Bear School Astartes

Chapter 803: Chapter 786: Farewell

”There’s a rugged and winding mountain path on the outskirts of Kaer Morhen.”

Belengar swayed on horseback, explaining to the newcomers Lann, Rong Buqiu, and Qilin.

After more than a month of journeying, he had grown accustomed to disregarding appearances and treating the kitten and Qilin as wise creatures.

”This mountain path is essentially natural, without any artificial repairs, and even deliberately made more difficult. We call it the ’Killer Road,’ meant for newcomers to build their stamina and reflexes. Quite a few young men have broken their necks on this path.”

They had now reached the drawbridge over the moat of Kaer Morhen Castle.

Though the castle was in ruins, the once-mighty moat had gradually turned into a small stream, sprouting grass and wildflowers due to lack of maintenance.

Nevertheless, there was a ten-meter height difference to the ground, and members of the Wolf School typically used this bridge to enter and exit the castle.

”Are these the ones who broke their necks running the ’Killer Road’?”

Sitting on Qilin’s back, Lann, joined by Qilin and Rong Buqiu, all leaned their heads to the side, curious to look down.

At the bottom of the moat that had become a stream, there lay many scattered and misshapen human skeletons.

Even with Lann and Mentos’ sharp eyesight and analytical skills, these bones were so scattered that they couldn’t determine how many people had been thrown down here.

”These? These are not.” Belengar also leaned over from his side of the bridge, and upon seeing the skeletons submerged in grass and streams, he seemed to remember something and spoke.

”These are a warning.”

”What kind of warning, meow?”

Rong Buqiu shuffled to Lann’s other shoulder, getting closer to Belengar as he asked.

The Old Demon Hunter didn’t mind explaining:

”Like most Demon Hunter Schools, Kaer Morhen also faced a mob attack; almost everyone inside the castle was killed.”

”Were wizards involved back then?”

Lann suddenly turned his head to ask.

Unlike those from the Bear School, who had no emotional ties to their school or castle and quickly disbanded when trouble arose, the Wolf School demon hunters were united and felt a sense of belonging.

Considering Kaer Morhen’s terrain and structure... claiming that a mere mob could breach such a formidable castle seemed implausible.

The Heinkawei Castle of the Bear School, because of their immediate disbandment, had structures that remained undamaged during the mob attack, only to be looted inside.

Yet looking at Kaer Morhen in its current state of dilapidation, it obviously looks like remnants of a grand battle.

”Isn’t that obvious?” Belengar spat towards the moat, muttering under his breath.

”Without warlocks, without siege equipment, how could ordinary people break down the walls?”

”Even the propaganda materials used to incite the mob were from a nameless warlock’s demon hunter research, and the defamatory study is still circulating in the market, titled ’Monster Mutant, or a Description of Demon Hunters.’

As Belengar spoke and walked, they had reached the ruins of Kaer Morhen backed against a steep rockface.

Half-demolished trapezoidal walls, remnants of outer forts and castle gates, and the rough yet sturdy main tower of the castle.

As they crossed the drawbridge, the hoof-beats transitioned from ’thud-thud’ on thick wooden planks to ’clip-clop’ on stones.

Before them was an iron grille door, behind the weathered iron gate was a dark corridor.

These were installations for military defense, intended to deplete enemy forces during an attack.

But without sufficient manpower to operate, an unused military castle is just a tourist attraction.

”If I were you, I wouldn’t try any ’suddenly appear behind us’ tricks.”

Lann, riding Qilin, loud-spoken and without turning his head, declared.

”Geralt, none of us here are amateurs. Your footsteps may be light to ordinary ears, but at this moment, they are not light enough.”

Now officially in the front courtyard of Kaer Morhen Castle, this area was substantially wider than the bridge and corridors before, allowing Lann to turn Qilin around.

The tall and graceful steed turned its head, and behind them on the battlement, the ’White Wolf’ was sheathing his sword into the scabbard on his back.

Lann looked up and greeted the demon hunter on the battlement with a smile.

”Long time no see, White Wolf.”

”Indeed, long time no see.”

Geralt’s low, raspy voice remained distinct, his lips curled slightly upward.

He jumped down from the battlement, first landing on the stable roof below, then onto the ground.

Lann and Belengar also dismounted, and as they approached, Geralt and Lann simultaneously opened their arms for a brief hug.

It wasn’t sentimental; a pat on the back and they separated.

That was enough for them.

”Ha, how have you been?”

Geralt laughed with a touch of concern, probing.

Compared to Lann, Geralt was an elder; during the battle, he had sensed a disturbance in Lann’s spirit.

But now it seemed his worries were unfounded.

Lann laughed naturally and sincerely, with no hint of concealment or awkwardness. His smile instantly relieved Geralt of much of his concern.

”I’ve had a good rest.”

After greeting friends, Geralt turned to Belengar.

Although Geralt had long since received Belengar’s demon hunter steel and silver swords, surviving the war’s aftermath, he had heard of the rising reputation of this new steel.

But for the two Wolf School members, it was their first meeting.

”Master Belengar?”

Geralt tentatively inquired. After the Old Demon Hunter sized him up and nodded, it qualified as a response.

”Thank you for the swords... they’re amazing; I’ve never wielded anything so light yet strong and sharp.”

”This shows you’ve got some taste, and good luck too.”

The greeting between Wolf School members was less enthusiastic than Lann’s greeting of a Bear School member.

Yet Lann wasn’t surprised; Geralt was a reserved personality, and Belengar’s feelings towards his school were complex. Such a scenario was expected, familiarity would grow with exposure.

Geralt stepped forward to help, leading Bopai to the stables and starting to remove its saddle and gear, giving the horses relaxation.

He was experienced, having handled nearly a hundred horses at least.

When he attempted to assist Lann, the Bear School demon hunter politely declined.