Chapter 1117 - 204: First-Degree Murder

Antoine put away his carefree demeanor and seriously scrutinized Hosone for a moment before slowly speaking:

"Although I do think you are somewhat... well, quite silly in some aspects."

He said unceremoniously, but his tone did not carry any mockery:

"Perhaps... what Mr. Grindelwald values in you is precisely your somewhat foolish perseverance."

Hosone slightly raised an eyebrow and looked at the other.

Antoine smiled and said: "In this world, there are countless greedy and cunning politicians. But those who truly immerse themselves in wholeheartedly pursuing a certain ideal, even at the cost of being utterly defeated, are not so abundant."

"Your character, the effort you've put in, and the things you've done to uphold the American Magic World... although they are not recognized in the Magic Congress, Mr. Grindelwald has seen them."

"He believes you are not wrong. Your failure is not due to your stupidity but because you were not ruthless enough, not sinister enough."

"He understands more than anyone... that some things always need someone to do them. Some troubles always need someone to clean them up."

"And a person who once managed the massive American Magic Congress while still maintaining a bit of laughable 'sense of responsibility' and 'principle'... in certain matters, might be the most suitable, even the only choice."

Hosone looked slightly moved, but his brow furrowed deeply: "Certain matters? You mean..."

Antoine shook his head, revealing a mysterious smile:

"What exactly... you will naturally know when you make up your mind and are willing to become a member of the Witch Pure Party. For now, all I can tell you is..."

He stepped closer, his tone carrying a rare solemnity:

"I can assure you, Hosone, when you truly understand what we aim to achieve, you will never regret today's choice. It might even make you feel that your past persistence and struggles have finally found a meaningful place to land."

"But first... we must find a way to bring your friend back."

He looked at the baby who had fallen asleep at some point.

Hosone's shoulders relaxed for a moment upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but ask: "Can it really be done?"

Antoine smiled and said: "You have to trust Mr. Grindelwald."

...

The room returned to silence. Unnoticed, gentle morning light had quietly spread onto the bed, illuminating the baby's small face, with the fine fuzz covered in a halo.

Hosone gazed at the sleeping baby, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

What he feared most before was that the Witch Pure Party would use treating Hughes as a leverage, immediately forcing him to perform tasks he couldn't accept or make "contributions" that betrayed his principles.

Now it seems, at least the payment of "cost" is deferred, and Hughes' treatment is prioritized.

But then, a deeper unease surged inside him.

He did not fully believe Antoine's words.

If... some things the Witch Pure Party spoke of were to use him as a pretext to completely disrupt or even destroy the American Magic Congress, seizing the power to dominate the American Magic World?

If their goal was to establish a colder, more efficient regime like the Witch Pure Party of the past?

What would he do then?

This thought made him feel a burst of helplessness and profound confusion.

Hosone slowly closed his eyes, as if trying to isolate that heavy future—if only for a fleeting moment.

...

The air was filled with a mixed scent of old cigars, expensive leather, and an elusive, metallic smell of blood.

The study was arranged in a vintage style: oak-paneled walls, a genuine leather sofa, and a fireplace with a blazing fire.

But the owner of the study—Grayson Stonefield, a high official of the American government—was currently tied to a chair, his gaze unfocused, involuntarily drooling, his mouth slightly open, making indistinct sounds:

"Carlton... General Carlton Crawford, he wants to... delay aging, and desires... a soldier corps that won't be injured, won't tire..."

Grayson's throat emitted a gurgling sound, his gray-blue eyeballs turning unconsciously in their sockets, those deep facial lines grew deeper, seemingly slicing through his long and thin face.

He spoke in an extremely rigid and monotonous voice:

"He is... he is our direct contact, responsible... responsible for the samples... 'procurement' and delivery... Time particles are also him... he was the first to discover them... many soldiers under his command have died..."

Vito quickly recorded, while Victor continued to ask expressionlessly:

"Where is the Ministry of Magic that discovered the time particles?"

Grayson's head twitched unnaturally as if resisting, but the magical power of Veritaserum overwhelmed everything—

"At, at Adan Cape... below the Church. How ridiculous... Wizards... Wizards disguised as... Church personnel..."

"What about those wizards?" Victor asked: "You broke into the Ministry of Magic, what happened to them?"

"Caught some... a few escaped... however, using the remaining people as bait, they all... they all returned..."

He spoke intermittently, couldn't resist a smile at the corners of his mouth, seemingly still basking in his successful scheme at that time.

Just as Victor was about to continue questioning—

"Flap, flap!"

The abrupt sound of flapping wings suddenly arose, and the several people in the room simultaneously raised their heads.

In the era where the Friendship Book reigns, owls' message-sending function has been completely replaced, yet they still take on the responsibility of transporting packages and distributing newspapers.

A gray-brown owl flew in through the top window, clutching a roll of today's the New York Ghost in its claws.

It dropped the newspaper next to Vid and seemed to sense that the atmosphere here was not good, so it didn't even stop for a morsel of owl food before promptly flapping away from whence it came.

Vid caught the newspaper, his eye casually brushed over the open front page—

[The Darkest Night! President Fallen as Dark Wizard, Congress in Bloodshed, Dark Lord Returns!]

Vid raised an eyebrow.

He had just seen a description of this incident from Vilan, and so quickly he saw another side's narrative:

[...Initial evidence indicates Nikolo Hosone is suspected of secretly researching time reversal magic, which has already been explicitly banned.

When investigators approached his temporary residence, Hosone fiercely resisted, a battle ensued, Director Perez tragically died, the cause of death directly related to his body aging by one hundred and eighty years in an instant.

When Director Ezra Hughes of the Auror Office attempted an arrest, Hosone again used forbidden time magic on him, causing Director Hughes's body age to regress to that of an infant. This state has been identified by experts at the Magic Malady Hospital as "extremely hazardous and irreversible magic damage."

Former Congress President Seraphina Picquery was also affected by magic during her attempt to mediate and is currently receiving treatment, situation stable.

With Hosone at his wit's end, the Auror forces prepared for formal arrest when international fugitive Gellert Grindelwald suddenly appeared. In a brief confrontation which resulted in the deaths of four enforcement personnel, Grindelwald forcibly took Nikolo Hosone away.

Acting Congress President Ms. Laira Picquery stated at the emergency press conference early this morning: "This is a severe challenge to the laws and order of the American Magic World. We have initiated the highest-level emergency plan and are coordinating with the International Magical Society for a pursuit action."

The Wizengamot issued a special wanted order early this morning, accusing Hosone of the following crimes:

First-degree magical murder;

Deliberate use of forbidden magic causing permanent harm;

Illegal research and application of time magic;

Violent resistance and endangerment of enforcement personnel.

The International Magical Cooperation Department has submitted an urgent case notification to the International Wizarding Union, requesting assistance in catching Nikolo Hosone and his followers...]