Andras lifted his head, lightning flashing in his eyes.
"Who are these fools? Do you know them?" he asked, turning to Cornflower.
"Bandits… thugs," the woman answered bitterly. "They collect protection money from the people. It's been a month since I last paid them. But I have no money… what will happen now?"
Andras rose slowly, his voice cold and merciless.
"Everything is clear. Ironclaw, go and tear their tongues out through their throats!"
Ironclaw's eyes gleamed wildly, her fangs bared, and she answered with a deep growl:
"With pleasure, Master!"
The bandits pounded furiously at the door, shouting vile threats. Suddenly, the door swung open and Ironclaw stepped out. The two thugs had no time to react—the Beast‑girl seized both their throats in an instant and tore them apart with a single motion. Andrea immediately covered Daisy's eyes so the child would not witness the bloody scene.
"You've spilled blood all over the doorway," Andras remarked coldly. "Cornflower, do you have an old sack?"
"There, in the corner," the woman answered.
"Ironclaw, take off the bandits' heads and put them in that sack," Andras ordered.
"What about their bodies?" Ironclaw asked, already reaching for the sack.
"Just carry them two houses down and throw them into the ditch. The locals will bury them wherever they please," Andras replied icily.
"Understood, Master!" Ironclaw growled, obeying without hesitation.
Andras's eyes gleamed with a wild light.
"It's been far too long since I hunted bandits! I hope there are plenty of them."
"You mean to hunt them all?" Cornflower asked, her voice trembling between fear and hope.
"Not a single one will be left alive," Andras answered grimly. "Do you know where I can find them?"
"There's a tavern nearby," Cornflower said. "That's where these shady men go to drink."
"Then to the tavern we go!" Andras declared.
"Shall I show the way?" Daisy offered eagerly.
"Yes, from now on you're our city guide!" Andras nodded.
"Leave it to me!" the girl replied brightly. "I often go that way."
"Please, just take care of her—don't let anything happen to her," Cornflower pleaded.
"Don't worry, we'll protect her," Andras assured. "She'll stay by Noelle's side the whole time."
"No bandit will ever lay a finger on her!" Noelle declared firmly.
"And what should I do in the meantime?" Cornflower asked.
"Ah, we brought you a meat bun," Andras smiled. "Eat it—I hope the bandits haven't spoiled your appetite. Here."
"Thank you! It's been so long since I've had such a treat," Cornflower replied, moved.
"When we return, we'll find some work for you as well," Andras promised.
Led by Daisy, the Young Wolf's company arrived at the only tavern in the slums. At the entrance stood a hulking Beast‑man guard: a dog‑type half‑human with a massive club strapped to his back. The moment he caught sight of Ironclaw, he hurried inside and placed himself beside the tavern mistress, as if seeking protection.
The Wolf Knights stepped into the tavern's dim interior. It was not yet noon, so there were few patrons: at a single table sat three figures, all bandits from the district.
"How may I help the noble knights?" the tavern mistress asked, her voice tense with forced politeness.
"In truth, I only came to ask," Andras replied, slowly pulling out a sack, "whether you might know where I can find the boss of these two heads."
From the sack he revealed the severed heads of the bandits slain earlier. The three men at the table recognized them instantly. Their faces turned pale, they leapt from their seats, and tried to flee.
But Ironclaw moved with lightning speed. The Beast‑girl lunged at them, and in a single brutal assault tore all three apart. The silence of the tavern was broken only by the crunch of bones and the stench of blood.
"And the boss of those three as well," Andras remarked, his cold gaze sweeping across the tavern's interior.
"Shall I tear off their heads too?" Ironclaw asked, her eyes gleaming wildly.
"No," Andras waved her down. "We no longer need the heads."
At that moment, the tavern mistress stepped forward, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
"So you're the famous Young Wolf and his hound, Ironclaw?"
"Considering the Royal Knights didn't recognize us, we're this well‑known here?" Andras raised an eyebrow.
"Bandits who fled from Wolfwood passed through here," Bella replied. "Every bandit fears the names of Ironclaw and Young Wolf—even in this district."
"Then I must hunt them down as soon as possible, before they have time to escape us," Andras said grimly.
"So it's true that Ironclaw can smell bandits," Bella noted. "No better proof than the fact my head is still on my shoulders."
"Yes, we know you're not bandits," Andras answered.
"Good," Bella nodded. "Then I live another day. So, your fangs are set on the local big dog's head."
"Will you tell me where to find him?" Andras asked.
"He owes me a fortune in drink," Bella replied. "And it seems I'll no longer have to pay protection money. In fact, if no one pays it anymore, they'll spend that money in my tavern instead. Will I tell you? Of course! I'll even treat you to a free round if you kill that bastard!"
"You're the best tavern mistress I've ever met," Andras said appreciatively.
"You'll make me blush at this rate," Bella smiled.
"What's your name?" Andras asked.
"I'm Bella," the woman replied. "And this mutt beside me is Bloki."
"Bella and Bloki," Andras spoke, his eyes flashing sharply. "Would you like to work for me?"
"And what kind of job would a noble lad give to the likes of us?" Bella asked, folding her arms.
"It's not difficult work," Andras answered calmly. "As a tavern keeper, you hear things. A bit of information gathering on those Royal bastard Knights—rumors, whispers."
"That truly isn't hard work," Bella nodded. "I'll think about it. First, take care of those scum, then we'll discuss our little business."
"Tell me where to find them, and I'll be gone at once," Andras replied.
"Bloki will show you the way," Bella gestured toward the dog‑man.
"Then I'll leave this girl with you for now," Andras said, glancing at Daisy.
"Her face looks familiar… she's local?" Bella asked.
"Yes, her name is Daisy," Andras replied. "She's our guide while we're in the capital. She even led us straight to your tavern."
Bella smiled, turning to Daisy.
"I don't know how you stumbled into the Wolf Knights, but thanks to you, there'll be peace in the slums from now on. Thanks, kid!"
"I don't understand what I did," Daisy answered shyly, "but if it was good, then I'm glad!"
"Hahaha!" Bella laughed. "Come on then, I'll give you an apple."
Led by Bloki, the dog‑man, the Young Wolf's company resumed their bandit hunt. The slum's criminals had no hidden lairs: they squatted in the largest, crumbling building on the outskirts, where they kept the poor in constant fear. These vermin were more thugs than warriors. Their weapons were pitiful—most had no swords at all, only crude clubs with which they beat the innocent. They had no battle experience; their strength lay only in terrorizing the weak.
When Ironclaw smashed open the door and unleashed the war‑beast's battle cry, the bandits tried to flee in panic. None dared face the bloodthirsty Beast‑girl. They attempted to escape, but hiding from Ironclaw was impossible. Those who managed to slip out of the building were struck down by the magic of the Young Wolf and Noelle: lightning bolts and water arrows tore through the fleeing ranks.
As always, Anita and Andrea turned the slaughter into a contest—who could cut down more bandits? The sibling rivalry ended with Andrea's victory: seven kills to Anita's six.
When the massacre was over, only the bandit leader remained. The man sat in his own filth, weeping as he watched his men's corpses fall into the dust around him. Terror had utterly paralyzed him: in the shadow of the Wolf Knights, there was no escape, no hope left.
"P‑please, don't kill me!" the bandit leader begged, his voice trembling with fear. "I understand now—the protection money! You can have half the earnings… no, all of it! I'll work for you!"
"I don't negotiate with filthy bandits," Andras replied coldly. "How many people have you robbed? How many poor have starved because of you? How many have you beaten? How many have you killed? What about torture? How many women have you violated?"
"I‑I‑I'm s‑sorry!" the leader stammered through tears.
"Don't bother being sorry," Andras cut him off mercilessly. "The Goddess Neptune has passed judgment upon you. Your sentence is a slow and painful death!"
"P‑please, no!!!" the bandit leader screamed, collapsing to his knees.
"Ironclaw," Andras turned to the Beast‑girl, "I want this pile of filth to die as painfully and slowly as possible."
"This will be fun, Master!" Ironclaw answered, her eyes gleaming with savage light.
"Ugh, I don't want to watch this," Andrea turned away in disgust.
"We won't watch," Andras replied calmly. "We're leaving."