"Now, we see the true Magic Congress."
A British Auror whispered to his partner, "This level of action... truly terrifying!"
His partner nodded solemnly and then said:
"If the Magic Congress can't control this situation, it will be a disaster for wizards worldwide! At times like this, isn't their strength more reassuring?"
At the focus of all eyes, Hosone paused slightly, letting the weight of his words sink into everyone's heart:
"Panic is precisely what the enemy wishes to see! But now is not the time for chaos."
"The Magic Congress will give its all to respond to this crisis, and we will initiate all necessary procedures."
"But if, if the situation gets out of control, I hope you can remain calm, stay vigilant, suspend all unnecessary interactions with Muggle Society, and pay attention to any oddities around you."
"Ladies and gentlemen, please remember—"
"What keeps the Magic World steadfast is not the separation and protection, but our unity, our wisdom, and even more so, our undying courage and dignity in the face of storms!"
"Let us encourage one another!"
After saying that, he didn't linger and turned around, striding towards the door.
Congress officials who were pulled from drunkenness, sleep, or revelry all perked up, quickly following behind the Congress President.
The banquet was impossible to continue; the wizards worried about their family's safety quickened their pace and hurried out, every moment delayed made them anxious, wishing their legs could fly.
The Anti-Disapparition Charm, once considered essential for large magical structures, seemed so obstructive now!
The group led by Hughes, who received the order earliest, had just reached the manor's entrance when a sharp Auror quickly pushed open the door.
As the first Auror barely set half a foot outside the manor, a joyful, loud voice abruptly resonated through the courtyard, contrasting sharply with the tense atmosphere:
"Ha ha ha... Ladies and gentlemen, do you know what time is?"
This headless, almost manic question left many faces blank, yet there were those whose expressions changed drastically at that moment!
In the next second, a harmless pumpkin-decorated carriage by the roadside suddenly made a "zzz" sound and rapidly expanded like a balloon being quickly inflated!
"Quick, dodge away—!!!"
Someone suddenly shouted hoarsely.
"Boom!"
The pumpkin exploded fiercely, the loud explosion shaking the air!
But the anticipated scene of debris and flesh flying, flames, and screams did not appear, only a miraculous scene like a golden waterfall in reverse.
A vast amount of Gold Powder erupted from the exploding pumpkin carriage, like a sudden fountain show, shimmering golden light shooting up into the night sky!
Numerous fine Gold Powder particles were swept into the air by the blast, then slowly and elegantly began to fall, covering people's shoulders, every patch of lawn and stone path.
Even the Aurors eager to carry out their tasks couldn't help but turn back, watching this sudden change.
Amidst the deathly silence, the laughter burst out again, sharp and abrupt like nails scraping everyone's nerves.
From the exploded pumpkin carriage, which opened up like petals, amidst the swirling Gold Powder dust, a vividly colorful, exaggerated clown toy swayed.
It's the typical clown seen in the Muggle World, wearing striped bell-bottoms, a comical soft hat, and an eternally painted grin, often seen at circus performances.
Its head, connected by a spring, was bobbing and making a monotonous, grating laughter, "Gah Gah, Gah Gah."
Amidst the suspicious stares from many wizards, this cheap, crude Muggle toy "gazed" at everyone with its painted hollow eyes, mechanisms inside ticking as a short and bizarre song emanated from it:
"Surprise! Surprise!"
"My prank, without malice!"
"Watching your expression change is too amusing!"
"Don't glare at me, don't glare at me, don't let your eyes flare."
"Just a joke, don't be so petty!"
"Gah Gah Gah Gah... Gah Gah Gah Gah..."
The clown toy let out a raspy unpleasant laugh, then exploded into pieces, irreparable.
Although the clown disappeared, the song seemed to linger amidst the drifting Gold Powder.
That grin stretched to the ears seemed full of boundless sarcasm in everyone's eyes.
The exploding pumpkin carriage, the erupting Gold Powder, and the singing Muggle toy...
What do these imply? What conspiracy does the person behind this hide?
Are there riddles hidden in that song just now?
No one spoke, everyone's mind seemed to have stopped turning.
Or perhaps some people's minds were operating too quickly, thinking too much, various ideas intersecting and weaving, making it difficult to provide a rapid response.
Aurors felt their Magic Wands sticky in their hands, the sensation of cold sweat, and that ominous nursery rhyme lingered like a Magic Spell in their minds, suffocating.
At that moment, the manor entrance suddenly made a "pop" sound, and unexpectedly, a person appeared.
Elijah Watkins from the Magic Accident and Disaster Department had just Apparated here; he was still wearing a casual robe, hurriedly tying his tie, stumbling as he landed.
Elijah saw nearly everyone attending the banquet silently staring at him, even the Congress President among them, and was immediately startled, all the fatigue suddenly vanished.
He solemnly asked, "What happened? The department suddenly issued such a high-level emergency gathering order..."
Simultaneously, he regretted being distracted while Apparating. Though fortunately not splinched, it seemed he had encountered a situation more terrifying than splinching.
Selena Goldstein, closest to the entrance, snapped back to her senses, her voice almost spilling out:
"Elijah... you... you haven't watched the Flow Mirror before?"
"Flow Mirror?"
Elijah was momentarily confused, not understanding why she asked this, but under Chairman Hosone's gaze, he replied honestly:
"Yes, watched it with my wife."
Selena swallowed, her voice slightly dry from tension:
"Then you... what show did you watch?"
Elijah blushed instantly and stammered:
"Well... we first watched a Muggle movie... then, then 'Household Magic 100%' — teaching how to use household Magic. Of course, not me watching, it's my wife who likes it..."
Everyone was thunderstruck, the surrounding air seemed to drop by several degrees.
Elijah anxiously glanced at everyone, softly asked, "Isn't there an emergency gathering? Should we... should we be heading off..."