Bear School Astartes

Days passed amidst the clanging and banging in the workshop.

For someone like Belengar, who has mastered the entire process of Valerian steel production, the high market demand for Valerian steel is simply not a problem.

Just give him a blast furnace, and he can produce qualified steel by himself.

That set of Grandmaster-level Bear School armor is gradually taking shape.

A sophisticated composite armor, though it won’t be entirely metal.

The prosperous maritime trade and craftsmanship of Gos Velen are also indispensable components.

The gliding lizard skin from the south is tanned into Dragon Race leather, and after being processed by local craftsmen, it becomes part of the armor components.

With the relationship between Lann and Belengar, the steel part of this armor doesn’t even require a discussion about money.

Yet even so, just the leather, fur, and the cotton armor parts still cost him nearly eight hundred Oren.

That’s about the price of a set of high-grade Bear School armor.

High-level armor is just that costly.

These days, Ged, despite saying ’don’t expect me to stay at the Silver Swan Tavern,’ ended up living there quite happily.

Because Shilton Giancardi heard that this Demon Hunter was a friend of Lann, without even saying hello to Lann, he covered all of Ged’s accommodation expenses at the Silver Swan Tavern.

In his words: ”This is part of the professional manager’s job.”

Having one’s friends taken care of without needing to make a call oneself is a very comforting thing.

That’s what they call hospitality.

It made Lann sometimes wonder whether he should introduce Fergus to learn from Shilton.

Fergus is gifted in socializing, but he’s still far behind someone like Shilton from a banking family.

As a result, even Lann found Shilton’s tendency to take small advantages charming.

”No, no need to comfort me.”

At this moment, the red-bearded Dwarf waved his hand, looking downcast.

He was speaking with Lann and Lady Margarita in the reception room on the first floor of Luoxia Palace at Airetusa.

The conversation’s initial topic was the ’Valerian Steel Merchants Association’s end-of-month operation report,’ but after finishing the main topic, the discussion inevitably veered into the racial massacre that occurred at Wenger Castle.

The Giancardi Clan had a branch set up at Wenger Castle, wealthy and of non-human race, needless to say the treatment they’d receive during the riots.

The Giancardi Bank lost quite a few clan members in the massacre, including relatives not far removed from Shilton.

Various reasons led to the typically cheerful red-bearded Dwarf feeling downcast today.

”Instead of comforting me, it’s I who should express thanks to Airetusa.”

Lady Margarita looked at the Dwarf in surprise.

Today she’s wearing a bright red dress, as always with heavy makeup and fiery red lips.

She’s recklessly using her beauty to navigate the makeup and attire that on others might seem vulgar, like a rose afraid it hasn’t bloomed vividly or enchantingly enough.

”Airetusa’s renowned alumna, Yennefer of Wenger Castle.”

Shilton spoke with deep respect.

”Giancardi will never forget this admirable lady for her protection of our family members during the riot!”

Margarita seemed a bit at a loss, but after Lann patted her hand to offer encouragement and a reminder, she still responded with the dignity of a dean.

”Airetusa is dedicated to the development of magic, a grand vision transcending racial barriers, and its objective is to facilitate the lives of people. Yennefer did what a graduate of Airetusa should do.”

Sure enough, the Dwarf stood in awe at these words. He didn’t even swipe the talisman gift box from the table when he left.

And as the Dwarf left, the dean, who appeared dignified and imposing seated, suddenly softened, letting out a deep breath.

”Pardon my intrusion, Lady Margarita.”

Lann seated beside her gave the golden-haired beauty a teasing look.

”This doesn’t sound like something you’d say. Let me guess... did you suddenly remember a speech by Tishaya? Hmm, that does sound like her style.”

By the end, Lann was no longer questioning but affirming his thought.

Margarita thus stared stiff-faced at the handsome profile of the man beside her.

”Oh? You speak as if you’re quite familiar with Tishaya’s style?”

With an outwardly calm inquiry from the Female Warlock, Mentos instantly seemed to trigger some alert like a warplane locked by radar, projecting a blood-red warning box onto Lann’s retina—

”Danger!”

The young man then promptly followed his intelligent system’s advice.

”I’ve been in contact with her these past few days, via the Thousand-Mile Telescope for academic exchanges, all approved by you, remember?”

Lann spoke matter-of-factly.

”I’ve read quite a few of her manuscripts to understand her experimental approaches.”

This is not false; through sorting his knowledge reserves these days, Mentos successfully applied for him a ’biochemistry specialized entrance exam.’

Even now, within the Human Union polity of the Interstellar Era, he’s officially a middle school student!

And considering it’s through the ’specialized entrance exam,’ in biochemistry knowledge, he’s already reached the level of a Human Union high school student.

The computational power of the biological brain thus received a significant boost.

Margarita looked at Lann with suspicion. Adhering to the principle of speaking more leads to more mistakes, the young man then very naturally rose from his seat.

”Oh right, Belengar said my armor would be completed today. I have to go check it out, would you care to join me?”

The Female Warlock shook her head helplessly: ”Sorry, dear. I’m afraid I don’t have time... Damn it! How does Tishaya manage to start another experimental project amidst so many damned distractions?!”

”Tsk, that’s a real shame.”

Lann expressed regret, then walked lightly towards the door and left.

”But don’t worry, I’ll come back to show you.”

The young Demon Hunter waved without turning back, then walked out into the exquisite and luxurious corridor of Luoxia Palace, leaving the reception hall.

However, after leaving, he only realized afterward.

”Talk about me having nothing to do with Tishaya! At most, it’s just her being a little careless with her attire when using the Thousand-Mile Telescope?”

Mentos then spoke earnestly in his mind: ”One cannot let the seeds of suspicion take root in people’s minds, or baseless matters may grow into towering trees.”

”Oh...” Lann pondered over these words, nodding, ”That sounds quite philosophical, who said that?”

Mentos replied quickly and confidently: ”I did!”

”Hmm?!”

”Sir, not to boast. These kinds of correct but empty words, with my current computational power, I can create an entire book of quotes for you within a second.”