Bear School Astartes

Chapter 443: 443. Parting with the Griffin

They only stayed one night at the Royal Palace in Sintra before setting off early the next morning.

Ged got along quite well with the King of East; one was from the Curved Coast Duchy, the other from the Skellig Islands, and in the end, they even started discussing fishing techniques.

But due to his promise to Lann in the tomb, Ged needed to follow Lann into the Amel Mountains to find the Dwarf Settlement that collaborates with the Bear School.

He didn’t quite understand why Lann wasn’t willing to stay a little longer, but he followed anyway to keep his promise.

”What a pity, Sintra’s pork bone stew is absolutely amazing.”

Even as the group left Sintra City, Ged was still reminiscing with a smack of his lips.

The three Demon Hunters, along with the barber-surgeon who met them at the city gate, rode leisurely on the merchant road in the wilderness, four men on four horses.

”Just because of the pork bone stew?”

Regis had a teasing smile on his face.

”I remember that the women of Sintra are fiery and passionate. They especially fancy rugged, strong men like you.”

Ged scratched his cheek; after just one night without shaving, stubble was already sprouting on his face.

”There was a maid who seemed to take me to my room last night, and maybe did something. Unfortunately, I drank too much last night, didn’t feel a thing... They are indeed fiery and passionate.”

”From a survival standpoint, this is naturally an aesthetic tendency. Sintra, being on the front line of north-south conflicts, has a pervasive sense of crisis that makes women more inclined to find partners who can give them a sense of security.”

Regis expounded in an academic tone.

”Biologically, loud men with strong body odor and robust physiques are undoubtedly better choices.”

”Biologically?” Kohen frowned slightly at the term.

”We usually only use such terms when studying monster habits, but applying it to humans seems...”

Regis leaned slightly on his horse.

The mixed scent of herbs on him made the other three horses instinctively keep a distance, but the one under him seemed used to it, showing no reaction.

”Ah, if my wording offends you, please accept my apologies. But please understand, when discussing such matters, one cannot exclude the animalistic nature of humans.”

”No, I can understand this concept, it’s just I’m not used to this kind of academic language style, after all... You know, right? The daily life of Demon Hunters has little to do with this.”

Kohen nodded indifferently in response to Regis’s lean.

”That’s indeed the case.” Lann patted Bopai’s neck, joining the group’s conversation.

”Regis, I know you’re knowledgeable, but sprinkling academic terms into conversations with a group of rough men... Hmm, I’m honestly not sure if your emotional intelligence is high or low.”

”Again, I apologize, but this might be considered a habit of mine? Changing it may require significant effort.”

The three Demon Hunters could tell that Regis’s implied message was: I could change, but I don’t want to.

The three Demon Hunters exchanged a glance and shrugged.

”Cut it out!” Ged shouted in frustration. ”I thought our earlier conversation was about what’s under women’s skirts? How did it end up winding back to ’academics’! Oh, Meretelli, I can’t stand this antic!”

As they reached a fork in the road, Kohen tugged his reins, bringing his horse to a stop.

”Alright, everyone, time to end the joyous moments that Ged couldn’t bear; we part ways here.”

This Demon Hunter from the Griffin School, having received a knight’s standard education, smiled as he bowed to the other three from his horse.

Character can greatly overshadow appearance.

At least Ged thought so, as even the acne marks under Kohen’s beard seemed less noticeable now.

”I must thank Regis for the magic and medical care, and most importantly: for the witty yet rich conversations.”

Kohen bowed from left to right.

”And thank Ged as well; your bravery and passion have left a deep impression on me. Lastly...”

Kohen’s expression turned serious.

”Lann, I will do my utmost to fulfill your commission and deliver this letter promptly to our mutual friend, Geralt of Livia.”

Lann nodded.

”Sorry, Kohen. This matter is indeed urgent, yet I can’t allow the contents of this letter to be widely spread. After all, it involves vexing political conspiracies and bloodlines. I only wrote three letters; one I sent through my own channels to find Geralt, another was given to the Royal Spy of Sintra, and the third is with you.”

Sighing helplessly, Lann continued.

”I’ve left a way for Geralt to contact me, but that stubborn White Wolf hasn’t approached me even once... Hmph, I reckon he’s also scared of the answers he’d get from me that he doesn’t want. But no matter, the answer is the answer, an impartial one.”

Kohen nodded in understanding, patting his chest.

”I have no idea what’s written in this letter, nor will I peek. But as promised, I will deliver it as quickly as I can.”

”Thank you, Kohen.”

”No need for thanks. You’ve settled the bill; it’s not just friendly assistance, but a commission task. Hope to see you again in Ker Morhan, Lann.”

Of the seven hundred kroner commission fee, Lann took three hundred and allocated another hundred to Kohen. In the end, it was the Griffin School that earned the most.

Kohen’s horse gradually disappeared down the fork, its hooves kicking up mud and grass roots along the road.

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After watching the Demon Hunter from the Griffin School leave, the three-person team headed south from Sintra City.

The Amel Mountains lie across the Yaruga River; to get there, they must cross the river, which means... entering Niflgaard’s territory.

Decades ago, news of this Southern Empire was only discussed among the most knowledgeable and experienced in the Northern Countries.

But today, they’ve become an unavoidable issue for the Northern People.

Because they’ve annexed the entire south of this continent.

The smaller countries that once acted as buffers between the north and south have all become new provinces of Niflgaard, forcing the Northern People to unwillingly inherit a powerful new neighbor.

This annexation, at first glance, gave Lann a sense of déjà vu reminiscent of Qin Shi Huang unifying the six kingdoms, sounding both thrilling and exhilarating, as if heralding the dawn of a new era.

But when Lann truly interacted with the ’provincials’ from these annexed lands and understood their words and actions.

He could feel even clearer what the true nature of this southern behemoth was.

Just like now.