Bear School Astartes

Stuart awkwardly looked at his fellow knights in the Knight Order, as it was the first time they had shown their true feelings about his disability in front of him.

Though the knights within the Embers Knight Order were once a group of very capable young soldiers from Sintra Kingdom, they did not understand much about psychology.

They merely followed Lann in numerous battles, gaining some experience in deducing the enemy’s mentality in the battlefield.

They didn’t know how to comfort their disabled brother, and instinctively avoided mentioning Stuart’s physical disability in daily conversations.

Until today.

Until Lann truly brought out an alchemical potion, recognized by him, that could transform ordinary people into Demon Hunters.

For the Embers Knights who fully trusted Lann, they could finally openly discuss with Stuart about his disability that was about to disappear.

These knights never regarded Stuart’s disabled body as something ugly or burdensome.

—They even admired it as a ’glorious mark after passing a trial’.

Stuart’s always gloomy expression froze in surprise, even his hand that was being slapped down lingered in midair for two seconds.

But then, he quickly composed his expression.

”...Say whatever you want.”

His jaw, supplemented with metal due to its deficiency, trembled as he tried his best to maintain an air of calm and indifference in his voice.

”Anyway... I just want to be first, damn it.”

Vallem and the other Embers Knights paid no mind to Stuart’s words, only teasingly chuckling.

Lann and Geralt sighed in relief because it was obvious that the suffocating gloom, verging on self-destruction and worrying temperament of Stuart, had dissipated greatly.

Though psychological healing takes time and needs to proceed slowly, as long as his disability no longer constantly restrains him or reminds him of the damage he has suffered.

Then recovery is just a matter of time.

”The potion that can help you pass the [Cyan Grass Trial] is called [Big Appetite Energy], which is a new alchemical formula I have developed.”

While speaking, Lann patted the box that Lincoln was holding beside him.

All the Embers Knights’ gazes were focused on that small wooden box.

”Not much I need to say, as I believe with your enthusiasm, you should have already learned somewhat about the process of becoming a Demon Hunter from Belengar Master or other sources.”

Lann glanced around at his knights, each confidently meeting his gaze.

Back when they went to the Ponta River Valley last time, the Embers Knights had already begun systematic learning of Demon Hunter knowledge.

Lincoln and the others even practiced Demon Hunter alchemy themselves, creating substances like [Corpse-Eating Organism Oil] and [Cursed Creature Oil].

With sword oil, Lann didn’t believe they hadn’t privately practiced making magic potions, alchemy bombs, and learned knowledge of Demon Hunter Magic Seals.

But without a body modified through mutation, they couldn’t completely handle the toxicity of magic potions nor generate Chaos Magic Power from normal bodily functions to wield Magic Seals.

At this level of learning, the Embers Knights were theoretically at a qualifying level for Demon Hunter Apprentice.

However, regarding monster knowledge, which requires the most time and experience accumulation plus extensive learning materials during the Demon Hunter Apprentice stage, they hadn’t been exposed much and didn’t care about it. After all, they’re not specifically monster killers.

”The mutation will begin in the next few days, adjust yourselves.”

Lann looked at them.

”Things are not peaceful now, you’ve all fully listened to my goals and ideas. Frankly speaking, we’re short on manpower in many places... powerful intervention manpower.”

The Embers Knights’ expressions became solemn and serious.

They all knew from the conversation within the elven ruins about their upcoming role orientation.

Supervisors and mediators in chaotic situations... inevitably this work involves secret death and covert fighting.

Because playing such roles invariably offends many, non-human races might think they’re protecting humans, while humans might think they’re favoring non-human races.

Neutrality and fairness, in other words, means keeping both sides dissatisfied but maintained just below breaking point.

After the supervisor secretly completes troublesome fights, they need to nonchalantly step forward again, showing they remain standing intact, and continue their work.

This is going to be difficult work, in any place, or any industry, obtaining the authority and prestige to uphold justice is always challenging.

But the Embers Knights had no intention of retreating.

”Moreover, even High Hill Castle itself is unsafe now.”

Yet Lann’s next words made the Embers Knights furrow their brows in tacit understanding.

They knew the Knight Order had already spread its turf wide, and indeed, it was the time they all needed manpower. But... even the fortress was unsafe?

What does this mean?

”Sir?” Lincoln straightforwardly asked from behind, ”Did we miss something?”

Lann instantly recognized the introspective tone in the secretary’s voice and waved his hand.

”No, it has nothing to do with your state; you haven’t overlooked anything. It’s just that... this time they’ve even figured out how Demon Hunters’ sensory perception works, so it’s normal for you not to notice.”

”Understood the Demon Hunters’ senses?”

This shocked all the Embers Knights, including Stuart.

The extraordinary senses of Demon Hunters were highly valued by the Embers Knights, making them even more urgent about the capabilities of the [Cyan Grass Trial].

Now... they have been understood?

Lann briefly explained the situation at the foot of the mountain to them, including the unknown enemies able to clearly analyze and target the visual and olfactory senses within the sensory perception of Demon Hunters.

”Should we increase patrol personnel?” Stuart promptly adjusted his mindset and asked cautiously.

”No, no need to increase; we should even act as usual.” Lann had a semi-smiling expression, ”Demon Hunters are so rare on the market now, yet even their sensory mechanisms have been figured out.”

”If they can even figure out this part, then the terrain of this mountain and your patrol patterns should have been clear long ago.”

”Coming to the fortress for reconnaissance,” Lincoln asked, his tone unknowingly cooling behind Lann, ”Whose people are they? What do they want?”

”It’s unclear whose people they are...” Lann said while casually turning his head to ask, ”How have the supplies from Temeria been delivered recently?”

Lincoln glanced at his superior: ”Everything is normal, with a delivery of three months’ worth of supplies at a time; the most recent was a month ago, and everything was in order.”

Lann nodded: ”I think so. Veltrest isn’t reckless and impulsive. If it were him, it would be inexplicable.”

”But at this point, asking whose people they are isn’t very meaningful,” Stuart said coldly, ”Since they’ve come with knowledge about us, conducting reconnaissance near a military-use castle, it’s already clear what they’ll do.”

Attack, assassination.

Stuart took a deep breath: ”Sir, I suggest we postpone the [Cyan Grass Trial]. The trial takes at least a week, and even if completed, the Trial Taker would be physically exhausted and weakened by the torture endured throughout that week.”

”I recall from Belengar Master’s memories that the Demon Hunter apprentices he used to see took at least three days after completing the trial to get out of bed and about a month to return to normal activity levels.”

Someone close to being driven mad by their own disability, who simply pretended to be normal, now voluntarily suggests postponing the chance to remove their disability.

Lann glanced at him, realizing that Stuart was actually ... a young man about his age.

In his early twenties, yet had already learned restraint.

The other Embers Knights, who initially were full of expectations for the [Cyan Grass Trial], also calmed down at this time, waiting for Lann’s decision.

Whether postponed or not, they had no opinion.

”But it can’t be postponed.” The young Demon Hunter said calmly, making the decision. ”If there were no pressing matters, this thing might be done quickly or slowly, and I wouldn’t mind.”

As he said ’this thing’, Lann knocked on the box in Lincoln’s hand with his knuckles, producing a thudding sound.

”But now, people are needed everywhere, urgently.”

”The Dark Alley Gang in Novigrad seems to have forgotten the pain of past wounds and is eager to strike. Yaden is already besieged and now their internal conflicts are increasingly severe.”

”We can wait, but the situation won’t.”

After clarifying the current circumstances, Lann calmly reiterated his decision to the Embers Knights.

”The [Cyan Grass Trial] will proceed as planned.”

”What about those people in the mountains?” Lincoln asked while recording Lann’s orders with his head down, ”They’ve figured out everything. Once they start attacking, they must feel confident.”

”Of course, with you and Master Rong Buqiu, Qilin, two Demon Hunter Masters here, I can’t imagine anything that can rival you in a small battlefield. But the Wizard Summit on Sandy Island is also about to convene, right?”

”You aren’t a wizard. Frankly, even among wizards, I haven’t heard of anyone who can perform duplication.”