Bear School Astartes

The fur merchant was taken over by the military doctor, and Lann also prescribed medicine specifically for him. The method and ingredients for the medicine were not complex, and the military doctor said he could manage it. Moreover, this medicine would also benefit the wounded here.

After stepping out of the room where the wounded were located, the expression of the leading soldier became much calmer.

Although he still looked visibly tense around Lann, it was much better than his initial stuttering appearance.

”Two soldiers here died, including the ones just sent out.”

”Additionally, two of our reinforcements also died, and two others were... from the other side.”

Six corpses covered in white cloth were placed outside the room, and the soldier spoke to Lann.

”Would you like to see them?” Before the Demon Hunter could respond, he arrived beside the corpses and lifted a corner of the white cloth.

”...Elves?”

Lann said with a touch of surprise.

”Of course, elves.” The soldier said with complete certainty, ”The Squirrel Faction.”

”This name is so strange, is there any explanation for it?”

”Yes, Sir. The name is strange.” The soldier explained to Lann.

”But this is their ancient language appellation for themselves. Some say it’s because they always wear a squirrel tail as an ornament. Others say it’s because they live in the forest and usually survive on nuts.”

”But I can only say... they’re causing more and more trouble.”

The soldier put the white cloth back, wiping his palms on his waistcoat.

”Come on, Sir. Sorry for wasting your time, you shouldn’t have been chatting with a low-level officer like me for so long.”

”No, I appreciate it.” Lann shook his head, ”Earlier, I had no idea what Squirrel Faction meant.”

”Seems like you’ve been out of the civilized world for a while, hunting monsters in the wilderness?”

”Sort of, it wasn’t an easy journey.”

Later, the soldier introduced Lann to the commander of their unit, a knight.

The knight saluted out of courtesy to the Duke of Sintra.

But Lann could feel that this knight, unlike his men, didn’t maintain respect towards him.

He also didn’t seem like someone who had experienced the battle of Sodden Mountain.

On the contrary, the respect his subordinates showed towards Lann made him somewhat repelled by the Demon Hunter.

The conversation was not pleasant, at best lukewarm.

Thankfully, Lann wasn’t expecting much; his identity was confirmed and recognized by the Northern Territories.

He was only here to spend the night and avoid the rain.

”Squirrel Faction.”

Under the eaves, watching the rain drip, the Demon Hunter pondered this term he had only just rediscovered today.

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

The next morning, after being washed by the spring rain, the sky was bright.

And Lann rode away on the Qilin under the wary eyes of most soldiers.

His stories indeed continued to be sung, and his war deeds at Sodden Mountain were truly exciting and honorable.

But this is a Magic Middle Ages; people who hadn’t fought alongside him were still skeptical about those stories and descriptions.

Or rather curious.

These soldiers were more curious and concerned about Lann’s physique and appearance than debating the truth or exaggeration of those stories.

After all, a story is just a story, let alone one that has been passed through countless hands.

People might cheer loudly, get passionate listening to it, but when the protagonist of the story appears in front of them, most people would likely remain rational.

Only a very few would maintain the same irrational enthusiasm they had while listening to the story.

Heading towards Gos Velen, Lann figured the Qilin would reach there today anyway, so he took a detour.

He went to Auridon to visit his old friends from this small fishing village.

Thanks to his past contribution in developing the fishing waters and Duke Steza’s ’sudden death’, the villagers’ lives improved greatly.

While running around Velen, Lann would occasionally return to have a drink. So, they all maintained a familiar relationship.

Hunter Bernie’s son, and the blacksmith’s son who once repaired Lann’s Silver Sword, now worked as assistants in the Valerian Steel Workshop in Gos Velen.

They could even send money home every month.

Lady Donna was planning to have White look for a job there in a few days.

Upon hearing this, Lann assured he would find a reliable master to guide Little White.

”I heard that Sir Viserad wants to refurbish the tower on the Lake Center Island as a villa.”

Old Allen had gained quite a few white hairs over the years, and he complained to Lann.

”I don’t know what’s so good about living on that broken island. He can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn’t make us do the work.”

”He won’t force you to work for him; even if he asks, he’ll negotiate the pay.”

Lann, looking exasperated, reassured the old man’s worries.

”Viserad has made a lot of money in the Valerian Steel business; wanting to build another villa is normal.”

The Valerian Steel business is now arguably the biggest interest in the province of Velen.

For the sake of technical confidentiality, the output of the Valyrian Steel Billet must be controlled right under the eyes of the Airetusa Academy, specifically in the workshop of Gos Velen.

Although Gos Velen is also a port city, it’s not always convenient for the places that need Valerian steel to receive shipments via waterways.

Caravans and convoys have to travel all the way to the westernmost part of Velen to reach Gos Velen, pay their dues and collect their goods.

Foot traffic means business, means money!

The business taxes from Valerian steel have directly caused the total tax revenue of Velen, Temeria’s poorest province, to double over the past year.

Now, many villages along the trade routes, which were barely surviving in Velen’s harsh environment, have gradually started opening taverns and inns.

Villages along the road have also begun to frequently hire Demon Hunters to clear monsters along the roads before and after their villages to ensure road safety.

The so-called economy, when a vibrant and promising profit point appears, it naturally drives a large number of industries to develop positively.

A powerful Demon Hunter facing Velen, this impoverished and dangerous ecological environment, is utterly helpless. So what if they kill the monsters around the village for free?

The Demon Hunter satisfies his sense of justice, pats his butt, and leaves, but the villagers still have to make a living here.

Money doesn’t come from nowhere, nor does a living that can sustain people’s lives.

But a new industry can indeed change this miserable life.

Viserad certainly profited quite a bit from it as well. The funds for refurbishing the tower on the central island of Lake Oredon likely came from this.

Old Allen was purely worried for nothing because he understood nothing.

Just looking at the fact that Veltrest never repartitioned Oredon after taking down Steza, Viserad wouldn’t dare touch this small fishing village.

But why expect an uneducated old man to see through the essence of things?

Lann drank the last sip of Livia cherry beer from a brand-new wooden mug and bid farewell to Old Allen and the bartender.

He greeted others as he left the village.

This small fishing village built at the edge of the lake had many new barrels and fishing nets, and even the signpost at the village entrance was new.

A few kids were at the village entrance, playing around with the Qilin and Rong Buqiu.

Rong Buqiu was a bit helpless since it had to keep the kids from messing with the well-organized leather while not coming off as too fierce.

Luckily, Lann’s arrival saved it and the Qilin.

After scaring the group of kids away with a racket, Lann and company set off again and soon reached near the walls of Gos Velen City.

The Demon Hunter’s estimate was spot on; they arrived in the afternoon.

As usual, they didn’t enter the increasingly bustling city through the main gate but had the Qilin take a water route, navigating a large circle.

Circling to the back of the large reef where Airetusa Academy is located, they reached the secret room and landed on shore.

”Splash~”

The Qilin had long been impatiently bucking.

The bundles of wolf pelts, dragon pelts, wolf teeth, and dragon scales tied to its back were not heavy but quite voluminous, making it very uncomfortable.

But according to Lann, these dragon scales were also meant to provide it with some armor, so the Qilin obediently carried them all the way.

Now that they had arrived, it didn’t want to carry them any longer.

”Don’t rush, don’t rush! We’re unloading for you!”

”Qilin, you’re too weak, meow!”

Its hooves tapped repeatedly on the rocky floor as the Qilin shifted orientation to let Lann and Rong Buqiu unload its burdens.

The secret passage maintained by magic kept a constant temperature and humidity, and the bed and display cabinet inside exuded a homey warmth under the glow of candles.

Even during high tide, the sea waves could not encroach inside, with only the unceasing sound of waves breaking filling the air.

Finally setting the bundle of dragon hides wrapped in wolf pelts on the floor, the Demon Hunter and the Elu Cat both exhaled a sigh of relief.

Rong Buqiu relaxed because the task was done, but Lann felt a sense of inner relief.

Gos Velen and Airetusa, this city and the Female Warlock Academy within it, had become a regular ’intermission’ stop during his journey through the many dangerous worlds.

They provided him with a sense of security, a feeling of being in a safe zone.

Although the fish market in Gos Velen still had a strong stench and was extremely noisy, and the students or professors at Airetusa would still gleam in the eyes when seeing him...

”But those issues are all too easy to handle compared to others, right, Rong Buqiu?”

”Meow?”

Sitting on the ground, handling a large package it had placed in the secret passage, the cat turned back doubtfully.

Only to see the Demon Hunter waving with a smile.

So it lifted its hind leg, scratched the back of its neck, and then continued with organizing.

As the journey progresses and with Rong Buqiu’s own growth, its spoils, memorabilia, and battle supplies increased in volume, eventually necessitating a big package by Lann’s display cabinet for placement.

Seeing the Elu Cat diligently sorting its harvest, Lann also walked to his display cabinet. After opening it, he adjusted the headpiece of the doll he brought from Yan’an.

But just then...

”Welcome back, dear.”

A leisurely, alluring voice floated from the entrance of the passage.

Causing the Demon Hunter to raise an eyebrow.

The voice continued: ”But can you explain why... you’re missing a ring from your hand?”