"What? Clement?"
Upon hearing that name, Minister Peter's body stiffened involuntarily. Could it be that even Clement was going to betray him? He truly hadn't expected the other party to appear for the inquiry. But Minister Peter thought about it again and felt that Clement couldn't pose much of a threat to him. After all, the other party's brain had long been subjected to a very strict secrecy charm, and the information he could speak might not even be as much as Matthew's. The reason Director Andre would let him appear was probably to scare him, right?
Thinking of this, Minister Peter gradually relaxed, and his expression slowly returned to composure. Seeing Minister Peter's reaction, Andre sneered inwardly, *I'll let you know what despair feels like in a moment!*
At this moment, Clement also entered the courtroom from the side door. He was wearing a plain wizard robe, looking far from the splendor he had as the owner of a magical goods store.
"Clement!" Andre gazed at the old man standing below. "Everyone present knows your identity, so you don't need to introduce yourself again. I ask you now, are you aware of the Silver Spears' manipulation of civilian organizations within Germany behind the scenes?"
"I am aware, Lord Andre." Clement, as expected of a well-traveled person, remained calm and composed under the gaze of so many people. "Not only am I aware, but I am also the direct supervisor of No. 1 Park, the West Berlin black market, and the West German Advancement Society. I am responsible for coordinating and managing these agencies for the club, and I am considered an unofficial member of the Silver Spears."
Even he admitted it so readily? The surrounding onlookers, whether Wizengamot councilors or Ministry of Magic executives from Minister Peter's faction, were secretly alarmed by Clement's candor. The testimony of a direct principal was much more powerful than that of low-level personnel. Would he deliver a fatal blow to Minister Peter? However, when everyone looked at Minister Peter, they found him to be very calm, seemingly completely unconcerned that Clement would give any testimony unfavorable to him.
"Very good!" Andre continued to ask with a stern face, "Please explain to us your main work in these organizations and how you normally liaised with the Silver Spears?"
"I apologize, Director Andre, but I cannot fully recount the relevant content," Clement said, shaking his head expressionlessly.
"What about names? You've worked for the club for so long, you must know many names of relevant personnel, such as those from the Silver Spears, the black market, and the West German Advancement Society. Can you provide a list of the personnel you know?" Andre pressed on.
"I'm very sorry," Clement still replied, shaking his head coldly. "I can't speak those names, not a single one."
"Why?"
"To prevent leaks, my brain has been subjected to a high-intensity secrecy charm by the club, and I've signed a contract. As long as I subconsciously know I'm leaking information, my actions will be stopped by these magic spells. Therefore, I cannot reveal any information related to the club!" Clement said this regrettable news in a cold tone.
*Ah? Can't speak?*
What a letdown, we were happy for nothing. We thought a truly important person had come up, and we'd hear some big news. Turns out, you're no different from a mute, the wizards around him pouted disappointedly. But at the same time, they also gained a new understanding of the club's methods of controlling subordinate wizards. No wonder these Silver Spears leaders would use cruel brainwashing methods on imprisoned wizards; it turns out they had a history of it.
No wonder Minister Peter acted so calmly; he probably already knew Clement couldn't say anything useful. And those Ministry of Magic executives who were in Minister Peter's camp also breathed a sigh of relief at this moment. They were genuinely afraid that Clement would say something shocking. It should be known that many of them had interacted with Clement.
However, what everyone found quite unusual was that Andre showed no sign of frustration when facing a speechless Clement. Instead, he continued to press, "Since you cannot speak any information related to the club, do you possess any evidence that can expose the club's information?"
"Yes, Director Andre."
Clement's cold reply instantly ignited the entire courtroom. He just said 'yes,' didn't he? Many people seemed to still be in a daze, constantly asking their companions next to them. After receiving a definite answer, they immediately looked at Clement with burning eyes. Even the reporters aimed their long and short lenses at him, as if waiting for some treasure about to be unearthed.
The surrounding division-faction wizards also looked nervously at Minister Peter. It was impossible for them not to be afraid, but they also wondered what kind of evidence this guy could have in his hands. Meanwhile, Minister Peter was constantly recalling: could Clement really have some substantial evidence?
*Impossible!* Minister Peter decisively denied this thought, then gently shook his head at his subordinates, telling them not to act rashly. This act by Andre and Clement was very likely designed to scare them, forcing them to do something irrational. At this time, they absolutely could not act recklessly.
"Auror First Squad, forward! Protect the witness!" Just as Minister Peter was signaling to those wizards not to act rashly, Andre loudly called out. Then, four Aurors darted out from the side, standing guard in four directions with their backs to Clement, looking very serious.
But the more they acted this way, the more Minister Peter felt that the other party couldn't produce any real evidence. Now, it was probably just a bluff. Of course, although Minister Peter kept comforting himself in his heart, his hands couldn't help but nervously grip the armrests of the chair.
After arranging the defensive work, Andre sternly pressed, "Clement, what is the evidence you speak of?"
"It's memories, Director Andre." Clement was also a little nervous by the current scene, but he knew he had no turning back, so he answered resignedly.
"What memories?"
"They are memories I have collected over more than ten years of working for the Silver Spears, all of which are scenes of my interactions with the leaders," Clement said, and he couldn't help but glance at Minister Peter next to him.
This made Minister Peter's heart suddenly tighten, but he forced himself to calm down. *Impossible, their secrecy charms have always been strict, how could Clement extract memories? And he has been loyal to me for so many years, would he have collected this evidence years ago? Now, Clement and Andre are definitely putting on a show for me. I absolutely cannot lose my composure, otherwise, I'll fall right into their trap!* Having thought all of this through, Minister Peter suppressed his urge to explode and firmly fixed himself to his seat.
Andre also noticed Minister Peter's abnormality at this time and couldn't help but praise him inwardly, *He's so composed.* Then, he changed his tone and immediately urged, "Good, please present the evidence you have."
"Yes, Director Andre." Clement sighed lightly at the words, then took out a small row of test tubes from his embrace, containing magical fluid shimmering with a faint blue light.
Andre nodded at the sight, then turned his body to look at Minister Peter, "Minister Peter, what do you think of the evidence Clement has submitted?"
Andre's sudden question at this moment seemed to make Minister Peter even more certain that the other party was bluffing. Trying to scare me with a bunch of bottles containing who-knows-whose memories? Minister Peter replied coldly, "If these memories are truly valuable, then that's best. However, hasn't the culprit Michelle already surrendered? What's happening now seems a bit redundant to me."
"Is that what Minister Peter thinks?" Andre sneered derisively, then turned his head to look at Edmund. "Mr. Schmidt, as the most prestigious wizard in Germany, I wonder if you would be able to operate this memory display for everyone, as a form of notarization."
"You are too kind, Director Andre. I'd be happy to oblige," Edmund replied with a smile. Then he rose from the spectator's seat and came before Clement below. After casually drawing one from the row of test tubes, he lightly pointed his wand and then forcefully tossed it upward.
Soon, under Edmund's control, the strand of memory slowly unfolded, and then an extremely realistic three-dimensional image appeared above everyone's heads. Standing in this three-dimensional image were two people. One was Clement himself, dressed in luxurious attire, with an air of confidence in his expression. And upon seeing the other person in the image, everyone present immediately widened their eyes—it was none other than Minister Peter himself, dressed in casual clothes!
In the image, Clement respectfully said to Minister Peter, "Sir, the task you gave me has been completed. Director Bayer of the Department of Magical Transportation believed my inside information yesterday and lost eight hundred Galleons gambling on Quidditch in the black market. As a result, today he still wants to win it back and brought another eight hundred Galleons. I think it won't be long before he loses so much that he can't even afford Floo powder."
Minister Peter in the image did not show a joyful expression upon hearing this. Instead, he complained, "Why did it take so long? And don't be happy too soon before the matter is completely successful! Although Bayer is a good-for-nothing, he is very important to our future strategy. The first step in dividing Germany must start with the Department of Magical Transportation."
"I apologize, sir, you are right," Clement humbly lowered his head. "I will keep a close eye on him these two days. Once Bayer completely falls into the trap, I will immediately notify you to contact him."
"Hmm," Minister Peter nodded in satisfaction. "Remember, after he's lost his temper, it's best to lend him some money. I want to make him truly desperate."
"Yes, sir, I understand what to do."
"By the way…" Minister Peter suddenly changed the subject and asked, "besides Bayer, pay attention to the Advancement Society as well. I heard that recently, many people in the society are very averse to conflicts with East Germans. You should deal with that as soon as possible."