In the winter of the 57th year of the Storm Kingdom, Su Nan intensified patrols across his lands following his encounter with the energy-world creature in the mystic realm. Werewolf messengers spread throughout villages and territories, hunting for any cultists that might be hiding in his domain.
For Orr's safety, Su Nan provided him with a strategic arsenal of potions: two Ghostly Summon Frog potions, two Ghostly Summon Wolf potions, one Ghostly Summon Knight Squire potion, and two Sleepworm potions. With these seven potions, Orr could defend against energy creatures similar to the one encountered previously, even without Su Nan's direct intervention.
Meanwhile, Su Nan devoted himself to advancing his potion research.
A month passed.
In the castle's tower, Su Nan consumed a dose of Mental Strength Enhancer +2. The moment he drank it, a surge of clarity and power coursed through him.
[Your mental strength increases by +0.1. Current mental strength: 12.]
Over the past month, Su Nan's mental strength had increased by an impressive 1.5 points, largely thanks to the newly developed Mental Strength Enhancer +2. With this breakthrough, Su Nan had entered another phase of rapid growth in mental prowess.
The core ingredients for the new potion included licorice, ginseng, and a specific extract derived from the brains of chickens and sheep. According to his AI's calculations, this potion could push Su Nan's mental strength to 15 in a relatively short time. Furthermore, its effectiveness would remain stable until his mental strength reached 20, the threshold of a first-class wizard apprentice.
Raising his left hand, Su Nan used telekinesis to lift and organize the cluttered objects in the tower, effortlessly restoring order to the room. His growing mental strength had amplified the power of his Sacrificial Hand, now boasting a baseline telekinetic force of 2.8. If he were to face someone like Gus Pasha again, Su Nan could dominate him without even transforming into his Werewolf Alpha form.
Additionally, Su Nan had purchased twenty more hunting dogs over the month, training them rigorously day and night. With his increasing magical capacity, the expansion of his werewolf army was imminent.
That evening, Su Nan gazed at the sky. A supermoon would grace the heavens tonight. While not particularly rare—it could happen four or five times a year—the supermoon was critical for his research. His AI, having mapped this world's lunar cycles, accurately predicted such events.
A supermoon occurred when the full moon appeared closer to the earth, shining larger and brighter in the night sky. The enhanced lunar radiance was vital for the next stage of Su Nan's work: the creation of the Super Werewolf Potion.
The new potion required moonlight from a supermoon, tying werewolves even more intrinsically to lunar phenomena. This connection to the supermoon would complement their existing bond with the full moon, further enhancing their abilities. Tonight, Su Nan would use the castle's tower to harness this lunar power for the potion.
He stepped out of the tower to find Robert and entrusted him with guarding the space. Then, he sought out the ever-diligent butler, Warwick.
"Warwick," Su Nan began, "Salonica Latin Duke's envoy, Sir Maxie Parr, has arrived at the castle. I suspect it's about Gus Pasha."
Warwick nodded. "The envoy also brought a private letter from the duke himself."
Su Nan raised an eyebrow. "That pompous duke sent his lackey today of all days? Warwick, tell him to leave. I have no interest in conversing with lackeys when I could speak to their master directly."
Warwick smiled knowingly. "Understood, young master. I'll ensure the letter is delivered and that Sir Maxie Parr departs before nightfall. He won't trouble you further."
"Good. Tonight, I need the castle grounds fully secured. No one should disturb me. I'll be conducting a special ritual to channel the supermoon's magical energy into my cauldron."
Warwick's expression turned serious. He treated Su Nan's potion-making endeavors with the utmost gravity, akin to handling the late baron's most sensitive state matters. "Understood. I'll seal off the castle and screen for any suspicious individuals. I'll also command the local wolf packs to guard the perimeter."
Su Nan nodded and prepared for the evening's ritual.
At the castle gates, Sir Maxie Parr stood beside his carriage, fuming. He had expected a warm reception befitting his station as the duke's representative. Instead, he had been made to wait for hours before a servant brusquely instructed him to leave the letter and vacate the estate.
There had been no courtesy, no hospitality—only disdain.
Maxie's face darkened. A petty and vindictive man by nature, he resolved to slander Su Nan to the duke. I'll make him pay for this insult. Let's see how long he lasts once I tarnish his name in the duke's court.
What Maxie failed to grasp was that Su Nan truly did not care about the duke's opinion. To Su Nan, dismissing Maxie was akin to swatting away a bothersome fly.
Night fell, and the massive supermoon dominated the sky.
In the tower, Su Nan added a powdered mixture of ginger, powdered moonstone, and powdered garlic to the cauldron. Then, he began chanting an incantation.
Moonlight poured through the window, drifting into the cauldron like fragrant petals made tangible. As the supermoon's magic infused the concoction, Su Nan activated the auxiliary control systems to ensure the ritual's precision.
Unbeknownst to Su Nan, on the far side of his territory, within the remnants of Gus Pasha's lands, a shadowy group gathered in a hidden basement. By candlelight, they whispered in hushed tones.
"Tonight, under the supermoon, we will once again open the gateway to the Perfect World."
"Look around you. We are all victims of Gus Pasha's tyranny. His knightly despotism crushed our lives and dignity, robbing us of our loved ones. Even in death, his legacy leaves us burdened with grief."
"With the moon's power, we will open
the Perfect World once more and overthrow the knightly oppressors!"