183: Chapter 181 Dumbledore's Approach of First Courtesy, Then Force

The Queen's trip to Hogwarts ended very quickly.

After all, Zhang Mu had no intention of entertaining them for long; he only wanted to deepen the sense of Hogwarts' presence.

Therefore, after showing them enough of what there was to see, he waved them off.

Although they were still somewhat reluctant to leave, since the host had spoken, they had no choice but to pack up and set off for home.

It was the third day after returning to London from Hogwarts.

Suleiman sat at the dining table, having breakfast with a young woman in her twenties with a stunningly beautiful face.

As the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom and the next heir to the throne, he rarely felt nervous.

But at this moment, he was somewhat restless.

His right hand gripping the table knife was abnormally stiff, and the high-quality steak he forked into his mouth felt like wood when chewed.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he put down his knife and fork and looked at the young woman opposite him, who was smiling as she cut her steak:

"Mother."

"I'm a bit… not used to this."

"For humans to stand at the top of the food chain, a powerful ability to adapt is indispensable."

Sighing, he said: "That is true, which is why you have breakfast with me every day."

"It's just… alright Mother, I will get used to your changes as soon as possible."

"Now, the most important thing is, are you sure you want to hold a press conference in person today?"

He recalled the shocked reactions of the Guards and maids when his mother and he returned to the palace.

And the butler, Li, whom he had never seen with an expression on his face before, was actually smiling and bowing to congratulate the Queen on restoring her youth.

Suleiman could not imagine what kind of shock would be triggered across the country when his young mother appeared in the public eye.

However, although chaotic crowds were troublesome to deal with, they could be managed slowly.

What was truly fatal was the greed that was beginning to stir.

Waking from his daze, Suleiman saw the Queen smiling without a word and said in a serious tone: "America's aircraft carrier fleet returned three days ago."

"But this does not mean the Kingdom is safe; it is very simple for them to come back."

"Do you think their Soldiers will land on the Kingdom's coast?"

"Or that bombers will fly over the Kingdom and drop bombs, or will they recklessly use intercontinental missiles?"

"Mother, I know America cannot be crazy enough to issue the above orders."

"But you should also understand that an aircraft carrier fleet cruising in the waters near our territorial sea, combined with enemy agents hidden within the Kingdom, will definitely disrupt our public order."

Forking the last piece of steak into her mouth, the Queen put down her knife and fork, picked up her napkin, and dabbed lightly at the corners of her lips, which were not stained with oil.

"The night before leaving Hogwarts, I talked with Mr. Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office for a long time."

Suleiman: "?"

Seeing his confused expression, the Queen realized her words were ambiguous and added: "Toby, and your subordinate Wino were also present."

Recovering, he realized he had misunderstood his mother's meaning, felt embarrassed for a few seconds, then immediately cast it aside to care about the content of their conversation.

"About the assistance Mr. Dumbledore promised us before we went to Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

"I asked Mr. Dumbledore if the magic used on the outskirts of London could solve the predicament the Kingdom is facing."

"And the answer?" At this moment, Suleiman, who looked more like a father figure, pricked up his ears involuntarily.

"Mr. Dumbledore told me that a broken rock cannot demonstrate power."

Suleiman's expression went blank for a moment, and after a while, he forgot to use an honorific for someone: "He called the boulder that could destroy London a broken rock?"

"Suleiman," the Queen showed a doting smile, "When you were still a child, I taught you that it is necessary to maintain sufficient awe for the unknown."

"Because you never know what kind of impact it, hidden in the darkness, will bring to the world."

His mother had indeed said this.

Suleiman fell into childhood memories from many years ago and fell silent.

If it were normal, the Queen would wait tolerantly as a qualified mother for her child to finish thinking.

But the situation was urgent, and she could not indulge her maternal love.

"Reflection can wait until you are alone late at night; now, we have to deal with the enemy," the Queen said, rising and walking toward the dining room door.

Woken up, Suleiman hurriedly stood up to follow: "Was the press conference requested by Mr. Dumbledore?"

"It is not a request, but a part of the plan."

"What plan?"

"Hogwarts' Intent and Philosophy Promotion, that is what Mr. Dumbledore named it."

"Ah?"

"Hogwarts upholds the principle that force should be used with restraint, hoping that some ambitious people will give up the idea of starting a war."

"What does this have to do with the press conference?"

"I will publish the aerial photos of the giant crater. If they still do not give up their atrocities of disregarding life, Mr. Dumbledore will meet them."

The Queen, who had crossed the threshold, suddenly paused, turned around, and smiled: "Mr. Dumbledore told me that this method of doing things was taught by an old Chinese friend of his."

"In Chinese, it is called 'Courtesy before Force'."

After speaking, the Queen continued forward.

Suleiman frowned deeply.

It was not to explore the profound connotation of "Courtesy before Force," but… someone who could be an old friend of a wizard…

"Hurry up, Suleiman."

"Coming."

…

In the center of London, the Royal Auditorium.

In the empty hall, reporters holding notebooks and cameras hanging around their necks kept walking in through the main entrance.

Following the number plate they received to find their seats, while the Queen's press conference had not officially started, acquainted reporters leaned their heads closer and whispered to each other.

"How many days did the Queen spend at Hogwarts?"

"Six days ago, the Queen entered Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. I was there, but the Queen did not summon reporters when she returned."

"The Royal Family didn't make a statement either, and no one knows when the Queen returned to London."

"I'm so envious… I also want to go to Hogwarts to visit."

"Come on, do you think Hogwarts is an amusement park?"

"The Queen was able to receive an invitation because of her status."

"That's why I said I'm envious."

"Uh, that is true."

"Tsk… Tell me, what is Hogwarts actually like? Is it like in the movies?"

"Unlikely."

"The movies are set based on the text descriptions of the original work; how could they be the same as the real Hogwarts?"

"But I heard that Rowling is the granddaughter of the Headmaster and once lived in Hogwarts for a period of time."

"?"

"Nonsense, right? Where did you hear that?"

"The day the Owl descended on London, someone filmed that flying old car stopping on the rooftop where Rowling was staying."

"What does this explain?"

"That wizard personally handed an Interview Letter to a little girl."

The companion lowered his head in thought for a moment, then nodded: "You are right, perhaps it is just a rumor."

"Alright, discussing things without evidence is meaningless."

"What do you think the Queen will say at the press conference?"

"Will there be any footage related to Hogwarts?"

"Maybe… They are coming."

Seeing someone come out of the side door to the left of the wooden platform at the far end of the auditorium, they hurriedly sat up straight.

But after seeing the person sitting on the wooden chair to the right of the main seat at the long table, the two subconsciously muttered: "Prince Suleiman?"