Bear School Astartes

”Blue light spots invisible to the common eye... what do they guide...”

The Commander-in-Chief pinched his chin, frowning and murmuring.

Lann had mentioned this phenomenon during the Molten Mountain Dragon interception battle.

At that time, they remembered it, but couldn’t confirm if this was a phenomenon unique to the ecosystem of the New Continent.

After all, this world is home to countless magical creatures and environments, where interactions between the two can occur.

And this is a whole continent, where effective exploration by thousands of humans has only spanned a few decades.

Discovering completely unseen phenomena is quite a normal situation.

We can’t hastily conclude it’s related to the abnormal activities of Ancient Dragons just because it coincides with the anomalies of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

But if we add this incident...

Although the Flame King Dragon likes the gunpowder of the Expedition Team, directly barging into a transfer base it has never visited is significantly different from its normal biological tendencies.

Researchers from the Ecological Research Institute had studied the Flame King Dragon during its days at the second arena.

They felt that the Flame King Dragon seemed a bit confused about its sense of direction at times.

But for creatures like Ancient Dragons, would their bodies really suffer from a loss of direction?

”If it’s an enchanting glow that can bewilder even Ancient Dragons...”

At this moment, the Sword Master, originally sitting behind the Commander-in-Chief serving as a pillar of combat power for the Star Base, straightened up, speaking in a low tone.

”Then this thing might...”

The Sword Master’s gruff, aged voice under the helmet trailed off.

Yet, the Commander-in-Chief, not turning his head, already mirrored a serious expression.

It seemed the two battle-hardened friends understood each other’s meaning without words.

To bewilder all kinds of Ancient Dragon species, this capability... must be possible only above ordinary Ancient Dragons.

And in the hunters’ rules, this kind of creature is usually referred to as—[Forbidden].

’Creatures that incite fear even when merely named among those aware.’

And the most lethal, and simultaneously the most well-known [Forbidden] monster...

The Commander-in-Chief and Sword Master instinctively turned their faces slightly toward a distant direction.

It was the Old Continent, the ruins of Ancient Civilization, in the direction of Ancient Shurette Royal City.

Why is it called ’Ancient Civilization’? Because the civilization has already perished.

And the ’thing’ that led to its demise still lurks there.

...Could it be that the New Continent also harbors such a ’thing’?

”This isn’t a trifling matter.”

The Sword Master, who rarely voiced opinions during meetings, stood up from the bench at this time.

This action left even Aibo, known for his strong nerves, a bit startled.

”It’s just a conjecture now.” The Commander shook his head first but then frowned deeply. ”Yet, if it’s related to [Forbidden], even a guess must be reported to the Guild.”

”When is the next supply squad’s ocean-going ship setting sail?”

”It’s still being prepared.” Aibo raised his hand and said, ”I heard it would be another half-month before it sets sail!”

What needs to be done at the Star Base is always open, given the limited number of people; when the workers know, it’s as if everyone knows.

Sometimes casual chats during meals are common.

And Aibo, who spends most of his time at the Weapon and Mountain Cat Pavilion reading books and writing notes while enjoying a plate of steak and chicken leg as ’snacks,’ could be considered well-informed.

”Setting sail after half a month means it won’t be back until half a year later.”

The Commander bowed his head, estimating the voyage of the ocean-going ship.

This journey is quite fast.

Because the Hunter’s Guild provides the Expedition Team with the best ocean-going ships and sailors.

Moreover, the craftsmanship of this world is actually remarkable, with materials technology being greatly exaggerated due to monster materials, enabling such efficient sea voyages.

In Lann’s home world, a sixteenth-century ocean-going ship undertaking such a route would have its voyage time plus mid-way resupply calculated by the year.

Involving [Forbidden] possibilities, the Commander dared not lightly issue even a cautious ’investigation’ order.

But the good news is, current investigation activities on the New Continent have not revealed particularly different from natural environment regions.

Though Ancient Dragons can alter environments, they generally follow their habits.

The Flame King Dragon is inclined to inhabit volcanic, high-temperature areas, while the Steel Dragon prefers mountain tops with constant gales...

So even though the Flame King Dragon passing through can produce lava, the Steel Dragon can drive storms without flapping wings.

Actually, their ability to alter the environment is not significant under normal circumstances since their habitat is already like that.

But [Forbidden] creatures, their environmental impact is distinctly stronger than ordinary Ancient Dragons.

”Proceed with regular investigation activities; do not overly explore the potentially existing [Forbidden].”

Finally, the Commander set the tone for this period.

”We need the experience and judgment of the guild’s support, and it would be best if there are records from the Old Continent, even if just a few words would help. Besides...”

The Commander-in-Chief raised his dark face, looking at Lann.

”As the only one among us who can see that ’invisible blue light,’ you should be leaving too, right?”

The Demon Hunter calmly nodded, affirming the Commander-in-Chief’s statement.

This time he returned to the New Continent; his main purpose was very clear: to handle the corpse of the Fog Nest Master Terror Dragon, request master artisans from both worlds to perfect his armor, and subsequently deal with driving away the Flame King Dragon.

Now everything is completed. According to Tishaya’s progress in theoretical research during this time, she has calculated that the tide of Chaos Magic Power in the Magical Middle Ages is also approaching.

So it’s time to leave.

At least, if the Investigation Team starts investigating the ’invisible blue light’ now, he will definitely miss it.

”Whether it’s this precious observational ability or this combat strength, it seems you’ve become an indispensable force for us.”

The Sword Master looked at the young Demon Hunter with his arms crossed, speaking with some nostalgia.

He still remembers the scene when Lann first met them.

At that time, the Demon Hunter was like a hedgehog that looked cute on the surface but was actually very tense mentally.

When they discovered he was an Otherworldly Person, his first reaction was to be on guard and prepared to attack.

But now...

Looking at the calm Lann, the Sword Master smiled beneath his helmet, as the now not-so-young but strong hunter exposed a grin.

”You have your ’prey,’ so let’s leave it at that.”

The Commander-in-Chief was equally gratified as he looked at the hunter he had ’special recruited’ into the Investigation Team.

”Once your ’hunt’ is completed and the information from the Old Continent arrives, we will then conduct a thorough investigation.”

After speaking, the stern black face of the Commander-in-Chief even cracked a smile.

”Of course, if that thing starts to act out first, we won’t wait for you.”

”Then let’s hope I can catch up.” Lann also smiled, shaking his head, ”I’m still very interested in it, whether it’s battle or research.”

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

After finishing discussing the Flame King Dragon and Flame Princess Dragon, Lann turned around and headed to the processing house on the second floor of Star Base.

Driving away the Flame King Dragon occupying the second arena was a task directly issued by the processing house, so he had to report it to them.

Inside the processing house, it looked the same as before; still lively and warm under the glow of the steel furnace.

Belengar and the leader of the second squad were still holding parts of the Grandmaster Bear School Armor that Lann had exchanged, seemingly deep in conversation.

Seeing Lann walk in, the two immediately approached with great interest.

After all, driving away a Flame King Dragon, with both Wende and Lann present, they never even considered failure.

What they were more interested in now was...

”How’s the performance of this set? And what about Wende’s?”

The solid arm of the second squad leader thumped against the armor on Lann’s arm.

At the same time, his single eye moved closer, examining the traces on this set of armor.

”No problem at all.” Lann cooperatively raised his hand, the dragon scale plates interlocking on the back of his hand expanded and contracted with the motion of his hand. ”It can withstand the Flame Princess Dragon’s fire, and its physical strength is very adequate.”

”Oh! I knew it! With our craftsmanship combined with such powerful materials, there’s no way it wouldn’t work!”

The leader of the second squad first laughed heartily with his arms crossed, but then he realized with a puzzled expression.

”Hmm? Flame Princess Dragon?”

Lann described the scenario of three ancient dragons squeezed into one arena, and the leader of the second squad, who was well-aware of the roles of the ancient dragons, grinded his teeth just from hearing the description.

Two Sun Flame Dragons, and one almost unleashed a [Supernova]... the arena he built truly almost turned into a volcano crater.

On the other hand, however, he and Belengar were quite proud.

Because the two sets of armor they created held their own in the battlefield where those three ancient dragons clashed.

Yes, the Fog Nest Master set was also made by them.

After all, the material from the Terror Tyrannosaurus, polluted by Chaos Magic Power and bearing curses, without guidance from professionals, even the headstrong leader of the second squad wouldn’t dare to handle it easily.

However, since Lann’s armor lost the vitality of dragon skin and scales, with Smaug very much dead.

The main technology was within Belengar’s expertise.

While the technology of the Fog Nest Master set is within the domain of the second squad leader.

During their mutual exchange and learning, each led the manufacturing process of one armor set.

It was evident that both of them gained much joy and progress through this exchange.

When notifying of his departure, Belengar felt a bit of regret.

However, there was no deep sorrow, since Lann was sure to return in the future, and the traveling process seemed quite convenient.

Finally, the leader of the second squad insisted on using the remaining time to have a good exchange with Belengar.

Lann could only find the apprentice of the processing house to double up on the ammunition for his nearly completed heavy crossbow, the [Roar of the Roaring Dragon].