Chapter 700: Moon Sand and Forest in the Bottle - (2) |
If someone else had made this claim, the goblins might have scoffed or even cursed, looking disdainfully at the wizard, because goblins take immense pride in their magic and wouldn’t believe anyone could achieve such a feat. However, these words came from a wizard comparable to Dumbledore, casting doubt and curiosity among them.
Especially since this wizard had precedents of independently creating (or restoring lost) magical systems at only twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, spending possibly less than a decade studying ancient magic. This made his statement carry significant weight.
The goblins exchanged glances, seeing hesitation in each other’s eyes.
Some astute wizards also considered this. Their perspective differed from the goblins’: goblin-forged swords and armors were considered magical artifacts, and silverware was popular among wizards. If they could acquire this technology, they would be more than willing to make the exchange.
Previously, wizards were utterly incapable of replicating goblin magic.
A few wizards looked eagerly at Felix, ready to start a war over such vast benefits. However, facing Felix’s icy stare, their greed was quickly doused.
After another round of intense negotiations, the goblins agreed to join the Pan-Magical Alliance, maintaining their say internally but aligning with wizards externally.
“We will retain the right to appeal, as per the contract we signed two hundred years ago,” a goblin elder said with a mix of relief and reluctance.
Felix didn’t respond, but the thought of building a magical city grew stronger in his mind. The wizarding world was intricately connected, pulling one thread could unravel the whole magical society. Felix didn’t wish to drastically change wizards' living conditions, not necessarily a good thing. He simply wanted to start afresh on a clean slate, where it’s possible to erase and redraw. The existing places couldn’t withstand such turmoil; the best course of action was to forge a new path…
Both parties introduced their development history, culture, concepts, and technology (magic) to each other in a manner similar to government reports.
The senior official sent by the Ministry of Magic was Mr. Weasley, whose status rose with the Ministry’s departmental restructuring. Mr. Weasley showed great interest in a series of technological products. Knowing he was the wizard father frequently mentioned in the ‘Wizards Going to School’ series of articles, the government officials decided to gift him a set of wrenches with various bolt sizes.
“Thank you so much,” Mr. Weasley said enthusiastically. “I didn’t bring personal gifts, but Madame Bones entrusted me to present two gifts to the Muggle government”—he opened the box, revealing a simple bowl and plate set and a magnificent crystal bottle.
The crystal bottle contained a miniature jungle landscape, which the government representatives glanced at before focusing on the dull bowl and plate with faded, unimpressive patterns.
“Er, does this bowl and plate have any special significance?” the government representative asked, puzzled. They had also prepared gifts from carefully selected museum artifacts, valuable in both artistic and historical terms.
“It’s not about the appearance but the origin,” Mr. Weasley explained. “It comes from the moon.”
The government representative's eyes widened.
“The moon?”
“Yes,” Mr. Weasley nodded, his smile gaining an inscrutable depth, contrasting with his previously lively expressions.
After the meeting, the government representative immediately went to a briefing room, facing questions from the entire cabinet. The Prime Minister was eager, “How did it go? What was their reaction?” He turned to a seemingly inconspicuous man, “You’re the country’s best psychological analyst. What’s your conclusion?”
The analyst was lost in thought.
“He might need some time to adjust to the psychological impact of magic… Let me explain.” The representative opened the box, and just like before, everyone was drawn to its contents.
“A landscape in a bottle?” The Prime Minister glanced at the nondescript bowl and plate, assuming it was some artifact, but his attention was caught by the exquisite crystal bottle. He leaned in to examine it closely, “Interesting, I see birds flying—they move—is this magic?” The others marveled as well.
The representative pressed his lips together.
“It might not be what you think. Yes, it’s magical, but there’s more…” he said with an odd expression. “Inside is a real forest, expanded seamlessly with magic—you might understand it as an application of space expansion technology.”
The room fell silent, the Prime Minister pausing mid-bend to stare at him.
“According to them—ah, I mean, my interpretation, the wizard, Felix Harp, said he didn’t prepare well for his first moon landing, hence only hastily explored
the vicinity…”
As everyone exchanged bewildered looks, the Prime Minister suddenly stood up:
“Get the best scientists! Now! Drop whatever they’re doing—also, don’t we have a moon soil sample? Split it into several parts, I need the most authentic conclusion!”
“Prime Minister, the moon soil is precious, we only have a little,” a staff member whispered.
Precious? If true, moon soil could become commonplace, the Prime Minister thought, pointing at the dirty dish, “Precious? If this is true, moon soil will be everywhere. What do you think that bottle signifies? Wizards are clearly telling us they can hollow out the moon!”
“Where would they put the extra soil?” an official exclaimed.
Everyone stared at him as if he was foolish.
“That is indeed a problem,” the Prime Minister mused darkly. “What do you think about piling it over our heads?”
In the ensuing silence, the representative cautiously spoke, “On the bright side, this signifies that space travel could become a reality. With all due respect, Prime Minister, gentlemen, only through cooperation can we secure a future!”
...
“Kingsley sent a message; the Muggle government is ready to negotiate with us,” Madame Bones told Felix.
“Our strategy seems correct: avoid rash actions, gradually reveal valuable information, letting the Muggle government weigh the consequences of war against the benefits of cooperation. They’ll naturally come to the negotiation table. We’ve passed the most unpredictable phase.”
“It’s time to look beyond our borders.”
Felix looked towards a distant lighthouse, murmuring softly.
“In the abrupt dawn of a new era, who will seize the opportunity to rise? And who will foolishly harbor animosity towards an unfamiliar group, leading to their downfall? Time will give us the answer.”
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