"But..." Alan looked at Newt with some uncertainty, "Hasn't that young Thunderbird already been transported away? It's likely no longer within Britain. If we want to find it, wouldn't we have to go to Europe? And so much time has passed. We can't even be sure if it has been resold. What if the Silver Spears have already sold the Thunderbird to another continent?"
Alan had no objection to dealing with the Silver Spears, but spending so much effort on something with an uncertain outcome made him feel like he was wasting time.
"You've considered it very thoroughly." Newt nodded in agreement, but immediately explained, "However, what you don't know is that the Silver Spears' continuous hunting and smuggling of magical creatures isn't entirely for monetary gain. They actually have other purposes, especially for those powerful magical creatures with precious bloodlines and rare species. I can assure you that the Silver Spears will not randomly sell these creatures. Moreover, that Thunderbird must still be in their hands; they will carefully raise it until it is fully grown."
"Other purposes?" Alan looked at Newt with some surprise. Could this organization have other unknown secrets? He still remembered that when he fought the Silver Spear member codenamed Thunderbird, the man had let slip a remark which seemed to reveal that the organization had deeper intentions for hunting magical creatures.
"That's right." Newt nodded. "I don't have a complete understanding of the specific details, and it's not convenient for me to tell you clearly right now. However, this is a judgment made by the Order of Merlin. If you can join the Order someday, we will explain it to you in detail."
"The Order of Merlin? Do you mean members who have received the Order of Merlin medal?" Alan knew about this; the Order of Merlin was considered the highest honor in the wizarding world. Even Minister Bagnold had once prepared to use an Order of Merlin, Third Class, to encourage him to compete for an award at the International Alchemy Conference.
"Yes, and no." Newt nodded, then immediately shook his head. "The Order of Merlin medal is an honor, symbolizing the contributions of the awarded wizard to the wizarding world. Generally speaking, any individual who contributes to our knowledge reserve or entertainment industry has a chance to receive a Third Class medal. A Second Class medal is awarded to those who demonstrate extraordinary achievements or efforts, and a First Class medal requires outstanding bravery or significant contributions in magic. This is a very high affirmation. However, these medals only represent honor, while the Order itself truly exists. Although members of the Order have basically all been awarded medals, it doesn't mean that every wizard with an Order of Merlin medal is a member of the Order."
Newt explained the complex concepts of the organization to Alan, and fortunately, Alan understood.
"You mean, not everyone with a medal is necessarily a member of the Order, but most members of the Order have been awarded medals, right? So, you are also a member of the Order of Merlin?"
This was the first time Alan had heard that the so-called Order of Merlin actually existed. He had always thought it was just an award created to commemorate Merlin.
"That's right. I, Dumbledore, including Minister Bagnold, Amelia, and others you know, are all members of the Order. The Order's purpose is to maintain peaceful coexistence between wizards and Muggles, and to reduce conflicts and contradictions," Newt explained with a smile.
"Such a group should theoretically be a secret organization, right? Is it really okay for you to just say it out loud and even reveal the members to me?" Alan felt that Newt had told him a bit too much.
"Heh heh, not every group is a secret organization. The Order of Merlin is not as mysterious as you might imagine. Many high-ranking individuals in the wizarding world know of its existence, but we rarely show ourselves to the public. Moreover, regarding the attitude towards Muggles, there are already various opinions within our world. We merely represent one stance. Some people would even love to package us as a mysterious organization." Newt's lips curled slightly, speaking with a hint of sarcasm.
So that's how it is. In other words, this was a high-end organization. Ordinary wizards might not even be qualified to know about it. It sounded more like a "club for wealthy and influential peace-loving individuals." Alan wondered if they actually did any work after joining, and Newt still hadn't explained why he was sharing all this. Alan continued to look at Newt with some confusion.
"As for why I'm telling you so much..." Newt put away his sarcastic expression and looked steadily at Alan. "There are two reasons. Firstly, the Order has been observing you for a long time. Although I don't know you well, Headmaster Dumbledore and Minister Bagnold both speak highly of you, and I am willing to trust their judgment. Although your opinion hasn't been asked yet, the Order has already listed you as a candidate for membership. Perhaps when you earn your first Order of Merlin medal, someone will extend an invitation to you."
"Me?" Alan looked at Newt with surprise.
*No way, this organization of yours sounds like it's going to save the world, but what does that have to do with me? Why do you have to drag me into it? I just want to quietly make a fortune; don't impose some inexplicable noble ideals on me! Is it because the image I usually maintain is too positive, making you misunderstand something? I should have left some clues when I was doing bad things. That way, you wouldn't have roped me in.*
However, Alan thought about it the other way: if these people knew what he had been doing behind the scenes, he would probably be branded as a mad scientist and sent to Azkaban. And Newt meant that this Order had been observing him all along? Was it Dumbledore? As expected, old men are cunning. That old man might be secretly peeking at him from some corner.
Thinking of this, Alan couldn't help but shiver, but Newt didn't notice his expression and continued.
"That's right. Your performance has always shown that you are a young man with a strong sense of justice and firm will. At the same time, you are Muggle-born, making you the perfect candidate to inherit the ideals of the Order of Merlin. I believe that in the not-too-distant future, you will be able to carry forward our principles." Newt gave Alan a very high evaluation, praising him unreservedly.