Today's gathering of the werewolf wizards had in fact been called for Wilder.
As the werewolf wizard in charge of commerce, though in truth most of it was smuggling, Wilder had recently been working to open connections in various countries.
Under normal circumstances, those smugglers would give Wilder and the werewolf group behind him some respect. But this time, when he went to Germany to open up smuggling channels, he was actually driven out by the local werewolves.
To Wilder, that was the greatest humiliation imaginable.
In his eyes, now that he could transform at will, he was no longer an ordinary werewolf wizard, but one of the noblest of werewolves.
Those foreign werewolves should have obediently submitted to them, knelt at his feet, and begged for the power of voluntary transformation, not driven them away.
And this was not just Wilder's view. It was the opinion shared by most of the werewolf wizards who possessed the ability to transform at will.
"These trash who can't even stay sane on the night of the full moon actually dare to ignore our existence. They really deserve to die," Wilder said through gritted teeth.
"It really is outrageous." Chercy nodded. "I think we should teach them a lesson."
She cracked her knuckles, excitement written all over her face.
Being able to transform voluntarily and actively unleash the powerful strength of a werewolf thrilled someone as battle-hungry as Chercy. She was very curious just how strong she would be if she fought without holding back, and how long those wizards who looked down on her could last against her.
Unfortunately, in Knockturn Alley, restrained by the Ministry of Magic's laws and Midgard's orders, she was hemmed in at every turn and had no chance to enjoy a proper fight.
She had long wanted to cut loose and have a real battle.
Midgard looked over the expressions on everyone's faces. Even Brady, who disliked conflict the most, seemed approving, so she nodded.
"Since everyone's unhappy with those werewolves, then let's fight them," Midgard said. "But don't kill them. No matter what, they're still our kin. Find a way to subdue them, then bring them back and reform them."
The bond among werewolf wizards was much stronger than nationality. Not everyone present was originally a British werewolf. In the beginning, they had come together mainly because they were all sufferers under the same werewolf curse.
So in Midgard's view, werewolves from other countries could also be taken in as her subordinates.
"Yes, Leader!"
Hearing Midgard's approval, Chercy looked the most excited of all.
Wilder, however, seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
"Leader," he said, "we have no need for those savage brutes. They're not the same kind as us at all."
The moment he said that, all the other werewolf wizards turned to look at him.
"Stop talking, Wilder," Brady said with a frown.
"I'm only stating my opinion." Wilder shrugged. "Those werewolves are just like beasts. They don't study, they don't work, and their simple minds are empty all day. They're complete wastes. No one even knows what they're thinking, so I don't see any reason to keep them around. We might as well just kill them."
"Wilder, what exactly are you saying? Don't forget that two years ago, you were exactly the kind of empty-headed waste you're talking about," Brady said unhappily.
"That's a little insulting, Brady." Wilder lifted his chin proudly. "Maybe you still think of yourself as some uncivilized brute, but me? Heh. You should know that the number of Galleons passing through my hands every day is beyond counting. We're not the same."
"Wilder, don't get carried away." Needle-like hairs sprouted across Chercy's face as she stared at him with undisguised hostility.
"Carried away?" Wilder let out a cold laugh. "Right now, the entire werewolf settlement is being supported by the money earned by me and the wolf pups under me. Isn't it only natural for me to be a little arrogant?"
"You? The one supporting the entire werewolf group is our Leader, not you!" Chercy roared.
"Ah, yes, that's true enough." Wilder looked toward Midgard in the main seat, and at Marcus beside her, who looked furious but was unable to speak.
"But I think Leader has handled things poorly. Your plan is too conservative. When dealing with those savage brutes, harsher methods are what we should be using." Wilder gave a contemptuous smile.
"Are you trying to rebel?" Midgard lifted her eyes to him and spoke in an offhand tone.
"I'm only making a small suggestion. What do you think?" Wilder bowed slightly, concealing the ambition flickering in his eyes.
After gaining control of most of the werewolf wizards' financial power, Wilder had grown somewhat swollen with pride. Watching the huge transactions passing through his hands every day, his ambition had inevitably begun to grow and spread.
Compared to himself, what did the other werewolf wizards amount to? Potions? Herbs? Settlement security?
Without the money he earned, they were nothing.
And yet he still had to run around outside, suffer hardship and exhaustion, and even endure insults from lowly trash.
For someone like Wilder, who considered himself noble, that was becoming hard to tolerate.
Still, he did not yet dare to openly rebel against Midgard. This time was only a small test, to see how the other werewolves would react when faced with his pressure.
Would they back down, or would they stay hardline?
If they stayed hardline, then he could keep lying low for a while longer and use his position to buy over more werewolf wizards with Galleons.
If they backed down...
A faint smile appeared on Wilder's face.
Then he would slowly gnaw away at things and gradually seize the authority of Midgard, the leader of the werewolves.
The power of money was great. That was the only thing Wilder had learned from those smugglers since taking charge of commerce.
Once he had control of the werewolf wizards' wealth, taking control of the entire werewolf settlement would only be a matter of time.
He quietly glanced at Midgard, and a flash of heat passed through his eyes.
Perhaps... he might even be able to win the favor of this werewolf leader through money.
Compared to Chercy, this one was far more charming.
"My decision won't change," Midgard said casually. "Go fight those German werewolves, then bring them back."
"But if we do that, our funds will probably become very tight." Wilder sneered inwardly as he said it on purpose.
"Not enough money?" Midgard tilted her head and looked at Wilder. "Why wouldn't there be enough?"
Why? Because I don't want to give it.
Wilder sneered inwardly, but on the surface he looked troubled. "Mainly because we don't have much liquid capital right now. Most of the money is tied up in goods..."
"Is it really that troublesome?" Midgard yawned and said flatly, "Then why do I get the feeling the real reason is just that you're as useless as trash?"
...