A New Beginning (6)

Seaton sank into his chair and stared at the young wizard in front of him. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, but he forced himself to remain calm and asked, "What exactly do you want?!"

"I believe I have made it clear, Madam President, that we are here to help you," Ivan repeated, raising his eyebrows.

Seaton's face twitched at Ivan's words, and he glanced at the guards lying dead on the floor…

'You call that helping?'

Ivan naturally saw through Seaton's thoughts and explained kindly, "You don't have to worry too much. They're just temporarily unconscious and not in mortal danger…"

Do I have to thank you for that? Seaton was furious, but he swallowed his words when he thought about how easily the enemy had defeated a modern army of several thousand men, unscathed by dozens of guns, and even managed to crush a sniper bullet with their bare hands.

It couldn't be helped. Form was better than man. To put it bluntly, even his own life was in the other party's hands.

Therefore, under Ivan's kind gaze, Seaton forced himself to put on a politician's fake smile and said aggrievedly, "Since they're fine, I'm relieved. It's all thanks to your help that I was able to see through their ambitions…"

"It is my duty, Mr. Seaton, as President of the International Confederation of Wizards, to uphold peace in the wizarding community and the real world!" Ivan replied humbly.

Seaton thought about the huge tornado that had mysteriously appeared in Paris and the missing advance troops, and was momentarily at a loss for words. He could only assume that the "peace" Ivan was referring to was not the one he remembered.

The only good thing was that she did not seem to have any intention of attacking him.

Realizing this, Seaton relaxed a little, and with the air of a President, engaged in a "friendly" exchange with the culprit who had just put down a group of guards.

Ivan used this opportunity to recount how Grindelwald, along with a group of fanatical believers, had been wreaking havoc in the European wizarding community after his escape from Newmond prison, intending to start a Muggle-Wizard war.

The Legilimency Ivan knew very well that President Seaton had been duped by Grindelwald under the guise of the French Ministry of Magic and did not know Grindelwald's true colors.

Seaton wasn't entirely convinced by Ivan's claims, but he pretended to be furious, berating Grindelwald and the others for lying to him, and then insinuating that he was exhausted after all that had happened and needed a good rest.

Ivan, of course, could tell that she was telling him to get the hell out of here. Nobody wanted someone who could decide whether they lived or died hanging around.

Ivan, however, pretended not to notice and continued speaking.

"In addition to dealing with these wizards who are trying to start a war, I have two other things to tell you."

"Go ahead, what is it?" Seaton asked, immediately appearing attentive.

"First of all, in a month's time, I will hold a global meeting at the British Ministry of Magic, where the heads of state will be invited to discuss the future of the magical and non-magical world…" Ivan went on.

Seaton's face fell. He had learned a thing or two about wizards from Grindelwald, but he had always been wary of those with magical powers.

It was with great reluctance that Seaton was forced to leave France a month later for a so-called summit by a wizard who had so brazenly broken into his office.

"Does North America and the rest of the European Union know about this?" asked Seaton, not daring to object openly.

"The President of North America and the President of the European Union have agreed, and the heads of the other member states have probably received my invitation…" Ivan said, looking at Seaton meaningfully. "I don't think anyone will refuse!"

Seaton's pupils contracted, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

Behind him, Fran, Colin Morton, and the others were confused. How could they not have known that there would be a global meeting in a month's time?

However, when they remembered that Ivan was the acting President of the International Confederation of Wizards, and was now the most powerful man in the wizarding world, Colin Morton and the others shut up. If Ivan said there was a meeting, then there probably was…

"If that's the case, I'll be there." Since Ivan had already given his word, Seaton had no choice but to agree, despite his reluctance. At the same time, he tried to reassure himself that if Ivan really wanted to do something to him, he wouldn't have to wait a month.

When Seaton nodded, Ivan smiled gently and reached into his sleeve to transform a button into an invitation. He placed it on his desk to show his sincerity and continued speaking.

"As for the second matter, it is your safety! Grindelwald is dead, but his followers remain in hiding, so for the next few months, the International Confederation of Wizards will put extra guards on your safety…"

"That won't be necessary. We are capable of protecting ourselves," Seaton interrupted.

After witnessing Ivan's power to break into the Palace of Aichery alone, he was extremely fearful of the magical power of wizards, and naturally did not want to be watched.

"Is that so? But I don't think these guards will be enough to keep you safe…" Ivan said with interest, glancing at the guards who had fallen to the ground, unable to defend themselves from his attack.

Seaton's face fell, and Ivan continued, "Grindelwald's Saints were known to be extremely cruel Dark Wizards, and to have mastered many strange Dark Arts."

"For example, using a strand of hair as a medium to cast a curse of misfortune on a target, refining a living person into an Inferius, and assassinating your personal secretary with the Imperius Curse…"

The more Ivan spoke, the paler Seaton's face became. He tried to imagine what it would be like to have a group of wizards trying to assassinate him.

In the face of these strange magic, even if he hid in an underground nuclear shelter, he would not be able to escape.

Seaton reluctantly agreed to Ivan's decision to "protect" him.