Bear School Astartes

Chapter 30: 30. Dunham’s Cannibalism Case

When people first see the feline eyes of a Demon Hunter, they all seem to have the same reaction.

A gasp of surprise, followed by an effort to lean back and become vigilant.

Only then can normal conversation begin.

Those around were all professional soldiers, naturally braver than ordinary farmers.

So after a small commotion, peace was restored.

”A Demon Hunter?” Philip huffed twice and spat to the side.

”These days are getting more chaotic, all sorts of messes are showing up.”

Lann didn’t react to his chatter.

”Such are the times, sir. Let’s discuss our own suspicions instead.”

”Hmph?”

Philip signaled that he was listening.

”I’m an outsider, Sergeant. I don’t know exactly where Dunham is, but Sir Viserad’s Raven’s Nest is about three days’ journey from here, so according to what you just said, Dunham is at least two and a half days’ journey from Raven’s Nest.”

The young man counted on his fingers for the soldiers around him to see.

”The news of the murder spreads there, then you are sent to handle it, wouldn’t it take at least five days from the day the incident happened? As for us...”

Lann’s finger moved back and forth between himself and Bernie.

The implication was clear, the timing didn’t match.

This was an obvious flaw, but interestingly, Lann didn’t detect the embarrassment of being pointed out a mistake on Philip.

This man frowned in thought for a while, then suddenly looked at Lann and said, ”A few days ago, a fellow like you was chased down and killed in Velen.”

”I helped in that battle too.”

Lann didn’t intend to hide anything.

Philip nodded upon hearing this.

”Just as well, York is in the village too, let him come and recognize you. Let’s go.”

Without giving them another chance to speak, eleven horsemen surrounded the two of them, heading towards the village a hundred meters away.

On the way, Bernie seemed still shocked by the news he had heard.

Lann walked beside him, asking without any reservations.

”What is Dunham?”

Lann was clear about his knowledge of Velen, he knew that people dying here and there was no big deal, so what was important was this place called Dunham.

Eleven horsemen, and it sounded like there were more personnel in the village, compared to Bordeaux’s chase, this was a serious matter.

It was enough to demonstrate the importance of this place.

”It’s not an important town, just a crossroads. But it’s a place where all the surrounding villages worship the Meretelli Goddess together... What kind of heartless bastard would desecrate such sacred ground?!”

Bernie muttered indignantly, seeming to momentarily forget the injury on his hand.

Meanwhile, Lann also immediately realized that this matter was indeed not trivial.

How should one describe Meretelli’s faith?

Let’s put it this way, even the King’s Personal Guard, if he dares to harm a single hair of a Priestess in any of the Meretelli Temples.

Then by nightfall, we could see his body hanging from the locust tree at the crossroads.

And it wouldn’t be an act of malicious revenge, but caused purely by public resentment, and even the King would have to bow his head and acknowledge it.

Meretelli’s faith is the belief of every lady in the northern kingdoms, this Goddess’s faith never meddles in political, power, or interest struggles.

It simply spreads its teachings of mercy and peace.

But this very lack of contention creates the unparalleled influence of Meretelli’s faith.

Because every woman who believes in Her has multiple identities.

Daughter, mother, wife... even a king has a mother! Even a bandit wants a wife!

Do you want to harm Meretelli’s faith?

Then you must be ready for how you’re going to die, right?

Unlike Viserad clinging to law enforcement during the Auridon carriage race to do the King’s cousin a favor.

The murder case that happened at the site of faith in Dunham was indeed a major event that would incite panic and anger in the Velen region.

”Not only that, kid.” Philip, on horseback, took out a copper flask for a sip even over these few steps.

”It’s not a simple murder case...”

He seemed to recall some unspeakable scene, after swallowing the wine in his mouth, his face continued speaking with difficulty.

”The corpse of the victim... was partly eaten.”

Eaten?

Lann’s eyes narrowed slightly, but Bernie was at a loss.

”Was it a beast or a monster that disturbed the scene? Damn it! In the past, everyone worshipped and prayed there, no monsters dared to approach Dunham!”

”Monster? Ha, a monster would be better.”

Philip took another sip, laughing sarcastically.

”What do you mean... a human?” Bernie widened his eyes, ”Are you saying it was eaten by a human?! The murderer on that sacred ground... is a cannibal?!”

”Hey, anyway, we didn’t see any signs of beasts or monsters nearby.”

”You are just soldiers, not scouts or trackers! You are not experts, you cannot jump to such conclusions!”

Bernie immediately argued, not to absolve the murderer, but as a refusal to believe that their faith’s sacred ground could be desecrated so severely.

And what surprised him even more was that Philip admitted it with glee.

”Yes, we’re good at cutting people, but in terms of traces and monsters, we’re not the experts.”

At this point, Lann joined the conversation.

”So Bernie, think about it, why would they waste so much time on us?”

Philip chuckled and nodded straightforwardly.

”It’s for you, Demon Hunter. You’re the expert on monsters. To be honest, we were originally just questioning every suspicious person routinely, but when you lifted your eyes, I knew I’d hit the jackpot.”

”Forget whether you hit the jackpot, for now, I need to tend to my friend’s wound first.”

They quickly covered the hundred-meter distance, dismounted, and entered the tavern, where four more soldiers in Temerian-issued armor sat at tables.

Lann saw the Long Halberd Soldiers he had met a few days ago, but he didn’t say anything for now, instead ordering a rye vodka.

Such high-proof liquor in the tavern was served in a small glass that could be held entirely in one hand.

Lann poured it directly onto Bernie’s hand, prompting him to let out an ”ow” of pain.

”Another glass, mate.” This was Philip shouting, ”Once we’ve cleaned out the debris in the wound, we’ll douse it again.”

The strong man waved his hand behind him, prompting a soldier to shrug naturally and come over to help with the bandaging.

Only now did Lann turn, smiling and nodding at the Long Halberd Soldiers he had fought with before.

”I thought I’d have to go to Raven’s Nest to find you guys, didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

The Long Halberd Soldier York didn’t bother with the odd looks from those around him; he clinked his beer mug against Lann’s empty cup, then gulped down his drink.

”Glug-glug-click! Haha, who would have thought things have become so chaotic? It wasn’t until I returned to Raven’s Nest that I learned someone dared do such a thing in Dunham.”

After chatting with the Demon Hunter, York turned to face his superior.

”Sergeant, this is the Demon Hunter Master I’ve mentioned. A man of integrity and respect.”

Philip waved it off, rudely shouting for more drinks from the bartender, while York took a moment to whisper seriously to the young man.

”Now it’s best not to tick off the Sergeant. His wife was recently found cheating, and he chopped up the lover to feed the dogs.”

”’Chopped up to feed the dogs’ literally?”

”Literally.”

”Wow...”

Lann clicked his tongue slightly, ordered another rye vodka, and clinked glasses with York.

”Thanks for the heads-up. No wonder in the beginning, he looked ready to find any excuse to beat us up.”