One week later, in the afternoon.
In Maplewood Town, a lavish three-story wooden villa belonging to the carpenters' guild hosted a masked ball. Wealthy merchants, minor nobles, and glamorous women attended the event.
Su Nan made a symbolic appearance.
As the lord of the Peter Barony, he needed to occasionally show his thoughts and stance to his subjects, demonstrating predictability and maintaining some interaction with the populace.
Long periods without appearing in public could lead to exaggerated rumors and misunderstandings among the locals.
Su Nan didn't particularly enjoy such gatherings. A masked ball might sound elegant, but in reality, it was often just an excuse for indulgence.
Nobles and merchants, hidden behind their masks, felt free to act on their desires. Things would soon devolve into chaos.
Having no interest in participating in such antics, Su Nan made a brief appearance, exchanged pleasantries with the host, and left. He asked his guard, Robert, to convey his regards to Guildmaster Ys, expressing his enjoyment of the event despite his early departure.
After Su Nan left, Guildmaster Ys assured the attendees that the baron appreciated their hospitality, though pressing duties called him away.
Pigg, a wealthy merchant nearby, chuckled as he raised his glass. "Baron Su Nan is quite different from the old baron, Gus Pasha, or even the previous mayor. He's always in such a hurry."
Guildmaster Ys gave him a cold look. "Well, he's certainly better than Gus Pasha and that convicted ex-mayor."
"We manage trade while Baron Su Nan protects us—that's the arrangement."
Pigg quickly clarified, "You misunderstand me. I meant no disrespect to the baron. In fact, I admire him. He managed to take down Gus Pasha in just one night—a man who had terrorized this land for over a decade."
"The entire territory is now under his control. Even the remaining knight in the other fief has resumed paying taxes and pledged allegiance."
"For us merchants, having a strong and fair lord like him is a blessing."
Pigg added, "But Ys, haven't you noticed? Maplewood Town is expanding and developing at an unprecedented rate."
"As an investor, I know the importance of following the right person. And I believe Baron Su Nan is one of those rare individuals worth backing."
Guildmaster Ys remained thoughtful.
As Su Nan's carriage returned to the castle, he noticed Robert sitting beside him, looking downcast. A small wound marked the corner of his mouth.
"What happened to you?" Su Nan asked.
Robert coughed awkwardly. "My lord, it's nothing serious. I've just been sparring with Blom and Warwick. It's friendly competition—I harbor no jealousy... none at all."
He paused, his voice lowering. "I'm not jealous, but perhaps... just a bit frustrated."
Su Nan observed Robert's conflicted expression.
Ah, so that's it.
Robert felt envious.
It was understandable. Robert had gained his strength through years of hard work, discipline, and devotion to the Storm God. Every improvement had been hard-earned.
Now, he was being surpassed by Warwick, the old butler, and even Blom, the retired soldier—both of whom had only recently gained power.
Su Nan coughed lightly, cutting through Robert's thoughts. "It's alright, Robert. I respect everyone's choices."
"Everyone has their strengths."
"Remember, you taught Warwick and Blom their combat skills. You're their mentor. There's no reason to doubt yourself."
"Doubting yourself will only weaken you."
Robert's eyes shone with newfound determination. He gave Su Nan a grateful nod, his resolve to continue on the path of the Storm Knight unwavering.
"Lord Su Nan is right," Robert thought. "Once I become a Storm Knight, I'll be able to defeat Blom."
But his confidence wavered as he recalled Warwick's recent surge in strength.
Could he truly match Warwick even as a Storm Knight?
Doubt gnawed at him.
Was magic really so powerful that a single potion could surpass years of rigorous training and devotion to the Storm God?
Robert glanced at Su Nan.
Su Nan had always been his guiding star, especially since the late baron had been like a foster father to him.
But now, Robert wondered if the path of the Storm Knight could keep pace with Su Nan's extraordinary growth. Were there other ways to gain strength?
"My lord," Robert ventured, "Warwick has been improving rapidly. When he fights me in his werewolf form, he not only counters my techniques but has even developed unique attacks."
"He's mastered leaping attacks that combine claws and teeth. His bite technique is particularly terrifying—it forces opponents to guard constantly, afraid of losing a finger or ear."
"He says that's precisely why he's focused on perfecting it."
"He's incredibly talented. I joked with him that he should've been a warrior from the start instead of wasting his talents as a butler. He always laughs at that."
Su Nan raised an eyebrow, sensing a hidden message in Robert's words. Still, he nodded. "If that's the case, I could design a potion specifically to enhance his jaw muscles."
Indeed, a biting technique was uniquely suited for combat against humanoid opponents. A sudden bite could turn the tide when both sides were locked in a struggle.
Developing a potion to strengthen biting attacks seemed like a promising idea.
Robert hesitated, then blurted out, "So each potion has to be customized? If I were to... hypothetically... become a werewolf, what traits could I develop?"
Su Nan looked at Robert thoughtfully.
He hadn't considered it before, but turning a trained warrior like Robert into a werewolf could open new possibilities.
All previous werewolf potions had been used on hunting dogs or non-combatants, with Blom being the sole exception as an ordinary soldier.
If Robert, a seasoned squire—or even a fully-fledged Storm Knight—were to transform into a werewolf, it could lead to exciting results.
Perhaps Su Nan could design a unique werewolf potion specifically for him.
Of course, the Super Werewolf Potion would remain the standard for second-st
age transformations, requiring no changes.
For now, Su Nan stored the idea away for further contemplation.
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