"After the massive mess the Thunderbird caused, is there still a possibility of establishing a British branch? The British Ministry of Magic has activated Portkey monitoring throughout the country. I don't think he has any chance of returning to Britain," Aseria sighed helplessly.
"I came here precisely for this. As long as that troublesome Alan is dealt with, cutting off the Ministry's equipment supply, the construction of the British branch can get back on track!" The Thunderbird said this, then remembered the young wizard who had humiliated him and let out a cold snort.
"Is he the young man you mentioned to me before?" The Sphinx took over the conversation at this point. "Ever since you returned to headquarters, you've been completely unwilling to talk about what happened in Britain. Is he the culprit who caused your mission to fail?"
"It's none of your business. I came to Egypt to handle personal matters. After we meet today, don't come looking for me again, and there's no need to contact me," the Thunderbird's attitude toward the Sphinx wasn't as harsh as it was toward Aseria, but he still offered no pleasantries.
"But I need to figure out what exactly happened. This is for the headquarters. Although they did not pursue your failure, the loss of those goods and collaborators was heavy. It only means we'll spend more time, but my infiltration team is stuck in Britain. You owe me an explanation. Those were four Silver Spears—enough to support two branches," although the Sphinx's attitude was gentle, his tone remained firm.
"I don't know how your infiltration team was lost. I only know it might be related to Newt Scamander. As for the original operation…" The Thunderbird was clearly unwilling to reveal his embarrassing story, so he turned to Aseria. "Did you figure out how they found me? Why were they able to find the delivery location so precisely?"
"I wasn't clear at the time either, but afterward, Alan sold a tactical map to the Ministry that can show terrain and people over a very large area. I suspect your exposure is related to that item," Aseria responded according to the explanation Alan had prepared for her.
"It's that Alan again. If this guy isn't eliminated, there will truly be endless trouble," the Thunderbird's anger flared when he learned that Alan might also be the reason for his previous failure.
"It seems the reason for your previous failures lies with that young man," the Sphinx said. He didn't actually know the details of the incident. A Spear's status in the Club was very high, and if the Thunderbird didn't want to talk, there was no way to force him, but the Sphinx still speculated through the man's words.
"However, according to your description, that Alan is a genius in alchemy, isn't he? I saw the list of award recipients for this year's conference, and he received the Gold Award for Pioneering Contribution. Moreover, he's receiving the award at an even younger age than Dumbledore did, making him the youngest recipient in history. Isn't it a waste to simply eliminate such a talent? Is there no possibility of recruiting him?" the Sphinx muttered with some regret.
"Hmph, he's not just skilled in alchemy," the Thunderbird snorted coldly, then said indignantly, "Do you think I haven't tried to recruit him? That guy is unyielding, shows me no respect at all, and he's a scoundrel who likes to use underhanded methods."
*Underhanded methods?*
*With your temper, it would be a miracle if anyone agreed to be recruited by you personally,* the Sphinx grumbled to himself. He was startled by the realization: had the young man named Alan faced the Thunderbird directly? Being able to survive an encounter with him suggested his strength was considerable.
After a moment, the Sphinx looked at the Thunderbird again. "So you came to Egypt to deal with Alan? Do you need my help? You're not going to ask me to team up with you, are you?"
"My own affairs must be resolved by myself. And with your meager strength? Hmph!" the Thunderbird snorted with mockery. "The British Ministry is currently very cautious about foreign personnel entering the country. I waited a long time for Alan to have the opportunity to go abroad."
The Thunderbird specifically looked at the Sphinx. "I need you to help me distract the people around him and, ideally, hold up the Egyptian Ministry for a period of time so I have ample opportunity to act."
"And you," the Thunderbird looked at Aseria with uncertainty, "I hope you can find a way to lure Alan out. Although I'm not sure you have that ability, if you can't do it, I'll just have to find an opportunity myself."
"You want me to create an opportunity for you to face him alone? You want to have a one-on-one duel with him?" Aseria truly couldn't understand what the Thunderbird was thinking.
"I still have scores to settle. Last time he ambushed me with dirty tricks. This time I'll teach him what a real duel is," the Thunderbird said, raising his head arrogantly. "Can you do it?"
"I can. Since Alan arrived in Egypt, he has often inquired whether anyone is selling rare local materials. I can tell him I've contacted a black market merchant for him and lure him out. However, I'm not very familiar with the local area. Is there a sufficiently secluded place?" Aseria looked at the Sphinx.
"The Eb-Sawai Mountains in the suburbs of Cairo are very quiet at night, and that place has been a black market trading location. I can give you a real black market invitation," the Sphinx said, handing a letter to Aseria.
Then the Sphinx looked at the Thunderbird again. "The Alchemy Research Center will hold a banquet the day after tomorrow, inviting wizards from various Ministry departments at the director level and above. Most of the Egyptian Ministry's armed forces will be deployed on-site, so no one will interfere with you then."
"Are you sure that banquet won't invite Alan? He's also attending a banquet tomorrow," Aseria asked.
"No," the Sphinx shook his head. "Tomorrow's banquet is a formal event with both directors and alchemy masters from various countries. The banquet the day after tomorrow is specifically for high-ranking Ministry officials to discuss trade agreements. Alan won't be there."
"That's good," the Thunderbird's lips curled into a cold smile. He looked at Aseria. "If you can truly help this time, perhaps I'll see you in a new light. Remember, 10 PM the day after tomorrow, I want to see that brat there."
"No problem. With this invitation as bait, I'm confident I can arrange to meet him," Aseria responded.