"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 381: I'd Love to See How the Vatican Eliminates My Enemies for Me!
Lupin's brow furrowed ever so slightly at the words.
Douglas, on the other hand, wore a sly, almost playful smile as he fixed his gaze on Piero.
"Director Piero, your concern is noted and appreciated, but this trip is strictly personal. The more people involved, the more complicated things become.
Besides, between Lupin and myself, I think we're more than capable of handling whatever surprises the Apennines might throw at us. I'd like to think I've made some progress since five years ago, haven't I? So, really, there's no need to trouble the Ministry—especially not you, Mr. Piero."
Piero's face darkened. "Mr. Holmes, this isn't a request. It's a direct order from the Minister. Ensuring the safety of distinguished guests within Italy is the Ministry's responsibility."
Douglas let out a short, cold laugh, not bothering to soften his words. "Responsibility, is it? Then where was the Ministry's 'responsibility' when the Vatican's Order of Saint Benedict Wolf Hunters were stringing up silver nets and dousing the Apennines with holy water, openly putting werewolf lives at risk?
And when the Werewolf Segregation Act became little more than a tool for certain factions to oppress werewolves, where exactly was the Ministry's sense of 'justice'?"
His voice wasn't loud, but every word rang out with crisp clarity, leaving Piero momentarily speechless.
A few Ministry employees passing by paused, glancing over and muttering quietly among themselves.
Piero's tone sharpened, anger seeping through. "Watch your tongue!"
Douglas simply shrugged, feigning helplessness. "I always do, Mr. Piero.
We appreciate the Minister's good intentions, but we really don't need an escort.
If the Ministry truly wants to help, perhaps it could focus more on the actual living conditions of the mountain werewolves—or maybe investigate whether certain religious organizations are overstepping their bounds.
That might be a better demonstration of the Ministry's responsibility and justice."
With that, Douglas ignored Piero's thunderous expression and strode off toward Lorenzo's office, Lupin at his side.
Piero remained rooted in place, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened, chest rising and falling with barely contained fury.
He knew full well that Professor Holmes would not accept his protection.
But he also knew the Minister's orders were absolute.
Piero's face shifted from livid to a glacial calm. He stared after Douglas, eyes cold and calculating.
"Mr. Holmes, I do hope your private investigation goes smoothly."
He enunciated each word with deliberate care, then muttered something softly under his breath. A barely perceptible ripple of magic shimmered into the air around them.
He turned and walked away, his steps measured and heavy. Every Ministry employee he passed seemed to feel the chill radiating from him.
Once clear of Piero, Douglas and Lupin made for Lorenzo's office and quickly recounted what had happened.
Lupin spoke in a low voice, "This Director Piero… he seems unusually hostile toward us. Or rather, toward werewolves in general."
Douglas simply shrugged.
After meeting with Lorenzo and finishing up some necessary paperwork, Lorenzo lowered his voice, concern etched on his face.
"Douglas, about Piero… His animosity toward werewolves isn't just a matter of Ministry rules.
Many years ago, his favorite aunt was killed in an accident by a werewolf who'd lost control. She didn't survive.
Ever since, he's harbored a deep grudge against all werewolves…"
Lorenzo sighed. "In any case, you'd best watch out for his interference behind the scenes."
He glanced at Lupin, offering a quiet explanation as well.
Stepping out of the Ministry, the Roman sun was almost blinding.
Douglas politely declined Lorenzo's offer to accompany them.
Instead, he and Lupin wandered the streets of Rome until they found a cozy Chinese restaurant. Before heading out, he needed a proper break.
The restaurant owner did a double-take as a foreigner rattled off his order in flawless Mandarin.
"Fried spring rolls, marinated cucumber, spicy beef slices, West Lake beef soup…"
Lupin rarely ventured into the Muggle world, and given his old financial situation, he'd never paid much attention to Muggle Chinese cuisine.
"If you hadn't told me, I'd have thought this place was run by a house-elf who graduated from the Hogwarts kitchens," he quipped.
"And I think I'm starting to see what you're up to."
Douglas was busy with a plate of Yangzhou fried rice, his words muffled. "Go on, enlighten me."
Lupin expertly rolled shredded pork in bean curd skin, savoring the sweetness. "First, you had me arrange for Marcus to gather the werewolves and promote the new potion—he's got quite a bit of respect among those who became werewolves by accident.
Then, you used me to lure Greyback to Italy—a place where werewolves are practically forbidden… And I'm guessing he's not your only target, is he?"
Douglas grinned at Lupin.
"I imagine there are a few werewolves desperate enough to risk everything for a free dose of the new potion, aren't there?"
Lupin hesitated, then said, "So your plan all along was to have them draw the Vatican's attention?"
Douglas's smile turned mocking. "I'd love to see how the Vatican helps me wipe out those enemies."
Then his tone shifted, "But don't get too comfortable. I'd say the Vatican already knows you and I have arrived in Rome.
Your history is probably sitting on someone's desk as we speak. They'll assume you're here to help the werewolves, and that I'm here to sell the new Wolfsbane Potion."
Lupin frowned, "But why are they so sure you're here to sell potions? Didn't you have… some unpleasantness with the Vatican before?"
A sly, calculating smile played at Douglas's lips. "Those old fossils at the Vatican are always a step behind. In their eyes, I'm probably still that small-time operator who used to sweep up ownerless treasures across Europe—and occasionally lightened the purses of their more devout followers.
They likely haven't realized yet that being known as a 'Lycanthropy Curer' is sometimes worth more than the name Holmes itself."
Night gradually descended, casting a soft, hazy glow over the city of Rome.
A nondescript Muggle SUV slipped quietly out of the bustling city center and merged onto the highway leading toward the Apennine Mountains.
Inside, Lupin eyed Douglas at the wheel, a trace of confusion in his voice.
"Douglas, why aren't we using the Floo Network or Apparition? It'd be much faster."
Douglas kept his eyes on the road, fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. "The Vatican's bloodhounds are sharp—especially anywhere near what they consider sacred ground.
I had a few run-ins with them years ago. Within a hundred miles of the Vatican, my magical signature would stand out more than a Thestral in a snowstorm.
Sure, the Italian Ministry won't openly cooperate with them, but who knows what's going on behind the scenes.
The fewer people who know about our mission, the better. If we avoid their surveillance network from the start, driving is by far the safest bet."
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