"If there's a crime, just go and destroy it. What's the hesitation?"
Damon glanced at Kingsley.
"Why didn't you notify me sooner? You made me ask you right here? Is this how you act as an assistant?"
His words weren't harsh, but they were like a cold winter breeze, making everyone present shiver.
Kingsley didn't hesitate, whispering in his ear:
"This black market is connected to many people in the Ministry—"
Damon interrupted him with a raised index finger. "No need to whisper. There's nothing we can't share."
Kingsley sighed inwardly. This man's style was a bit overbearing—but he didn't dislike him. He was just afraid that after this, things would get out of hand. After all the hard work of producing such a powerful Auror, he didn't want Mortus to end up in a political struggle.
But what else could he do?
If Mortus wanted this, Kingsley would do it.
"Click."
The doorknob turned carefully. From time to time, Aurors quietly and silently joined the meeting, silent, their gaze fixed on Mortos.
Kingsley's voice finally rang out throughout the War Hall.
"According to evidence I've privately gathered, 70% of the funds flowing from this massive black market are indirectly channeled into the personal accounts of various Ministry officials."
Kingsley lowered his gaze. "There's a vast and complex network of connections behind this black market. If we disrupt it, it could trigger a whole lot of things."
Damon's eyes grew colder as he scanned the surrounding Aurors. The expressions of the previously excited team members turned solemn.
"Name."
His tone was calm, yet the air felt as if it had been frozen, the solidified space oppressive and suffocating.
Kingsley felt his throat dry and itchy.
"These methods are very covert. I can't find the corrupted officials behind them. But I really don't recommend attacking this black market. We have no evidence or reason to act rashly, and we'll be court-martialed."
"Then let's go find evidence."
He glanced at the others around him. Many Aurors' eyes flickered—it seemed like many knew something about this black market, and perhaps they were a little hesitant at this moment.
Damon suddenly laughed.
"Kingsley and I will handle this. You can just pretend you heard nothing today."
Without waiting for a reply, Damon looked at Kingsley again. "Will you come with me?"
"Of course, my lord." Kingsley bowed respectfully, extending his free left hand. "Let me take you there. I know the place."
He had always been mature and steady, but after meeting Damon, he had unknowingly become a fanatic.
"Very good."
Damon shook his hand firmly.
The next moment, with a snap, the two of them Apparated and vanished.
After they left, the atmosphere in the Auror Operations Office didn't lighten. Victor Simmons wore a look of regret. He'd wanted to get involved, but, as Kingsley had said, it involved far too many people. In fact, he knew more than Kingsley.
This matter was even more serious than Kingsley had imagined. They were about to enter the largest underground black market on the British wizarding world's dark web. Despite countless Ministers of Magic changing hands over the years, this black market had remained stable, unaffected even during Voldemort's rampage.
Those Dark wizards who hated and despised Muggles, those who worshipped pure-bloods, were all in league with Voldemort.
They cared little about the future of the British wizarding world, only their own ideologies and interests. Even if the apocalypse arrived, they would revel in the frenzy of the apocalypse.
To accomplish this, they gave up most of the black market profits—those who enjoyed the process of committing crimes, not the profits—a fact that instilled fear in people, but also fueled greed—no one wanted to go through the thankless task of destroying this black market, especially when it was easy to do but difficult to finish.
With many people remaining silent, Dumbledore remained unaware of the existence of this black market—or rather, although this distinguished and powerful wizard had heard of similar incidents, he simply regarded it as an ordinary black market and did not specifically address it.
Kingsley had been holding back until this moment, and only hesitated to share the news when he saw Mortos appear?
Victor Simmons blocked the doorway to the operations office, waving his wand—the magic power of the entire office was instantly disrupted—apparition was forbidden here.
"Simmons, what do you mean?"
someone noticed his movements and asked with a frown.
"I'm sorry, everyone."
Simmons, holding his wand, leaned against the door and paused, his hands tightly gripping it.
"I can't guarantee that any of you might be traitors—so, until Lord Mortos returns, you can't go anywhere."
Although he didn't dare to participate in Mortos's actions, he was still willing to do it to help the other party move more smoothly.
"Are you restricting our freedom? How dare you—you're just an ordinary Auror—"
"Simmons, aren't you being a little presumptuous?"
someone challenged Simmons's actions, but he remained undeterred. He instead pointed out two people by name and said,
"Schultz, Neil, I'll keep you in mind—if you dare act suspiciously again, I'll tell Mortos when he returns."
"What are you going to do? Are you going to stir up civil unrest within the Auror Department before the black market is busted? Does Mortos want to do that? Are you going to let him go against the entire Ministry on his own?"
The argument seemed to flare up,
but it fizzled out in the next second.
"I agree with Simmons,"
an Auror said, standing beside Simmons, arms folded, gazing coldly at the crowd from the gate. It was then that he realized with all his heart that there truly were bad people within.
"I agree. If you want to practice, come and give it a try."
"You and I both know the location of that black market. You don't dare to help, but you still want to cause trouble for Mortos? Everyone, don't let me look down on you."
More and more people joined Simmons' team, but other voices were also heard:
"Remove the restrictions, I'm going to help."
"Stay still, Lord Caliban doesn't need any help."
Simmons responded cheerfully.
"How did you know?"
The Auror who wanted to go to East London to help immediately asked with a frown.
Simmons raised his thumb and pointed it at himself:
"Caliban Mortos has carried out a total of 56 missions in the six months since joining the Ministry of Magic, 48 of which were battles against villains.
I was fortunate to participa
te in all 48 of them.
Do you think you understand Lord Caliban's fighting ability better, or do I?"
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(End of this chapter)