178: Chapter 176 Hogwarts Sightseeing Tour

These powerful rulers of the United Kingdom woke up from their fear, feeling as if a pair of invisible eyes were staring at them from the surrounding space.

"Is that what you're concerned about?"

He looked at Prince Suleiman with a somewhat dazed expression.

Being watched by everyone didn't bother him; it was as if only he and his mother were in the vast conference hall.

The Queen turned her head to meet his gaze: "I am not clear on the principles behind Mr. Dumbledore's invisibility."

But I can be certain that all the information-gathering instruments currently used by mankind have no effect on him."

After a pause, she continued: "Rowling is Mr. Dumbledore's granddaughter."

Therefore, her novels undoubtedly depict Hogwarts."

But you must understand, we cannot use processed stories as a basis for judging reality."

You have all seen the giant crater on the outskirts of London; did the novels ever mention wizards possessing such power?"

Prince Suleiman frowned deeply, and the others remained silent as well.

After another long while, the Queen sighed: "In short, that is how things are. Using inherent experience to deal with unknown situations is an extremely foolish act."

Now then..."

She straightened her back slightly: "Regarding the proposals from you two..."

Before today's meeting began, the Prime Minister and I had already prepared a batch of funds for training new students, but we could not decide on the specific method of use."

Listening to the suggestions from both of you, I feel each has its merits... Let's do this: carry them out simultaneously."

The funds will be split into two parts. You will each tentatively organize a logistics department and a preparatory school for new wizard recruits."

When the second batch of Hogwarts Owls appears, the direction of subsequent investment will be decided by the number of successful enrollments from each side."

The Queen took off her reading glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose: "How about it?"

The Prime Minister's secretary and Prince Suleiman's assistant glanced out of the corners of their eyes at their superiors' hands hidden under the table.

After seeing the hand gesture representing "agree," they nodded together: "Agreed."

Having stayed up all night, the Queen was somewhat fatigued.

"It's very late; everyone, go back and rest."

Matters could not be settled in a single day. Everyone rose one after another, picked up the documents on the table, bowed to the Queen, and walked out of the conference hall.

Only Prince Suleiman and the Prime Minister remained seated.

They knew the Queen still had things to say to them.

As expected.

Once all the Core members of the kingdom had left, the Queen mustered her energy, beginning with the action of wiping her lenses with a cotton cloth.

Until the thin lenses were spotless, she said with her head lowered: "I know America has contacted you."

I believe they promised quite a few benefits and political resources."

Have you made a decision?"

Since they were all family, there was no need to hide anything; the Prime Minister and Prince Suleiman felt the same.

Prince Suleiman spoke first: "Find a way to establish long-term contact with Hogwarts, ideally obtaining their military protection."

Otherwise, with the kingdom's upper echelons currently riddled like a fishing net, if we refuse today, a rebellion will break out in the kingdom tomorrow."

The Prime Minister expressed his agreement: "The Prince is right."

The trouble is, we have no way of knowing Hogwarts' attitude."

Your Majesty, you have had a conversation with him, I wonder..."

Hearing their answers, the Queen felt quite gratified in her heart.

They were family after all; compared to those opportunists, they were still willing to consider the future of the kingdom.

Though they also had their own little schemes, who didn't?

A smile curled the Queen's lips: "Hogwarts does not recognize so-called legitimate royal bloodlines."

Mm... although Mr. Dumbledore did not say it explicitly, this point is beyond doubt."

It can be seen from the identities of the first batch of new students; there is no distinction between high and low status, as long as they are chosen."

"Speaking of which," Suleiman stroked the stubble on his chin, "what are the criteria for Hogwarts to select students..."

"I'm not sure." The Queen shook her head. "At first, I guessed it was character, but later I observed the new students who received examination letters."

Except for a few individuals, most are conventionally greedy, selfish, and foolish."

After a moment of thought, Prince Suleiman brought the topic back on track: "Regarding America, we cannot stall for too long."

At first, I used the excuse of a magic show to brush them off."

But after that Mr. Dumbledore high-profilely displayed magic in a live broadcast, plus the new students passing through walls, it can't be hidden anymore."

In fact, the Queen knew that the real reason for the information leak was not these things.

As the three highest rulers of the kingdom, if they truly wanted to block news of wizards, it would be difficult, but not impossible.

As long as they released some videos and programs that were hard to distinguish as true or false, they couldn't say they'd hide it forever, but at least it wouldn't attract the attention of other countries for a long time.

The enemy's lackeys lurking within the kingdom were the main reason they were powerless to stop things.

"I asked a new student to bring a message to Mr. Dumbledore."

Explaining that some ambitious people have ill intentions toward Hogwarts."

Stunned for a moment, the Prime Minister asked: "But America is only asking us for information on Hogwarts... does this count as deception?"

"Deception?" The Queen laughed. "If I said they hoped to cooperate with Hogwarts, would you believe it?"

"How could that be? That pack of ferocious hyenas, who always seem to be hungry, will never give up their ambition to control Hogwarts."

Even after seeing the giant crater on the outskirts of London, they won't be afraid."

"Yes." The smile on Suleiman's face was tinged with mockery. "They will feel that if a giant rock falls, it must be someone else who dies."

After speaking, he added: "Unless they are actually crushed to death."

"I hope Mr. Dumbledore takes this matter seriously." The Queen interrupted the two. "When we meet next time, I will seek his help."

With a conclusion reached, they didn't say much more.

Suleiman started a new topic: "Mother, and Redo, did you watch the video I sent a few days ago?"

"Yes." As if thinking of something, the expressions of both became solemn.

"What do you think of the video's authenticity..."

"China." The Queen's eyes showed a hint of reminiscence. "That country on Blue Star with a long civilization and a history that has never been broken..."

When I was young, I once traveled through that land full of myths and folk legends."

If it were before, I would only feel they were means used by past emperors to deceive the people, but the appearance of Hogwarts..."

"I suspect they should have a fixed social circle."

The Prime Minister rested his interlaced fingers on the table: "They are all forces of the mystical side, and having inhabited Blue Star for thousands of years, they must have communication with each other."

The Queen had the same view: "Yes."

But intelligence is limited; we don't know what the relationship between the two sides is like. If it's so bad that they might go to war at any time..."

Sigh, Mr. Dumbledore has returned to Hogwarts."

The date of his return... I hope to see him as soon as possible; I have many questions..."

"Coo-coo—"

A cry came from overhead, and the three subconsciously looked up.

An Owl, having flown into the closed conference hall by some unknown means, flapped its wings and circled the ceiling.

"Coo-coo—"

In the gap before the three could react, the Owl landed on the Queen's shoulder. Its beak opened slightly, and a letter drifted down onto the table in front of the Queen.

Is this... a letter from Hogwarts?

The wrinkles on the Queen's face twitched violently several times. An examination letter?

No, the new students have already enrolled; recruiting more students should be next semester.

Taking a deep breath to calm her excitement, she first reached out and lightly stroked the Owl's head.

Seeing that it didn't struggle, she picked up the envelope and, under the gaze of Suleiman and the Prime Minister, opened it.

There weren't many words on the letter, but after the Queen finished reading, her eyelids couldn't stop jumping.

"Mr. Dumbledore has invited us to visit Hogwarts!"