaos on the surface. Their massive teleportation movements were extremely successfully concealed within the Russian Ministry of Magic's Auror deployment.

"London time, 9:21 AM... It seems they haven't detected our infiltration."

Newt Scamander said in a calm tone, watching the hands slowly sweep past, letting out a small breath.

The Russian Ministry of Magic possessed the largest wizarding task force. In reality, the hypothetical enemies they had to face were not just the Aurors on the surface. There was a reason why this land was called the "Gray Forbidden Zone."

The influence of the International Confederation of Wizards in Russia and Ukraine was no less than that of any individual Ministry of Magic. This was different from the United Nations Security Council in the non-magical world. As wizards possessing extraordinary power, this Confederation of Wizards, unconstrained by national interests, simultaneously possessed independent adjudication rights and an independent wizarding task force.

In fact, this was what Newt Scamander and Elena were most wary of.

Compared to the negotiable politicians of the Ministry of Magic, this collection of old-world entities maintaining the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was the most troublesome. Any act of challenging the laws of the old world was a declaration of war with no room for compromise.

After a pause, Newt took out a mobile phone and dialed the phone number of the Gringotts goblin liaison in Russia.

The name Elena Kaslana would not have any association with the SCP Foundation. The goblins of Gringotts were undoubtedly the most suitable intermediaries, the most obvious benefit being that wizards did not know how to identify a goblin.

On the other hand, perhaps the International Confederation of Wizards and the Russian Ministry of Magic would consider revealing the existence of the magical world to the leaders of the Muggle government, just as the British Ministry of Magic had done. But proud, noble wizards would obviously not bother to learn about the novelties of Muggles, let alone think of monitoring the radio waves transmitted in the air.

"O5-1, Silver Wolf Fang Plan, field security officer is in position, when can we begin containment?"

"Approximately twenty minutes from now, the exact time is 9:40 AM London time. From this point forward, this channel is semi-abandoned, entering a state of complete silence in all areas. O5-1, if this number is dialed a second time, consider containment to have failed, please execute the purge."

"Purge scope confirmed, do you have any A-level personnel in your ranks?"

Newt Scamander recalled the code phrase Elena had left him and said in a deep voice.

"According to Duke Blouwulf's allocation, A-level personnel will not appear in front-line positions. If A-level members appear, it means there is a traitor within the organization. Please complete the elimination work at the first opportunity. All files have been transferred to the American division."

"...I understand, I will – I hope I don't hear from you, thank you."

"Likewise, I hope I don't receive a call from you. Goodbye."

Watching the receiver go silent, Newt was silent for a moment. He was well aware of the serious consequences of this operation being completely exposed.

Compared to prematurely triggering a war between wizards in the magical world, sacrificing a portion of the Gringotts goblins to define the event as an internal goblin war was undoubtedly the most ideal and effective solution from any perspective.

This kind of extreme coldness, yet difficult to refute, was very much in line with his perception of those two demon kings.

Fortunately, the scope of this rescue was not too large, only twenty-five wizarding families in total.

Moreover, all of these people had participated in front-line rescue efforts in Chernobyl and had been infected with "Wizard's Bane," stripped of their wands, and placed under house arrest. The Ministry of Magic's vigilance towards them was achieved through magic rather than manpower.

In Newt Scamander's eyes, Elena's arrangements were merely exaggerated and overly cautious precautions.

He had already visited each house one by one some time ago and received confirmed replies from everyone. Moreover, Newt was all too familiar with the Russian Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards' terrible, bureaucratic procedures. The Destiny Group's successful progress over the past half year had undoubtedly confirmed this. This was just a collective relocation.

They only needed to catch a break in timing, successfully board the Hyperion, and they could completely disappear from the magical world.

However, Newt Scamander did not know that this situation was different from before.

…………

Russian Ministry of Magic, interrogation room.

A round table was placed in the dimly lit room, already occupied by the newly appointed Russian Minister of Magic, the Ukrainian Minister of Magic, the Belarusian Minister of Magic, the International Confederation of Wizards consultant, and a few officials from important departments of the Ministry of Magic.

At the other end of the round table sat two people, the corners of the room obscured in darkness.

In fact, it wasn't entirely accurate to call them "people." In addition to a wizard who looked somewhat timid, the other person sitting in the chair was a middle-aged goblin in a suit and tie, with sharp eyes and a bald eagle insignia pinned to his chest.

"Well then, let the emergency meeting begin!"

The Russian Minister of Magic cleared his throat, and the quill pen on the table automatically floated up and began to write.

"Mr. Rulinfland, you wish for the Ministry of Magic to temporarily take over the operations of Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and other countries, and to arbitrate the conflict between the American goblins and the European goblins – why should we do this?"

"Because... they have betrayed the interests of the magical world! They intend to break the Statute of Secrecy!"

The middle-aged goblin straightened his back and said in a stern tone.

"Betraying the magical world – this is a very serious accusation, involving the collective behavior of an intelligent magical race."

The International Confederation of Wizards consultant tapped the table with his finger and said softly.

"Evidence? Goblin, I think you should understand the consequences of making a fool of the International Confederation of Wizards and the Ministry of Magic? If you intend to use wizards as weapons in the internal conflicts of goblins, then you are sorely mistaken."

Everyone looked at the middle-aged goblin and the wizard with shifty eyes, quietly waiting.

"Someone intends to rescue that group of 'Wizard's Bane' criminals who have been placed under house arrest. That's right! It is that group of wizards who severely violated the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy a few years ago – without a doubt, the European Gringotts goblins are providing them with assistance!"

Wizard's Bane?

Rescuing those old stubborns who they personally sentenced to house arrest and exile, who shouldn't be alive for much longer in theory?

A murmur of whispers echoed around.