Chapter 145: Dragon's Might

Upon hearing Cornelius Fudge's words, Alaric, who had been impatient due to the boring proceedings, suddenly exploded.

"Facing trial?" He stood up from his seat, scanning the wizards around him with a proud and indifferent gaze. "You actually think I'm here to stand trial and be judged?"

At that moment, a heavy pressure descended upon everyone. 

Cold sweat began to pour down as fear, dread, and despair consumed their hearts, leaving them breathless. 

They no longer felt like proud members of Wizengamot but rather powerless creatures targeted by a formidable enemy.

It was the might of a dragon.

Although not transformed into a giant dragon, Alaric's released aura of dragon's might exerted immense mental pressure on the wizards present.

Everyone lost their composure under this pressure, except for Dumbledore, who managed to maintain his usual demeanor.

But even Dumbledore himself was shaken to the core. The overwhelming force almost overwhelmed him, something neither Voldemort nor Grindelwald had achieved.

Watching the trembling wizards before him, Alaric nodded satisfactorily, retracting his dragon's might. 

In the next moment, the wizards slumped as if granted a reprieve, some even gasping for air, especially Fudge himself, who was panting heavily on the table, the previous pressure nearly suffocating him.

Even in the face of Voldemort, they had never experienced such immense pressure.

For a moment, they even feared that the young man before them might transform into a giant dragon and devour everyone present.

From that moment on, everyone's gaze toward Alaric changed. 

It was now filled with respect, reverence, fear, and dread. No one dared to see him as merely a fourteen-year-old boy anymore.

Alaric resumed his seat, lazily reclining with his legs crossed, and continued addressing Fudge.

"I didn't come here to undergo any trial. On the contrary, I'm here to hold you accountable. 

The Ministry claims to control Dementors, yet they let them run amok, allowing them to enter Hogwarts and nearly causing catastrophic consequences. 

I demand a reasonable explanation from the Ministry regarding this matter, or it won't be resolved so easily."

His tone was casual, as if discussing a trivial matter, but his words struck Fudge deeply. 

The young man before him showed no regard for his authority; he was challenging not only the Minister but the entire Ministry.

Fudge wanted to erupt in anger, to vehemently accuse the boy before him, to deliver grandiose speeches about the Ministry never being threatened. 

Yet, as the words lingered on his lips, he found himself unable to speak. The colossal, suffocating pressure from before still echoed within his heart.

Thus, all that came out of his mouth was a feeble attempt at defense. "Th-that was just an...an accident. The Ministry still...has control over the Dementors."

However, his stuttering defense sounded weak, even to Fudge's supporters, who looked at him with disappointed eyes.

Perhaps fueled by his own cowardice or provoked by the disdainful or disappointed glances, Fudge suddenly erupted.

"Enough!" Fudge interrupted, forcing a haughty expression onto his face. 

"I apologize for the interruption. I believe we should proceed with today's trial rather than—"

At that moment, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the courtroom. 

A flustered Auror rushed in, visibly intimidated when he saw Alaric seated at the center. Despite his fear, he hurried to Fudge's side.

Fudge, annoyed by the interruption of his speech, looked impatient, but his expression turned to one of surprise after listening to the Auror's whisper. 

He glared at Alaric, revealing a malicious grin.

"My esteemed witches and wizards," he announced after the Auror left, raising his voice, "I have just received news that our Ministry's atrium has been destroyed!"

His announcement elicited gasps from the crowd.

Fudge was satisfied with their reaction, continuing, "Just now, our Ministry's atrium was completely engulfed in flames, including our fountain, our proud statues, all fireplaces, and elevators, all destroyed. 

And the culprit is none other than the person before us."

He pointed directly at Alaric.

"With our esteemed Senior Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge leading the charge, dozens of brave Aurors were injured while battling the blaze," he exclaimed passionately. 

"Over twenty Aurors sustained severe injuries while confronting the arsonist. 

Our valiant Aurors were viciously attacked by the despicable criminal, some buried in the ground, some hung from the ceiling, and one Auror even subjected to...savage treatment!"

His tone turned stern. "The boy before you is not only a suspect in attacking Ministry personnel but is now also an arsonist, a thug. 

I have reason to believe he is conspiring to overthrow the Ministry. 

My esteemed witches and wizards, the threat we face may very well be the future Dark Lord. It is imperative that we pass judgment on him before he causes any further harm!"

Fudge's speech indeed shocked everyone. 

The destruction of the Ministry's atrium was unexpected, and many wizards began whispering among themselves, some casting unkind glances toward Alaric.

With a smug look at Alaric, Fudge announced, "Now, we will proceed with a new round of trial for you. You will not be able to deny—"

Suddenly, his roar came to an abrupt halt as his mouth snapped shut. 

Despite the muscles in his face twitching, he couldn't produce a sound, his face and thick neck turning red.

"How ugly," Alaric's cold voice cut through the discussions. 

"Blaming others for your own failures. Is this how the Ministry operates? 

Confiscating the wand of an unconvicted wizard, searching my personal belongings, confiscating my alchemical tools, mishandling them, then shifting the blame onto me?

Is the Ministry such a corrupt and ugly institution?"

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