Bear School Astartes

After listening to the Lady of the Lake describe things with an amused expression, Lann understood that the Goddess didn’t care about the comings and goings on Vizima Lake.

As long as she didn’t want to be seen, even if the Temerians overturned Black Seagull Island or drained Vizima Lake, they would never see the true form of the Goddess.

”Then I won’t do anything at all.”

Lann spread his hands and shrugged.

The Goddess nodded indifferently.

”Of course, I’m curious to see what other creative ideas they can come up with.”

The Demon Hunter shook his head at the Goddess’s playful mindset.

Judging by the events on Vizima Lake, Lann knew they had basically figured out the faith in the Lady of the Lake on Black Seagull Island.

An image of a deity upholding knightly spirit.

Thus the episodes playing out on Vizima Lake seemed like theatrical dramas.

But if theatrical acts were enough to win the Goddess’s favor, then such favor would seem too cheap.

The Lady of the Lake’s favor is simple to describe, showing knightly spirit is enough.

But is there ever a shortage of those who call themselves or are formally titled as knights?

Even in the Vizima City Hall, which secretary general doesn’t hold a knightly title?

Beyond titles, in terms of spirit and action, it’s not so simple.

Like in previous wars, even in the Niflgaard Legion, tens of thousands of soldiers, was there not a tale of heroic sacrifice?

Warriors who died upholding knightly honor?

Yet these people wouldn’t receive blessing or favor, because it was a war between humans.

One side’s legion might uphold noble spirit, does the other side not have it?

So which side should the Goddess support?

Should she grant more blessings to the side with more people of noble spirit?

But if a legion has numerous noble and steadfast warriors, can they not win without divine intervention?

The complexity of human society is not inferior to any divine being’s rules.

Thus, divine beings like the Lady of the Lake do not meddle in human wars.

Then those who can uphold knightly spirit are left to solitary individuals.

And the value and adherence to a particular spirit must be tested...

Harsh, even despairing tests.

Through testing, ’true gold’ is revealed.

Lann’s test was complete, and at the end of it, he banished an evil deity invading this world.

Through a series of actions before that, the virtues of knighthood shone through him.

Honor, wisdom, generosity, bravery, and compassion.

So the Lady of the Lake distorted Triss’s original teleportation technique and gave a cold shoulder to the Mirror Master Gant Odim, bringing Lann to her side.

If he had to liken it to others besides himself...

Lann scratched his cheek.

He thought it would take a journey like Geralt’s or Vesemir’s to be eligible for the Lady’s recognition.

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

After greeting the Lady of the Lake, Lann arrived at the Dusky Waters.

As usual, for the villagers’ comfort, the Qilin and Rong Buqiu had to stay outside.

The little cat and the ancient dragon were happy about it, busy digging at a big package.

The Qilin tried to taste green flowers and moss balls with its snout, but Rong Buqiu guarded them closely, hoping to see if they could be planted in this world.

This ’confrontation’ had been going on the entire way.

The two were at odds, paying no attention to Lann.

It was clear that the Elu Cat and the ancient dragon of the New Continent felt relieved after leaving the World of Fire.

Entering the village, the Demon Hunter found the once dirty fishing village had become much more prosperous.

At least the village tavern not only had a complete renovation but even the wooden exterior walls were painted.

Vivid paint depicted an image similar to the Lady of the Lake statue on the tideflat outside the village.

Inside, candlelight turned the dim interior into warm tones.

Onions, potatoes, and garlic were bundled into wreaths, hanging on the tavern’s wooden support columns.

The tavern owner, now dressed in a new silk puff-sleeve tight shirt, spotted his major customer instantly.

”Aha!”

He tossed the towel he was wiping glasses with over his shoulder and cheered.

”Master! Master Lann!”

Lann, who was lowering his head to enter through the door, raised his hand in greeting.

”Hello, Gatis.”

The tavern owner looked even more pleased.

”You actually remember my name?!”

”Why not? I remember you looked like you were on your deathbed that day, telling me your name as if it were your last wish. That’s a memorable introduction.”

Gatis hurried to seat Lann while glancing around.

Now that Lann had grown completely apart from ordinary folk in stature, perhaps in the tavern owner’s eyes, sitting might conceal it a bit.

However, from Lann’s observation, of the five scattered people in the tavern, none seemed there to drink themselves into a stupor with alcohol.

They might be excellent intelligence agents, but without a doubt, their sensory sharpness can’t even compare to a regular Demon Hunter.

Gatis brought out a large cup, which had a layer of mist on it, clearly indicating it was chilled.

”What would you like to drink this time, Master? The Redania herbs from last time?”

”No.” Lann shook his head, recalling the bitter taste he was not accustomed to. ”Something sweet, a bit strong, thanks.”

”Then Niflgaard lemon liqueur, with an extra scoop of syrup!”

Holding his extra-large cup, Lann made no effort to hide his intentions.

He headed straight towards a table in the corner of the tavern.

A bald man with a monocle was sitting at that table.

”Long time no see, Taler.”

Lann sat across from him, smiling as he raised his cup.

Sitting in the corner, eating a plate of roasted garlic, the intelligence chief wiped his oily hands on himself and picked up his glass of beer.

”Yeah, long time no see, Master.” He spoke naturally, without any surprise. ”To long time no see.”

Lann took a sip of the Niflgaard lemon with syrup, and the sweetness made him feel very comfortable.

Taler, on the other hand, let out a cool breath after drinking.

”Puh~ Damn it, the cooling charm here works too well, the beer’s so cold it gives me a headache.”

As usual, he was full of foul language.

But after cursing, Taler lifted a finger, pointing towards the tavern owner with the hand holding his beer.

”You didn’t blame him, did you? We’re in the spy business, but Gatis is a decent person.”

”If I wanted to blame him, I would have done so last time. I’ve said before, I have no problem with straightforward interaction. Besides, Gatis couldn’t refuse you even if he wanted to. What’s the point of blaming him?”

”Fine. Damn it, I forgot, you’re also a decent person.”

Taler habitually downed another gulp of the cold beer, grimacing as the chill made his head twitch.

”Can’t you let it sit for a bit before drinking?”

Lann glanced at him and offered a suggestion.

But Taler declined.

”In this hot summer, beer chilled like this, I’ve only had it a few times in damn Vizima Palace. And now it’s free!”

Taler continued to complain with resentment, pressing his head to endure the pain.

Lann didn’t press further on this intelligence chief working for Veltrest.

The resentment from these wage workers seemed strong indeed.

Under the Demon Hunter’s palm, he pressed: ”Alright, as you wish, as you wish.”

”By the way, how are the post-war negotiations going?”

Lann’s intention was to change the subject, to divert this wage worker elder brother’s attention.

But the follow-up to this topic was truly surprising.

”Oh, everything is proceeding according to the process.” Taler said nonchalantly as he squeezed a soft clove from the oily roasted garlic and ate it.

”War, no matter how alarmist it sounds, is just that. Everyone’s quite familiar with it, after all, which country hasn’t been through war? Whether it’s a victory or a defeat.”

”It’s just that this time, Logueywen’s Viggo Fortez, that talented, handsome, and promising member of the Wizard Association, shone brilliantly in the negotiations.”

”But I think, Sir Lann, the first thing you should care about right now is not the concluded war negotiations.”

After finishing, Taler grinned at Lann.

That smile must have left a terrifying impression in the eyes of many intelligence agents.

After all, a bald intelligence chief with a monocle grinning at you is mostly not a good sign.

But Lann felt that Taler’s smile now looked more like he was watching a good show?

This wasn’t right!

There were no female warlocks around here!

Lann discreetly held the Roaring Bear Head Pendant on his neck, confirming he wasn’t mistaken.

”Then what should I care about?”

The Demon Hunter took a sip from his cup and asked curiously.

”Your savings, Sir Lann.” Taler uttered a word that didn’t resonate much with Lann.

However, the intelligence chief’s grin, watching the fun, made Lann pay attention.

”My... savings?”

With a ’creak’, a door from the row of guest rooms at the back of the tavern opened.

Though Margaret hadn’t been here for a long time, her hefty room rent was still effective.

But the room wasn’t the one Margaret had booked.

The person pushing the door open seemed very hesitant, and you could almost feel their emotions in the hesitant creak of the door.

And then, Lann’s gaze moved from the midway height of the opened door downwards, finally making out the person’s appearance.

The booming and fiery red beard was quite distinctive.

”Shilton?”

The Demon Hunter raised an eyebrow, feeling unclear.

Shilton Giancardi.

Originally a member of the Giancardi Bank in Gos Velen City, but later, wanting to make a name for himself, he eagerly joined the Valerian Steel Trading Company, a collaboration between Lann and Airetusa.

The Dwarf, originally enthusiastic and straightforward, now shuffled towards Lann’s table like a kid caught by their parents.