The transportation team in Northern Europe hadn't sent any updates for quite some time.
It was only reasonable to assume they had finished their repairs and resumed their journey, yet there was complete silence from them.
This was highly unusual.
'We needed to send someone to verify the situation and get some news.'
The figure opposite nodded in agreement.
"Are you saying you suspect those wardings? Could it be one of the four of us? Otherwise, it just doesn't add up."
"It's possible," Pete replied, "but the Black Dragon is still in America, so theoretically, it shouldn't be involved. That leaves only Thunderbird and Phoenix as suspects. But do they have a motive? Capturing wizards without knowing the elixir formula seems reckless."
Pete's thoughts were tangled.
"Regardless, let's wait until we see them communicate. Phoenix should be in Germany these days, except for some civil organization matters. I'm not sure if Thunderbird will show up, but honestly, I want to believe in him."
After saying this, the young Pete put on his faceless mask, Apparated, and vanished before his companion's eyes.
"It's impossible for that reckless Thunderbird to do something like this," Pete muttered to himself, lowering his head. "But that doesn't mean he shares our values."
He changed into his formal clothes and headed straight to the Ministry of Magic.
Instead of going to his office, he went directly to the Law Enforcement Department to find Andre.
Knocking on the director's door, Pete grinned and half-joked, "Director Andre, why didn't you inform me about such a major event? I had to read about your heroic deeds in the newspaper."
Andre had just returned to the Ministry and gave a sheepish smile.
"My bad, Minister Pete. It all happened so suddenly, I barely had time to act. The situation was urgent, and the two wizards who came for help nearly fainted right there."
"I see," Pete said, understanding the urgency.
Pete nodded thoughtfully as he listened.
"I don't think you've told me everything about last night. Can you go into more detail?" he asked.
Andre shrugged it off.
"Nothing much. I was just entertaining Edmond, the head of the Schmidt family, and Mr. Wilson from Wilson's Arcane Alchemica in the office last night, and well..."
He trailed off, clearly avoiding some parts of the story.
Even when he gave Pete a rough summary, he left out key details, especially anything involving the folk groups and clubs.
"So that's how it happened. But are you really sure the person who put those wizards in danger is the one with the silver wand? Isn't it a bit of..."
"Isn't it a stretch to identify them just based on their clothes?" Pete asked cautiously.
"I'm not the only one saying that," Andre replied, feigning ignorance and shaking his head. "The common wizards who were rescued said they were held captive by people from that club. Some were even former collaborators with the club, and they all insist on the same story."
Pete muttered to himself, wondering if those collaborators might actually know members of the silver wand.
He looked at Andre seriously and asked, "But why would those ordinary wizards be kept at the Schmidt family manor in the first place?"
Andre sighed, clearly frustrated.
"There was no other choice.
You should have seen how bad those people looked in the newspaper photos. Many were sick, and a few were suspects, so they had to be kept together at first.
They can only go home after they've fully recovered and passed all the screenings."
"So that's the situation," Pete said, his expression tightening.
"In that case, please have Director Andre make the arrangements. As Minister of Magic, I need to personally offer my condolences to the victims."
He was eager not only to visit those affected but also to understand firsthand what the wizards in the park had gone through.
He also wanted to check on the cooperating wizards, many of whom had once been members of NGOs pushing the secession bill, stirring up trouble.
Although most weren't aware of any connection between these NGOs and the high-ranking officials in the Ministry, those who did know had taken strict measures to keep it secret.
If any of the cooperating wizards admitted these ties, it would be easy to link them to Pete's faction.
Even without solid proof, such confessions could seriously damage Pete and his allies.
But, based on the news Pete had seen, there was no mention of this, and it was unclear whether the wizards were too scared to come forward or were being kept hidden for now.
So, all he could do was try to minimize the damage to avoid derailing the secession bill.
Andre, however, wasn't clear on the other side's plans.
The reason those wizards were detained together was to prevent the club from exploiting them as witnesses.
With a regretful smile, he explained, "I'm really sorry, Minister Pete, but those wizards are in terrible shape, both physically and mentally. Many have even been brainwashed by those hateful Silver Wands.
They might not even recognize you, and they'd probably avoid any visits."
He added, "I've already contacted the Wizengamot Council. They're holding a hearing on this incident tomorrow, and victim representatives will be there.
If you want to say anything, you can speak to them in person then."
"A hearing tomorrow? So soon?" Pete was taken aback, and a bad feeling settled in his stomach.
Despite that, he insisted he still wanted to meet the victims personally, at least to pay his respects to the two 'heroes.'
But Andre, having been trained by Alex and after their Tai Chi sessions together, the unspoken message was clear: there was no way that would happen.
Andre suddenly started acting unusually smooth and casual, which only made Pete's expression darken.
At that moment, Andre completely blocked his way, leaving Pete with no choice but to find an excuse to leave the Department of Legal Enforcement.
But Pete wasn't ready to give up.
He was always cautious by nature, and this whole situation with the mysterious black eyes unsettled him deeply.
He didn't even know who his enemy was or what the rescued wizards might have revealed.
Driven by anxiety, Pete went to see several Wizengamot councilors one after another, including Edmund from the Schmidt family.
Unfortunately, these meetings were fruitless; some asked him questions just like he did, while others dodged his inquiries completely, much like Andre.
Edmund even shut the door on him.
From Pete's perspective, it felt like within a day he had been cut off by all the Ministry's top officials.