Amid the chaos of spells flying, shoving, and shouting, Rita's voice rose once more as she shrieked:
"Look! Look at these photos! Look at this cruel footage!"
The Streaming Mirror's image instantly split into sections of varying sizes. Some displayed bloody photos of test subjects, while others showed horrific experiments beyond anything ordinary people could imagine.
Even though the video was silent, everyone could fully imagine the pain and terror the subjects had endured.
What was more, in order to create complete experimental records, the footage even contained the sounds of flesh and bones being cut apart, along with the cold, merciless discussions of the researchers.
"Merlin! This isn't real... It can't be real..."
Among the guests, some covered their mouths as tears streamed down their faces; some turned furious eyes toward those responsible; others were nearly frightened unconscious by the sight.
The uproar abruptly died down. The combat spells ceased almost unconsciously. Vivid images could stir fear and fury more effectively than any written words.
Those who had been shouting their support moments ago now seemed to have their voices stuck in their throats.
The opportunists glanced around in terror, quietly lowered their Wands, and instinctively backed away.
Even among the most steadfast supporters, subtle wavering emerged. Some looked away uneasily, while sweat beaded on others' foreheads.
Abandoning a sinking ship was instinctive for these people. Lila was clearly about to fall, and no one wanted to pay the price of being dragged down with her just to defend her.
Doubt spread through the crowd like a silent plague.
Amid the scattered sounds of fighting, only Rita Skeeter's voice rang out with particular clarity:
"Do you remember the recent 'Obscurial Island Incident'? That poor girl swallowed by dark power—Mabel!"
"She became an Obscurial because they subjected her to this