Bear School Astartes

Chapter 821: Chapter 804: Exploration and Customization

”Slay a monster, then dig out long-abandoned treasures from its lair...”

The two men and a cat walked outside as Lann smacked his lips and talked.

”Isn’t that a bit too clichéd? Only old novels write like that, no one’s buying those kinds of stories now.”

”But this is reality, Mr. Lann. Rumble rumble~”

Geralt spoke with a voice devoid of any inflection as he shook the high-level Wolf School diagrams in his hand.

”Reality doesn’t care whether a certain plot is popular in the market; if it happens, it happens.”

Geralt always had this ability: he could speak in a hoarse, deep voice without a hint of emotion, making listeners feel he was being sarcastic.

As Lann pursed his lips, he confirmed once again that this guy’s career was bound to be full of suffering.

”Speaking of which, isn’t the Wolf School’s knowledge system the most intact?” Lann took the opportunity to stand by the shallow banks of the river, letting the water wash over his boots.

”And your diagrams are lost too?”

”Duplicating these high-level equipment diagrams is very troublesome, so old Demon Hunters who want to change their gear, if they’re not patient enough, will just take the diagrams out with them.”

Geralt tucked the diagram into his small bag.

”And then die outside.”

He pointed his thumb behind him, gesturing at the Sheep-Horned Demon’s lair.

”Vesemir couldn’t possibly take care of every piece of knowledge; he’s not well-versed in blacksmithing, so he can’t remember the diagrams for these pieces of equipment. Lost really means lost.”

Groups lacking in organizational and managerial capabilities tend to slowly fall apart over time due to various reasons.

”But isn’t this place way too close to Ker Morhan, and you haven’t noticed all this time?”

Lann pointed at the silhouette of the nearby mountain peaks.

At high altitudes in the Blue Mountain Region, there’s year-round snow, but now it’s midsummer, and many plants are already showing lush green leaves and colorful flowers.

Amidst the swirling mist, the vibrant colors of life entwined with the stark whiteness of snow, much like a painting, combining realism with a touch of hazy beauty.

The tattered main tower spire of Ker Morhan poked out from the mountain’s outline.

Being able to directly see the spire in these complex terrains where a turn can dramatically change the view, truly indicates a close distance.

Geralt shook his head with a complex expression.

”Ker Morhan... We actually only come back here to hibernate during winter. Throughout winter, other than hunting, we don’t go out much, nor do we care to wander around. So...”

So the lands surrounding Ker Morhan are conversely neglected and unexplored by the Demon Hunters.

This is likely also due to the Demon Hunters’ rejection of their own identity.

They loathed the Trial of the Grasses, thus also rejecting the place that trained and mutated them.

It’s only because Vesemir is here that they return each winter.

Lacking a spirit of exploration means treasures nearby will go undiscovered.

If Ciri didn’t need someone to care for her in the castle now, they wouldn’t even be around Ker Morhan in the summer.

”Seems I need to find some time to explore the surrounding caves and ruins. There should be plenty of forgotten treasures inside.”

Geralt shook his head, speaking helplessly.

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

After Belengar’s blacksmithing tools from his youth were retrieved, his anger dissipated by half.

It seems that regardless of being a Demon Hunter or an ordinary person, seeing traces of one’s youth always sparks a sense of longing as one grows older.

Although Vesemir’s skills have now been far surpassed by Belengar, in the past, he still provided some basic guidance during sword forging.

So setting up a blacksmith’s furnace was easy-peasy.

By the time Geralt and Lann came over with their belongings, Belengar could directly start working.

The news of a Grandmaster-level blacksmith forging swords attracted both Ciri and Lambert over.

As they arrived excitedly, they saw Belengar measuring Vesemir’s arm span and palms.

A good longsword must fit the physical measurements of the wielder; otherwise, movement may become awkward.

A sword that’s too long is hard to control and likely to strike the ground or other obstacles during movement.

A sword that’s too short is tantamount to instantly forfeiting precious attack distance in a duel.

This is also why military-grade swords are often not favored, as standard longswords come from a single mold, but those wielding them vary.

Weapons like long halberds, spears, and crossbows, which benefit from being longer with minimal individual differences affecting performance, are highly sought after military items due to their stable quality.

Geralt is currently using two swords smoothly, thanks to his build being similar to Belengar’s.

”Are you giving me a gift too?”

Vesemir said with a slight surprise, acting like a model trying on clothes while letting Belengar manipulate him.

”Who says old guys can’t receive gifts?”

Belengar, holding a tape measure, with a feather pen and paper on the table beside him for recording data.

”Tsk tsk, you used to carry two superb Wolf School swords on your back; decades have passed, look at the junk you’re carrying now?”

”I really doubt you’ll lose your life to those two pieces of trash someday. Before that day, I decide to save you.”

”Thank you, then.”

Vesemir sniffed his alcohol-flushed nose and smiled.

Who knows whether it’s because he’s about to receive two good swords or simply because it’s a gift from an old friend.

”I say, Belengar.” Lambert rubbed his hands in excitement by the blacksmith’s furnace and asked enthusiastically. ”What kind of sword are you forging now?”

”Is it that Valerian Steel sword that everyone on the continent is boasting about?”

Belengar glanced over his shoulder at Lambert, who was rubbing his hands like a fly.

At this moment, the Demon Hunter with a worrying hairline was mimicking the description he’d heard from minstrels, speaking with a tune as if singing a ditty.

”That magic-infused mysterious steel, deep as the night sky, with water-like patterns! Common steel is cut in one stroke, and even magical forces are no match!”

Belengar scratched his mouth corner and turned his head back.

It seems Shilton Giancardi’s marketing strategy and financial influence are quite effective... because this phrase was written by the minstrels hoping for rewards under his watch.

Even such a reclusive group as Demon Hunters has heard it; the promotional impact is evidently outstanding.

”Will you forge a batch of Valerian Steel here?”

Lambert asked expectantly.

”Not a batch of steel, but a few swords.”

Belengar said calmly.

Though he’s already prepared to give gifts to the Wolf School juniors, including Lambert, he still doesn’t like this sharp-tongued guy who’s at odds with Vesemir.