The two walked side by side toward the Ministry Atrium.
After travelling a considerable distance and confirming that Dumbledore and the others could no longer overhear them, Fudge finally hesitated before speaking.
"Mr. Grindelwald…"
"Regarding the Veritaserum incident…"
"I hope you can keep it confidential for the time being."
Fudge's voice was unusually cautious.
"If British wizards learn that Scrimgeour attempted to use Veritaserum without authorisation…"
"…the damage to the Ministry's reputation will be immeasurable."
As though afraid Lucien might refuse, he hurriedly added:
"Please don't worry."
"The Ministry of Magic will absolutely provide you with a satisfactory explanation afterward."
Lucien turned his head slightly toward him.
A strange smile appeared on his face.
"Does Minister Fudge truly wish to suppress this matter?"
Fudge frowned.
"What exactly do you mean?"
Lucien smiled faintly.
"Perhaps I should ask differently."
"Minister Fudge…"
"…are you willing to remain a puppet forever?"
Fudge's expression changed instantly.
Before arriving in Britain, Lucien had thoroughly investigated the structure of the British Ministry of Magic.
On the surface, the Ministry consisted of seven departments.
But internally—
Those departments were nowhere near as harmonious as outsiders imagined.
Before becoming Minister, Cornelius Fudge had merely been the Head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.
Truthfully speaking—
His rise to Minister had been almost entirely luck.
If Barty Crouch Jr. had not been exposed as a Death Eater back then, Fudge would never have obtained the position.
As a result, even after becoming Minister, his actual control within the Ministry remained extremely limited.
Barty Crouch.
Amelia Bones.
Rufus Scrimgeour.
Pius Thicknesse.
Every single one of them possessed immense authority.
And none of them truly obeyed Fudge.
Barty Crouch had even openly competed against him for influence.
That was precisely why Fudge constantly courted the pure-blood families—
Because he desperately needed external support.
Lucien's words ruthlessly tore away the final layer of dignity Fudge possessed.
Fudge's voice instantly sharpened.
"Mr. Grindelwald!"
"Do you understand what you're implying?!"
"Based on those words alone, I could—"
"Minister Fudge."
Lucien interrupted calmly.
"There's no need for meaningless threats."
His eyes locked directly onto Fudge's.
"Think carefully."
"If today's events become public knowledge…"
"What will British wizards think of Rufus Scrimgeour?"
Fudge instinctively replied:
"But the Ministry itself would also suffer—"
Lucien suddenly laughed softly.
"So what?"
"At worst, people curse the Ministry a few times."
"Will the Ministry collapse because of that?"
"But Scrimgeour…"
Lucien's smile deepened slightly.
"…would suffer devastating damage."
"Under enough pressure, it wouldn't even be impossible to send him before the Wizengamot."
Fudge gradually fell silent.
"The Auror Office is the Ministry's most important armed force."
"If Scrimgeour falls…"
"…the position of Head Auror becomes vacant."
Fudge frowned deeply.
"The Auror Office belongs to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"That's Amelia Bones' territory."
"She holds enormous influence inside the Ministry."
"Even if Scrimgeour is removed, she could simply assume control herself temporarily."
Lucien shook his head slowly.
"But as you said yourself…"
"The Auror Office belongs to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"As Scrimgeour's superior, Amelia Bones cannot escape responsibility."
Fudge immediately rejected the idea.
"No."
"Officially the Auror Office belongs to Law Enforcement…"
"…but in reality it operates nearly independently."
"It would be extremely difficult to drag Amelia down through this."
Lucien stopped walking.
Then he looked calmly toward the distant Atrium.
"Minister Fudge."
"Do ordinary British wizards know that?"
Fudge froze.
Lucien's voice remained gentle.
"The truth has never mattered."
"What matters…"
"…is what people believe."
"Most ordinary wizards only know one thing."
"The Aurors belong to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"How many truly understand the Ministry's internal structure?"
"If Amelia publicly explains the internal situation…"
"…then by tradition, she loses all justification for interfering in Auror affairs moving forward."
"But if she refuses to explain…"
"…then all blame falls directly onto her shoulders."
"No matter which option she chooses…"
"…she can only watch helplessly as control of the Aurors slips away."
Lucien finally turned back toward him.
"Isn't that correct?"
Fudge fell completely silent.
The childish contempt he unconsciously held toward Lucien earlier had vanished entirely.
What replaced it instead—
Was fear.
A terrifying understanding of human nature.
Ruthless political instinct.
And strategic vision far beyond ordinary adults.
None of that should exist in an eleven-year-old child.
Even after decades inside the Ministry, Fudge himself lacked such terrifying insight.
After a long silence, he finally spoke hoarsely.
"What exactly do you want?"
"I don't believe in assistance without purpose."
Lucien had clearly anticipated the question.
"My father."
Fudge blinked.
"Your father…?"
Then realisation struck him instantly.
Gellert Grindelwald.
"That's right."
"You know perfectly well what kind of relationship exists between the Saints and Dumbledore."
"And no one understands Dumbledore's influence better than you."
Fudge finally relaxed slightly.
"You want me to oppose Dumbledore?"
At last—
He felt he understood Lucien's motives.
Once someone's objective became clear, negotiation became possible.
Otherwise, he would simply continue being manipulated.
Lucien's gaze remained calm.
"Dumbledore's existence obstructs far too many people."
"But he's Dumbledore," Fudge muttered instinctively.
Even as Minister, he still feared that name deeply.
Dumbledore had defeated two generations of Dark Lords.
His prestige and strength were almost mythical.
Argus suddenly turned and stared directly into Fudge's eyes.
"Minister Fudge…"
"Are you truly willing to remain Dumbledore's puppet forever?"
"A Minister who must constantly observe everyone else's reactions before speaking?"
"A Minister whose authority means nothing?"
"Mr. Grindelwald, mind your tone!"
Fudge's expression darkened immediately.
Lucien's words stabbed directly into his deepest insecurity.
"Tone?"
Lucien chuckled quietly.
"Should I really worry about my tone while speaking to someone who could lose his position at any moment?"
"Dumbledore's obedient little puppet?"
Fudge's face flushed bright red instantly.
He wanted to refute him.
But couldn't.
Because every word was true.
Lucien continued mercilessly.
"If you want me to remain silent…"
"If you wish to pretend none of this happened…"
"And continue living comfortably beneath Dumbledore's shadow…"
"I understand completely."
"After all, being a puppet Minister isn't such a terrible life."
"You still live far better than ordinary wizards."
"Oh, right."
Lucien smiled pleasantly.
"You can even continue helping protect my shops."
"You've earned quite a few Galleons already, haven't you?"
"Honestly…"
"That may already be the limit of what you're capable of."
"Enough!"
Fudge suddenly roared.
"I said enough!"
He yanked his wand violently from his robes and pointed it directly at Lucien.
Lucien did not retreat.
Instead—
He calmly walked forward step by step until the wand pressed directly against his chest.
Then he spoke softly.
"You only get one chance."
"Will you continue being someone else's puppet…"
"…or will you finally take a step forward…"
"…and become the true master of the Ministry of Magic?"
"Answer me."
Fudge's breathing became ragged.
Sweat poured down his forehead.
His bloodshot eyes trembled violently.
For years—
Even as Minister—
He constantly endured humiliation.
Pure-blood families.
Department heads.
Dumbledore himself.
Everyone looked down on him.
Everyone ignored him.
He had long grown sick of this miserable existence.
No.
No!
NO!
"I am not anyone's puppet!"
Fudge roared hysterically.
"I will never become Dumbledore's puppet!"
"Never!"
Lucien smiled warmly.
Then he gently embraced the trembling Minister.
"A wise decision."
....
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