Chapter 111: Hello to You, Me, and Everyone

After reviewing the options, Louis regained his composure.

This wager would take place at the Storge Dragon Arena. To prevent the Muggles’ little steel toys from causing any accidents, and to keep the Witch Queen from orchestrating any mischief, agents from the Ministry of Magic had been tasked with taking certain measures.

Inspector Jerry and his team’s mission was one of these.

"The Ministry people need to sit in the most strategic spots in the stands so they can quietly cast spells during the match. But the Ministry officials have found that the seats occupied by the nobility and ministers are difficult to maneuver in. Aside from ministers and nobles, the individuals most qualified and prestigious enough to occupy these prime locations are the Muggles’ own mages... We are here to pave the way for the reinforcements. Many agents will soon temporarily join the Mages’ Association, and everyone will depart after the birthday banquet."

Louis’s expression turned peculiar.

The Witch Queen was clearly being lenient on this matter; she wanted the wizards to cause chaos.

Yet, ironically, the wizards held magic enthusiasts like Ron and Bach in utter contempt, but they ultimately had to borrow their esteemed status just to earn a seat in the stands.

"The Ministry’s big shots find it quite ironic, sir," Jerry said with a sharp, mocking smile. "According to Muggle law, as long as one is certified by the Mages’ Association, one is a mage. So even if the Witch Queen and the King know the newcomers are wizards, they can only watch helplessly. The Ministry’s big shots think it’s hilarious that the Mages’ Association, which the Muggles worked so hard to build, is instead being exploited by wizards. They’ve been laughing about it."

"It is indeed ironic," Louis said, taking a sip of tea and shaking his head. The other agents couldn't help but shake their heads as well.

"Let’s talk business, Boss," Inspector Jerry said, putting down his teacup and turning serious. "Which side are you on?"

[Jerry and his team are here to pave the way for the Ministry, yet they ask where your loyalties lie...]

[As you have heard, the reformists have always hoped that magic could return to the glory of the previous Witch Queen's era.]

[But this time, the reformists likely cannot take any action—after all, their numbers are too few. Even if they exhausted all their strength, they couldn't help the Muggles much, and they wouldn't dare openly oppose the great noble houses. Any private actions would likely be meaningless.]

[Therefore, they will not go easy on the Muggles this time. In the eyes of many reformists, perhaps losing wouldn't be so bad. After all, having the Ministry occupy the Capitol Building would be a great thing—the reformists would certainly be able to operate more freely in the Muggle world afterward.]

[Of course, if that happens, everyone’s future activities in London will be under the total supervision of the Ministry. And there probably wouldn't be many positions for reformists within the London Ministry, as this time would be a grand victory for the conservatives.]

[So, it is far from perfect.]

"Jerry, I don’t think which side I’m on is important," Louis said, sipping his tea calmly.

Jerry and the others exchanged glances. "Sir, what do you mean?"

"Jerry, it makes no difference whether the wizards or the King win," Louis said, setting down his cup and standing up. "If the King wins, some people will indeed enter the court, and some nobles will indeed enter the academies. But it will be the Muggle royals and nobility who learn the secrets. It will simply create another class of wizarding elite. It won't foster true magical reform—the low-level wizards will still be unable to access real magical knowledge."

"And if the King loses, the Ministry will move into the Capitol, officially establishing its presence in the Solondo Kingdom. But their job will be to bring the entire kingdom under their supervision, closing the last entrance for common wizards into the Muggle world and severing all ties between wizards and the outside. The Ministry will gain more control over the Muggle world, the interests and power of the old wizarding nobility will grow, and the class divide will become even more impenetrable."

The expressions of Jerry and his team turned somber. It was true; no matter who won, the reformists would suffer a heavy blow. Things would only get worse, and the obstacles to reform would become even greater.

"Jerry, don't you want to stay in the Mages’ Association forever?" Louis asked. "Just like it was decades ago, when wizards used the Mages’ Association as a window to see the world outside."

"Of course I do!" Jerry said, somewhat agitated. Most of the reformists came from the era when the Mages’ Association was at its peak. Many had once been members. If they could reclaim the Mages’ Association as a base, there would be great opportunities in the future.

"But the obstacles are too great," Jerry said, his voice dropping with disappointment. "It's not easy to get the old bill restored. We’ve been pushing for it, but it never passes."

Louis sipped his tea in silence. He already had a plan.

After a moment of silence, Jerry looked at Louis with burning intensity—the man before him was undoubtedly the best driver for the Son of Lante!

"However, sir, it is possible to get the bill passed—first, the Muggles must win. The Ministry would never agree to let Muggles into the various academies. Therefore, this wager will eventually end up at the negotiating table. As long as there is a group of major donors to mediate between the Ministry and the Solondo Kingdom, forcing both sides to take a step back, and then the reformists push for the relevant bills regarding the Mages’ Association, it will be done!"

[Perhaps you are the one who can truly complete A+B...]

[Things are beginning to develop in a strange direction...]

Louis put down his teacup and thought to himself: 'Jerry, neither of them will win. But you're right; this matter will eventually end up at a negotiating table, and both sides will be forced to concede, reaching a result that satisfies both the King and the Ministry.'

'And the Mages’ Association will become a new regional branch.'

'That way, everyone wins.' Louis smiled.

'I will find some major lobbyists to act as intermediaries between the wizards and the Muggles.'

The most suitable lobbyists were undoubtedly the capitalists who had businesses in both the wizarding and Muggle worlds.

Louis glanced out the window, where a group of car washers were cleaning his vintage car—among them were two wizards. As for those Yordle cutthroats who had been watching the car, they had been dragged off somewhere.

Those scoundrels must have heard that he had handled the manor incident.

And someone had been wanting to see him for a long time.

Louis looked down at the street again and noticed several taxis parked there—the kind of taxis that spent their days in affluent neighborhoods and didn't usually pick up ordinary people.

The big shots of the Mages’ Association certainly had the money to ride in such taxis, but these retro-minded fellows didn't like riding in cars.

Moreover, the street was much "cleaner" than before. The cutthroats and mercenaries were basically gone. The streets were filled with men in long black trench coats, their chests bulging as if they were carrying "Chicago Typewriters."

[The Italian 'Storge Group': The most notorious group in the world, operating businesses in lending, mercenaries, arena competitions, mercenary training, smuggling, and more. They are not only famous in the mercenary world, but several of their affiliated forces are the Mafia of this world. They span both the wizarding and Muggle worlds and are the professional 'black gloves' for high-ranking wizards and Muggles. Many tremble at the mere mention of their name.]

Seeing that Louis had not spoken for a while, Jerry coughed.

"Ahem, sir, was there something wrong with what I just said?"

As far as Jerry knew, the recently vacated playing card of the Three of Hearts had been claimed by a major donor. And as for who could beat that thing in the arena, aside from that terrifying kid in the Magic Prison, it was the 'God of War, Louis VI' sitting right in front of him.

Louis did not answer Jerry but instead checked his pocket watch—it was already past three in the afternoon.

"Jerry, I’m willing to bet my car is broken."

Jerry and his team were a bit confused, not understanding what Louis meant.

"It seems someone intends to buy me a car," Louis thought to himself, cursing the goblins—such a fine car, and they ruined it just like that?

Hearing about buying a car, Jerry and the others blinked.

"Let’s go, we’ll head to the car show. We can have dinner together tonight," Louis smiled, put away his watch, and walked toward Kate.

Jerry and his team were speechless. They looked at each other, feeling a bit disappointed. It seemed the boss didn't intend to get involved in this trouble—and indeed, changing the Magical Council's bill was simply too difficult.

'One step at a time, I suppose...' Jerry shook his head and followed Louis.

Seeing them approach, Kate stood up with a smile. She hugged Helen and said to Louis, "Louis, I just called Oxcilis, and she’ll be here tomorrow morning. I’ve already booked a room and a table at the Solondo Royal Hotel. The food there is excellent, and it’s very close to the train station and the exhibition. We can go there right after the car show."

As she spoke, Kate’s face flushed slightly—with Oxcilis arriving tomorrow, she probably wouldn't have time to be intimate with Louis.

They would definitely be staying out tonight. That grand hotel had great food, at least according to the butler.

Helen’s eyes lit up at the mention of dinner.

But the little Yordles opened their mouths wide, looking at their boss—dinner, and a car show.

[Boss, I know you're good at living off someone else's dime...]

[But you don't have to show off like this...]

[Clearly, Jerry and his team had misunderstood.]

Louis rubbed his face.

'That’s not what I meant!'