"The Adam Project's experimental site..."
Douglas tapped his fingertips lightly against the table, producing soft knocks. His gaze swept over the barely perceptible trembling of Lupin's shoulders before turning sharply to Lorenzo. His tone was level but carried pressure.
"It seems they haven't learned their lesson from last time.
Lorenzo, regarding this new paradise, surely the Ministry of Magic isn't naive enough to think it can keep it completely secret from guests like us?
Especially since I went out of my way to bring a key person along."
Lorenzo exchanged a glance with Isabella. She was just about to speak, but Douglas's mention of a key person stopped her.
Lorenzo cleared his throat, forcing a helpless, wry smile:
"We... have some vague intelligence, but the Church's security measures are extremely thorough.
And, as you know, the Obliviate wards and Mirror Charms around the Church make effective reconnaissance very difficult for us.
As for the Adam Project, the Department of Mysteries has tried to decipher some intercepted encrypted messages, but progress has been slow.
We suspect it may already have entered the... human experimentation stage."
"Human experimentation?"
Lupin's voice was hoarse, flames of anger igniting in his eyes.
"What do they take werewolves for? Lab rats?"
Douglas said coldly:
"In the Church's eyes, I'm afraid they're worth even less than lab rats.
They regard werewolves as manifestations of original sin, bearers of demonic blood.
Any means of purifying or controlling werewolves is sacred in their eyes.
Last time, they even got a cardinal to do their dirty work...
Lorenzo, do you have precise intelligence on the Ashen Claw Tribe's exact location?
And roughly where is that experimental site they mentioned?"
A barely perceptible tremor ran through Lupin's voice. He stared at Douglas and interrupted:
"Douglas, the Adam Project... what exactly is