Bargaining Chips

Yamamoto told them everything he could and couldn't reveal.

As for whether they believed him, that was up to fate.

Hermione and Daphne had both witnessed Vincent's interrogation methods before.

First came immense physical pain, followed by extreme psychological terror.

This time, he had only used the threat of force, likely because everyone was present and Yamamoto had not harmed them as Byron had.

"Mr. Yamamoto, do you remember the specific terms of the contract?"

Vincent's smile was exceptionally kind.

But in Yamamoto's eyes, it was utterly chilling.

Reciting it word for word was impossible, but he could guarantee that what he said would be close enough.

Lucius had no reason whatsoever to refuse such a sincere form of cooperation.

They were willing to hand over the Gold Galleons they worked so hard to earn every year just to drive Gwent out of Japan?

Like everyone else, Rinne was pondering whether the contract contained any traps.

Before the Christmas holiday began, she had thought rather highly of the Malfoy Family.

They had sharp judgment and keen instincts.

Now, however, things were different.

The Shingu Family had strict rules and would never take the initiative to bully fellow students.

No matter how much she disliked Meisa of the Ashiya Family, she would at most be verbally merciless. How could she repeatedly scheme against someone so underhandedly?

"Are all the Pure-blood families over there like the Malfoys?"

Daphne was left speechless by the question.

Rinne, who roughly knew the answer, did not press further.

The national conditions were different, and so was the size of the Wizarding World.

If Japan's overall wizard population increased, perhaps a situation similar to Britain's would arise.

"The timing!" Hermione suddenly sprang up from her chair in excitement.

"The contract never specified when the Ashiya Family had to start selling Wizard Cards. She was probably planning to leave herself—and the Ashiya Family—a trump card!"

Rinne's expression darkened.

The Shingu Family was obscenely wealthy. The Ashiya and Abe Families would certainly be wary of them.

How could they prove they had no ulterior motives?

And why would anyone be willing to believe them?

Their centuries of peaceful coexistence had ultimately only been superficial.

She looked toward Vincent, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping herself.

If the misunderstanding continued to deepen, the Wizarding World here might split into several factions, just like the Sengoku era among non-magical people.

But if the three families could reach a mutual understanding and continue living in peace...

Vincent seemed to sense her gaze.

He met those conflicted eyes.

"Whether she keeps a trump card is her business. But when she schemes against me, it can't be settled so easily."

Yamamoto blinked. "Mr. Wayne, that's the Ashiya Family—the Ashiya Family that practically controls the Ministry of Magic."

Vincent straightened up and lightly rolled his wrists.

"Don't get the order mixed up, Mr. Yamamoto.

"You were the ones who harbored ill will first, which is what ultimately led to this outcome."

Rinne suddenly smiled.

Only a prophet could know what the future held.

She was not a prophet, so there was no need for her to agonize over it.

"Then could you first give me—" Before Yamamoto could finish, his gleaming bald forehead was struck by a Stunning Spell.

Vincent rose from his chair and used the confiscated cherrywood wand to add two more spells.

Once he had confirmed that Yamamoto was completely unconscious, he took a deep breath.

"The situation has changed. We now have a bargaining chip for negotiating with Ashiya Takuma."

Hermione followed his gaze downward. "Are we going to turn ourselves in?"

"Of course not."

Yamamoto Tsukumo might only be a minor figure, but he could become a crucial one.

Before dawn.

A speedboat drifted across the vast Pacific Ocean.

Three people waited anxiously aboard it.

"Yamamoto is taking forever!"

"Don't tell me he got swallowed by a whale."

Kuroki remained silent throughout.

They had gained nothing all day, and his mood had already been bad enough.

If the Shingu Family had merely been probing them today, then tomorrow they would definitely launch an attack on both the Ashiya and Abe Families.

They would use domestic and foreign public opinion to magnify the incident's impact, throwing the entire Wizarding World into chaos.

Then, at an appropriate time, they would let the "missing" children reappear and reveal a few details of the case...

Before The Truth could be uncovered, the second wave of public opinion would likely have already reached its peak.

While the Ashiya Family would not lose the credibility it had maintained for centuries, it would still suffer a severe blow.

The same went for the Abe Family; it could even damage the Magic Institute's reputation.

By then, even if the outside world learned of the Shingu Family's sinister ambitions, it would be unable to stop their grasping hands.

Yet at such a critical moment, Yamamoto had failed to return on time to rest.

Either he had found a lead, or he had been captured.

They were only a group of children without wands. Could Madam's speculation have been correct?

"All Yamamoto can do is dig up dirt on those big shots. Why does he get to carry out an important mission in Britain?"

"Hey! Are you questioning Madam's judgment?"

The dissatisfied man shut his mouth.

"Quiet." Kuroki's face darkened.

He had a bad feeling.

If Yamamoto had been captured, then they had already been exposed.

Why had they not been attacked?

The best opportunity had undoubtedly been just now, while the complaints were still going on.

"Could it be..." Kuroki's eyes suddenly widened.

He thought of a terrifying possibility.

What if this had all been a deliberate trap, and they, having stepped into it, were the so-called attackers?

To give the public an explanation, the upright Takuma would certainly investigate the matter thoroughly.

Yamamoto was naturally innocent, but what if neither Legilimency nor Veritaserum worked?

According to intelligence gathered from Britain, Quirrell, who had attempted to steal the Sorcerer's Stone last year, had met a miserable end.

His body had been split in two. Even if it were put back together, he would be crippled for life.

What if Yamamoto ended up like that too—vacant-eyed, drooling, only capable of babbling nonsense...

"Hurry back!"

"Huh—back where?"

"Go back and inform Madam!"

Kuroki had guessed part of it, but not all of it.

First, such a method was too cruel.

Second, Yamamoto was not the mastermind.

Finally, they were all students.

Itsukushima's beach was surrounded by people from the Ministry of Magic and the Shingu Family.

Every one of them watched warily, as if facing a formidable enemy, as thirteen figures clad in armor of various colors emerged from the sea.

Had Dumbledore not stopped them in time, the person in golden armor at the front would have fallen the moment he surfaced.

"I'm Wayne. Vincent Wayne."

The instant Vincent removed his helmet, Dumbledore dismissed the doubt in his eyes and stepped forward.

Without exchanging a single word, the two simply looked at each other.

The children removed their helmets one after another, yet no one around them lowered their wands.

"Rinne!" Hayahiko shoved Ito aside and strode over to embrace his daughter.

Kagura tensed all over. "Mr. Shingu, we still haven't confirmed—"

"She's my daughter! Do you think I wouldn't recognize her?!"

Takuma frowned deeply.

"It's them." Dumbledore turned around. "If I'm not yet so old that I've developed dementia, then they indeed showed no signs of using Polyjuice Potion or Human Transfiguration."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

The three-day, two-night search could finally come to an end.