Hogwarts: I graduated before the system came

"A mixture of concentrated garlic extract and silver powder." He whispered, frowning slightly. "A simple weapon for dealing with vampires or certain dark creatures."

Lupin also came over and found several broken, small animal skeletons not far away. There were traces of sharp claws on the bones, which were obviously not ordinary beasts.

"It seems they encountered a small-scale battle here."

Douglas analyzed, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "But judging by the traces, the battle wasn't large-scale. It's more like... clearing out the native inhabitants here, rather than a large-scale conflict with the Church or the main vampire force."

Aldo nodded solemnly:

"This ancient area is home to many magical creatures that have lived here for generations. Some bear no ill will towards us, but some... are extremely ferocious. If Chief Marco and his men intend to make this their new home, they must first clear a safe area."

They entered the cave cautiously and found signs of life inside—simple bunks, an extinguished fire, and some pottery jars used to store food, but the cave was also empty.

"It seems they won't be staying here long," said Lupin.

Aldo's mood became even heavier.

The two backup points were deserted. Although there were signs of tribe members' activities, where they went and whether they were safe remained unknown.

"Don't lose heart, Mr. Aldo." Douglas patted his shoulder. "There's a marked point on Isabella's map not far from here. It's a core shelter. If there's nothing there, we can think of another way."

It was already afternoon, and the sunlight filtered through the gaps in the woods, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

They climbed over a ridge and saw an even more desolate scene before them - it was a long-abandoned mining area, with rusty rails and overturned mine carts scattered everywhere, and the dark entrances to the mines were like the mouths of man-eating beasts.

Chapter 399: Put down your weapons, kid, he is Douglas!

"This is it."

Aldo pointed to the entrance of one of the largest mines, his voice trembling with anticipation.

"This is one of our tribe's most hidden strongholds and our last hope. If they're not here... then I really don't know where else they can go..."

Douglas said nothing, but walked towards the mine first.

Lupin and Aldo followed closely behind.

After entering the mine, the light suddenly dimmed.

The air was filled with the smell of damp earth and a faint smell of rusty metal.

The mine tunnels are crisscrossed like a maze with many forks.

Aldo led the way based on his memory. They kept shuttling back and forth in the complex cave, making turns and twists, as if they were going to the depths of the earth.

"This is our most important refuge. It was opened to avoid the double stranglehold of the Church and another hostile werewolf tribe."

Aldo explained as he walked, his voice echoing in the empty mine tunnel.

"For safety reasons, we deliberately dug many mines that didn't exist before. It's like a maze, requiring long detours, but this maximizes safety. Furthermore, it's connected to an underground river, so in the event of an accident, we can evacuate by water."

As we went deeper, the air seemed to become warmer, and we could even vaguely hear the sound of flowing water coming from a certain direction.

Lupin could feel the unique scent of werewolves in the air, which was gradually becoming clearer.

Finally, behind a huge stalagmite shaped like a monster's fangs, they saw traces of artificial excavation - a cave entrance reinforced with thick logs and irregular stones.

Next to the cave entrance, a bonfire was burning brightly. The orange-red flames danced happily, dispelling the surrounding darkness and coldness, and also bringing a touch of human warmth.

Hope is right in front of us!

However, just as they saw the scene at the cave entrance clearly, two nimble figures suddenly jumped out from the shadows on both sides of the cave entrance, holding sharp spears and fully drawn bowstrings with arrows in their hands, aiming at them!

It's two young people!

They wore simple but practical tanned leather armor, their faces painted with camouflage paint, their eyes alert and fierce, like two cheetahs ready to pounce.

When they saw Aldo and the two unfamiliar faces behind him, the two young men raised their weapons higher, like arrows on strings, ready to be fired at any moment.

"Don't be nervous! It's me! Aldo!"

Seeing his tribesmen, Aldo shouted loudly and took a few steps forward, unconcealingly releasing the familiar aura that could only be distinguished among the members of the Ash Claw tribe.

The two young guards were stunned for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing in their vigilant eyes. They saw Aldo's weathered face clearly, felt that familiar breath, and the taut bowstrings finally relaxed slowly.

One of the guards, who looked older, put away his bow and arrow, walked quickly forward, and supported the breathless Aldo. His voice was filled with excitement and disbelief after surviving a disaster: "Elder Aldo! It's really you! We...we all thought you had..."

The other young guard's gaze remained sharply fixed on Douglas and Lupin, his spear still in his hand. He asked in a deep voice, "Elder, who are they?"

Aldo patted the young man's shoulder, signaling him to relax, then turned around and introduced him in an almost pilgrimage-like and extremely solemn tone:

"Drop your weapon, son. This is Professor Douglas Holmes."

He paused, looked at Lupin again, and added, "And this is Mr. Remus Lupin. They... are here to help us."

"Douglas Holmes."

The name echoed in the empty mine tunnel with a strange magic.

The two young guards were obviously stunned. They looked at each other, and their arms holding their weapons trembled slightly.

One of them reacted a little faster. He looked at Douglas deeply, his eyes mixed with shock, suspicion, and a hint of imperceptible... awe.

Without saying another word, he turned and ran towards the depths of the cave, his footsteps quickly fading away in the darkness.

The other guard remained in place, the tip of his spear still pointing at Douglas and Lupin, but his tense body had relaxed slightly, and his eyes looking at Aldo were filled with uncontrollable excitement.

A moment later, a burst of hurried and steady footsteps came from the depths of the cave.

As the footsteps got closer.

The young guard who stayed behind relaxed his tense body instantly. He lowered his spear respectfully and stepped aside.

A tall, resolute-looking werewolf in his thirties walked out quickly.

The young guard who stayed behind relaxed his tense body instantly. He lowered his spear respectfully and stepped aside.

He had several fresh scars on his body that had not yet fully healed, his cheekbones were high, and his eyes were sharp and steady, like a lone wolf hunting in the dark night.

He is Marco, the leader of the Ash Claw tribe.

"Aldo!"

When Marco saw the haggard Aldo, a hint of unconcealable surprise and relief flashed across his sharp eyes.

He strode forward and firmly supported the staggering Aldo.

"You're okay, so good! We all thought you..."

His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of relief at having survived.

Aldo excitedly grabbed Marco's strong arm, and his one eye regained its luster.

"Chief! I... I brought Professor Holmes and Mr. Lupin!"

Marco's eyes immediately shifted from Aldo to Douglas and Lupin.

It was a solemn and direct scrutiny, without a trace of humility, only the prudence and anticipation unique to a leader who shouldered the fate of the entire tribe.

He first looked at Douglas, the British wizard who was portrayed as magical by Isalabe.

The other person looked younger than he had imagined, with a calm expression and deep eyes, as if he knew everything and was quietly waiting for his reaction.

Then, his eyes fell on Lupin. He could sense a kindred spirit from Lupin, but that spirit was calmer and more restrained than any werewolf he knew, which made him feel moved.

"Professor Douglas Holmes, Mr. Remus Lupin."

Marco let go of Aldo, took a step forward, and solemnly extended his right hand, his palm and knuckles covered with calluses left by battle.

"I'm Marco of the Ash Claw. Welcome to our humble shelter. Thank you for bravely responding to our call for help."

Douglas took his hand, which was warm and strong.

"Chief Marco, I'm glad to see you're okay. Aldo has told us what happened."

"Please come in, this is not the place to talk."

Marco didn't exchange any pleasantries. He turned sideways and gestured for them to go deeper into the cave.

Seeing this, the young sentry finally put down the spear in his hand completely, with excitement and awe flashing in his eyes, and silently stepped aside.

Marco led them through the cave entrance reinforced with logs and stones, and walked into the deeper mine.

Aldo followed behind, supported by the older guard.

Once you enter the cave, you'll discover a whole new world.

Chapter 400 Isabella Rossi...she is my sister.

As soon as you enter the cave reinforced with logs, a unique smell mixed with damp soil, sulfur and beast nests hits you in the face.

The light was dim, and Douglas's eyes swept across the caves carved out of the rock walls on both sides. Behind the tattered animal skin curtains hanging at many of the cave entrances, there were pairs of vigilant and tired eyes spying on them.

A female werewolf holding a child subconsciously held the child tighter in her arms, her eyes filled with fear of having survived a disaster.

Even though those warriors, wrapped in crude bandages, were leaning on spears, their eyes still held the unyielding tenacity of a wounded lone wolf.

The air here is filled with the same strong smell of hope and despair.

Marco led them to a relatively spacious and secluded cave on the side of the cave complex, which was obviously his temporary command post.

There was only a platform made of stones in the cave that served as a table, and a few animal skins were spread on the ground as cushions.

"Please sit down." Marco gestured for them to sit down on the animal skin.

Soon, a woman arrived with two stoneware bowls filled with steaming soup.

The soup is gray-brown and exudes a rich earthy aroma mixed with underground mushrooms and some unknown roots.

Although it is not delicious, a cup of hot soup is a rare treat in this environment.

"Please forgive our poor hospitality."

Marco sat across from them, a look of apology on his face. "The tribe just suffered a heavy blow, so there's not much we can offer."

While Lupin was still carefully distinguishing the mixed smell of underground mushrooms and grass roots in the bowl of hot soup, Douglas had already taken a big sip of the bowl.

He was moved. Douglas's frankness was not reckless, but the most direct expression of goodwill.

In front of these frightened werewolves who are full of distrust of the outside world, any hesitation may be interpreted as vigilance.

This kind of straightforwardness may be the most effective way to break the deadlock.

Well, very Hufflepuff at the same time.

"You're welcome, Chief Marco. In times of crisis, having a roof over your head and hot soup to warm your body is enough."

Douglas put down the ceramic bowl and looked directly at the other person.

"Before we get down to business, I want to confirm one thing."

On the opposite side, Marco saw Douglas drink a big mouthful of soup without hesitation, and his tense shoulders relaxed a little instantly.

But he was stunned by his question for a moment, then nodded and said, "Professor, please speak."

"The map Isabella gave me details every backup stronghold of your tribe, even the core refuge. This level of confidentiality is not something an ally can possess."

Douglas' tone was very flat, as if he was asking about the weather: "What is your relationship with her?"

After he finished speaking, Douglas looked at him.

As soon as this question was asked, the atmosphere in the cave suddenly became a little subtle.

Lupin didn't expect him to get into the topic so quickly and point out Isabella.

A complex emotion flashed across Marco's resolute face, including surprise and vigilance, and finally turned into a helpless sigh.

He was silent for a moment, as if trying to organize his words, and finally shook his head with a wry smile.

"First of all, I'm sorry. I don't think she meant to hide it from you..."

Douglas smiled and said, "Well, I know, so..."

"My name is Marco Rossi."

Marco looked at the flickering flames with a hint of nostalgia and tenderness.

"Isabella Rossi…she's my sister."

Douglas nodded, a look of understanding appearing on his face, which was pretty much what he had guessed.

"I see. No wonder she's so concerned about the Ember Claw."

Marco's eyes softened slightly, with a hint of bitterness in his smile: