The entire bandit camp descended into chaos within ten minutes, transforming from a jubilant celebration into a grisly massacre strewn with severed limbs and lifeless bodies. The remaining bandits abandoned all hope of resistance, their sole focus now on escaping.
The stronghold was effectively destroyed the moment the two towers fell.
"Damn monster," the bandit leader snarled as he swung his broadsword. The heavy blade cleaved into the werewolf messenger's shoulder, leaving a gaping wound.
In retaliation, the werewolf messenger lashed out with its claw, striking the leader square in the chest. However, the bandit leader barely flinched, letting out only a muffled grunt as his chainmail absorbed most of the impact.
Through his link with the werewolf, Su Nan used the AI to scan the bandit leader's physical attributes and was surprised to find them comparable to those of his own squire, Robert.
The leader was a squire, likely not of the Storm Knights but of the Lawful Knights.
"Interesting," Su Nan mused. "This will be a good test of the werewolf messenger's performance against a knight's squire. Wolf One, engage him head-on."
Su Nan commanded Wolf One to forgo evasion and engage the bandit leader in direct combat.
The werewolf messenger and the leader exchanged fierce blows. Though the leader's attacks inflicted significant damage, he watched in horror as the werewolf's wounds rapidly healed. Meanwhile, his own chainmail began to disintegrate under the relentless assault, his injuries gradually worsening.
What kind of creature is this? Why did we ever provoke such a monster?
Desperation filled the leader's mind as he swung his blade through a nearby flame, igniting it, and slashed at the werewolf's claw.
A satisfying crack echoed as the werewolf recoiled, its wound healing far slower than before.
The leader's eyes gleamed with hope. Fire—it's their weakness. I might still have a chance.
He glanced around the camp, now engulfed in flames from the earlier battle. If he could maneuver the fight toward the fire, he might be able to survive, even if he couldn't defeat these creatures.
Just as the leader began to implement his plan, his confidence was shattered by a new sight. Emerging from the shadows were two larger and more intimidating werewolves, their menacing presence dwarfing the previous two creatures.
More of them? How am I supposed to win against this?
Beside him, the scrawny merchant turned pale, stammering in terror. "I… I'm the mayor's son from Mapleleaf Town! You have to protect me!"
"If you can keep me alive, I'll ensure you get anything you want—supplies, gold, anything!"
The leader barely managed to block another strike from the werewolf messenger, his voice tinged with bitter despair. "Do I look like I can protect you? What good is your money now? Can you negotiate with these monsters?"
His broadsword cleaved into the werewolf's head, splitting it apart. But to his utter horror, the wound began to heal almost instantly. The werewolf lunged, its claws poised to pierce his chest.
"Wolf One, hold," Su Nan commanded, stepping out of the forest and into the camp. "Warwick and Pera would also like to test their strength against a squire. Let's see how high-level werewolves fare against knights' squires."
The leader froze as the monstrous creature shrank before his eyes, transforming into a small hunting dog that wagged its tail and licked Su Nan's boots.
The second werewolf also reverted to its canine form, bounding over to Su Nan and competing for his attention.
The leader stared in stunned disbelief. These terrifying creatures are just his pets?
Recognition dawned as the moonlight illuminated Su Nan's features.
"You… you're the young baron," the leader murmured, his voice trembling.
"So, it was you all along. You were the one we provoked."
"You… you can control these creatures. Are they the work of wizards? Does this mean those secret noble societies actually succeeded in their research?"
He let out a bitter laugh, glancing at the two larger werewolves in the distance. "Those must be your castle's ancient steward and that nagging head maid."
"Why didn't they act earlier? Why tolerate our plundering for so many years?"
Behind him, the merchant scrambled forward on his hands and knees. "Baron Su Nan! This is all a misunderstanding. I'm your vassal! I'll convince my father to surrender immediately. Please, spare me!"
Su Nan ignored the merchant, pacing through the camp as if deep in thought.
AI, analyze the werewolf messengers' performance in this battle. What were their weaknesses?
[The werewolf messengers' attack power was sufficient, but many enemies were left severely wounded instead of immediately killed, requiring follow-up attacks.]
[Additionally, they struggled to overcome wooden shields wielded by the bandits.]
[Currently, the werewolves are fighting unarmed. Against armored opponents, their inability to use proper weapons could leave them vulnerable if their weaknesses are discovered.]
[Recommended enhancements: 1. Reinforce the werewolves' claws to steel-like hardness for increased effectiveness against shields and armor.]
[Establish project: Steel Claw Potion.]
[2. Add venom to the werewolves' claws and fangs to induce immune system collapse in their enemies, ensuring even wounded opponents are neutralized. The venom could also cause confusion and madness, further destabilizing enemy forces.]
[Establish project: Wolf Venom Potion.]
Su Nan nodded. "Create a second file. Document the performance of high-level werewolves against knights' squires. Label it Wolf Pack Two."
Five minutes later, Warwick and Pera finished off the bandit leader and the merchant.
The leader had been severely injured, and Warwick and Pera, with their superior stats and immunity to ordinary weapons, dispatched him as easily as an adult fighting a child.
With their deaths, the bandits who had plagued the Peter Barony for years were finally eradicated.
Su Nan reflected on the battle. The disparity between magic and mortals is staggering.
Next, I'll turn my attention to Mapleleaf Town. With their resources, I can refine my werewolf army even further.
"Warwick, search the camp for anything useful," Su N
an ordered. "If you find anything that seems related to wizards, bring it to me immediately."