Ezra Hughes leaned back, the anger on his face subsided, leaving only a deep contemplation.
——Are there really so many people pinning their hopes on a fifteen-year-old boy? So much so that two… even more congressional officials have become lobbyists.
He glanced at Grim, then his gaze fell on Reginald Perez's face.
——This arrogant guy, who usually only cares about his own interests, as if everyone else is just a walking potato in his eyes, since when did he start caring about "the expectations of the people"?
Laira Piqueley looked around, her hands elegantly clasped in front of her on the table, a perfectly appropriate worry on her face:
"Mr. Perez has a point, inviting Mr. Vid Gray is indeed the most efficient strategy at the moment. We should be open-minded and break conventions, making resolving the crisis our top priority."
Kobit pulled a smile at the corner of his mouth, raised his hand, and said, "I agree! It's best if it solves the problem, and even if it doesn't… the pressure of public opinion will shift somewhat."
The crowd discussed eagerly, many unable to resist showing agreement on their faces.
The initial panic from seeing the video and the overwhelming pressure had actually already turned into an aversion to work in the ceaseless busyness. The situation hadn't become the worst possible scenario, but the spreading panic had kept everyone as busy as dogs.
If the arrival of one person could slightly calm the boiling situation, providing everyone with a respite, then people would naturally be more than welcoming.
Moreover, with an "expert" arriving, the trouble and crisis seemed as if they could be bundled together and thrown at them because no one wanted to take on responsibilities beyond their abilities.
As everyone could clearly see, they were like a bunch of firefighters running around with hoses, but anyone could hold the kindling that could start the fire.
Whether the fire that would destroy everything would ignite depended on whether the hidden enemies had such an intent, which the Magic Congress had no way to stop.
Just as everyone was about to reach a consensus, a deep and firm voice suddenly rang out:
"I object!"
Ezra Hughes leaned forward, his oppressive gaze sweeping across everyone's face:
"The solution you all so joyously discussed is to formally request help from a school student in the UK? Do you want the American Magic World to be disgraced?!"
"Once this invitation is sent out, how will the British Ministry of Magic view us? How will the International Wizard community talk about us? Has our government completely lost confidence in our talent and technology?"
"This is not just a technical issue; it's also a political and dignity issue!"
"Currently, it's just a forged video that already has you so terrified to seek help externally! If a bigger crisis truly occurs, how will you respond? Abandon the country and flee? Or hide in a hole, hoping not to be dug out by the enemy?"
Hughes' angry rebuke echoed in the conference room, and everyone was speechless, with those who had spoken earlier now blushing with embarrassment.
In the heavy silence, Hosone, who had remained silent, supported himself against the table to stand and his gaze swept across everyone present.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to ask a question…"
Hosone said slowly: "Even if Vid Gray can control what content is broadcasted on Flow Mirror, can he control the Muggle media too?"
"If he could, then he would not be just an Alchemist; he would be the President of the United States. No… even the President of the United States couldn't do it because there is more than one country in the world!"
Many had their judgement clouded by panic, exhaustion, and opportunistic thoughts before, but at this moment they seemed to suddenly realize the issue. They shuffled uncomfortably in their seats, their gaze sneaking over the people sitting in front.
"I also want to ask…"
Hosone continued: "If the Scourers wanted to turn their declaration into reality, would they publish the words 'Magic truly exists' in the New York Ghost? Or the British Prophet Daily? Or on Flow Mirror?"
"Or perhaps… broadcast the truth via Muggle television signals to millions, or even billions, of ordinary people?"
This sentence was like a bucket of ice water, instantly waking up many of those swept away by other voices.
——Yes, Vid Gray cannot control Muggle public opinion, inviting that boy over won't solve their predicament!
Hosone surveyed the now silent conference room, each word seemed to carry immense weight:
"Having figured out these two questions, let's discuss how we can truly pacify the people and solve the crisis we currently face!"
The conference room fell into a dead silence, with some looking ashamed due to their earlier short-sightedness, some frowning in despair, and others expressionless with tense faces.
After a while, Laira Piqueley broke the silence first.
She stood up, slightly bowing to Hosone and her colleagues, and remorsefully reflected:
"I apologize, I hadn't considered thoroughly just now; subconsciously I equated the Magic World's Flow Mirror with Muggle news media. They belong to different systems, and our crisis stems from the non-magical world… I shouldn't have ignored this point."
She took the blame upon herself, and the reason for misjudgment seemed reasonable, which eased the stern expressions of Perez and Kobit. They mumbled apologies, as if they had made the wrong judgment for the same reasons.
——Though everyone actually knew very well, Laira Piqueley wouldn't make such a basic mistake, nor would the other two.
Hosone's deep gaze lingered on Laira for a moment, his expression softened slightly, and he nodded:
"I can understand, Laira, your original intention was also to stabilize the situation quickly. Now, let's focus our efforts on the real issue…"
No one raised the foolish suggestion of invitation again, and discussions arose:
"We can't avoid the problem… We need to actively inform the public about the video content, emphasizing the strong measures Congress is taking."
"Perhaps we could model after the British Ministry of Magic's approach? They've always kept in communication with the Muggle Prime Minister… Could we intimidate the US President, that lusty big guy, into controlling their side's public opinion…"
"Why not resume the Rappaport's Law, giving Aurors and other government officials more powerful intervention measures…"
As the meeting reached a critical point, a series of rapid knocks interrupted, causing the Director of the Magical Building Protection Department who was speaking to look towards the door unhappily.
A young assistant from the Chair's office pushed the door open, looking uneasy, announced: "Mr. Hosone, distinguished officers, Mr. Kingsley Shacklebolt from the British Ministry of Magic is outside, requesting an immediate meeting."
Hosone said nothing, and Laira immediately frowned and said: "We are in a highest-level emergency meeting, all meetings are to be postponed!"
"That's what I told him, but…"
The assistant looked carefully at everyone and said, "Mr. Shacklebolt said… he said, they've brought a solution to the crisis of the Magic World's exposure…"