Bear School Astartes

”Are you okay, Phoebe!”

Cassandra quickly walked over, crouching in front of Phoebe and looking her up and down anxiously.

”I met a messenger at Marcos’ vineyard who told me the One-eyed People were going to kidnap you as a warning. I came right away when Icarus signaled.”

”I’m fine, Cassandra. Lann happened to be there, and he saved me.”

Phoebe said lightly.

”You wouldn’t believe it! Two assassins under the One-eyed People couldn’t last a moment in front of Lann! One of them even had me held hostage! He’s amazing!”

Cassandra finally breathed a sigh of relief seeing Phoebe talking so animatedly.

She stood up, tilting her head to look at Lann with a gentle smile.

”Two assassins down in the blink of an eye, another of your ’tricks’, huh?”

”No, it wasn’t a ’trick’.” Lann shrugged at Cassandra, ”This time I just used my hands.”

Phoebe squinted at the two adults, suddenly feeling they had a secret of their own between them.

”You changed your gear in just a few hours... that’s efficiency for you.”

The Demon Hunter marveled at the improved armor and short sword Cassandra wore compared to the morning.

His [Spiritual Vision] could see the blood still staining the equipment.

”When a mercenary stops holding back, her gains are always great.”

Cassandra’s hand formed a fist, and she hammered it against her chest armor.

”I used to think not to fall out with the One-eyed People, but now it’s clear they’ve decided to get rid of us. So I don’t need to hold back anymore. The ones who came to trouble me, I didn’t let any of them return alive.”

”This Linen Armor is from Athens, I’ve eyed it for a long time.”

Linen Armor is a unique Ancient Greece Era armor, made by saturating, layering, and pressing linen with oil and glue into a small armor piece. Swords hitting it would make a ’thud’ instead of slicing cleanly.

Arrows from contemporary longbows also struggled to penetrate its defense.

”And you?”

After showing off her new gear, Cassandra crossed her arms and leaned in closely to examine Lann’s armor, which she had never seen before.

”Just the sight of this armor makes you look as wealthy as Cronos. Dear me, how much metal went into it?”

The Demon Hunter leaned back subtly, distancing himself from Cassandra’s thick and smooth braid.

This era has no fragrances, yet how does she maintain her hair? Is it just good genes?

”It’s armor from my hometown, I took some time to fish it out from the sea.”

”Took some time... let’s just say so.” Cassandra glanced at Lann’s face with a playful smile, before backing away from right beside him.

”Hey! Look at me!”

Phoebe called out discontentedly, asking Cassandra.

”How’s it going with Marcos?”

Icarus landed on the Aegean beauty’s shoulder, her face looked helpless.

”Same old, I didn’t get paid, and I have to run errands for him. And this time he went too far. He borrowed money from the One-eyed People to buy the vineyard. For the sake of the gods! Who with a bit of sense takes out a high-interest loan?”

”Wow, that’s just like something he’d do.”

Phoebe muttered discontentedly.

”But why do you listen to him? Let him order you around?”

”...I owe him.”

Cassandra showed a nostalgic expression, though it was unclear to Lann whether it was a fond memory or not.

”Not many people would forgive a thief, but Marcos not only didn’t hit me, he took me in. I was about your age back then.”

”He’s an annoying guy, with a funny accent and unreliable ways... but I can’t just ignore him. I can’t turn my back on family now that I’m grown and capable.”

”Are you saying when I’m old, you’ll chase me out of your house with a sword?”

Cassandra teased the little girl.

Phoebe showed an understanding face: ”I get it now... don’t worry, Cassandra. Even if you’re old and toothless, I’ll keep a room for you at home.”

”Oh, right!” Phoebe reminded Cassandra, ”The ones who tried to kidnap me said they paid ’Stone Fist’ Talos to finish you off, be careful.”

”Malaka... They’re really generous.”

Cassandra cursed under her breath, but didn’t seem too worried.

”If he took the bounty, let’s see whose fists are harder.”

”Do you need anything, Phoebe? If not, I can take you back to Marcos’ vineyard. Phobos is fast as the wind!”

Lann and Cassandra both thought Phoebe would have no more issues, but the little girl lowered her head, indeed needing help.

”Do you know Kausos?”

”The small town on the other side of the island, what’s up?”

”The people there are sick—blood fever, my friend Zina’s family too. They say it’s a curse, they need the gods’ blessing to get through.”

The little girl timidly looked at Cassandra and Lann.

Both understood what Phoebe was implying.

”I’ve said before, I’m not a god.”*2

Cassandra and Lann both helplessly said in unison, glancing at each other in surprise afterward.

”But you have Icarus! And you have such a body!”

Phoebe pointed at Cassandra and the eagle on her, then at Lann.

”That doesn’t mean we’re gods, Phoebe.”

The Demon Hunter repeated calmly.

Cassandra waved helplessly: ”Plus, the One-eyed People’s actions are pressing. I’m not sure if I have time... you know, Phoebe, swords and spears are faster than diseases and curses.”

The little girl silently lowered her head, appearing dejected.

Cassandra seemed eager to help, her lips moved several times, words of promise nearly crossing them.

But before she could...

”If you’re busy dealing with enemies, I can go check it out.”

Lann spoke quietly from the side.

”Really?!”

Phoebe looked up, surprised.

”I repeat: I’m not a god. But I won’t be harmed by plague, so it’s no risk for me.”

The Demon Hunter waved a finger in front of Phoebe.

The girl nodded with wide, hopeful eyes.

If you say you’re not a god, then you’re not. ’Won’t be harmed by plague’... ha, who believes a person could say that?

Cassandra also relaxed, patting Lann’s arm before she and Phoebe climbed onto Phobos.

”Goodbye, Lann.”

She sat on the mighty horse, the sunlight shining behind her, her sharp brows and eyes seemingly as divine as a war goddess.

”Thank you for your help. Next time, let’s have a drink together.”

She winked playfully at Lann as she spoke.