The scene fell into a peculiar stasis.
The gold powder was still floating, and people's expressions changed again and again, exchanging surprise, confusion, and a touch of absurdity in their uneasy eyes.
Many people's eyes quietly turned to the backbone of the scene—Chairman Hosone.
His decisiveness, composure, and reliability in the face of crisis had won over most people's trust, but if all this was just a terrible prank... that would be somewhat embarrassing.
Hosone stood there, his face was as calm as water, and the former enthusiasm had been replaced by deep caution.
Time seemed to pause for two or three seconds until Hosone raised his palm again, made a strong downward gesture, and it began to flow again.
"Everyone... cease action, stand by where you are!"
Hosone turned to the Aurors and ordered once more:
"Mr. Hughes, I still need you to go to New York Square and verify the situation there! Miss Goldstein, go check if Mr. Fischer is safe!"
Without a moment of hesitation, the two accepted their orders and left the manor, Apparating away.
The waiting time wasn't long, Ezra Hughes merely Apparated to the rooftop of a tall building in Central Square, took a glance down, stood among the crowd for a moment, and immediately returned.
And those brief ten seconds felt so long to everyone.
Soon, with a snapping sound, Ezra Hughes reappeared.
He quickly walked up to Hosone and said quietly, "Everything is normal in the square, and Muggles haven't gathered abnormally; no one is preaching or discussing magic."
These words broke the silence at the scene like magic, stirring a rush of suppressed exclamations among the officials and guests.
What initially surged forth was an almost knee-weakening sense of relief.
The imagined terrifying disaster had not arrived; though hearts were still racing in their chests, the Magic World would not be overturned, families wouldn't face danger of being besieged, and the ordinary world continued on its normal trajectory.
This 'ordinary' that seemed like it was lost and then regained was so precious at this moment that people almost couldn't help but cheer.
But before the grateful smiles could unfold, a chill surged up from their hearts.
—They had been played.
This realization felt like a silent slap in the face of everyone.
This "prank" wasn't aimed at ordinary people, nor was it a playful jest among friends; it was like dropping a crisis capable of overturning the Magic World, hitting everyone unexpectedly.
And who were the people present? They were high-ranking officials, experienced Aurors, prestigious and elite figures!
Everyone had even just been immersed in a tragic and noble sense of mission, ready to fight to protect the Magic World... was it all just a joke?
Fiery shame and anger swept over their bodies, people instinctively avoided eye contact with their companions, feeling like the enemy-facing version of themselves was nothing but a complete fool.
"Snap!"
In unbearable awkwardness, Selena Apparated back as well.
From her expression, everyone already knew the result of her visit.
Sure enough, after approaching Hosone, Selena said quietly:
"Mr. Giuseppe Fischer is safe at home."
Selena didn't mention that the host was doing a thorough cleaning, even washed all his clothes—quite literally "all clothes."
Concerned for his safety, when Selena suddenly burst in, both sides screamed in terror.
So Fischer wasn't really "safe" in every sense... at least he needed to go to the hospital to check on his nose.
But this insignificant little matter, Selena felt there was no need to report specially, as always she maintained a tense face, with a serious and cautious expression.
Hosone nodded and said, "Thank you for your efforts."
Everyone truly relaxed this time, in the strange silence a lavishly dressed wizard was the first to move.
"Haha... Haha..."
He chuckled twice awkwardly, avoiding the gaze of those Aurors, pretending not to be aware of the weirdness of the entire situation, using a forcibly light-hearted tone to say to his companion:
"I wonder which friend made... made this joke, really... Haha... really quite... childish!"
His companion stared at him like he was a fool, just about to speak when another quick-witted witch immediately took over the conversation.
"Yes indeed, it gave me quite a scare!"
She raised her voice, with exaggerated relief, laughing sharply:
"But... the effect is really unique, must have put a lot of thought into it?"
"Yes indeed..."
"Really... quite ingenious..."
Voices of agreement rose, and immediately someone seemed to just remember said:
"Oh dear, it's late... I suddenly remembered, I haven't taken my medicine tonight! So I'll be taking my leave, Mr. Hosone."
A white-haired old wizard, tremblingly walked to the door, politely saying.
Earlier the old man had been jumping gleefully with a lady on the dance floor, now seemingly unable to walk at all.
Everyone hurriedly took their leave:
"I'll also be leaving first..."
"The kids at home are waiting for me..."
"If I'm home late my wife will be upset..."
Guests maintained polite smiles barely, forcefully explaining the acts just now as "a prank," yet their steps were increasingly hurried.
They almost fled the manor, some guests originally arrived by Pegasus or car, at this moment left their vehicles behind and eagerly Apparated.
Kingsley Shacklebolt stayed for a few more minutes, waiting until most guests left before stepping forward.
"Chairman Hosone, thank you for the Magic Congress's generous hospitality. I assume Congress still has many matters to attend to, we won't continue to disturb you."
Hosone's somber expression eased slightly as he nodded and said:
"Thank you for your support and understanding, Mr. Shackle, I'm sorry for the embarrassment tonight."
Kingsley chuckled bitterly, saying: "Thinking about a year ago, on the night of the World Cup finals, even though we put forth all our efforts, tragedy still occurred..."
He paused slightly, shook his head unwilling to reminisce, and said softly:
"Chairman Hosone, please don't take it too hard. Sometimes, no matter how defensively prepared, we can't predict all forms of chaos."
"Tonight..."
Kingsley glanced around, pausing on the pumpkin carriage that looked like artwork, saying:
"Though the process was unpleasant, nothing truly bad ultimately happened. Judging by the result, this is already the best scenario."
Hosone's tightly pressed lips and shoulders slightly relaxed, feeling a momentary relief like a statue.
Taking a deep breath, his eyes showed a trace of undisguised fatigue and complex gratitude.
"Thank you." He said quietly, "Thank you for saying that, Shackle. This understanding... is very precious."
Kingsley said no more, only nodded knowingly, his eyes conveying—"I understand your anger and the pressure, we feel the same."
The group of British Aurors also quickly left, watched by Hosone as they Apparated one after another, the relaxed expression fading away, replaced by a more complex solemnity.
Steps may be offered at the bottom, but the mess before their eyes, ultimately needs them to clean up on their own.