"A job opportunity at the Ministry of Magic?" Kaster paused for half a second, his face showing astonishment. "That's it?"

Based on his understanding of Gringotts, and the Goblin Queen's previous build-up, he had originally thought she would ask for an exorbitant price.

These were far more important than cold, hard cash…

Looking around at the equally surprised Ministry of Magic officials, Hermione mentally grumbled to herself.

It seemed she had overestimated the political acumen of these Ministry officials. She should have let Douglas handle them.

After a few seconds of thought, she answered in a calm tone.

"For centuries, Gringotts Wizarding Bank has adhered to a principle of absolute neutrality, not participating in any disputes between wizards. Therefore, we must pursue stable income and maximize profits. Only in this way can goblins have enough capital to maintain an absolutely neutral position."

"But…"

Hermione paused for two seconds, her gaze sweeping over the officials before finally landing on the goblin manager not far away.

"Since last year, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and goblins have been constantly embroiled in various events."

"After calculations by Gringotts' Venture Capital Department and Asset Accounting Department, maintaining a stable and orderly market is the most important investment project for the future."

"Obviously, someone is trying to undermine the valuable stability and order of the wizarding world. As an important link in maintaining the stability and order of the wizarding world, Gringotts is clearly one of the targets in the eyes of dark wizards. Compared to the Ministry of Magic, Gringotts is even more vulnerable in the face of those evil wizards."

"The terrorist attack at the Ministry of Magic tonight is very likely to be re-enacted at Gringotts Bank one day—"

Hermione said slowly, tapping her fingers lightly on the armrest.

"Therefore, after careful consideration, I have finally made a decision that violates ancestral teachings:"

"I hope that, taking advantage of this opportunity, the goblins and Gringotts Wizarding Bank can join the magical government as a special sequence... not as a superficial alliance or mutual aid, but as partners to jointly maintain the order of the wizarding world and jointly combat dark wizards who plot to subvert peace."

"On the other hand, if we become a community of shared interests, then the magical passages at Gringotts…"

"The magical government can use them freely at any time, just like we use the fireplaces in our respective Ministry of Magic lobbies to connect to the Floo Network?"

Cornelius Fudge asked instinctively, his tone tinged with excitement.

"Of course not. Tonight is a special situation. Usually, that costs extra…"

Hermione shrugged and answered seriously, "This is not targeted at the Ministry of Magic. Even internal use of teleportation magic within Gringotts is included in the cost accounting—even when wizards use the Floo Network, don't they have to pay for materials each time? At Gringotts, we goblins use gold."

"Hmm, that's reasonable. When can we set off?"

Amelia Bones nodded, not exploring this aspect too deeply, and looked around.

"According to the customs of you Gringotts goblins, you should have prepared some contracts for us to sign on the spot, right?"

"Don't worry, a verbal agreement will suffice for now—"

Hermione shook her head and chuckled, her voice becoming slightly shrill, sounding like a textbook-standard goblin tone.

"Time is money, my friends. What you, no, what we lack most now is time."

"If we delay too long with tedious procedures, it will lose its original meaning. The contract can be discussed slowly after the dust settles. The immediate priority is to retake the fallen Ministry of Magic and restore everything to normal as soon as possible. If you have no questions, we can set off now."

"Aren't you goblins worried that we'll break our promise afterward?" Atticus Fawley raised an eyebrow and asked curiously.

"Gringotts has a Venture Capital Department. Based on the current assessment results, we don't need to worry about the Ministry of Magic breaking its promise…"

Hermione glanced at the ministers in the conference room and said meaningfully, "At least, in the foreseeable future, the dark wizards who disrupt order are what we need to worry about. The Ministry of Magic and the goblins are bound to be close partners on the same front—"

If this doesn't work, then we'll try a few more times… After the gray-white mist, the Goblin Queen quietly added in her heart.

This time, the Ministry of Magic did not raise any objections.

The smoothness of the negotiations between Gringotts Wizarding Bank and the Goblin Queen exceeded their expectations.

But upon further thought, this was indeed very much in line with people's understanding of goblins—they are very good at clinging to the strong.

Even though the Ministry of Magic had suffered a despicable surprise attack, it still represented the most powerful and authoritative force in the wizarding world today. It was undoubtedly wise for the goblins to want to join the Ministry of Magic and participate in the human wizard-dominated stage as a member of the magical government.

"So, do you have any other questions? If not, please depart with the Gringotts night shift manager from Armenia—"

Hermione looked at the wizards around her with pleasure and nodded to the goblin manager in the corner.

"Remember to provide the price list to the gentlemen as well. To show our sincerity, the first experience of each item tonight is free."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the goblin manager stood up respectfully and replied.

"Gentlemen, please come this way—the Gringotts Wizarding Bank's teleportation hall is this way…"

As the goblin manager stood up, the gray-white mist and Hermione's figure gradually dissipated like morning mist in the sunlight.

Obviously, tonight's agenda had come to an end. Next was the Ministry of Magic's time to fight.

"London, Paris, Athens, Rome, Istanbul… a total of eleven Gringotts branch teleportation channels are ready. At the same time, we have also prepared free coffee and energizing potions for you. If necessary, you can also temporarily rent a few goblin guards from the local Gringotts Wizarding Bank as temporary mercenaries to participate in the battle. This is our Gringotts Wizarding Bank's price list. You can refer to it…"

The middle-aged goblin enthusiastically introduced, while stuffing a dozen pieces of paper that looked like flyers into the hands of the wizards.

"This is…" The French Minister of Magic curiously examined the price list in his hand.

"The uniform price list issued by Her Majesty to each branch. This is an exclusive Gringotts service."

"First experience free?" Amelia Bones pushed up her monocle.

"Yes," the goblin manager paused for half a second, answering respectfully, a look of pain flashing across his face, "But only for tonight."

It seems the goblins' sincerity is quite sufficient? Noticing the painful expression on the middle-aged goblin's face, the ministers of the various countries secretly exchanged meaningful glances, while following the goblin forward, and began to carefully examine the "limited-time free" purchase list in their hands.

It was a rare opportunity to make a profit from these stingy goblins at Gringotts. They didn't want to miss this opportunity easily.

…………

At the same time.

London, Diagon Alley.

Gringotts Wizarding Bank headquarters.

Hermione stretched lazily, looking at the goblins with different expressions gathered around her, and waved her hand casually.

"If you have any doubts, say them all at once. I called you here tonight not to have you watch a show. The future path of Gringotts Wizarding Bank and the goblins has been paved. I hope all voices of doubt will end tonight… They should not exist when the sun rises tomorrow."

"Understood," Garrik Viktor swallowed, nodding hard, and answered with a look of fear.

Hermione ignored this listening assistant and continued calmly.

"The future of goblins is in the wizarding world, in the financial field, related to numbers and calculations, but not limited to currencies."

"If you still don't understand, then I'll put it more bluntly. Goblins will become a completely new race, rather than a species gathered in a social environment independent of the concept of 'human'. If I remember correctly, half-goblin are existed, right?"

"Are you saying—"

Douglas suddenly took a cold breath, looking at Hermione in disbelief.

"This is too crazy. You are challenging the civilized world… whether goblins or humans… the oldest rules…"

He vaguely guessed the thoughts of this alien queen, but with his current knowledge, he could not yet judge whether this matter was right or wrong.

Hermione's mouth twitched slightly, and she said casually:

"I said, I am… destiny."

————

————

Yay!