"Or perhaps... on the plane, give them a parting gift?"
The phone was on speaker, and the voice of the subordinate came through without any unnecessary emotional tone.
In the dimly lit room, the man's grotesque scar on his face appeared even more terrifying in the phone's dim light, his eyes flashing with a fanatic and icy gleam.
Standing next to him was a man of average height, who slightly lowered his head, his light brown eyes looked gently at the phone, then at the scarred man.
"Mr. Thorne, there are many passengers on the plane, wouldn't this be going too far? The risk of acting is great, and it's easy to leave evidence, why not wait until later to keep looking for a more secure opportunity."
"What opportunity? Once they've returned to their place, how would our people have any chance?"
The scarred man Thorne raised his voice, speaking intensely:
"Stern, it's exactly because of this cowardly hesitation that our mission is progressing slowly! You're always waiting for the perfect timing, but the perfect timing won't just present itself!"
He leaned forward, staring at Stern, and said, "Opportunities are like fleeting lightning, you must seize them once you see them! Even if it means risking your life!"
"Otherwise, once they return to the United Kingdom, with that old fox Dumbledore's protection, trying to get at Vid Gray will cost ten, a hundred times more than now!"
His voice was transmitted to the other end through the phone and radio waves.
After the call ended, the car parked at the street corner outside the White Bridge Inn quietly started and merged into the traffic.
Through the half-open car window, one could vaguely hear voices from inside:
"Listen up, everyone! This is the leader's order—do not let them return to the United Kingdom alive!"
...
And inside the room, the leader Thorne suddenly drew a gun, and Stern was startled to step back, only to see Thorne suddenly raise his arm—
"Bang bang bang!"
Three consecutive bullets whizzed past Stern, hitting the opposite wall.
Stern turned around, cold sweat on his forehead, and saw a blown-up photo of Vid Gray on the wall, all three bullets had pierced through his forehead.
"Remember, Stern."
Thorne said in a low voice, "Vid Gray... is our greatest enemy at present, more dangerous than Dumbledore, Grindelwald, or Picquery!"
"His poppets can increase a wizard's strength a thousandfold, and his various inventions are breaking the age-old isolation among wizards, making that group stronger and more united!"
He gritted his teeth, speaking with near-religious obsession:
"Wizards... they ought to be scattered, each acting on their own, indulging in laughable battles of black and white and games of rule, eventually destroyed by infighting and stupidity! That is their proper end!"
"But Vid Gray, he is creating a new connection and heritage among wizards! This will make the 'disease' of wizards more stubborn and infectious, making it increasingly difficult to eliminate them!"
"Therefore, Vid Gray must be purged! The priority must be elevated to the highest! No matter the cost, this must be done!"
"Eradicating him is fundamentally weakening the future potential of the wizarding tumor, for the ultimate victory of our purification mission! We must root him out before his influence completely spreads!"
"Put away your timid thoughts, Stern, or you'll never become a true 'Scourer'!"
Stern was left pale-faced, he lowered his head and said, "I... I understand... sorry, leader, I won't question your decisions again..."
Perhaps sensing Stern's intense heartbeat, a squirrel poppet crawled out from his chest pocket, scampering to Stern's shoulder, its little head pressed against his neck.
This type of cute pet, which doesn't require much care from its owner, is very popular even among their wizard-hating group.
Thorne's gaze, serpent-like, fixed on Stern for a while, before it gradually softened.
He knew Stern's past, that the reason this wizard with magical abilities decisively joined the ranks of those purging wizards was naturally an unresolved blood feud.
But the leader still needed to confirm whether this hatred remained pure, whether it could support him in continuing to confront his own group to the end.
Thorne, with scrutiny, slowly said, "Stern, I'll ask you once more..."
Stern shuddered, already anticipating what he was about to say, his fingers clutching the hem of his clothes turned white from the pressure.
"I ask you... when faced with wizards like Vid Gray and Selena Goldstein who don't seem evil, is your resolve still firm?"
"Do you still remember, your pitiful family lying in a pool of blood, with no one around remembering the truth, the real culprits distorting memory and truth, evading justice, while you had to survive by scavenging scraps from garbage bins?"
Stern suddenly raised his head, his voice hoarse: "I remember!"
"Then do you still understand—that wizards, no matter their appearance, are embodiments of lies and sin! Even a wizard who looks innocent and naive can destroy someone else's family with a mere wave of a magic wand!"
Stern's eyes were bloodshot: "I understand! Of course I understand!"
"I have never forgotten, not for a moment! Only by completely purging them can I bring peace to my family's spirits in heaven!"
Seeing the familiar flames of hatred reignite in his eyes, the leader nodded in satisfaction:
"Good, remember this hatred, it will be your strongest weapon."
His gaze moved from Stern to the photo of Vid.
Even with a hole in the forehead, the youth in the photo still looked spirited, his eyes confident and composed, as if nothing could defeat him.
And in the corner of the photo, several loyal poppets surrounded the young man, each possessing enviable loyalty and combat prowess.
Thorne suddenly felt a hint of uncertainty.
He softly asked, "Stern, do you think... Vid Gray really didn't bring along his poppets?"
Stern thought for a moment, cautiously replying, "The Magic Congress had tried to detain his poppets... but found nothing. During his stay at the inn these past few days, I haven't detected any magic fluctuation related to poppet creation."
Thorne still felt a bit uneasy, squinting slightly, and after pondering for a moment, said:
"If this operation fails again... call Abigail back! Perhaps it's time to use her power."