Bear School Astartes

In Mentos’ watchful gaze, the curve of Lann’s mood soared as soon as he began reading Hacksaw’s letters.

Until now, he was in an unprecedented state of excitement.

However, despite what his hormone levels indicated, Lann’s expression and tone remained so composed that it seemed as if nothing had happened.

The calmer Lann appeared, the more Mentos understood that his emotions at this moment were absolutely genuine!

”That’s an entire army, sir.”

On the path he ran, the biological AI made the last reminder it could offer.

”We dealt with the Niflgaard people’s forces, that was at dusk yesterday, and the outcome was not ideal.”

”That was because I wanted to protect something at that time.” Lann said calmly. ”But now, there should be nothing left that needs my protection.”

It had been four hours since he left the camp, and now he had to retrace his steps.

Would the refugees nearing the border be willing to wait? Would Hacksaw, who had already been prepared, leave any time?

He wouldn’t. Since such a plan was made to sever everything, no chance would be left behind.

Death.

The death Hacksaw described in his letter, ’dozens surviving out of thousands,’ was inevitable.

”Hacksaw said he would exhaust everything to inflict damage on the Niflgaard people. The three elements that decide war are: timing, terrain, and human harmony.”

”He doesn’t have the power to change the weather and current affairs, the refugees won’t be filled with courage because of his encouragement, and the Niflgaard people won’t become weak because of him... all he can use is the terrain.”

”I only hope the terrain he picks won’t prevent me from performing. You see, I am actually quite calm.”

Lann’s analysis was calm and methodical.

It left Mentos unsure of what to say to persuade him.

”In the beginning of this war, I actually carried a sense of laziness with me, Mentos.”

The biological AI didn’t speak; it didn’t understand the meaning behind its subject’s words.

So Lann continued talking to himself.

”When I saw those who had lost their lives to the aftermath of war, and the tortured corpses, I was furious. But from the start, what I subconsciously thought was really just about saving some of the tragedies I saw.”

”After all, I’ve already done a lot, haven’t I? I helped a goddess to guard a celestial rift. That’s a contribution to the safety of the entire world.”

”It’s human nature to have such thoughts, sir.”

Mentos comforted him.

”It’s normal to want rest and laziness after achieving something.”

”Normal? Perhaps.” On Lann’s calm face, there was no sign of fluctuation. ”But after these eyes witnessed more during this war, there’s only one thing I think now——”

”I can do more.”

After slight silence, the biological AI responded as usual.

”Then... mission accepted, I will strive for the path you have chosen.”

Lann nodded.

”Thank you, Mentos.”

”I will be at your service at any time.”

-----------------

A knight’s hoofbeats ’clattered’ as he returned from the forest beside the road.

In front of him was a vast, intimidating Niflgaard Army, their armor gleaming ruthless and cold.

As the saying goes, when people number ten thousand, they are boundless. Although the army under Duke Adal Epp Darcy’s order isn’t a full ten thousand.

Yet they all wore armor that enlarged their physiques by more than a circle, and among them were precisely five hundred knights of the Nausicca Cavalry Squad!

When looking over this scene, it resembled a murderous black ocean.

These soldiers had just retreated from the battlefield of the Battle of Sodden to rest.

They had just won a victory, and rather than saying it was a victory, it was more like a one-sided massacre!

So these military men naturally carried an overwhelming arrogance, and a bloody scent was seeping from their eyeballs.

The Nausicca Cavalry Squad had a habit of chopping off the heads of enemies they killed and hanging them on their saddles.

Using the enemy’s own hair.

Until the flesh began to rot, they would then deal with these heads to prevent sickness for themselves and their warhorses.

But it was now the cold, non-decaying winter season, so each saddle of the Nausicca Cavalry Squad was hung with at least three or four human heads.

Severed at the neck, showing the ghastly white of bone at the cut. Eyes were open, but only shriveled, ashen eyeballs remained due to moisture loss.

Though Duke Adal disapproved of this habit, considering these knights were proper Niflgaard people, he rode with them regardless.

The heads of dead men were easier to endure than peasants from the countryside.

This force, comparable to the entire military strength of small northern countries, marched slowly on the avenue, waiting for scouts ahead to send back information for timely route adjustments.

”...Didn’t see wrong? Ha, they’re certainly celebrating too early.”

Darkley was in charge of connecting with the scouting information. Standing before such a powerful military force, he felt even more invigorated.

The thrill of power felt wonderful to him.

The scout went out again, while Darkley went to Duke Adal’s side to report.

”No mistake, sir. That group of refugees, thinking they are about to be ’saved,’ are not even considering hiding their traces at all; they’re just rushing to the border line.”

Darkley’s face showed a mocking smile, as though watching a performance of animals.

”Bits of cloth hanging, scattered items along the road... apart from this lucky group, I guess no other refugee group has this number.”

”And their current position?”

Duke Adal waved his hand dismissively, a group of refugees wasn’t worth his attention, just maggots.

What he cared about was the target among the ’pile of maggots.’

”The route is clear, sir. They will rush all the way to here.”

Darkley pointed at the map, a circular hill with only one opening.

Duke Adal acknowledged, adjusted his gold-edged black helmet.

”They even know to use terrain for some delay during the final sprint against pursuers... there’s a smart one among them.”

”But no matter how smart, intelligence requires support. If this was before the end of the Battle of Sodden, this place indeed wouldn’t be under our control. But after the Northern Army’s defeat...”

”Ha! Those savages carrying iron sheets and dressed in iron skins could be called an army? Redania’s Red Eagle Cavalry surrounded by Yaden infantry left them no space to pick up speed, and Codwin’s crossbow arrows fell on Temeria’s White Lily without coordination. These jokes I could tell for a lifetime.”

In Duke Adal’s disdain for the Northern Army, Darkley showed a complimentary smile.