Bear School Astartes

There is not much information about Iophis, but his words are sincere.

This reminds Lann of the last time when they gathered around the campfire at the Rose Garden near Li Fu Harbor, in the Elven ruins.

Back then, this Squirrel Faction commander, who saw a glimmer of hope for his race in the despair, abandoned everything, even opening his mind to the Female Warlock, just to prove his sincerity and determination.

If he had any other choice, he would have tried long ago.

For the dream of that one Free City State where various races can live equally.

”Even though I already knew that a farmer uprising without ideological guidance, organizational structure, and restructuring would have limitations, I am still somewhat shocked by how quickly they have failed to suppress the trend of division.”

Lann calmly evaluates the information sent from Yaden.

Not only because of Iophis, the One-Eyed Elf’s sincere words, but also the various data he presented, and the ledger of his and Sachia’s forces.

These documents cross-referenced, made Lann completely certain that the predicament Iophis faced was not exaggerated.

Not being blinded by exaggerated battle reports is also a compulsory course for a qualified commander.

False reports of achievements are one aspect, even a very understandable and easily checked aspect.

On the other hand, subordinates in war always strive to exaggerate their difficulties to secure more support from superiors.

Some are unwilling to see their subordinates suffer heavy losses, others are too ambitious, but no matter what, they always think ’a bit more support, a bit more’!

And if one cannot see through these, then the logistic management of the entire battlefield is close to becoming a mess.

Geralt, however, did not know about the dealings between Lann, Sachia, and Iophis, which they had reached a common intention on.

After all, the White Wolf during that time was likely escorting Ciri from Ker Morhan to adapt to society.

Geralt himself is also someone who can effectively control his own curiosity.

Being an experienced Demon Hunter Master, he has lived a long time, taken on many tasks, and thus understands the necessity of controlling curiosity.

So listening to the words like ’farmer uprising’ coming from Lann, his gaze doesn’t fluctuate; if Lann doesn’t actively explain to him, he wouldn’t ask more.

And would Lann explain it clearly to him?

The young Demon Hunter shook his head.

If necessary, he certainly trusts Geralt.

But right now, this veteran demon hunter is on edge because someone close to him is under investigation of unknown origin; unless necessary, Lann doesn’t intend to add more pressure on him.

Just like when escaping from Sintra in the past.

Geralt was responsible for protecting Ciri, the rest... he handled it.

”After all.” Lann patted the two piles of documents beside him, simultaneously locking Yaden’s information back into the magic safe. ”It’s all about manpower shortage.”

”We only have a small chamber of commerce hosted by a half-elf friend in Novigrad, Dudu is a business genius, but he is an upright and honest businessman, lacking strong support, even the scum-like gangs can unsettle him.”

”And the same is happening in Yaden.”

”Non-human races harbor hatred towards humans, yet they now have to risk their lives to help. Humans discriminate and distrust non-human races, yet they have to stand together now.”

”Friction is inevitable, even opportunistic killings and exclusion of dissidents must have occurred.”

”But within the human farmers, they surely favor their kind, even if Iophis does not show favoritism and seeks justice. But if he starts investigating this matter, no one believes he genuinely would do it.”

”After all...” Lann pushed the magic safe forward, Lincoln stepped forward, embraced the safe, and returned it to its original position. ”Look at the shortsightedness of those uprising farmers’ leaders.”

”Even to maintain their own prestige, they are unlikely to hand over wrongdoers to the elves. Even if Iophis only claims it’s an investigation, not a trial.”

Lincoln lowered his head, unsurprised. Because given the current situation, his lord already fully predicted it that night.

”Just as you say, my lord.”

He calmly lowered his head, echoing.

Even on that night, Lann had not only foreseen this step but had already talked about how to handle this situation.

It’s precisely what Iophis mentioned in the letter: they need a strong, external supervision and intervention as a mediator for the internal racial conflict.

Only when such mediation operates fairly can non-human races and humans develop fundamental trust; then the mediation of conflicts can gradually shift internally and be handled independently.

And the position of this task, in the initial conception, was reserved for the Embers Knights.

As knights directly affiliated with Lann, they will represent Lann’s will, supervising the collective goal and ideal of Sachia, Iophis, and Lann, advancing and developing along the correct path.

But ultimately, to fulfill the duty of ’supervision’... they must first be strong enough!

Strong enough not to be accidentally killed in the chaos.

Want to uphold justice and judge right from wrong? This has always been a deadly job.

Using the words from Lann’s hometown world, those who do this job must unreservedly ’play heroes, be big shots’.

If it were within a stable governance system, the danger might be manageable, but among the Yaden farmer rebels, is there even a hint of stability?

”So, all in all...” Lann’s finger tapped on his sturdy desk, ”the key is still power and manpower.”

The young Demon Hunter raised his head, looking at the lowered gaze but slightly younger Secretary.

’However, I can now empower my manpower.’

Lann subconsciously thought to himself.

”I now almost feel lucky about succeeding in producing results just when manpower is needed.”

Shaking his head, Lann stood up and said to Lincoln, ”Call Stuart and pick nine others.”

The young secretary also raised his head, his eyes almost glowing as he looked at Lann.

”It’s time.”

The Master of the Embers Knight Order clapped his hands and declared.

-----------------

When they saw Stuart again, both Lann and Geralt frowned.

Because the two of them had come to High Hill Castle together before, to mention supplementing cash flow for Lann’s assets with gold coins.

At the time, these two demon hunters who had spent days and nights with the former young Sintra officer already noticed that he was troubled.

Gloomy, self-loathing...

Yet these emotions seemed well-controlled, never affecting his work.

But as Lincoln and his companions worried, mental issues are tricky, as the patient’s mindset also affects them.

Even though the sixty knights of the Embers Knight Order had long forged a brotherly bond through battles, unresolved psychological knots remain.

Stuart still wore that grim and glaring iron jaw.

His expression remained normal, but the gloomy aura almost made Lann feel he could be a hunter prowling in the night of Yan’an.

When Lann’s earlier command came down, Stuart and the prior nine Sword Givers were already waiting in a parlor in the castle.

Whether out of camaraderie within the knight order or respect and regret for the ’Lynn’ surname, Stuart would certainly hold one of the ten spots.

Of course, Lincoln wanted to compete for the remaining nine spots, but as soon as Lann arrived and opened with ”Leave someone who can work,” he was automatically screened out.

So the remaining candidates were all teasingly boasting while looking at the secretary.

One knight even whistled at him, making Lincoln tense his jaw muscles from behind Lann.

”Still you guys. Why am I not surprised?” The young demon hunter said wryly as he walked, ”Showing off your swordsmanship after a few extra days of training and beating the others again?”

”Jumping this high, I reckon you’ll get beaten back soon.”

The ten Honored Swordsmen were already spots earned from internal knight order bouts, receiving swordsmanship passed down by Lann.

For the sake of some ”knight order culture,” Lincoln added the identity of Sword Giver to these ten.

Already strong, having learned more and longer than other knights; it’d be odd if they weren’t chosen.

”I’ll be genuinely gratified, my lord.” The Embers Knight who whistled laughed heartily, ”It means I’ve taught them well, lived up to your expectations.”

”That’s good.” Lann raised his eyebrows at him, ”Vallem, why don’t you go first, to accumulate some experimental data for the others?”

The Cyan Grass Trial is a magic potion that makes people ready to die, with a high fatality rate; everyone knows this.

Generally speaking, if someone said such words, the listener usually flares up immediately.

But the Embers Knights are different; they wouldn’t care about death jokes among themselves... they’ve long breached life-and-death boundaries together many times.

It’s even more so with Lann; their conversations don’t shy away from anything.

So Vallem, who was named by Lann to be ’experimental data,’ merely laughed heartily and then solemnly saluted, ”My lord, that’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for!”

However, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

”No.” Stuart, whose face required an iron jaw to fill the gaps due to disability, seriously addressed Vallem and then turned to Lann. ”Master.”

”I know I can be among the first batch for mutation because of my disability. So, since I’m someone cared for, I ought to be the first. Even if I fail and become more disabled or outright die in the mutation, it won’t affect the knight order’s strength...”

Vallem, who was saluting Lann, frowned and turned his head gravely towards Stuart.

”Don’t misunderstand, Stuart. Do you think if any of us dies or fails, the rest will give up the opportunity we’ve fought for so long?”

”At least after the failure, improvements can be made, increasing your chances!”

”That’s nonsense.” Vallem laughed, speaking candidly under the gaze of the others, ”You just feel you’re disabled, and we all care for you, but you refuse any care, wanting to be the first to tackle challenges, right?”

It doesn’t feel good to dissect one’s own thoughts openly.

But having been tormented by his disabled body for so long, Stuart only slightly frowned without denying it.

”But we don’t see you as disabled, my brother.”

Vallem, who was laughing before, suddenly became very solemn.

”Your body is a testament to the trials you’ve endured; even in deformity and weakness, it’s the most noble thing in our eyes because you’ve shown unwavering loyalty and strength.”

”The Cyan Grass Trial isn’t caring for you, Stuart.”

Vallem unapologetically knocked the hand off his shoulder.

”You’ve earned this through trials! The lord can testify, your father, the revered Hacksaw Lynn, can testify!”

”And we! We are the ones who will prove ourselves with the Cyan Grass Trial!”

”Don’t! Take away! Our trial! You, who have already passed!”

Finally, Vallem looked at Stuart, enunciating each word.

The other Embers Knights were just like him.