The commotion outside the door brought the intense discussion to a halt as everyone turned to look towards the entrance. Following a series of urgent knocks, Akingbade frowned, waved his wand, and the layers of magical glow receded, allowing someone to push the door open, looking panicked.
"What's the matter, Claude?" Akingbade shouted at the man, "Didn't I instruct you to guard the door and prevent any disturbances?"
Claude stuttered for a moment before managing to say, "Grindelwald—"
"He dared to come?" Akingbade's face was a picture of shock, and the room fell silent as if paused, with many jumping from their seats in alarm, causing chaos.
Felix frowned, realizing he had overlooked a fact: most attendees were of an older generation, many of whom had witnessed firsthand how Grindelwald had once caused turmoil across the magical world.
In the midst of the confusion, a calm and loud voice struck like a hammer, "Silence—"
All eyes turned to Felix, who sat dignified on the stage. Standing up, he calmly told Claude, "Claude, finish your sentence."
"Yes, Mr. Harp," the man stuttered, "Grindelwald hasn't come himself—it's his followers—I mean," he said, his balding head beaded with sweat, "he sent a delegation, nearly twenty people, claiming they wish to attend the meeting!"
The room erupted into chaos.
"Let them in," Felix commanded over the noise. The representatives from various magical departments looked at him as if he were their pillar of strength, then turned their gaze towards the door with anticipatory looks. After a few seconds, disordered footsteps approached, and a group of people entered.
Leading them was a tall woman with dark skin and grey eyes, her face marked with yellow-brown stripes, and her dark, slightly reddish hair neatly tied back, secured by a spiked iron ring.
"Liebert?" Akingbade exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the woman.
"It's been a long time, Akingbade," she said, seemingly relieved. Their greetings indicated familiarity. She composed herself and spoke with a detached voice, reminiscent of a novice stage actor reciting lines, "Maravat Liebert, Minister of Magic for Egypt, at your service."
"Egypt doesn't have a Ministry of Magic," Akingbade retorted in a muffled voice.
"Now it does," the woman with the headband replied. She cautiously chose her words, looking at Akingbade and Felix, "We are here by...command to participate in the Confederation's meeting. That person said, since witches and wizards from Africa make up one-tenth of the magical world's population, it's only natural for us to join this international gathering."
Akingbade hesitated, "In that case..." He seemed indecisive, his expression changing as he wrestled with complex thoughts, frozen in place for a moment.
Felix waved his hand, and a row of chairs appeared out of thin air, then gestured towards Maravat Liebert with a look, "Welcome—even if it's just for the dictionary, we share the same name." Maravat Liebert sniffed and walked towards a seat, passing people with varying expressions, exchanging looks.
The followers attempted to mimic her but were stopped by a look from Felix.
"Those who entered, state your names and positions," he said calmly.
Following her was a clean-skinned, short and stout man who abruptly stopped and awkwardly introduced himself, "Mu-Muto Tobias, Minister of Magic for Nigeria." He glanced at Felix apprehensively, and upon seeing Felix nod slightly, he hurriedly followed the lead, the crowd noticing his clothes soaked with sweat.
If Akingbade or Harp decided to confine these twenty-something individuals, they would be powerless.
Some cooperated, and of course, there was the foolhardy one, now turned into a painting, held up and hung on the back of a chair by the Confederation's secretary. The person, reduced to a pair of darting, terrified eyes, looked comically distressed.
"What boldness," an old wizard muttered, "He might never recover." At his words, the black and white eyes darted more frantically. The old wizard chuckled coldly, folding his legs up on the chair as if folding clothes.
Another elderly witch reached out to touch but quickly withdrew her hand with a disgusted sound.
Felix looked at the first woman who sat down, asking as if it was nothing, "Nona Liebert is your—"
"Second daughter," the woman replied, somewhat flattered.
"Her performance in the Triwizard Tournament was memorable," Felix remarked.
"Oh, thank you—"
Once everyone was seated, the assembly was somewhat stunned; the addition of over twenty Ministries of Magic from Africa was unexpected enough, but some quietly approved. Under different circumstances, Africa might have sent over two hundred representatives
to a meeting. The question remained whether Grindelwald was using them as pawns or genuinely intended to reform and establish new systems in Africa.
After a moment, Akingbade also accepted Felix's approach, staring and asking, "What exactly does Grindelwald intend?"
Maravat Liebert shook her head, "No one knows his plans."
"Will he abide by the resolutions made at the Confederation's meeting?" Akingbade pressed, and Maravat Liebert shook her head again, leading him to sigh in disappointment. Despite anticipation, the disappointment was palpable.
"At least he's willing to send representatives; it shows he hasn't completely cut ties with us," a wizard noted. His words elicited a murmur of agreement. "Regardless, we are all wizards."
This remark eased the tension, and the newcomers were no longer treated as outcasts. However, the focus of the meeting shifted as delegates began inquiring about the living conditions of African wizards in 'occupied territories.'
"Mr. Grindelwald...he consolidated the previously loose autonomous organizations, assigning us jurisdictions, like the Ministry of Magic for Egypt, which was forcibly unified from twelve district autonomous organizations; he also introduced the Wizarding Code as the basis for governance and management. I've studied it carefully; it shares similarities with the books issued by the British Ministry of Magic but is more direct, demanding strict compliance on certain issues..."
"Could you elaborate on that part?" Felix interjected, "It might be helpful for the theme of this meeting."
"Oh, uh, sure," Maravat Liebert said.
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