Bear School Astartes

”Please forgive me.”

Walking happily ahead and leading the way, Tom Bombadil repeated once more.

”Please forgive me, guests from afar.”

This forest didn’t seem ’friendly’, with many shadows cast by branches covering the path, and on these trees, most had twisted, overgrown wooden knots.

Just like that old willow tree, after looking at it for a long time, these wooden knots seemed to have a bit of a human face’s outline, glaring down menacingly at the people passing by on the path.

But Lann only occasionally glanced around, whereas the Qilin and Rong Buqiu following behind appeared to be on high alert due to the old willow tree, watching the surrounding trees warily.

As if afraid more branches, like living things, might suddenly strike out.

”No, Old Tom.” Lann said softly, ”What is it you want me to forgive? I don’t quite understand.”

”Ah...” Tom Bombadil scratched his forehead under the brim of his pointed hat with a somewhat awkward smile.

”Please forgive me for bringing you here, but when I went out to prepare to receive you, I got distracted by the flowers and grass along the way, completely forgetting the main task.”

Old Tom said apologetically.

If in the Magic Middle Ages, an old man who could silently disperse the thunderclouds summoned by a Qilin and harshly thrash an ancient Tree-man with a wooden stick, making it look like a reprimanded grandson,

told Lann he forgot his main task because he was enjoying the scenery, Lann probably wouldn’t believe him.

Yet strangely, following Old Tom, Lann found this claim didn’t feel out of place at all.

The little old man walked ahead of the tall Demon Hunter lightly and happily, as if simply walking brought him joy.

This person had a unique temperament, which even made Lann feel relaxed and happy.

Moreover... ’I brought you here’?

”Tom, do you mean... you modified the celestial sphere’s connection points?”

The words were clear, so Lann was not pretending to be confused.

If facing ordinary natives, Lann would likely claim he was ’from a distant land’, which usually worked quite well.

”Do you call this phenomenon the [Celestial Sphere Confluence]? Uh, that’s not very accurate, after all, this world wasn’t spherical many years ago, but rather sky round and ground square!”

Tom lifted the brim of his hat to turn around, revealing a kindly and joyful smile to Lann.

”I call it ’the little splash of the Void Realm’.”

”A matter of names.” Lann shrugged indifferently, a simple move that caused Tom to burst into laughter.

The Lady of the Lake said she made friends in this world, presumably a very long time ago.

But at least it indicates that this world doesn’t have an absolute hostility towards visitors from beyond.

This is one of the reasons Lann directly told the truth to Tom.

Walking with Tom Bombadil, probably no one would feel awkward or reserved. Although Lann has only known him for a few minutes, talking with him was natural and pleasant, without the fatigue of forcefully finding topics or being wary of the atmosphere.

However, the Qilin and Rong Buqiu always observed their surroundings, appearing a bit weary.

As they walked, the path’s slope started to rise, and the sound of flowing water reached their ears.

The previously felt ’unfriendliness’ in the woods vanished without a trace, as the forest ended and they stepped onto a circle of green grass.

The meandering river here turned rapid, seemingly joyfully welcoming their arrival.

At Tom’s enthusiastic invitation, Lann stepped forward to the grassy area. This grass was soft and tidy, evidently tended regularly.

The path now became a lovely stone-paved road, leading all the way to the top of a round hill, then to another hill top... up and down leading to a place of warm light.

Tom was enthusiastic and hospitable, as good a host as one could be.

He led the Demon Hunter, Ancient Dragon, and Elu Cat to the place of that light, which was Tom Bombadil’s home.

As they stepped onto the stone-paved path, a crisp and pleasing singing voice wafted over, nearly as beautiful as the babbling brook.

”Ah! Jin Mei is also welcoming you, guests! Come quickly!”

Amidst the singing, though they had only been in this world for a few hours, Lann and the others already heard three songs.

The old willow used singing to cast illusions and bewilder the mind, Tom always sang joyfully, and now came a beautiful voice.

They walked over the path, and at Tom’s invitation, Rong Buqiu and Lann entered the house.

The Qilin was not led to the stable; Old Tom opened the living room window and, beside it, prepared a cozy thick cushion for the Qilin.

It was indeed very thoughtful care.

Rong Buqiu stood in the foyer curiously looking up, while Lann had to slightly lower his head to avoid the oil lamp hanging from the ceiling.

It was a long low room, lit by both the oil lamp and candles on the table emitting a warm glow.

At the other end of the room, a woman sat on a chair facing the door.

She had shoulder-length golden hair that shimmered with light, her green long dress decorated with silver threads that sparkled like dewdrops. At her feet were many ceramic pots, inside which beautiful fragrant lotuses floated.

Lann and Rong Buqiu almost had the feeling she was floating in a lotus pond.

”Quickly come in, my dear guests!”

Her voice matched the enchanting song from before.

”Hello, beautiful lady.”

Lann slightly bowed forward to greet her.

But while his manner was impeccable, Rong Buqiu was less composed.

The little cat became flustered and let out a gentle ’meow’, looking at its leader helplessly.

It felt awkward, thinking it was merely stopping by a simple woodland cabin for some water, only to be greeted by a figure akin to an Elf Queen.

Yet, before Rong Buqiu’s paws could awkwardly protrude from its little pads, the hostess gracefully stepped past the water basin at their feet, approaching them as the hem of her dress gently played a melody akin to wind brushing against riverbank flower beds.

She first looked up with a smile at Lann, then squatted down to hold Rong Buqiu’s forepaws.

”Please, make yourselves comfortable.” She led Rong Buqiu to the dining table, just as the Qilin’s large head extended through the nearby window.

”I am the River Maiden, Jin Mei.”

Jin Mei looked at the Qilin and Rong Buqiu.

”It seems you are still wary of those wild beasts outside? Don’t worry, for you are under the protection of Tom Bombadil here!”

Her tone carried an air of assurance as she proclaimed so.

”River Maiden,” ”Protection”... these unusual words made Lann understand something in his heart.

”Sit, sit! Let us take care of you!”

Tom called out enthusiastically, bustling around with Jin Mei. Though Jin Mei’s movements were as graceful as dance, evoking a sense of musical accompaniment in those watching.

Old Tom was boisterous and lively. Undeniably, despite their differing styles, they always complemented each other perfectly.

The Qilin also peered inside, its hooves clacking loudly on the wooden floor outside.

Then it tilted its head, its horns knocking against the window frame with a ’bang,’ followed by its own timid exclamation.

”Oh, it seems our friend is a bit uncomfortable outside, come, let Old Tom adjust it.”

Saying this, Tom waddled out on his stubby legs, humming a tune.

”Old Tom is a happy fellow~ wearing a light blue coat~ warm yellow boots~”

”Lady Jin Mei, please pardon my ignorant question.”

Lann redirected his gaze from the short figure that had just exited, speaking cautiously after deliberating on the address.

Jin Mei smiled at Lann while placing plates on the polished blackwood table that gleamed.

”I roughly have an idea, but still wish to confirm with you...”

Lann tucked his silver hair behind his ear, earning an appreciative glance from Jin Mei.

The Demon Hunter smiled earnestly as he asked.

”Tom Bombadil, this name, what kind of person is he exactly?”

”It’s him.” Jin Mei maintained her graceful smile and movements. ”You saw the man walking out... master of the forest, waterways, and hills.”

”Does the entirety of this ’forest, waterways, and hills’ belong to him?”

”Of course not, dear guest.”

Jin Mei’s smile faded for the first time since their meeting.

”That would be too burdensome... Every creature born and raised here has its autonomy. Tom Bombadil is simply a master. No force can interfere with him; he is merely a master.”

”That description seems excessively poetic.”

Lann spoke as he took the silver utensils offered by Jin Mei, helping Rong Buqiu arrange its place setting.

”It’s great for poetry, but for an introduction... forgive me, I’m not quite able to comprehend.”

”Then, why not ask him yourself? He’ll certainly speak candidly to you.”

Jin Mei smiled kindly.

”Indeed! Why not directly ask me?”

Old Tom pushed the door open with a ’creak’, proudly striding back inside despite his short stature.

”Besides, what’s wrong with poetry? Poetry and music, if you ask me, nothing in this world is more uplifting!”

”Jin Mei! Are we ready to feast? Is the table filled with yellow cheese, pure honey, white bread, and fresh cream?”

”Of course, everything is prepared.”

Jin Mei pulled out a chair for Tom, who promptly hopped onto it, turning back to Jin Mei with a grateful smile.

”Then eat heartily, guests. Eat, drink, chat, and get acquainted... Ha! It’s been ages since I’ve had guests!”