The Worst-Case Scenario

Draco was one thing, but now even Pheobe had safely rescued a hostage. It was hard not to question the merpeople's motives.

Seeing Viktor Krum and Draco each heading upstream with their respective hostages, Harry could only temporarily suppress the many questions in his heart.

He gripped his spear tightly with both hands and cautiously approached the village.

The merpeople ignored him and remained locked in a standoff with the Aurors.

Even after he entered the village, they still did not attack him.

The situation was strange, but it was a good opportunity.

Harry swiftly swam to the statue's tail, raised his spear, and neatly cut the ropes binding Ron. He also cut the ropes around Gabrielle.

Pheobe pressed her right hand lightly against her chest and leaned forward slightly, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to him.

After the four hostages were safely rescued from the village, the merpeople stopped surrounding the Aurors and retreated into orderly rows.

Had they mistaken the target of the test?

Vincent, perched atop the statue's head, did not think so.

The Death Eaters had gone to great lengths to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic. They certainly had not done it merely to use the merpeople against the Aurors.

"What exactly is the conspiracy..." Vincent quietly moved behind the merpeople's leader.

If it made any unusual move, he would restrain it immediately.

The scene of the Champions safely leaving the village with their respective hostages was broadcast onto the projection screen in the Ministry of Magic's main hall.

Fudge and the senior officials were discussing whether to resume the global broadcast.

The process was unimportant. What mattered was the result.

The Champions had safely rescued the hostages, and only Harry had suffered a minor injury.

They could claim that the broadcast had abruptly stopped because of