"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 377: Werewolves? They're Not Even Worth as Much as Lab Rats!
"Adam Project experimental site…"
Douglas drummed his fingertips on the table, the soft tap-tap slicing through the tension. His gaze flicked over Lupin's barely perceptible shiver before pinning Lorenzo with a look as sharp as a scalpel. His tone remained deceptively mild, but there was no mistaking the underlying pressure.
"It seems they haven't learned a thing from last time.
Lorenzo, do the Ministry really believe they can keep this so-called new 'paradise' secret from guests like us? Especially when I've brought someone rather crucial along."
Lorenzo and Isabella exchanged a loaded glance. Isabella opened her mouth to speak, but Douglas's mention of a "key figure" cut her short.
Lorenzo cleared his throat, forcing a wry, helpless smile. "We… have some vague intelligence, but the Vatican's security is airtight. And you know how those Obliviation Barriers and Mirage Charms around Vatican territory make proper reconnaissance nearly impossible.
As for the Adam Project, the Department of Mysteries has tried to crack some intercepted encrypted messages, but progress is slow.
We suspect… it may have already entered the stage of human experimentation."
"Human experimentation?" Lupin's voice was raw, anger blazing in his eyes.
"What do they take werewolves for—lab rats?"
Douglas's reply was ice-cold. "In the Vatican's eyes, I'm afraid werewolves are worth even less than lab rats.
To them, werewolves are the embodiment of original sin—demonic bloodlines. Any means of purifying or controlling them is seen as sacred.
Last time, they even had a cardinal playing puppet-master behind the scenes…
Lorenzo, do you have precise intel on the Ashclaw Tribe's current location? And that experimental site they mentioned—any idea where it is?"
Lupin's voice trembled as he cut in, unable to hold back: "Douglas, the Adam Project… what is it, really?"
Douglas looked away from Lupin, out the enchanted window where the ancient silhouette of Rome glowed under a sinister golden dusk.
Lorenzo sighed, rubbing his temples and double-checking the Silencing Charm. "Mr. Lupin, this matter is… complicated. And very, very dark.
Only a handful in the entire Ministry know the truth—just a few of us, and the Unspeakables from the Department of Mysteries.
Besides them, only Douglas has any inkling."
Isabella sat at the table, arms crossed, her hazel eyes shadowed with disgust. She'd clearly heard of the project—and loathed it.
"To put it simply," she began, her voice lower than usual, "some Vatican fanatics are trying to play God."
Douglas finally turned, face calm but eyes sharp as a blade.
"Isabella's right—partially. But calling it 'playing God' actually underestimates their ambition, or perhaps, their arrogance."
His voice was clear and steady, but each word sent a chill down the spine.
"From scraps I picked up during my time in Rome, I can piece together their core philosophy: it all stems from the Vatican's twisted interpretation of original sin and redemption.
They believe werewolves, vampires—even us wizards—are, in some sense, flawed creations. Deviations from the sacred blueprint."
Lorenzo added, his face pale: "We intercepted some encrypted messages—phrases like 'Grace of Blood,' 'Primordial Earth,' and 'Seal of the Seventh Angel' kept recurring.
Our Department of Mysteries analysts think these refer to some sort of transformation ritual, blending ancient magic and religious iconography."
Isabella snorted, contempt dripping from her words. "In truth, their methods are no different from Dark Wizards. Last time, wasn't it a cardinal secretly controlling a dark wizard cabal, experimenting with forbidden rituals?
From what we recovered, he was just one cog in the Adam Project."
Douglas laid a reassuring hand on Lupin's shoulder, urging him to keep calm.
He turned to Lorenzo, a wry, knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Not bad. Looks like you've gathered quite a dossier—no wonder you stuck to our agreement and called me in.
Honestly, I half-expected you'd want to keep this meddling Brit out of your Italian affairs.
This invitation—was it your doing?"
Lorenzo gave a weary, sheepish smile, seeing he'd been thoroughly seen through. "Yeah, you figured it out.
It's what we agreed. Besides, this whole mess is tied to you too. If they ever succeed, their first stop might be Britain—to settle the score with you.
And I doubt even Dumbledore could hold them off if it comes to that."
Douglas rolled his eyes. If the Vatican ever got their way, the Italian Ministry would be the first to fall.
He didn't bother arguing, glancing at Isabella and then back at Lorenzo.
"Let's get back to the Ashclaw situation."
Lorenzo moved to the map, tapping a canyon in the central Apennines with his wand. Instantly, a bright red marker flared to life.
"This is the Ashclaw Tribe's last known hideout—an abandoned network of Roman-era mine tunnels. As for the experimental site…"
He tapped a remote peak about thirty kilometers southeast, a ghostly blue dot flickering into view.
"This is our best guess based on scattered reports. It's heavily guarded—rumor has it there are… unconventional protectors."
"Unconventional protectors?" Douglas frowned. "You mean… angels? Or something else?"
In Italy, the Vatican's secret weapons were always shrouded in mystery.
Lorenzo shook his head. "We're not sure. But we've detected powerful Holy Light magic surges there, and… some evidence of non-human activity."
Douglas fell silent, fingers drumming a thoughtful rhythm. He ran through the situation: a cornered werewolf tribe, a secretive and deadly Vatican lab, a Ministry with ambiguous loyalties, and unknown threats lurking in the shadows.
One step at a time, he told himself. One bite at a time.
After a pause, he spoke: "Lorenzo, I'll need a few things.
First, more detailed intel on the Ashclaw Tribe—their numbers, strengths, alliances and enmities, especially their history with the vampire clans.
Second, every scrap you have on the suspected Adam Project site—no matter how fragmentary.
Third, if I decide to go, I'll need a relatively safe route—and, if necessary, the Ministry's minimum level of… unofficial support."
Lorenzo exhaled, visibly relieved.
When Douglas brought up his "handiwork" earlier, he'd braced for anger—he'd arranged all this without warning him. But Douglas hadn't refused. That was the best outcome he could hope for.
"None of that's a problem.
About Ashclaw: they have a blood feud with the Crimson Nobility Vampire Council in Tuscany. They've clashed several times over hunting grounds and hidden lairs in the Apennines. The last time, two months ago, Ashclaw lost three warriors.
As for the lab, I'll have the Department of Mysteries compile everything we have.
Routes—Isabella knows those mountain trails better than anyone. She can advise you."
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