Chapter 160: A Bloody Duel

Greyback was in a terrible mood recently.

On one hand, he was constantly hiding from the Aurors and Watchers, and on the other, he was being berated by Albert Runcorn, who accused him of incompetence.

Runcorn didn't consider that with his ragtag group, biting a few muggles was feasible, but facing well-trained Aurors head-on was impossible.

Runcorn even ordered him to assassinate Murphy Darkholme, jokingly suggesting they serve as cannon fodder when he himself couldn't handle Murphy. Did he think werewolves had no brains?

Apart from the increasing pressure from the wizarding world, Greyback found his pack harder to manage recently.

Firstly, after hearing about werewolves who could transform and attack Aurors on non-full moon days, his subordinates (including himself) were shocked.

Those werewolves could transform at will, seemingly control the process, and even retain their sanity! This was something they had long desired.

If they could do the same, they wouldn't have to flee from the Aurors.

This made his subordinates wonder if there was a stronger werewolf leader guiding those individuals, and recently, the more aggressive members looked at him with veiled challenges, eroding his authority.

Secondly, they heard about the opening of a Healing Wizards Hospital in Diagon Alley, capable of treating lycanthropy.

Though it only treated wizards in the early stages of infection and was ineffective for those who had been werewolves for a long time, the hospital's doctors were also werewolves, offering a discrimination-free environment.

This made the weaker among his followers increasingly nostalgic for the wizarding world.

With better alternatives available, his control over the pack waned, unable to command them as freely as before.

Especially since Remus Lupin had recently visited the pack, persuading werewolves against destructive acts. Under the current circumstances, many believed him, weakening Greyback's rule further.

Desperate for change, he decided to hold a bloody duel.

In the forest.

Facing nearly fifty werewolves, Greyback spoke.

"Werewolf brothers and sisters, you are all my brothers, my sisters, some even raised by my own hands."

"We are a family."

"The wizarding world abandoned you, your families abandoned you, but I brought you together, provided food, taught you how to survive, and gave you a home."

"We were so happy! Hunting together in the forests, drinking, celebrating..."

"Nobody felt happy, Greyback."

Greyback's speech was cut short.

He looked at the interrupter, Remus Lupin!

"Moreover, the one who made the world abandon us, made our parents abandon us, was you. If you hadn't bitten us on purpose, how could we have been abandoned by our families and the wizarding world? We should have lived normal lives like other wizards."

"Instead, we live in constant fear, fleeing like rats in the streets."

"Happy?" A bitter smile appeared on Lupin's pale face. "We were just numbing ourselves to forget the unbearable pain. You call that happiness?"

"Remus," Greyback glared at him fiercely, "you coward, dare to question me?!"

"I'm just stating the facts, Greyback," Lupin said. "Don't deceive everyone into fighting wizards anymore. Mindless destruction brings us no benefits; we can live like ordinary people."

"Nonsense!" Greyback scoffed. "Some of them don't even have wands! Without me, they wouldn't have food! We're not as lucky as you, prince! You, licking wizards' boots, are not one of us!"

"So, I am an example." Lupin spoke. "An example that a werewolf can live a bit better than now."

Greyback realized he couldn't win a debate against Lupin, a Hogwarts graduate.

"Blah blah blah... wizard's rhetoric!" Greyback said. "Only wizards argue right and wrong with words! If you're a werewolf! Speak like a werewolf!"

He revealed a fierce grin. "Do you dare challenge me in a bloody duel?!"

Bloody Duel.

Werewolves had no laws, and believing in the justice of violence, they developed the tradition of bloody duels to resolve disputes.

It was a fight to the death between two individuals, with the survivor deemed correct.

Not all werewolves were turned by Greyback, but they followed his commands because, for a long time, Greyback had been the strongest werewolf, solidifying his position through countless bloody duels. No one dared oppose him.

Greyback's words received a chorus of agreement from the werewolves, affirming their acceptance of this tradition.

Lupin's eyes flickered with fear for a moment.

Facing this murderer who had troubled him throughout his life, appearing in his nightmares, it was impossible for him to be completely fearless against Greyback.

But he was no longer the young boy of the past.

He had gained courage to fight against fate from his friends.

Recently, upon learning about Sirius's news from the newspaper, Lupin was nearly moved to tears.

His beliefs weren't false; Sirius was innocent. The proud and loyal Sirius he knew hadn't changed.

It was like a torch, rekindling the murky and sinking spirit he had harbored for years.

Thank you, my friend.

I really want to have a drink and chat with you.

But your struggle has ended, and my battle is just beginning.

This time, I can't run away anymore.

He handed his wand to a nearby werewolf, who pulled him back, "Don't, don't go, you can't beat him."

Bloody duels forbade the use of wands. Werewolves, ostracized by wizards, viewed wand duels as an insult.

"If I fail, I'll try to exhaust his strength, letting Jessie take the stage. He can definitely defeat him." Lupin said, patting the werewolf's arm. "The Healing Wizards Hospital treats werewolves for free, and the Wolfsbane Potion is also free. Everyone can live a normal life this way. If it's still difficult, seek Dumbledore; he will definitely help you."

"But we don't know him…"

Where could these sewer-like werewolves meet the most famous Dumbledore in the wizarding world?

Lupin fell silent for a moment, "Then go find Murphy. At least, he treats us as humans."

Murphy was ambitious, not the type Lupin liked, but from his actions, he didn't seem like someone who disregarded his subordinates.

He would confront Aurors head-on for a muggle bitten by a werewolf and even build a wizard hospital to win people over. At least, he would make an effort on the surface, far better than Greyback.

"Stop dawdling, do you dare duel or not?" Greyback shouted impatiently.

He was ready to tear Lupin to pieces, teaching these werewolves how to respect his commands again.

Lupin clenched his teeth, breaking free from the grasping arms, and stepped into the ring.

It was time for a resolution.

He charged forward, then saw Greyback reveal a sinister, malicious smile. Suddenly, Greyback pounced with superhuman speed. His hands transformed, elongating into wolf claws, and his mouth protruded, fangs lengthening, turning into a half-wolf, half-human form.

He could also control his transformation, albeit partially, enhancing his physical abilities beyond a normal wizard's.

Lupin understood.

This was a trap.

He stood no chance.

He would die meaninglessly.

"Roar!" With a roar, Greyback pounced on him.

The half-transformed maw clamped onto his neck, then violently tore.

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