Hogwarts: The Wizarding World's First Capitalist

After Lucius' voice disappeared, the whole room was quiet for another ten seconds.

Then a round of applause began to echo in the room, along with Karl's voice of praise.

"You are worthy of being one of the first partners I chose. You are indeed extraordinary. People in the British wizarding world often say that you are a coward."

"But now it seems that you are a true Slytherin, ambitious and brave enough to admit failure."

"All that happened before was just a means. Using any means necessary is never an embarrassment, it's only after the final result comes."

“There are far fewer people who dare to act and take responsibility than those who do whatever it takes.”

"Crash!!"

Another match was struck, and the fire once again illuminated the corner of the dark room, separated by that small match.

The two pairs of eyes looked at each other, and this time there was no fatigue in those eyes, only frank determination.

"You want to do anything to me? I can accept any treatment you give me. I only ask you to let Draco and my wife go."

"Draco is your classmate. My wife knows nothing about what I have done. As for myself."

"My life now is more painful than death."

Lucius spoke first, his tone was unusually calm, and there was even a desire in his eyes, as if he didn't want the boy in front of him to punish him severely.

After all, he had lost everything including his pride, and his heart was already filled with pain at this moment.

He had thought about committing suicide more than once, but unfortunately he didn't have the courage, so he hoped that Carl could end his life.

Help him end this torment, but he waited for a long time and did not see the green light as he imagined.

There was only one cigarette passed to him.

Lucius picked up the cigarette in a daze, and Carl handed the match in his hand that was almost burned out to him.

"You should know which end is the mouthpiece, hold it in your mouth, then bring the other end to the flame and slowly inhale into your mouth."

"Don't take the first breath too deep, and then breathe slowly after that."

Karl's tone was also very calm, and there was no sign of anger in his voice, as if he was just talking to an ordinary friend.

Lucius was stunned for a few seconds, but finally lit the cigarette in his hand before the match went out completely.

After a violent and intense coughing fit, he began to take slow, deep breaths, and the room returned to darkness once again, but this time there were two strange red dots flashing continuously.

It wasn't until one of the red dots disappeared that Carl's voice sounded again.

"You should understand my style of doing things. I can't waste my time on anything. I deliberately took such a big risk today."

"I'll let you listen to this cabinet meeting up close. I'm sure you'll have some thoughts on this. Why don't you tell me what you think?"

"You still like to play tricks like this." A red dot flashed, and Lucius' voice sounded.

This time there was no desire for death in the voice, only a pure calmness.

"The essence of this meeting is very simple. It's just a fool who wants to rebel against the group. He may think there is nothing wrong with his plan."

"But they overlook the fact that although they represent the interests of the group, it is often individuals who decide the issues."

"The interests of the individual will always conflict with the interests of the group, and at that point, the correct answer won't seem so correct."

“Even individuals and groups are bound to each other.”

"Very profound!" Carl lit another match, then lit another one for himself and continued speaking.

"It seems that you have gained more than just failure during this period. You also got some really useful things. You are right."

"Even as the ruling class, they should understand that their fate is tied to that of the country."

"But sometimes, out of selfish thoughts, they always do things that are not in the national interest. This is the limitation of human beings."

"What about you?" Lucius's red dot flashed again and his voice became louder.

"Why on earth would you do this? It can't be just to teach me another lesson or to show off your knowledge."

"You said you wouldn't waste time on meaningless things. That's great. There's no need for us to waste time anymore."

"What exactly do you want to do to me? Instead of waiting in agony, why not give me a clear answer? Anyway, I have nothing to lose now."

Hearing this, Carl extinguished the match in his hand. After the red dot in the darkness flashed a few times again, his voice rang out again.

"I will forgive you for this insolence, but your property will not be returned, for it was my spoils of war."

“Returning it to you is undoubtedly a humiliation to you, but the manor you are currently living in and the group’s land will not be immediately expropriated for the time being.”

"You will use your future labor to redeem these assets. To put it simply, I am willing to give you another chance."

Silence once again echoed in the darkness, and this time it lasted for a long time, a full 10 minutes.

Lucius's slightly hoarse voice sounded again.

"Why, that's not your style. Aside from that special senior of yours, I've never heard of you being willing to give anyone else another chance."

"And my behavior, at best, was a serious breach of contract, and at worst, it was a small-scale rebellion."

"Stop telling me those nice, open-minded words. You're not that kind of person at all. Tell me the real reason."

"Otherwise, I cannot accept this gift."

“There’s no particular reason.” Carl’s red dot lit up again, his tone still calm.

"The reason is the same as the meeting you saw today, which is just a manifestation of selfishness that you may not understand for the time being."

"But I can explain it simply in one sentence. I am a wizard and I cannot allow the British wizarding world to fall into too much chaos."

"I cannot allow a pure-blood noble with huge resources to stand against me at this moment, even though I am very angry about your behavior now."

"I have to do the same."

"What kind of reason is that?" Lucius' voice was filled with disdain. "From the first time we met."

"You have always been committed to bringing chaos to the entire British wizarding world, and this goal seems to have never changed."

"Now you say that for the sake of the entire British wizarding world, you choose to forgive me now. Those Muggles chose to abandon the interests of the group for their own benefit."

"Are you going to abandon your own interests for the benefit of the group? You are really too noble, Mr. Hohenzollern."