https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1670-A-War-with-No-Victors-One-Hundred-and-Twenty-/12529449/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1672-A-War-with-No-Victors-One-Hundred-Twenty-Two-/12529451/
Chapter 1671: A War Without Victors (One Hundred Twenty-One)
Chapter 1671: A War Without Victors (One Hundred Twenty-One)
The chaotic full moon night finally came to an end as the dawn's light crept over the horizon, and a weary-looking Kingsley Shacklebolt, who had endured a sleepless night, convened a press conference.
As the Minister of Magic, he couldn't keep this incident under wraps any longer, and he owed the public an explanation.
The journalists who had also spent an arduous night at the Ministry of Magic were almost tripping over themselves to get their questions out as soon as Shacklebolt appeared. Countless queries and accusations were hurled at the new Minister, as they sought to extract any morsel of useful information from him.
"Mr. Minister..."
"Quiet!"
Shacklebolt didn't give the journalists a chance to interrogate him further. He raised his hand and silenced the noisy conference room.
"The Ministry has successfully brought the situation under control!"
"But I've heard..."
"Quiet, I won't ask again." Shacklebolt glanced at the journalist coldly. "I will give you a chance to ask questions later, but if you can't remain quiet now, then please leave."
The journalists stared at him, mouths agape, unable to believe that the Minister would so bluntly threaten to eject them.
Of course, they understood why Shacklebolt was less than friendly towards the press corps. After all, none of them dared to challenge the authority of the new Minister, especially after he had just displayed his decisiveness and strength in quelling the werewolf chaos.
"You should all be aware by now that Death Eaters secretly captured Muggles and turned them into werewolves, releasing them during the full moon to cause mayhem," Shacklebolt said, his anger barely concealed. "Those fools not only caused countless Muggle casualties and unrest throughout Britain, but they also risked exposing the wizarding world to the Muggles."
A murmur spread through the room, and the journalists quickly refocused their attention on Shacklebolt.
"Fortunately, we were able to curb this conspiracy," he said, clenching his fist. "They will soon pay the price for their stupidity."
"But I've heard..."
A journalist was about to speak up but quickly shut his mouth as a group of Ministry employees approached and politely escorted him out, leaving the other reporters stunned.
Shacklebolt continued as if he hadn't noticed the interruption: "According to the latest statistics, our Aurors have hunted down and killed 115 werewolves, and successfully captured 17 alive. Our specialists are currently interrogating the captured werewolves and have obtained some useful intelligence, although further evidence gathering is needed."
"You killed 115 werewolves."
The journalists were equally shocked by this number, only snapping out of their daze when the unfortunate questioner was hauled away.
"Directly killing the werewolves was the fastest way to quell the chaos, and it was also our responsibility to protect the lives of our Aurors," Shacklebolt scanned the room, his gaze resting on the unpleasant group before him. "Capturing and killing transformed werewolves are two entirely different matters in terms of difficulty."
"As for the aftermath of this incident, there is no need for concern. I have already sought assistance from the International Confederation of Wizards after the disaster. They will be sending professionals to use Memory Charms on a large scale to control the situation and minimize the impact."
Amid the flashing of countless camera bulbs, Shacklebolt finally began calling on journalists by name to ask their questions.
"The Ministry knew about this werewolf disaster a whole month in advance," the journalist shouted, "then why did things still turn out this way?"
"Yes, we had some idea, and all Ministry staff were working towards preventing it," Shacklebolt replied, his tone hardening. "But everyone believed that we were shamefully wasting societal resources and the efforts of our Aurors, and you, the esteemed members of the press, ridiculed the Ministry through your newspapers, claiming that we were on a fool's errand."
These thick-skinned journalists showed no sign of shame or remorse, instead scribbling furiously in their notepads.
"Thankfully, we didn't give up on our 'fool's errand', and we had crisis plans and drills in place, ensuring that we could respond swiftly when the disaster struck."
Shacklebolt's gaze swept coldly over the room, and he didn't seem concerned that his words would be twisted by these reporters. After all, this press conference was being broadcast live on the Ministry's radio network.
The room fell into a tense silence, as everyone present could sense Shacklebolt's displeasure with the British press, but no one dared to contradict him, at least not openly. No foolish journalist would dare to publicly question the Ministry.
"You, what's your question?" Shacklebolt pointed to another journalist.
"How did the Ministry find out about this disaster in advance?" The journalist asked a question that was on everyone's mind.
During their wait, the journalists had discussed and agreed upon the questions they would ask, so no matter whom Shacklebolt called on, some of those questions would be raised.
"Mr. Albert Anderson made a prophecy regarding this, and there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest Seers of our time," Shacklebolt replied, having already prepared his response. "He and his companions have made a tremendous contribution to saving the wizarding community, and I will be nominating them for the Order of Merlin to recognize their outstanding service to the British wizarding community."
Shacklebolt had planned this in advance, and the Galleons were ready. The Order of Merlin was more of a symbolic gesture of comfort and encouragement.
After all, Albert and his companions weren't Ministry employees or under Shacklebolt's command. If you wanted someone to do you a favor, you had to offer something in return, be it money, honor, or something else.
"I've heard that an Auror was bitten by a werewolf during this operation," the next journalist asked, her question sharper than the last.
"Yes, poor Bolt was indeed bitten by a werewolf," Shacklebolt confirmed without trying to hide it. "He is currently receiving treatment at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, and his life is not in danger. Regardless of the circumstances, the Ministry will not abandon Bolt. He will remain with the Auror Office and be assigned a special task, the details of which must remain confidential for now, but you will learn about it soon enough."
Everyone was a little surprised that Shacklebolt would so readily admit this, and it seemed that he had anticipated this development.
The press conference continued in an orderly manner, with Shacklebolt calmly answering the journalists' questions, including the sharp inquiry about why the Ministry prioritized dealing with werewolves in the Muggle world. However, no one could deny that their new Minister was indeed capable, perhaps even more so than his predecessors.
(End of Chapter)
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