I'd like to apologize to my readers for the storyline involving Fudge.
Lately, I've been reading too much about civil service exams and taking too many elective law courses, and it's left my brain a little foggy. I've been too obsessed with procedural justice.
While writing these chapters, I kept thinking about how to ruin his reputation through proper procedures that followed the rules of the Wizarding World, so Harley could take over the Ministry of Magic as a matter of course.
Of course, part of the problem was my writing ability. I really didn't handle this material well while planning it. I kept trying to stay true to the characters in the original work, while unconsciously mixing in some personal agenda, and as a result, I gave readers a bad experience.
I talked with a few readers at noon today, and they shared their opinions. They said they found this character repulsive.
They were right. When I went back and reread the earlier chapters myself, I also felt that Fudge had become a bit toxic as a character.
After all, people read to relax, not to make themselves miserable. I'll cut back on Fudge's storyline from here on and get rid of him as soon as possible.
I'd like to apologize to all the readers who've stuck with the story this far. I'll definitely make changes going forward.