Bear School Astartes

Lann was softly narrating the story of the Deerhead Spirit, a type of monster the hunters of this world had never encountered, gradually leading the entire canopy-enclosed command vehicle into a deep and eerie atmosphere.

”In certain places, these creatures even become the center of local belief. Farmers living near their woods offer sacrifices to them, usually rabbits or birds, but human blood is also a traditional choice in some areas.”

”Therefore, in many legends the Deerhead Spirit is a benevolent character, helping lost travelers find their way in the forest, or rescuing them from bandits.”

”Unfortunately, these legends have no basis in reality.”

”In the eyes of the Deerhead Spirit, humans are merely sources of energy. The Deerhead Spirit will drain the life force of nearby humans until only a shell remains.”

Lann’s tone sounded odd to the hunters; it was plainly descriptive yet inexplicably irritated them as if being mocked.

This was because the Demon Hunters, throughout their careers, had seen too much ignorance, superstition, and stubbornness.

Farmers were willingly believing the drunken ravings of village witch doctors after consuming hallucinogens, rather than trusting the advice of a seasoned monster-hunting professional.

Therefore, most Demon Hunters, even while educating their employers, would inadvertently irritate them, making them feel underestimated.

But in truth, Demon Hunters were not mocking humans, but ignorance and superstition.

This sarcasm, even if their expressions were blank and their tones calm, made people unconsciously feel it.

As for other Demon Hunters, Lann didn’t know. But the few Demon Hunters he interacted with, when speaking of monsters outside of their peers, or knowledgeable people, mostly acted like this.

Among them, Geralt’s expressionless and subtly sarcastic manner was the most infuriating.

To the extent that Lann had been slightly influenced by them, these friends.

”But regardless of evil or not, one indisputable point is: the Deerhead Spirit can indeed be called a manifestation of nature. They have an incredibly close connection with forests and nature. Deerhead Spirits in expansive forests are often older and more powerful than their kind, mastering more evil magic and rituals.”

”Magic?” Guy’s pointed ears twitched, showing an expression of discomfort.

”Ultimately, how exactly does this so-called Deerhead Spirit establish a connection with the forest? Through some hormone it secretes? Or by creating a food chain centered around it? There must be traces, right?”

The Dragon-man Race has a long lifespan and is hardworking and kind. So although Guy was a powerful hunter wielding an insect staff adventuring alone in the new world, it did not prevent him from being a qualified scholar.

His ideas and mindset are typical traits of ecological scholars in this world.

But rationality and logic, in magic, are sometimes not omnipotent or universal.

Facing Guy’s question, Lann spread his hands: ”That’s the essence of magic, old man. As long as it sets foot on the land of nature and establishes a totem there, it naturally connects with the land. It’s not related to hormones or food chain construction.”

”Moreover, this Deerhead Spirit’s strength is extraordinarily strong. Although it’s unknown who won the ultimate battle with the Extinct Dragon, it could even bury its claws into the Extinct Dragon’s chest to dig out jewels.”

Lann’s tone grew heavy: ”I estimate it likely has established a connection with a piece of land in the new world, thereby gaining power from the natural ecology.”

The Commander-in-Chief chimed in: ”If it’s a creature that can draw power from the abundance of nature, then indeed it qualifies to be ranked on par with ancient dragons, especially in the ecologically prosperous new world.”

”Ah, it’s troublesome.” Wende sighed, covering his forehead.

”The Molten Mountain Dragon is about to explode, the Deerhead Spirit is invading, and there’s also the battle-crazed Extinct Dragon... Troubles of three ancient dragon-level creatures stacked together? What kind of day is this?!”

”There’s even more.” Guy added expressionlessly beside him.

”From my observation, the Molten Mountain Dragon’s original route wasn’t heading towards the Earth Vein Corridor but was intended for a place where it could peacefully die. It was diverted by some force or energy.”

”And the being capable of distorting the route of an elderly Molten Mountain Dragon, choosing the place of its passing—the body of that thing, or energy, we haven’t even investigated yet.”

Shock after shock erupted today, as if such news were worthless.

It left both the hunters and Lann a bit dazed.

How did it suddenly transition from leisurely hunting expeditions to racing to save the entire new world?

Faced with young hunters even dazzled by awe, the experienced Commander-in-Chief quickly regained his calm mind and expression.

When the Hunter’s Guild dispatched the first group, they appointed him as Commander-in-Chief, a significant demonstration of trust.

And clearly, his ability can bear such trust.

”No matter what, one step at a time. Handling multiple ancient dragons at once, even in the old world, would require mobilizing several nations; the investigation team doesn’t have such capability.”

The dark-faced, white-haired Commander-in-Chief spoke methodically, quickly affecting the young hunters.

”The Molten Mountain Dragon’s actions are urgent, the damage it causes is the least acceptable, hence the target is clear...”

He slammed his fist on the table, lifted his head with fierce eyes.

”I declare! Molten Mountain Dragon interception operation starts now! All personnel activities of the investigation team will proceed accordingly!”

”We absolutely cannot let this giant enter the Earth Vein Corridor!”

Unlike all feudal armies, the Commander-in-Chief didn’t hide this dangerous and challenging combat objective from his subordinates.

On the contrary, he held a big meeting, publicly releasing all current intelligence to the investigation team.

Allowing everyone to understand the plan, what difficulties to face ahead, is why they are fighting against several ancient dragon-level creatures.

And the investigation team’s response was exactly as he expected.

”Since it’s for the ecology of the entire new world, there’s no reason not to give it our all.”

”Although driving the Molten Mountain Dragon away from its ’pilgrimage’ path before its passing feels wrong, given the route is already twisted... let’s do it! Correct the distorted instinct of the creature! We hunters are made for this!”

No one flinched, even if the fear of facing legendary ancient dragons made their bodies tremble, no one took a step back against the ideology of ’protecting the ecology’.

Be it tech staff, or the little old men and women among the scholars.

”Not good, not good...” Lann and Wende, standing amidst the crowd, the Demon Hunter scratched his head, carrying a bit of distress.

”Honestly, it’s got me fired up too.”

Though the Demon Hunter spoke of ’not good’, at the corner of his mouth curled a... tiny, excited arc.