Chapter 1112 - 199: Irrefutable Evidence of Guilt

Chapter 1112: Chapter 199: Irrefutable Evidence of Guilt

"No, no, don’t give up!" Hosone struggled to support the steadily sliding body of Ezra Hughes, his voice trembling, "Hold on! I’m taking you to the hospital right now!"

But the Anti-Disapparition Charm in the vicinity hadn’t been lifted yet, so he quickly cast Levioso, causing Hughes to float up, and then staggered, dragging him as he walked back.

Hughes’s body trembled uncontrollably, his mouth struggling to pull into a smile, forcing air out of his throat:

"You’re okay... that’s good... Nikolo, you’re... the hope... don’t... give up..."

The final syllable was nearly inaudible because, right before Hosone’s eyes, in the blink of an eye, Hughes’ body suddenly began to reverse age!

His bones emitted a soft cracking sound, his form rapidly shrank and dwindled, slipping out of Hosone’s arms; the crisp uniform losing its support, slid down under gravity’s pull.

In just a few breaths, the once tall and decisive head of the Auror Office vanished from sight.

All that remained was an infant, looking no more than two years old, sitting amidst the pile of clothes, sucking his fingers bewilderedly.

Hosone stared at him, his body stiff, his entire face blank, unable to react at all.

"Ha... hehe... ha..."

The dying Perez witnessed this scene, a greedy light bursting from his cloudy eyes, emitting hoarse laughter from his throat.

He saw the "antidote" and, using his last ounce of strength, squirmed like a worm, crawling toward the gold powder that had once clung to Hughes, skeletal fingers trembling as he reached out, hoping to reclaim his youth.

"You scum!"

Hosone’s roar exploded like a bolt of thunder!

Unable to contain the grief and fury surging within him, the tip of his magic wand erupted in dazzling light, a pure and fiery magic spell shot out, striking Perez’s struggling body!

"Bang!"

Perez didn’t even have time to let out a scream before he was hurled away like a desolate piece of wood, crashing heavily onto the ground over a dozen meters away.

Before he hit the ground, he’d already completely lost his breath.

Hosone didn’t look at the filthy corpse. He suppressed the nearly heart-wrenching pain, waved his magic wand to forcibly consolidate the scattered golden particles nearby, compressing them into a golden ball of light, temporarily isolating the threat.

Afterward, he turned to the infant seated on the ground, confusedly glancing around.

Meeting those azure eyes, Hosone’s heart twisted in agony. He half-kneeled on the ground, cautiously reaching out, wanting to pick up the child and take him away from this nightmarish place.

At this moment, Hosone didn’t want to consider the overall situation, conspiracies, or the future of the Magic World; he just wanted his friend to be back to normal!

However, just as his fingertips were about to touch the child’s shoulder—

"Stupefy!"

A blinding curse of red light shot towards Hosone’s back like an arrow! Reflexively, he rolled over, dodging the spell but distancing himself from infant Hughes.

Hosone swiftly turned his head, only to hear a stern command:

"Don’t touch him!"

A bundle of red sparks shot skyward, erupting with a loud bang.

Instantly, numerous figures suddenly Apparitioned around, "pop pop pop" explosions continuously sounded, making the peaceful shaded path become lively.

At that moment, Hosone saw many familiar faces—

Aurors, Congress officials, members of the Wizengamot, special officers from the International Wizarding Union, Ilvermorny professors...

These twenty to thirty people seemed like actors long prepared, finally awaiting their chance to take the stage, they rushed eagerly toward Hosone, some shockedly gazing at the scene on the path, some quietly evading Hosone’s gaze, while others were provocatively and triumphantly eyeing him.

"What’s going on, Mr. Hosone?" someone asked loudly.

Hosone just moved his gaze when the person who had cast the spell stepped out from behind a tree, pointed at him and shouted:

"I saw it all myself—Nikolo Hosone attacked from behind, mercilessly striking down a colleague! Director Hughes was unfortunately turned into such a form by his Time Magic, and Director Perez has also been killed by him; there’s his corpse right over there!"

The person who jumped out was Rex Grim, deputy director of the Auror Office, Hughes’ absolute confidant, whom Hosone relied heavily on.

His shouted words naturally became indisputable evidence.

Someone immediately crouched down, uncaringly turning over the old corpse, shouting with fear:

"It’s true! This is Director Perez! I... I recognize his badge and pocket watch!"

The surrounding crowd erupted with a wave of "righteous indignation":

"This is horrifying!"

"It’s downright demonic behavior!"

"The evidence is conclusive! He must be arrested immediately!"

Voices emerged one after another, as if fearing they’d miss their chance to deliver their lines.

The journalists, previously hidden, suddenly rushed out, snapping photos wildly, while beside them, long quills furiously scribbled on parchment.

In the crowd, Laira Piqueley seemed only now able to accept reality. Her face bore just the right degree of shock and grief, and she said mournfully:

"Ladies and gentlemen... please quiet down! Look at this... this heartbreaking scene in front of us!"

She raised her hand, trembling as she pointed to Perez’s corpse and the helpless infant, tears glimmering faintly in her eyes:

"One was our loyal Director of the Floo Network Administration, the other was our brave and fearless Auror Office Director... they both fell tonight! Fell at the hands of... the chairman we once trusted!"

Laira’s voice suddenly soared:

"Chairman Nikolo Hossun... no! He no longer deserves to be called chairman!"

"This criminal, exploiting his position, researched and cast the wicked forbidden Time Magic, harming his colleagues, and the evidence is right in front of everyone!"

"He has completely betrayed the duties of the Congress Chairman, betrayed the trust of all American Wizards, and personally destroyed our confidence in the law and morality!"

She scanned the eyes surrounding her, then took a deep breath and announced in an unarguable, decisive tone:

"Therefore, I, Laira Piqueley, as the Senior Assistant to the Chairman, based on the irrefutable emergency situation and heinous crimes before us—"

She paused, ensuring each word fell heavily:

"Request everyone present, colleagues and witnesses alike, to agree and affirm—immediately remove Nikolo Hossun from all his duties and powers as the Chairman of the American Magic Congress!"

"He is no longer one of us, and is unfit to lead us! His fate should be subjected to the most severe and fair trial by Wizengamot. We must ensure he pays the appropriate price for the terrible crimes committed tonight!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd erupted in thunderous agreement:

"Agreed!"

"Support Ms. Piqueley’s motion!"

"Immediate removal! Send to trial!"

"There’s nothing to discuss! Such villains should be executed immediately!"

The wave of voices surged higher and higher, with arms raised in agreement, resembling a forest full of judgment.

Laira stood at the forefront of the crowd, slightly raising her head, her gaze sweeping over the pale-faced Hosone. Ultimately, a faint, yet ice-cold smirk involuntarily crossed her lips.

Hosone stood isolated in the center, his gaze penetrating through the crowd, sweeping over those familiar faces, recalling how they once were enthusiastic, ingratiating, or nervous before him.

Finally, he fixed his eyes firmly on a silent figure behind the crowd—

Agilbert Fontaine, Principal of Ilvermorny Magic School.

This esteemed principal was expressionless, yet his hand slowly rose.

He didn’t look at Hosone, but instead furrowed his brow tightly, speaking solemnly:

"I’m deeply sorry, Nikolo, terribly sorry... terribly sorry I couldn’t stop you earlier... stop you from committing such heinous acts..."

Fontaine’s voice wasn’t loud, nor was his attitude intense, but his words weighed heavier than all the previous clamor of agreement combined, akin to a judge’s gavel striking decisively.

Watching this absurd scene, witnessing everyone’s passionate and genuine performances, the anger and despair in Hosone’s heart suddenly faded away like receding tides.

In its place was a detached, cold, and almost absurd clarity.

Unexpectedly, Hosone couldn’t help but laugh.

Not a sneer, not a mocking laugh, but a genuine, uncontrollable laughter rising from deep within his chest.

"Ha... hahahaha...!"