Chapter 172 (2): The Organization Wants You to Be the Frontman

Ministry of Magic, Londan, Windsor.

The headquarters of the Ministry of Magic was located in the Western District of Londan, close to the palace where the Queen resided. As the most mysterious institution in Windsor, it operated under the guise of the Department of Forest Resources Management.

It was a department that seemed useful, but didn’t actually serve much of a purpose, and since its personnel were quite old overall, it had always been considered a nursing home for politicians.

The headquarters occupied a large area, comprising several large office buildings, a museum, an opera house, and high-end restaurants. The architecture was in the classical style, and the place didn’t look like a governmental agency, but rather a large estate or a recreational park with an entrance fee.

In addition to the headquarters, the Ministry of Magic had also set up several branches across Londan, disguised as hospitals, zoos, or concert halls. In fact, since Planck was a high-ranking member of the Ministry of Magic, Red Leaf Asylum could also be considered a branch of the ministry.

A black car pulled over at the metal entrance gates. When two guards checked them for clearance, Megan showed them the IDs to confirm that they were on the visitor list. Once the gates opened, the car drove into the park for five minutes, stopping before a four-story office building.

It was all white with numerous pillars for a grandiose look, housing Vice Minister Yvette’s office. Megan stayed and stood watch while Wayne followed Auston into the building to meet the Vice Minister.

She was in her fifties, wearing elegant makeup that accentuated her inherent grace. It would be a mistake to judge a mage’s age by their appearance, especially in the case of a legendary mage. However, the Vice Minister maintained an older appearance so that others would show her the respect that her age warranted.

Auston respectfully took her hand and kissed it in greeting. “It’s been a long time, Yvette. You’re still as charming as ever.”

Yvette smiled slightly. “Auston, I heard about the trouble you’re in. Do you need me to put in a good word for you?”

“Thank you for the kind offer, but I’ll take care of my own business. It’s not that troublesome.”

After exchanging pleasantries, their topic shifted to Wayne. Auston patted him on the shoulder and introduced, “This is Wayne, a younger member of the family. He’s slow and quite lacking in tact, so please forgive him if he ever offends you.”

Wayne flashed her an earnest smile and bowed.

Yvette laughed heartily for a while. “Apologies for showing you such an unbecoming side. Auston, is he not your illegitimate son?”

“That is what many assume, but any resemblance we may share is only a coincidence.”

“What a shame. You’re so similar. I remember that when we first met, you were smiling just as purely.” Yvette laughed again. Her hidden message was clear.

Auston shook his head with a smile, bringing up the reception of the Church of Moonlight and asking if Yvette had made any arrangements. Wayne would do his best to ensure everything went smoothly.

“That’s good enough for me. Don’t worry. I won’t make things difficult for him.”

Yvette and Auston were merely colleagues. While they weren’t close, they didn’t have an antagonistic relationship, either. Among the Tulip Families, their two families maintained their distance and never established a close partnership. After all, one family held financial power, and the other held power in the literal sense. If they got too close, the Queen would disapprove.

Wayne stayed silent. He had always been someone who knew his place in every situation. Here, nothing he said would be heard, so it was best to listen humbly. Humility didn’t cost anything, and it was the cheapest way to win over hearts.

Especially when he was dealing with an elderly person!

Older people often valued first impressions. As long as they had a good impression of someone, whatever mistakes they made afterwards would be excused; if the first impression was bad, on the other hand... With a limited lifespan, there was no point in wasting time proving anything. It would be better to invest in another elderly benefactor.

Yvette explained the welcoming arrangements to Auston. Under the Queen’s order, she had planned everything by the book.

On the first day, Yvette would personally welcome High Reverend Filomina of the Church of Moonlight to show that the Ministry of Magic took the visit seriously. The reception would be held at the ministry’s headquarters, right in this office building. After that, Yvette wouldn’t show her face unless necessary. Wayne would take care of Filomina’s everyday needs as the ambassador.

The accommodation wouldn’t be his concern. Considering the unpleasant experience Filomina had had in Luzerbourg, she wouldn’t be living in the hotel the Ministry of Magic arranged. Wayne would be responsible for everything else.

The plan showed Vice Minister Yvette’s tendency to keep a low profile. Although she had received the Queen’s order, this matter was so complicated that she was unwilling to take charge before the traitor was identified.

Since you enjoy showing off so much, we’ve decided to make you the frontman!

Auston was somewhat disappointed, but he knew that Yvette had already shown him enough consideration. He took out a book and handed it to her, which had no text on the white cover. It was a copy of the

Book of Moon Shadow.

Yvette accepted the copy with a smile, her eyes softening when she looked at Wayne. “Don’t worry, Auston. This is Londan. No one can hurt your illegitimate son here.”

Auston stayed silent. He supposed he had to tolerate the misunderstanding since there was no way to disprove it.

“And when we’re voting for the Lando successor, as per tradition for any Tulip Family, I’ll vote for him.” Yvette smiled at Wayne. “He’ll have to rely on himself in the end, though. If he can satisfy Her Majesty with his performance this time, no one is going to reject her appointment even if he loses the vote.”

Auston thanked her and patted Wayne on the shoulder, telling his earnest successor to take the written schedule.

Once they left the office, Wayne got into the passenger seat and asked curiously, “The heir of every Tulip Family is decided through internal voting and approved by the royal family? That’s so much trouble.”

“What do you think? If the families were allowed to decide for themselves, the Tulip Families would’ve long fallen apart,” Auston said like it was obvious.

Wayne nodded. True. If the families were allowed to pick their heirs, they would’ve dominated the royal family a long time ago, and the Queen would have had to consider another career path to make ends meet!

He checked the stack of paper detailing the schedule. Outside of the uneventful first day, he would be busy serving Filomina like a eunuch serving the empress. He couldn’t help but complain, “Why do I have to be the scapegoat for the Ministry of Magic?”

“What do you think?”

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“...”

Right. He continued flipping through the schedule, realizing an issue on the last page. “Auston, this tour guide manual is problematic. It only specifies the starting date and not the ending date. Has Miss Collins forgotten to put it on paper?”

“What do you think?”

...Right, the Vice Minister didn’t forget, but was unable to specify a date. Until the Ministry of Magic identified the traitor, Wayne would have to shoulder the responsibility of an ambassador and serve the High Reverend of the Church of Moonlight well. At least Filomina should be satisfied enough to keep her mouth shut.

“Shit, now I really have to lie back and think of Windsor...”