Bear School Astartes

”Bury a box of Oren Coins in the castle ruins? I’m not saying this, Geralt. Your rich and thrilling life as a Demon Hunter has only given you this little bit of barren imagination?”

Faced with Lann’s sarcasm, Geralt remained unfazed.

Usually, when taking jobs, he wouldn’t be affected even if villagers spat on him, and now it was even less likely.

As expected, Lann, who was mocking Geralt, found it considerably less entertaining when Geralt didn’t retort or get prickly.

”Alright then.” The young Demon Hunter shrugged.

”Remember, I’m actually a Duke appointed in accordance with the law?”

At the beginning of the Battle of Sodden Mountain, the Sintra Palace Steward Hacksaw handed Lann a letter of appointment.

The crest on it was rigorous and lawful, exhibiting indisputable legitimacy.

The appointment read, ’Lann of Sintra is recognized as the legitimate Duke by Queen Calanthe of Sintra from the date of this appointment.’

Recalling that war and Hacksaw, both Lann and Geralt’s voices carried a hint of gloom.

But Lann was marginally better than the emotionally sensitive Geralt.

After participating in the war, the journey to the New Continent—the sincerity, enthusiasm, and the magical, vast nature of the new land healed his mind and body.

So Lann merely sighed and reminisced briefly before returning to his usual self.

”The territory of Sintra was not reclaimed in the post-war negotiations, and Niflgaard wasn’t going to give it up. Now, both the South and the North are exhausted mentally and physically; no one wants to break the peace after the disaster.”

”And Veltrest settled some of my Knights under the name ’Sintra Expeditionary Order’ in Temeria, along with a castle as their station.”

”That was to win you over.”

Geralt said calmly. Though his status was merely that of a Demon Hunter, he was involved in quite a few court and political events. Many people valued his swordsmanship, wanting him to cut someone’s throat at a banquet or meeting.

Therefore, having seen the reasons behind many issues, he had more insight into perceiving beyond appearances than ordinary people.

”It was also to appease you.”

Drawing in this unparalleled force that could charge through a battle involving tens of thousands was only natural.

Veltrest was even envied by other Northern Territories because Lann had connections in the Velen Province of Temeria.

But on the other hand, no one wanted to go to war again now.

The unprecedented battle involving tens of thousands caused many countries to not even show signs of economic recovery.

After all, too many people had died, and in an agricultural society, this sudden loss of human resources was hard to accept.

Veltrest also feared Lann because of his territory, driving towards the temporarily softening and settling Niflgaard Empire to provoke it.

”That’s right.”

Lann nodded, candidly expressing that everything Geralt thought of, he had too.

”So he gave me and my knights a castle. That place is called High Hill Castle.”

But accepting this castle didn’t really mean Lann would get along peacefully with Niflgaard.

Could a classical militaristic and slave-based Empire really be expected to know when to stop during expansion?

Not possible. Any slightest thought of ’stopping,’ even if Enshir Enriss is the Emperor of the Empire, revered as the ’White Flame Dancing on the Graves of His Enemies.’

But even he, should he dare entertain such a thought, would face death.

The entire Empire would see to it.

Because without expansion, militarism would collapse. Anyone not wishing to expand is the internal enemy of the entire Empire.

Now is a precious period of peace, but Lann believes... the Niflgaard people will not stay calm forever.

This was also why he let Meno Kuhorn go at the time.

They will inevitably confront each other again.

”The Embers Knight Order accepted logistical and financial support from Temeria.”

Lann said while stroking the Qilin’s mane.

”This was originally to prevent Veltrest from panicking, ordering them to accept it. For a small knight order with only sixty or so people, that’s a significant amount of money.”

”But now...”

At this, Lann’s expression showed a bit of embarrassment.

Now he has to temporarily withdraw the not-so-urgent funds from the knight order to patch up the gap in his cash flow.

”Oh, so this is your solution?”

Geralt laughed as well, teasing Lann.

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

The Velen region isn’t just damp, muddy swamps and misty, foetid forests; to the south of this area rise rugged, winding mountain peaks.

These mountains aren’t very high, with the highest, Bolder Mountain, at just over five hundred meters in altitude, but the massive oak trees growing on Bolder Mountain are very noticeable.

It’s said that beneath the massive oak trees of Bolder Mountain, a night feast is held every year, said to revolve around the three witches in Velen’s folklore, making for a lively scene.

The ancient castle granted to the Knight Order by Veltrest stands in distant view of Bolder Mountain.

It used to be a military outpost built on the mountain, gaining strategic advantage from its elevated position.

”Screech!”

On the horizon where the mountains meet the sky, a Royal Griffin with bristling feathers was spiraling through the air, letting out a sharp cry from its beak.

Geralt rode on Roach, while Lann rode on Qilin, with Rong Buqiu curiously watching the sky from Lann’s shoulder.

They all stood in the shadows of the woods at the downwind position.

The two Demon Hunters slightly raised the brims of their hoods, watching the griffin that was releasing its abundant energy through its calls.

This griffin was young, with robust and slightly gray-tinted black feathers.

Its strong body was even capable of lifting two armored soldiers into the sky.

However, to both Lann and Geralt, it was not a formidable opponent.

”A Royal Griffin, still looking for a lifelong mate... a young and irritable bachelor.”

Under the shade of the trees, Lann summed up the griffin’s characteristics in just a few words.

Geralt agreed with Lann’s observation.

”Once it gets bored, it’ll fly away. No need to tangle with it.”

The two Demon Hunters’ conclusions were right; the young griffin patrolling its territory soon flew away on its own.

The two continued to walk up the mountain.

The mountains of Velen were more like ’hills’ because, aside from being rugged, they were not very high.

Several tens to hundreds of meters of elevation slightly distanced them from the humid mist on the ground, making the air fresh and suitably humid.

The brightness of the flowers and grass was also better than on the plains.

There used to be only decaying wooden bridges over the streams flowing down the mountains, but now they were replaced with bridges that were obviously sturdier and newer.

”It seems your Knight Order is adapting well to life here?”

Geralt’s pupils contracted irregularly, activating the Demon Hunter’s senses to track traces.

”They’re all very capable.” Lann appeared unsurprised, ”Of course they would adapt.”

In fact, if every member of the Knight Order had a high level of initiative and collectively discussed and decided on matters,

then, in front of such a team, there would be very few environments they couldn’t adapt to.

Since its inception, the Embers Knight Order had always had a trend of taking Lann as a role model.

Even Lincoln, who was a subordinate commander and initially a mere child, later unconsciously mimicked Lann in word and deed.

The Knight Order had now moved into a mountain castle in the Velen Region, yet they didn’t let themselves become idle.

Along the way, the two Demon Hunters clearly saw signs of the team’s training, as well as their maintenance and repairs of the roads during their free time.

This left Geralt puzzled since he had never seen soldiers, except those specifically given engineering orders, repair anything.

To him, soldiers were roughly equivalent to strong-armed bandits.

This was the norm and common sense in the Magic Middle Ages.

Improving the environment around their station, renovating facilities... even for a Knight Order, this seemed overly... self-disciplined?

But Lann seemed quite natural; after all, this was how he led the Embers Knight Order before.

Unconsciously, under the influence of this exemplary effect, the Embers Knight Order was developing in a manner that made Lann feel both familiar and reassured.

The mountain wasn’t high, and it was easy for Roach to tread on the repaired mountain path, while Qilin found it even easier.

When the two Demon Hunters looked west from the mountain, spotting the gigantic crown of the oak tree on Bolder Mountain, they could also see a military fortress primarily composed of rocks atop them.

Lann leaned forward on horseback and grabbed Geralt’s shoulder, preventing him from moving closer.

And sure enough, the next moment...

”Whoosh!”

A crossbow arrow shot out from a firing slit in the fortress’s outer wall.

According to the trajectory given by Mentos, the landing point should have grazed past Lann and stuck in the ground beside Qilin’s hoof.

But Lann’s left hand suddenly blurred for a moment, and by the time it steadied again, the crossbow arrow was spinning in his hand.

”It’s even a Demon-Blocking Gold arrowhead, huh, not bad for vigilance.”

Lann stroked the arrowhead with his fingertips, chuckling lightly. Then, raising the crossbow arrow, he raised his voice towards the castle.

”It’s me! Can’t you use a different method to see through illusions next time?!”

Inside the castle, there was a brief silence, followed by a short yet intense cheer.

The sudden cheer even startled Geralt.

”Please forgive us, my lord.”

After the cheer, a voice filled with humor and excitement came from the firing slit.

”You always come and go, busy as a bee, but we have to inspect thoroughly!”

”Come on...” Lann pouted, taking off his hood. ”You make me feel like an enemy.”

Once the hood was down, Lann’s hair cascaded like liquid mercury from the hat, and his face was revealed.

The castle’s main structure was similar to the Raven’s Nest where the Governor of Velen once stayed.

A thick wooden door, five or six meters high, opened from the inside.

Lann patted Geralt on the shoulder, then led the way riding Qilin, clip-clopping into the castle.