Chapter 170 (2): Now What
Wayne and Auston stared at each other for a while. Then Auston broke the silence: “We don’t know who the traitor is yet. The five of us who received the bribes are the most likely. We have the motive and the ability to mobilize the necessary resources.”
“You saved the High Reverend of the Church of Moonlight and escalated the matter, which the Minister is unhappy with. But at the same time, your involvement has also proven me innocent.”
Auston said curiously, “The High Reverend of the Church of Moonlight used the flesh of an Astral Beast, so she had to have been cornered and left with no other choice. You defeated the enemies and treated her corruption, also cheating her into covering up your tracks... Tell me, how did you do it?”
“I thought you knew everything.” Wayne was a petty man, and he was still hung up on Auston’s earlier trickery.
“I only checked that you were alive. Simple as that,” Auston said. He trusted his own decision and believed that his successor couldn’t have survived the encounter without gaining any benefits.
“It’s even simpler for me. It’s love!” Wayne said proudly. “I made the woman fall for me. Love blinds, so she willingly covered up my tracks for me. Love empowers, so she defeated the Astral Beast!”
Auston laughed. “Nice excuse. You can fool me since I have no choice but to trust you, but that’s not going to convince anyone else. Do you think the Ministry of Magic will buy that?”
“Who knows? Maybe the Minister will.”
When Wayne refused to tell the truth, Auston shook his head in exasperation and said seriously, “Stop fooling around. You’re in great danger with all the attention you’ve drawn.”
“Isaac did it. Why come after me?”
“I told you that the moment you’re suspected, you’re sentenced. The higher-ups of the Ministry of Magic know that you’re Bruce. Then you can be Isaac, too.” Auston stroked his chin, both pleased and troubled.
His successor was competent and wouldn’t suffer losses, no matter the situation, but he also attracted trouble like a magnet and made messes wherever he went.