https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1578-A-War-with-No-Victors-Twenty-Eight-/12529296/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1580-A-War-with-No-Victors-Part-30-/12529298/
Chapter 1579: A War with No Victors (Twenty-Nine)
Chapter 1579: A War with No Victors (Twenty-Nine)
One could only say that such a situation was to be expected.
People are like that; it's pointless to dwell too much on these matters.
Shanna bringing up this topic suddenly was likely her way of venting about "work" matters.
Albert was a good listener, and after letting Shanna rant, he steered the conversation back on track, "Are there any other matters that require special attention?"
"Others seem to have heard about what's happening here, and they also wish to settle in this world." Shanna took out a notebook from her pouch, flipped to a particular page, and handed it to Albert. It was a list of names.
"Go ahead and assign them apartments. After all, they didn't lend a hand in building the village." Albert had anticipated this and wasn't too surprised.
"I'll go inform Joseph about this, and he can add a few more apartments." Shanna had also guessed Albert's response and had foreseen this when he first mentioned building apartments.
After all, directly refusing them would not reflect well, especially since they had all contributed to defeating the mysterious man.
As for the differential treatment, wasn't that only natural?
"What's the situation with the Ministry of Magic?"
Albert had been keeping a close eye on the changes in the British magical world.
"Many foreign dark wizards have been fleeing Britain." Shanna quickly recalled the recent news from the newspapers, "But these are all reports from the Prophet, you know, the accuracy of the Prophet isn't very high. It's more like the Ministry trying to reassure the public. On the other hand, Percy Weasley has been frequently inquiring about you lately. The Minister seems to have some business with you, but they didn't reveal much to me. They just left a message asking me to notify them when you return."
"Looks like something has happened," Albert mused.
In his opinion, it would be surprising if the Ministry of Magic wasn't facing some sort of issue.
"Although I haven't been in touch with Mr. Weasley yet, I suspect he's already on his way here." Shanna added, "I suspect Joseph Clova is also one of the Minister's informants, even if he may not have any malicious intentions."
"No need to suspect, Percy is already here."
Albert suddenly looked up, spotting a familiar figure running towards them.
"Just as I thought."
"After all, he's someone Kingsley brought to help out, and he can be of some use when Cedric is not around." Albert smiled and asked, "What do you think Percy's first words will be?"
"You're finally back." Shanna replied without hesitation, "I guess the Minister is anxious to find you, probably because he wants your help with something."
"We've got a problem!"
Percy, breathless, stopped in front of Albert, "There are Death Eaters threatening the Ministry of Magic, saying they will release all the Inferi and have those dark creatures indiscriminately attack Muggles."
"Oh, looks like the Ministry is being pushed to the wall." Albert nodded, acknowledging the situation.
"Can't you show a little more reaction?" Percy was exasperated, "The Minister hopes that you could..."
"I'm not a genie." Albert interrupted directly, "Wasn't this already within his expectations?"
"Although the Ministry has been prepared, the new Aurors have not completed their training yet. We need someone to guide them to prevent the situation from worsening."
"Since they signed up to become Aurors, they should have been mentally prepared. Besides, they will eventually have to face their enemies; they can't stay locked up in an ivory tower forever." Albert guessed Kingsley's intentions; he was trying to get Albert to do his dirty work for free! Sure enough, now that he had become the Minister of Magic, his way of thinking had shifted quickly.
However, trying to subtly guilt-trip Albert into helping solve their problems didn't go unnoticed.
If it were before they defeated the mysterious man, Albert wouldn't have hesitated to lend a hand. But now, he decided to hold back.
If he were to set a precedent for this, the troubles would be endless because humans were inherently greedy and never content.
"The Minister hopes that you could oversee the situation and prevent too many unforeseen incidents." Percy said awkwardly, grateful that he had prepared backup plans and had a bit of a relationship with Albert, or else this would have been even more embarrassing.
"Alright, as long as the Ministry is willing to pay an extra salary. After all, I'm not an Auror, and a senior advisor is only supposed to give advice. It's not like I'm going to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty."
Albert was blunt and had no intention of sugarcoating his words, "Of course, if the Ministry is unwilling to pay this sum, then consider it a personal debt owed to me."
A debt of gratitude was something that had to be repaid, and it also depended on whom the debt was owed.
Percy had anticipated this, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "We'll definitely make it worth your while."
Watching Percy leave in a hurry, Shanna asked, puzzled, "Why did you say it like that?"
"I'm just giving Kingsley a reminder." Albert looked in a certain direction and explained to himself, "If it were in the past, I wouldn't have minded. But Kingsley is a politician now, and all politicians warrant vigilance. When dealing with them, it's enough to just talk about interests."
"That's a profound answer."
Joseph, who had been guiding Percy, suddenly appeared in their line of sight and shrugged at Albert, "But you're right, politicians are indeed something to be wary of."
"You..."
Shanna gave Joseph Clova a scrutinizing look, suspecting that he, too, was working for the Ministry, perhaps even an Auror.
"Don't look at me like that." The middle-aged wizard explained, "Kingsley did me a small favor recently, so I agreed to come here and help him out."
"This should be considered a pretty good job, right?" Albert suddenly said.
"It is, but the only downside is the meager salary." Joseph couldn't help but complain, "Helping to rebuild Hogsmeade would earn me more than this."
"Does the Ministry plan to rebuild Hogsmeade?"
Shanna was surprised, having visited the ruins of Hogsmeade herself. It was more devastating than where they currently stood, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it had been flattened.
"Yes, that village has its value, and..."
"Can you three stop chatting over here and come help if you have the time." Someone who had just passed by complained to the trio, interrupting their conversation.
"Ahem, I'll be there in a moment." Joseph smiled and walked away.
"Does the Ministry want to utilize your power to solve the Inferi problem once and for all?" Shanna asked in a lowered voice after the nuisance had left.
"They probably have that idea. It's better to detonate the unknown number of Inferi at an opportune moment than to let them become a ticking time bomb."
If Albert were in their shoes, he would definitely try to do the same.
Unfortunately, Albert had no interest in becoming their lackey, at least not for the price they were willing to pay.
(End of Chapter)
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