Bear School Astartes

”The Squirrel Faction was provoked, there’s no doubt about it.”

Tishaya spoke as she tidied up the cutlery in front of her, making them symmetrical and orderly.

”But being provoked is not an excuse; what’s done is done. On my way back to Gos Velen, I saw how those Squirrel Faction treated their enemies. It was just like Farjia’s rebellion.”

”They hung people on trees as practice targets for archery, castrated, dismembered, disfigured, burned...”

Farjia’s rebellion was a terrible character in the Northern Countries. She once instigated a cruel and wide-ranging rebellion, which even covered the entire Northern Kingdom.

Later, she was executed by fire and was called ’Bloody’ Farjia.

That was more than a hundred years ago.

Below the private booth platform, the Silver Swan Tavern was clean and luxurious, with gentle bright lighting. People at the tables were toasting and talking about business deals worth hundreds or thousands of Oren Coins.

But amid these peaceful background sounds, Tishaya’s calm voice narrated the scenes tainted with blood.

”There’s no doubt that the injustice suffered by non-human races has allowed them to lash out with extra indulgence.”

”At the same time, caught Squirrel Faction members are subjected to the same punishments by humans, and their bodies are hung at intersections of roads.”

Belengar was not as particular as Tishaya; the table in front of him was piled with shrimp claws sucked dry of meat.

”Using torture and assault to counteract, I’ve never seen anyone who does this have a good outcome.”

The old Demon Hunter, with his long life and many experiences, was still astonished by the prevalence of executions and tortures comparable to the Farjia rebellion period.

”Yes, no good outcome.”

Lann opened his mouth.

As he spoke, the other three people at the table fell silent.

Although he had only eaten during the social interaction just now, no one ever thought his presence diminished.

In fact, from start to finish, he was the center.

Just the combination of his demeanor and charisma was enough to be dazzling and perfect.

”The Squirrel Faction is immersed in their retaliation against humans, only to feel refreshed, sinking deeper into vicious violence.”

The young Demon Hunter continued.

”But this only makes humans more disgusted with non-human races and more determined when striking.”

”The Squirrel Faction thinks they can make humans fear, but in reality, they only frightened that small group who faced them; more humans just feel angry.”

”But the anger of non-human races has not accumulated overnight.” Margaret rested her elbow on the table, her hand supported her chin, tilted her head towards Lann.

”There have been two more massacres against non-human races in Codwin territory within two years. The people in those cities went mad. Wenger Castle in Yaden is the same, thanks to Yennefer sheltering some dwarves and elves at the time.”

Margaret sighed helplessly: ”You can’t expect a group of non-human races who might be slaughtered by humans tomorrow over a piece of bread to remain rational... If I were them, I’d probably be frightened to insanity.”

”Racial conflict.” Belengar shook his head, ”Even if Prophet Lebiuda appeared, this troublesome issue can’t be sorted out clearly.”

He shook his head, but his look was persuasive, gazing at the young Demon Hunter who was wiping his hands.

Tishaya and Margaret were the same.

They all knew what kind of person Lann was, and his usual reaction after encountering certain things.

If he sees something disagreeable, he always wants to intervene; otherwise, he won’t be happy.

The first time he intervened, he went to Temeria’s capital and stormed into a powerful Duke’s estate to slaughter him.

The second time, he dismantled the entire enemy command chain during an unprecedented great battle.

Being meddlesome, Vesemir always said such people don’t live long.

Hence, when educating Wolf School students, this Demon Hunter Grandmaster always told them not to regard themselves as knights fighting for justice.

They were just Demon Hunters earning money for work.

But due to Lann’s skills and wisdom... He currently shows no signs of ”not living long.”

However, the racial conflict between humans and non-human races... It’s not something that can be resolved with force alone.

”It’s not something that can be resolved by force alone; I’m fully aware.”

Lann seemed to know what they were thinking in their hearts, speaking the words aloud.

”But I do have some ideas about solving this problem, though I neither have the time nor manpower.”

Speaking as he did, the young Demon Hunter sighed amidst the amazed gaze of others at the table.

Time and manpower, most problems encountered by people wanting to do something in this world are related to these two.

Lann picked up the napkin from the table, slowly and meticulously wiped his hands.

His gaze on the table appeared deeply thoughtful.

”The conflict between non-human races and humans is a social atmosphere, no matter whether its origin is the ancient racial wars or something stoked after the wars, the reality is: this atmosphere has become deeply ingrained.”

”Changing the social atmosphere is not something that can be accomplished by force. Don’t say just me alone; even with a hundred of me, what can be done?”

”Forcibly command non-human races and humans to live harmoniously? If such a command truly came out, what’s the difference between that and nonsense?”

”Trying to ruin your deeds doesn’t necessarily have to be direct opposition, opposing you under your banner is rather normal, right?”

”You say live harmoniously, we’ll comply. But as soon as anyone utters a complaint, there should be a grand punishment.”

”You said to strengthen supervision to avoid escalation and false accusations. But that’s easy, isn’t it? No matter if it’s a non-human race or a human, don’t we just scold them all when things aren’t going our way? If they’re caught, then it’s a fact, isn’t it?”

”In terms of results, it’s just replacing racial persecution with a different form. Before, they would directly kill you, now they go to the trouble of framing you.”

Belengar and the two Female Warlocks each either picked up their wine glasses or shook their heads, remaining silent.

The difficulty in changing the social atmosphere lies in its pervasive nature, as well as the populace’s resistance.

Thinking that everything can be suppressed by force is merely a simplification of a complex reality.

How could the complexity of this world be resolved by a single method?

Force is useful, but it’s just ’useful,’ not ’effective at all times.’

When things are explicitly forbidden, people naturally harbor a spirit of resistance, and if someone leads...

You say to go in one direction. We can’t resist, but fine! If we’re going to go, let’s go to the end! When we reach a dead end, then we can say it’s your directional problem, it’s your fault.

Originally, it was a racial persecution issue, but it will soon become an issue of the abuse of harsh laws and overuse of labeling.

It’s truly hard to say which of the two is more destructive.

Lann wants to solve the problem of racial oppression, but he’s not thinking like a frantic Japanese person.

Should one become the greatest oppressor in order to solve racial oppression, forcing non-humans and humans to cooperate; is that considered ’resolved’?

Then what if one day Lann doesn’t want to continue? Isn’t the seemingly harmonious scene likely to crumble instantly?

What kind of ’resolution’ is that?

”To solve the problem, we must start from the roots.”

At this moment, Tishaya, Margaret, and Belengar all unconsciously looked at him.

Because the issue he was discussing now was so severe and entrenched that even saying ’solve’ seemed unbelievable.

...Is there really a way to solve this?

But as they looked at the young Demon Hunter, there was a quality about him that inspired deep confidence and unconsciously made them believe in him.

This quality came not only from his strength but also his wisdom, knowledge, experience...

”If I am to solve this problem, then I need a large group of people with a clear understanding, who are indifferent to narratives of inter-racial hatred, or at least find them tiresome, to assist me.”

”With these people as supervisors and builders, a place that has issued ’racial harmony’ decrees can prevent them from spiraling out of control and backfiring.”

”But such people...” Tishaya pursed her lips, staring blankly at Lann.

Margaret continued her sentence, ”Such people are too few and too dispersed.”

Gathering manpower and utilizing manpower—these two issues are almost at the heart of civilization’s development and have been ongoing issues throughout history.

Whoever can more efficiently gather and utilize manpower will command the future.

”Yes, too few. With so few people, continuity of policy cannot be guaranteed, and eventually, it will be distorted by others.” Lann did not shy away from the issue but nodded in acknowledgment. ”But even if we need to find and cultivate them, I... am running out of time.”

At the end of his statement, Lann furrowed his brow tightly.

The knights of the Embers Knight Order revered him like a deity. They could be trusted.

This trust was earned through brutal battlefields.

But they were too few.

And regarding what Lann meant by ’running out of time’... the three present knew very well what that meant.

Ever since back at Dark Water, when Lann, introduced by the Half-Fishmen, met the Lady of the Lake, he had made a pact with that deity.

To guard and investigate the Celestial Sphere Convergence Rift.

Although as of now, this job had not involved any overly massive or aggressive worlds and races.

But how numerous is the world? If they ever encounter even one, Lann and the Lady of the Lake fail to hold back even one...

Perhaps the greatest problem facing this Magic Middle Ages wouldn’t be a racial issue or class issue, but invaders from beyond the world, affecting the very survival of all life.

Of significance, Lann now bore a responsibility unprecedented in this world’s history.

Every time he returned from the other side of the Celestial Sphere Convergence Rift, it was an unparalleled victory.

The three fell silent, for they knew the weight of this agreement.

Margaret and Tishaya looked at Lann’s profile, his silver hair reflecting a warm sheen in the tavern’s candlelight.

But the massive responsibility of ’guarding the world’ was on this individual’s shoulders, and he was still prepared to concern himself with the ’small matters’ within the world.

The atmosphere at the table was momentarily heavy, but it was Lann who first raised his glass filled with juice, breaking into a laugh.

”No need to look at me like that, as if I’ve made some great sacrifice. Traveling between worlds is quite exciting indeed.”

”Moreover, this time after returning, I currently have nothing to... ”

Lann didn’t get a chance to finish the second half of ’have a good rest.’

Immediately followed by a ’bang’ sound.

Under everyone’s gaze, the door of the Silver Swan Tavern was abruptly pushed open, and a person dressed as a messenger ran in.