The Countdown to New York's Destruction

Some people risk their lifespan to play cards; some risk their lives to stage accidents; some spend the rest of their lives as a steel wool pad for rich women...

Wilkins was arguably the first to use his lifespan to plead with the Chosen One.

He didn't expect to succeed; otherwise, he would have just prayed for world peace, and maybe he could have shamelessly won a Bell Peace Prize like the Muggle president.

But humans are creatures who, once they set a goal, feel that life lacks a sense of ritual if they can't achieve it.

For example, at that moment, Wilkins had just made his vow of eternal love when he saw the crowd part and a young wizard walk towards him.

Wilkins rubbed his eyes, somewhat incredulous. The newcomer... looked a lot like Stark.

No, I was just saying it offhand, I didn't really mean to play Dou Shou Qi... Whether it's a god or something else, let's not take it seriously!

But as the man drew closer, his features became unmistakably those of Stark.

Wilkins felt surprised, not pleased.

He's more like the male protagonist in "Lost":

In desperation, he decided to commit suicide. He had just killed everyone, including his son... when the army that was rescuing them arrived.

What were you doing a few seconds earlier? This is ridiculous!

But then Wilkins realized something was wrong.

Stark is still in the United Kingdom participating in the Wizarding Wars, how could he possibly have time to come to New York!

He suddenly remembered that Ilvermorny had a young professor who looked a lot like Stark.

He was also the key person who discovered the problem tonight.

Could it be him?

Wilkins wasn't sure if this was a real person who had traded their lifespan for a real one, or a knock-off of Ilvermorny.

He glanced at Tina beside the young wizard and asked indirectly, "It's too dangerous here. Didn't I tell you to leave? Mrs. Scamander, is there something you need?"

Tina quickly explained, including William's identity.

Wilkins breathed a sigh of relief; at least it wasn't the real Stark.

Well, he was a little disappointed again... But a real person can turn the tide.

Counterfeit goods are utterly useless.

William quickly explained his purpose.

He looked at William, slightly surprised, and said, "Professor Targaryen, are you going into the Magical Congress building?"

"My friend Mera is inside," William said. "I need to go rescue her!"

"But if the Obscurus breaks out, you won't be able to Apparition inside the Capitol Building, let alone save others, you won't even be able to escape yourself," Wilkins advised.

In his view, the current situation is simply unsolvable.

It seems Graves intends to hide the Obscurus deep within the building.

Finding him will take some time, and taking him out of the Magical Congress is simply impossible.

"I have my own methods," William said calmly.

He has to go in.

Saving Mera was one thing, but William also didn't want to see New York destroyed.

He clearly had the ability to stop Graves; there was no reason for him to watch this place be destroyed.

One more thing, as Tom said:

Once the Scourers is stopped, Targaryen will be a hero in the United States Wizarding World.

He could even smoothly enter the Magical Congress and then gradually gain power.

This would also allow for better negotiation with Tom.

Of course, Europe was no longer enough for William; his sights were now set on North America.

Wilkins didn't want to watch this young man die, but he had said his piece; so be it... what if he succeeded?

"I will withdraw all the Auror, whether you can stop Graves or not," Wilkins said.

"Of course, if you can stop him, you'll be a hero, and I'll make your reputation no less than Stark's."

He started making empty promises again.

William ignored it and instead gave the order:

"After your Auror leave, immediately send them to the Atlantic Ocean coast to set up defenses there."

Wilkins paused, not understanding what he meant.

"Just do as I say!"

William ignored the other person and looked at Hermione, who had now transformed back into Katherine.

Hermione nodded slightly; the two had clearly made a plan.

There was indeed a plan.

After all, as Wilkins said, once you go in, there is no chance of getting out.

William needed to make some arrangements to ensure his escape.

Saving lives is important, but preserving lives is even more important.

Hermione won't go in; she's William's backup plan, someone who can save him in a pinch.

After explaining everything, William entered the Magical Congress building alone, under the watchful eyes of everyone.

The Ninth Floor of the Magical Congress

It's the lowest floor of the entire building, also underground.

There isn't much here, just one place: the execution chamber.

Unlike United Kingdom, the Magical Congress of the United States of America has not abolished the death penalty; heinous criminals are executed on the spot.

But the United States likes to tout its humanitarianism, so they want to let death row inmates enjoy their final moments of happiness before their execution.

They would use a method of execution called a medicinal bath.

The so-called medicated bath involves first extracting the prisoner's happiest memories and then putting them into a medicinal solution.

The potion is like Pensieve, bringing those memories to life.

The prisoner's entire mind was immersed in the memory, and then slowly entered the potion.

At that moment, two people stood before the gushing potion of death.

Now, Mera could clearly feel the magical ropes binding her digging deeper and deeper into her flesh.

This pain was second only to the panic she felt from not being able to breathe.

The rag in her mouth slid deeper and deeper into her throat, and she felt herself involuntarily gagging, her vision narrowing. Then everything went black.

Mera was on the verge of losing consciousness when she felt her eyelids begin to twitch weakly and rapidly.

An arm reached out and pulled the rag out of her mouth.

Mera gasped for breath, taking a deep breath, coughing and choking as she finally filled her lungs with precious air.

"Enjoy this last bit of sweet air," Graves said softly.

Mera glared at him with deep disgust.

She already knew that her younger brother had been kidnapped by the man in front of her.

Graves took a large clump of black substance out of the box.

These substances were larger than any of the previous ones, and appeared to be many Obscurus gathered together.

"Drowning is a very painful way to die, and as an Auror, I think you know that very well."

"But don't worry, I will infuse you with the Obscurus agent."

Graves said coldly, "At the moment of your death, this magical power, which consists of ten Obscurus gathered together, will explode."

That powerful force could wipe out all of New York in an instant. But with so many people with you, you won't be lonely.

"You will die too!" Merlin roared.

"Of course not, you're a human hourglass." Graves laughed.

"I've already calculated it. It will take some time for you to die, and then the Obscurus in your body will come into contact with the potion and finally erupt."

This amount of time, neither short nor long, was enough for me to leave the Magical Congress building at my leisure.

Then, using Apparition... he vanished without a trace.

Mera glared at him, her eyes filled with hatred.

But Graves completely ignored him and began to use magic, skillfully controlling the power and channeling it into Mera's body.

Mera felt a powerful, raging force enter her body, as if she were about to split open.

The pain that filled her mind was beyond her imagination.

The force was burning as it entered her lungs. Suddenly, pain shot up her head, and she felt as if her head was being clamped and about to be crushed.

A deafening roar, like thunder, filled my ears.

Graves placed Mera on the execution chair, which slowly descended into the potion.

Goodbye, Mera Picquery.

Graves smiled.

Now, no one can stop it... New York has been wiped out.

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