Bear School Astartes

Lann didn’t take it to heart and patted his chest where the Qilin had nudged him.

When he previously chopped off the Qilin’s azure horn, he used a sword blade, and the Qilin cooperated well, so the break of the crystal long horn was smooth, unlike last time when the Golden Lion forcibly broke it off, leaving jagged stubs like short swords.

But the Qilin wasn’t done; it acted persistently like a big dog, lowering its head to nudge Lann and deliberately showing him the broken horn on its head.

”Neeeigh!”

’How about it? Don’t you feel sorry for me? Hmm?’

The ancient dragon’s intent was conveyed through the mutated [Yakxi Rune].

”Then what do you want to do about it!” Lann pushed forward with both hands, pushing the Qilin’s persistent head away. ”I’d train you, but you always run off first!”

The Qilin’s ruby-like eyes turned, seeming to have hundreds of schemes, but its mind was still in a naive, empty state.

Thinking about it, Lann’s words seemed indeed reasonable.

Every time it followed the Demon Hunter to a new place, as long as the environment didn’t seem too dangerous, it would indulge its playfulness. Playing was more interesting than fighting and training.

After all, it was less than ten years old, a young Qilin indeed.

But after speaking, the Demon Hunter uncertainly patted the Qilin’s head again, which was now missing its azure horn.

”But...is it an illusion? Why do I feel you’ve adapted well to losing your horn now?”

”Last time, your legs were weak for at least a day, right?”

The Qilin also curiously tilted its head and stomped its hooves.

”Huff!”

’Don’t know, don’t care, it’s fine anyway.’

Changes in its body, as long as they don’t matter, the Qilin couldn’t care less—this was one of its traits.

But this was actually a good thing; originally, Lann thought about making a trailer to drag the unsteady-footed Qilin away.

Now it seemed the Qilin could even tow a cart.

And after the Qilin bounced away, Lann gently punched Smaug’s corpse.

The scales on this corpse remained hard, and the dragon skin beneath was still remarkably tough.

Undeniably, before being scorched by the Light of Airendil on the Lady of the Lake’s Sword, the material could withstand the Charging Slash of [Muddy Stream·Destruction] without any deformation, which indeed amazed Lann.

It also stirred a bit of an impulse in him to perhaps use Smaug’s body materials for something, especially since his armor was currently damaged.

This was why he didn’t leave the [Muddy Stream·Destruction] on the corpse last night.

He feared that if his Greatsword emptied out Smaug’s corpse, it might affect the properties of its scale armor material.

After all, whether Smaug’s extraordinary defense was linked to its soul or other aspects, Lann had no clue.

Anyway, now with the impending cold, the corpse still lay in the already-burned Long Lake Town and could stay for a few more days.

If Sorlin had already reignited the forge in the Lonely Mountain, he might even find some skilled armorers among the Dwarves returning to the Lonely Mountain Kingdom.

”Let’s go!”

Unable to wait to see his children, Bard shouted from not far behind Lann.

The Demon Hunter patted Smaug’s scale armor once more, turned around, and walked with Bard out of Long Lake Town.

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

On the northern shore of Long Lake extends a large foothill plain from the Lonely Mountain.

Although he had observed it many times from afar, Lann was setting foot on this land for the first time.

This land is now known as Smaug’s Wasteland.

The name originates naturally from the time long past when the evil dragon rampaged through the Lonely Mountain Region, slaughtering and destroying towns.

Before bearing this name, this was a prosperous and renowned area.

The rich pastures at the foothills of the gentle slopes were naturally suitable for grazing, filled with cattle and sheep.

The wealth of the Lonely Mountain attracted people of all kinds, who fortified roads and maintained trade.

Carts rolled day and night, carrying gold and gemstones mined from the Lonely Mountain.

The Dwarven craftsmen in Lonely Mountain, supported by abundant resources, generally had high skill levels, and their various handmade artworks were major trade items.

The toy market for the entire north of the continent was once centered at the base of the Lonely Mountain, making it a wonder in the Middle-earth Continent.

Countless people, whether free folk of the Lohann Kingdom or travelers from Gondor,

came here to glimpse the famed immense wealth, bringing an unending stream of vitality to this place.

But nowadays, Smaug’s wasteland lives up to its name.

No more pastures or grazing lands; even though the water source is still there, and the sunlight and temperature in the sky haven’t changed, this place has turned into a gravelly and earthen wasteland.

Occasionally, a few exceedingly resilient wild grasses sway in the wind, but their frailty and withering yellow do not impart a comforting sense of vitality, only a more profound sense of trepidation.

There once were lush green forests here, but now only occasionally a charred, carbonized stump remains, representing the sole trace of the forest’s existence.

”Just by looking at the ruins of River Valley City, I can roughly imagine the splendor of the city back then. But...”

Riding on the back of a Qilin, Lann spoke to Bard, who rode the other horse left by the Elves.

”Precisely because I can imagine this city’s splendor, the desolation surrounding the city now feels even more abnormal to me.”

”This land can barely sustain a small village.”

Bard shook his head, pulling at the reins. His ears had nearly recovered under the effects of [Early Stone of Revival], and he had returned the small Shield Emblem to Lann, so he could hear clearly and no longer needed to shout when speaking.

”Smaug destroyed this place.”

”Here used to be lush and bountiful, but the evil dragon’s aura lingered over this land for ages, destroying all life.”

”But it’s fine!”

Initially, Bard was very downcast, but soon he gathered his spirits.

”Smaug is dead now, and our people didn’t suffer too much loss. As long as people are around, it’s a good thing. Besides, we have gold!”

”As long as Sorlin keeps his promise and pays us the gold, we can rebuild our homes!”

Gold will bring trade flows, which will not only bring goods but also an endless stream of people.

The aura of order and light will dilute the dragon’s evil, and the conditions in this area are not bad. Once the evil dissipates, the land and water here will quickly regain vitality.

Just like in Radagast’s home, when dark forces invaded, the vegetation and animals began to wilt in an instant.

But once the dark forces were driven away, recovery would be swift.

Bard’s views are quite optimistic, but that’s not an issue.

Now that even the biggest scourge of the Lonely Mountain area, Smaug, is dead, their lives ought to improve, right? Being optimistic should be fine.

After Lann and Bard walked beyond Smaug’s Wasteland, the towering snow-capped mountain was very close to them.

River Valley City is built not far from the Lonely Mountain Kingdom, showing the harmony and trust once shared between Dwarves and Men.

Walking there takes less than an hour.

It had been a long time since so many people had gathered in River Valley City.

The buildings charred black, the impacted city walls shattered by dragon flames, and the towers opened up were filled with townspeople from Long Lake Town.

As soon as Lann and Bard appeared, the townspeople cheerfully erupted into cheers.

They surged out from the city gates, surrounding them at the center.

People laughed heartily and cheered, expressing their relief and gratitude.

Given the geography, the scene from last night at Long Lake Town, resembling a fire pit, was hard to miss.

And the sight of that dragon, wings spread enough to cover a fifth of the town, falling to the ground and not rising again was clearly seen by the townspeople.

Everyone knew the greatest scourge of the Lonely Mountain area was dead!

Just last night, they witnessed the birth of a dragon-slaying epic!

”Tell us, Bard! Tell us how you killed the dragon!”

As they surrounded them and walked towards the broken town, people shouted.

Bard smiled back at these cheerful and kind-hearted townsfolk, but his arms tightly embraced his three children who rushed out immediately.

And Lann, already dubbed the ”Dragon Slayer,” simply smiled and silently walked away.

These praises and respect are best left to Bard.

After all, among the refugees of Long Lake Town, Bard was already a person of great reputation, demonstrating his sense of responsibility and ability amid a series of emergencies.

He undoubtedly serves as a leader among these townspeople.

He could use this esteem.

Of course, if a legendary story were to emerge about an archer and a silver-haired warrior wielding a greatsword defeating the dragon together, Lann would feel a little proud too.

Lann still quite enjoys hearing others praise him.

It brings a sense of secret satisfaction.

And Lann, whistling, saw four dwarves near the gates of River Valley City, ready to leave the city with their packs.

Qi Li, shot in the leg, had nearly recovered thanks to the resilience of a dwarf’s physique.

His brother Philipp, along with Ouin and Bofur, were each wrapped in a blanket, weapons hanging on them, and they were preparing to leave the city lightly.

”Hey! Look, it’s Lann!”

Bofur’s beard twitched as he pointed to the Demon Hunter with a shout of joy.

The other dwarves shouted happily too, as they have always been of open character.

Lann waved back and walked towards them with a smile.

”Where are you headed?”

Since yesterday afternoon, the four dwarves had been helping the townspeople of Long Lake Town move to the relics of River Valley City.

Moreover, as few warriors among the townspeople, they voluntarily took up arms to act as guards last night.

In return, the townspeople shared precious food and blankets to keep them warm.

”We have to go to Lonely Mountain. Smaug rushed out, and I think the situation inside... may not be good.”

Bofur heard Lann’s question, and his bright smile unconsciously stopped, speaking with pursed lips.

”But no matter how bad it is, we should go in and take a look, even if Sorlin and the others have already... We should go in, and wrap up this long journey. Give them some dignity.”

”I think you could be more optimistic. Smaug was probably forced out yesterday.”

Lann patted Philipp’s shoulder beside him as he spoke.

”Maybe.”

But perhaps Smaug’s infamous reputation was too daunting, as Philipp didn’t dare harbor too many hopeful expectations, only responding gloomily to Lann’s reassurance.

Philipp regarded this as Lann’s consolation to them.

”But ultimately, we’ll only know by going inside.” Philipp forced himself to cheer up and managed a smile at the Demon Hunter.

”Once we’ve cleaned up Elbo, you must come visit the King’s Hall!”

”I’m looking forward to visiting Lonely Mountain then.”

The dwarves and the Demon Hunter pat each other as a farewell gesture.