The werewolf soldier of Bettembourg

Many years ago, a young man felt compelled to leave his hometown and parents to serve in the war. Years pass, and the young man never returns; instead, villagers join together to care for his parents as they age and eventually die. Some time after the death of the man’s heartbroken family, an old, grizzled soldier appears in town, finds a seat, and tells those who are listening about the atrocities he witnessed during his years abroad. During the recounting of his stories, the man notices a stone crucifix, which enrages him and causes him to hurl a rock at it, damaging the sacred icon. After this outburst, the man quickly vanishes, and soon after, a hideous werewolf arises in town, killing and destroying everything in its way. The inhabitants of the town are unable to subdue the beast until a travelling monk suggests inscribing a holy scripture on a silver bullet and employing the town’s bravest marksman. They manage to kill the beast, with the aftermath revealing the body of the old soldier rather than the beast. According to legend, the soldier still roams the hill near Bettembourg, and his howls can be heard occasionally at night.