Bear School Astartes

After Hacksaw decisively silenced Hilton, leaving him speechless and unable to resist, a group of people gradually exited the tent.

They mostly managed to maintain a semblance of dignity even in such difficult circumstances, with clean, tidy clothes and well-nourished appearances.

It seems they must be the ones with the most resources in this refugee group.

Merchants and property owners who were dragged into this by the war, apparently.

Originally, these people could eat and drink well and even protect their property while other civilians in the refugee group were on the brink of starvation.

But today, after Hacksaw made it clear that ”anyone in my way will die, including me,” it’s likely these people would give up their pathetic selfish desires.

”A surprising change, Mr. Hacksaw.”

Once those who managed logistics for the refugee group mostly left, Lann, standing on the edge of the tent and having witnessed the whole process, clapped lightly and commended in a soft voice.

”Compared to the previous impression, I almost thought some monster had twisted your mind.”

Hacksaw smiled calmly, making direct eye contact with Lann.

He did not reveal Lann’s identity, just as he did not reveal Ciri’s identity.

Currently, Lann, like Dandelion and Geralt, was not entirely sure of his ultimate intentions.

However, since there was an unwritten understanding, it might as well be maintained.

So Hacksaw responded.

”War, war is the most terrifying thing in this world, the most capable of twisting people’s minds, Master Bordeaux.”

”It’s a phenomenon worth worrying about if a person’s mind doesn’t become twisted or altered after experiencing war.”

When a person’s social status, wealth accumulation, and other interests are devoured by war.

When one witnesses familiar faces, friends, and relatives crushed under horses’ hooves...

Anyone scarred by the ravages of war can hardly return to their previous selves, even with a lifetime to heal their soul.

”Lesson learned.” Lann nodded after silently maintaining eye contact with Hacksaw for a while. ”I will remember it.”

This brief exchange was an acknowledgment of Lann joining the refugee group and being counted as an old acquaintance of Hacksaw’s, someone who could be trusted.

Next, the people remaining in the tent were those responsible for specific tactics and combat, concerning the next steps for the refugee group.

Thus, Hacksaw formally began the discussion meeting.

”Before we discuss which direction to send scouts for our next move, we first have to address tonight’s issue.”

Stuart stood up from beside his father, pointing at their current location on the map, and spoke in a solemn tone.

”Today, we sent out seven teams to search for supplies, but by now, it’s over an hour past the scheduled return time.”

”Yet, only one has returned.”

Then, the very young knight lifted his gaze to look at the three Demon Hunters.

Obviously, he was referring to them.

”The others... no news at all.”

”One seventh survival rate.” Lann said softly from the side. ”Isn’t this success rate unusually low? I guess this isn’t normal?”

In such a setting, Geralt and Ged were actually quite uncomfortable. Because traditional Demon Hunters always adhered to a principle of neutrality.

Neither ”caring about human national conflicts nor taking sides, just hunting monsters.”

But Lann wasn’t a traditional Demon Hunter, and he knew that when the general situation became increasingly acute, ”neutrality” no longer represented safety—

Both sides would consider you the enemy!

Consequently, both sides would want you dead.

So, even though he had just arrived today, at this meeting, Geralt and Ged subconsciously entrusted Lann with the representation of the three Demon Hunters.

This was also part of the Son of the Emperor’s instinctual action when engaging in political situations.

Finding the right stance first, and then gathering strength from that stance.

A military officer in a worn uniform, standing beside Stuart, spoke softly, ”One seventh is more than abnormal; this task completion rate is simply catastrophic!”

”If Lord Hacksaw hadn’t just squeezed out some profit from those parasites, this kind of loss could have cut off food for the entire refugee group for at least two days!”

Two days without food, given the physical condition of those refugees outside and the current environmental temperature... Conservatively estimated, at least half of this nearly thousand-strong refugee group would die.

Was this why Hacksaw suddenly seized everyone’s supplies after maintaining internal factional balance within the refugee group for so long today?

Lann speculated quietly from the side.

Such an important and decisive decision made within just an hour of decision time... demonstrates impressive judgment and determination.

”So...” At this point, Geralt, standing behind Lann, suddenly spoke, in a heavy tone.

”So, have those bastards caught up with us?”

Lann vaguely heard his old friend subconsciously clenching his fist, causing his leather glove to creak.

Interesting... just the mention makes Geralt tense up instinctively.

A really difficult enemy, perhaps?

Stuart propped up the table holding the map, speaking calmly.

”They might have discovered our whereabouts and followed us here, or maybe their operational range just happened to swing this way. You’ve also encountered them, Master Geralt.”

As if considering Lann’s recent arrival, Stuart originally faced the map but then looked up, giving a brief description to the massive Demon Hunter.

”It was a group... no, more like a large team dispersed and sent out in units resembling scout groups.”

The young knight carefully measured his words, striving for accurate description.

”They are the elite of the elite, though discipline and organization-wise, they don’t seem like Niflgaard military personnel, when it comes to killing and tracking, I estimate not many can match their professionalism and efficiency.”

”After Sintra City was breached and the Niflgaard Army entered a sweeping mode over territories, these tough guys began appearing everywhere.”

”Sometimes, they work and help out for the Niflgaard military. Yet other times, they act on their own...”

Stuart’s expression seemed a bit uncertain at this point.

”Just a guess.” He emphasized this first, then looked over towards the direction of the Demon Hunters.

”I feel they are the Niflgaard people sent onto the battlefield, specifically to deal with some special targets.”

”Targets that move flexibly and are very small, making it impractical to mobilize large military forces to catch them, or not worthwhile. Small conventional units can hardly deal with them, so a special unit was formed to handle them... sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”

The Demon Hunters nodded silently.

This is also why there are Demon Hunters in the world.

The vast majority of monsters can’t stand against organized military forces, but most monsters are swift in coming and going, remain well-hidden, or reside far from human settlements.

Kings and lords thus hesitate to send large armies to deal with them, because just the logistics for army deployment is already a severe expense.

Demon Hunters largely arose as a solution born out of economic concerns.

And from the sounds of it...

These people’s roles on the Niflgaard battlefield are remarkably similar to that of Demon Hunters.