"Very good."
Douglas looked with satisfaction at the tool who had now fully settled into his role.
With this vampire prince as its designer, the future Azkaban would surely make Voldemort's Death Eaters feel "right at home"-or wish they were dead.
"But it isn't time to start construction yet."
Douglas glanced at his wristwatch, his smile fading as his tone grew serious.
"In two days. July fifteenth."
"That plan-the plan to purge Azkaban-will officially begin. I'll notify you when the time comes."
"You'll come with me as a technical consultant to inspect the site in person. We need to clear the grounds first."
"Remember this, Valerius."
Douglas's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an unquestionable authority-the oppressive presence of "Skynet."
"When the time comes, no matter what you see on the island, no matter what happens."
"Watch more, remember more, and speak less."
"Especially in front of a certain gentleman who may have no nose and a rather bad temper."
Valerius shuddered all over.
Although he had no idea who the noseless man was, he instinctively caught the scent of death in Douglas's tone.
"Y-yes, my lord."
He lowered his head even further, his posture humble to the extreme.
"I'll be as quiet as a shadow and as tight-lipped as a corpse. Even if someone stuffs garlic into my mouth, I won't open it."
"Very good."
Douglas gave the soon-to-be chief designer of Azkaban one final look, then turned and headed out of the woods.
"Study that book carefully over the next two days. I don't want to see any of those vulgar cross decorations in the designs when the time comes."
"They're a disgrace to vampires."
Watching Douglas disappear into the shadows of the oak grove, Valerius let out a long breath and collapsed into the pile of pine-scented wood