Bear School Astartes

”What did those Ares followers do?”

As they walked downstairs, Cassandra asked.

”You seem pretty angry.”

”They massacred many villages outside Athens, and not a single person capable of wielding a weapon existed in those villages...a bunch of scum who only know how to brutalize civilians.”

Lann said calmly.

”So I’ve been exploring caves during this time, and when dealing with them, I can let go completely. I hope you can do the same when the time comes.”

”Your actions clearing out Ares followers in the caves have received much praise; at least I’ve already heard about it several times since I arrived in Athens just a day ago.”

Cassandra sincerely admired.

”People are calling your actions the ’Cave Expedition.’”

As they spoke, they had reached the first level of Pericles’ Mansion, which was the courtyard where the banquet was held.

An older Herodotus, with streaks of gray in his hair and beard, immediately came up to them.

”Hello, Cassandra. The powerful mercenary traveler finally makes a grand entrance, though a bit late.”

He opened his arms and gently hugged Cassandra, who had changed into suitable attire.

Although the sky hadn’t yet turned dark, half of the usual Athenian banquet process had already taken place.

Ancient Athenians divided the banquet into two parts, the first for actual eating.

After the first part ended, a brief ceremony praising Dionysus would be held, entering the drinking stage—a time for drinking, socializing, and merrymaking.

During this time, wine would be poured into a giant communal wine vat, where spices would be added according to the host’s formula.

The wine formula for Pericles’ banquet was fifty cups of pure wine mixed with one cup of seawater, enhancing the wine’s flavor with the saltiness of the seawater.

Given Lann’s experience of tasting Margaret’s East of East and Aphrodisia’s flavor, the brewing techniques of the era seem quite coarse.

Yet Lann could effectively hide his true feelings in such social banquets, given that the Sons of the Emperor were quite adept at such things.

Herodotus greeted Cassandra, hugged her, but his eyes kept drifting to Lann behind the Hawk Trainer.

By looks alone, he stood out here too much, not to mention Herodotus’ understanding of him went beyond just appearance.

”Hello, I’m Herodotus, one of Pericles’ advisors.”

”You’ve chosen a suitable outfit for Cassandra, portraying a trustworthy demeanor, which is pivotal for gaining trust.”

Herodotus wore an Athenian blue and white robe at the banquet, with a warm smile.

Lann shook his extended hand, looking calm and peaceful.

This is yet another renowned figure.

Herodotus, the Father of Western Historiography.

”Cassandra is my friend as well; if she needs support in Athens, I’ll assist.”

”Even though I’ve just returned to Athens, I know you have more than just one friend at this banquet.”

Herodotus shook his head, looking at Lann with a surprised gaze.

”Phidias, Alcibiades, Aristophanes, and even wise Socrates! You seem to be able to befriend them all, and they always speak highly of you...I wonder if I’ve left Athens for a few months or several years?”

”I believe many of them are mutual friends of ours.”

Lann said as he placed his hand on Cassandra’s shoulder, visibly uneasy and somewhat restless in the banquet environment, turning her toward the many Athenians who had started drinking in the courtyard.

”But our main goal today is to find support for Cassandra, to deal with the Divine Teachings.”

”I have a hunch that you and I will get along well, but tonight, we ought to prioritize fulfilling our duties as Cassandra’s friends. Don’t you agree?”

Herodotus nodded courteously.

”I couldn’t agree more. Come, Cassandra. Let me briefly introduce some of the people at this banquet.”

”They may not look like it, but they truly are guiding the future direction with their insistently opinionated tongues.”

Cassandra, slightly awkward in the Athenian robe, was pushed into the courtyard of the banquet by Lann and Herodotus.

She raised her eyes, adorned as if with ink-colored stones, giving Lann a sideways glance.

And coincidentally, a person gulped down all the wine in his cup, his throat moving slightly a few times, then with an ’ugh,’ vomited out a large pool of pungent vomit.

Cassandra consequently gave Herodotus a peculiar look.

That look said it all: Are these ’people guiding the future with their tongues’?

Herodotus was slightly choked by the gaze, coughing lightly.

Lann picked up two amphoras from beside the communal wine vat, one filling with wine and the other with clear water.

He handed both amphoras to Cassandra, speaking casually.

”This way, you won’t waste too much time on these drunkards; before you ask anyone a question, first fill their cups. If someone requests to dilute the wine with a large amount of water first, then you’ve found someone worth asking.”

Herodotus covered his mouth, stopping his cough, and nodded in agreement: ”That’s a good method.”

”Oh~ alright.” Cassandra, who was pushed out by the two of them, sighed tiredly.

”A banquet should have people vomiting blood, not vomit poetry...the people at this banquet are far too delicate. I’m really not suited to it.”

Both Lann and Herodotus couldn’t help but purse their lips at the explosive opinion of the Hawk Trainer, glancing at each other behind Cassandra, confirming they felt the same.

”Does Pericles not attend the banquets he hosts? Wouldn’t it be better to ask him directly?”

Cassandra seemed not too keen on Athenian-style banquets.

”Pericles never attends his own banquets.” Herodotus explained to her. ”But you’ve reminded me, I should find him. I’ll relay what your brother said to Pericles when no one else is around; right now seems like the perfect time.”

Lann also carried an amphora, walking to another side.

There was a man there, bushy, short, and stout, leisurely rendering the people around him speechless.

”I’ll first occupy Socrates; otherwise, this guy can give everyone at the banquet who’s not yet drunk a headache.”

”Socrates, tsk tsk.” Cassandra mused. ”That’s not going to be easy.”

”Who says it isn’t?” Lann shrugged, then his joking demeanor turned slightly serious, reminding Cassandra.

”Remember not to drink too much, Cassandra. Don’t forget what I told you about the ’prey.’