"…How large has their operation grown?"
Avada asked with some difficulty.
"We haven't obtained a complete list of victims yet. Searching and statistical estimates may not be accurate," Baker replied with a shake of his head. "But judging from the current situation, their scope shouldn't be very large."
"After all, their targets must be carefully selected. Only individuals of certain value and status are worth controlling with a costly vial of Wolfsbane Potion every month. They must also have children, and the children cannot be too old—at the very least, not yet of Hogwarts age, otherwise professors might notice something amiss. These are unavoidable constraints."
"Taking into account the list we've compiled so far, it appears they're operating on a limited scale."
Mr. Trimbell, who had previously tested Avada once, added in a low voice, "That's also why we only spread word about installing Anti-Apparition wards among mid-sized pure-blood families and wealthy circles. Expanding the scale blindly under these circumstances would only increase the risk of accidents."
"You were the ones who spread that news?"
Avada's eyes widened slightly.
"It's one of the few things we can do at the moment, especially before achieving a technological breakthrough," Baker nodded. "There's also a baiting component—seeing whether we could lure werewolves into attacking under the pretext of installing wards, or attempting to tamper with them. You were once one of our primary surveillance targets."
"And only removed from the suspicion list a few days ago," Trimbell muttered.
"…Because I encountered that attacked interviewer while handling paperwork?"
Avada pointed toward the distant wooden cabin still lit in the night. "At the time, you suspected I was contacting him—or something else?"
"Frankly, we still do."
"…What about the true culprit? Have you determined who's behind this? Who provided Greyback with the technology for on-demand frenzy, and the materials and potion masters to brew so much Wolfsbane?"
"There's no definitive conclusion yet. We can only speculate that certain Dark wizards are involved, and suspect that several pure-blood families have participated."
After speaking, Baker adjusted his grip on his wand. "I believe I've revealed more than enough. In fact, we've already exposed a portion of our organization's structure to you—that's a considerable level of trust. So are you going to come with us to meet Johnson Shafiq to prove your credibility, or shall we continue fighting?"
"…Where are we going? Shafiq Manor? Or somewhere else?"
"That's not easy to explain in a few words."
Seeing that Avada had put away his wand and wasn't attempting any hidden tricks, Baker and the other two relaxed slightly. With a wave of his hand, Baker repaired the shattered ground around them.
"Just follow us."
He then reached into his pocket and produced an old-fashioned metallic key. Extending his arm forward, he inserted it into empty air. The key's front half vanished as though sinking into an invisible lock, and a distinct click echoed—just like unlocking a door.
Then Baker twisted the key as if opening a real door and pulled firmly—an invisible portal swung open, revealing bright light and a spacious interior beyond.
'What astonishing spatial technology!'
Avada couldn't help marveling inwardly as he observed everything through his magical senses.
That key was a reverse Portkey. A typical Portkey instantly transports its user to a destination. This key functioned in the opposite way—it pulled the destination's space directly to the user, creating a portable "anywhere door."
This method circumvented the usual Portkey limitations—usage count, number of passengers, single-use restrictions—and could even bypass all spatial wards. Moreover, protective enchantments could be freely layered upon the destination without accidentally blocking the return path. The price, however, was an extraordinarily high technical threshold and immense crafting difficulty. Before witnessing such technology firsthand, Avada hadn't even conceived of this direction.
Just how many geniuses were hidden within their organization?
"Come in."
Baker stepped through first and beckoned Avada inside. After a brief moment of astonishment, Avada followed. The mental states of Baker and the others showed no intent to harm him, and the hidden defensive enchantments within the doorway deactivated upon recognizing Baker's identity.
The moment he crossed the invisible threshold, Avada felt no sensation of spatial displacement whatsoever. Compared to the crushing pressure of Apparition or the tugging force of a Portkey, this was incomparably smooth—almost as though the two spaces had genuinely fused into one. It further demonstrated the power of their spatial mastery.
On the other side lay an immense hall—no, more like an indoor plaza. It was roughly the size of a stadium, with a ceiling suspended over ten meters high. Several elegant crystal chandeliers hung overhead, illuminating the entire space brilliantly. Dark oak flooring covered the ground, and near the center was a large carpeted area furnished with a piano, sofas, and bookshelves—a small lounge where a few young people in their early twenties chatted or read quietly.
Along the far edge of the hall stood marble walls lined with several grand doors two or three stories tall, suggesting the space extended far beyond what Avada could see.
"Wait… this space…"
Realization struck him. He turned sharply toward Baker, his expression filled with shock.
"This entire area was created with the Undetectable Extension Charm? A top-tier Undetectable Extension Charm?!"
"As expected of a spatial specialist—you recognized it immediately."
Baker nodded approvingly. "Correct. This is a space that doesn't exist in the real world. There's no need for Anti-Apparition wards here. Without the designated method of entry, no means can access this space isolated from reality—Apparition, Portkeys, phoenix travel, house-elf teleportation—none of them work. Follow me. Mr. Shafiq should be here."
—They must have forgotten to block Vanishing Cabinets. Otherwise, Avada would have immediately lost connection.
(End of Chapter)