Bear School Astartes

The knights, who had removed their own Knight Order emblems, were laughing loudly as they sweated profusely.

They were talking about how to chop off the heads of those who had yielded to a contemptible mutant’s Knight Order, and once they had won the battle to breach the castle, they would openly wear their own Knight Order’s badges once more.

When the next public official from Temeria arrives to transport supplies, they will be surprised to see that this castle no longer belongs to a mutant.

The interior will no longer house a Knight Order that had bowed to the mutant, but the honorable and loyal White Rose! Humans!

The Kingdom and the King will be astonished! They will be condemned, but at the same time, they will gain glory, as the Eternal Fire will praise their courage and sacrifice, their fearlessness.

The power of faith holds significant influence over the common people; the church’s praises will become their reputation.

The widespread voices among the populace, along with the Knight Order’s efforts in the Holy Hall Council, will ensure a relatively light punishment from the military court’s verdict.

Furthermore, the Eternal Fire Church will sponsor the White Rose Knight Order, offering them unparalleled internal rewards.

Whether from a personal faith perspective or a substantial gain perspective... this group of people can hardly wait to complete this over-a-week-long wait.

”Let that mutant mingle with the equally despicable warlocks.” A knight said with disgust, ”Female warlocks using evil magic for tainted bodies, huh, it’s a fitting match with the mutant.”

”Just thinking about those filthy, vulgar warlocks gathering in this bright world to hold meetings makes me sick! But that’s fine, let that mutant join the meeting, and we’ll slaughter everyone here!”

”Even if that mutant slept with every woman from that debauched and decadent den, what does it matter? Our Demon-Blocking Gold here could smash them to death!”

”It’s a pity for you, Knight Fawick.” The old knight who was chewing on a pipe stood up again and joked, picking up a lumberjack axe, ”Forgot to bring a spare Shield Emblem, so you’ll have to make do by polishing what’s available.”

”When we claim victory and switch back to the Knight Order Shield Emblem, you’ll probably be the only one stuck with this ridiculous emblem-less small shield, haha! How will the painters record our merits and battle achievements depict you then?”

The laughed-at Knight Fawick remained silent, but the movements of the file in his hand grew increasingly forceful.

Meanwhile, in the noisy area nearly resembling a large worksite, within the lush bushes that were merely two man-heights tall and deemed unsuitable as siege equipment materials by the knights.

A pair of slightly glimmering amber cat eyes flashed by.

The rustling of the bushes seemed as if brushed by a gentle breeze, unnoticed by anyone.

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

Time always flies in an instant, and the week and a bit went by quickly.

Especially when people are busy, there’s an even stronger sense of this.

The Embers Knight Order was sixty members strong, but suddenly one-sixth were absent from their usual activities.

Yet it’s no big deal; Lincoln adjusted the schedules for the remaining fifty more tightly to completely cover the absence of ten members.

Thus, up until now, inside High Hill Castle, although the Ember Knights were aware that something big was happening.

Externally, it still seems like nothing is going on.

On the castle’s training grounds, the sound of swords clashing rang as usual, only when Maria began instructing these knights in swordsmanship, the unique sound of [Climbing Carp] that often occurred in the past was now scarcely heard.

Maria was undoubtedly one of the seasoned hunters from Yan’an.

Even without any foundational understanding of the [Iwami Style], her sparring with the Embers Knights showcased an effortless control of unpredictable rhythms, ensuring few could seize her timing with [Climbing Carp] to deflect her blade.

Failed maneuvers naturally lack that distinctive clash.

Additionally, as the knights were recently learning combat styles and techniques from Maria, transmitted by Yan’an’s [First Hunter], it’s understandable the unique clash had decreased.

In another regard, Maria began to study the swordsmanship of the Embers Knights too.

The Cainhurst blood race seems to have ancient ties with the far East regions in Yan’an’s old times.

The unique weapons among these blood nobility include many traces of Samurai swords, such as the [Thousand Shadows] Tachi which imbues blood into the sheath, unveiling a blood blade upon drawing.

Disregarding the Gothic carvings and patterns on the knife handle, guard, and sheath, purely by blade form, it’s nearly an authentic East Japan Samurai Sword.

Maria’s long blade also clearly brought this style, paired with its shorter counterpart [Fallen Leaves], essentially splits into dual-blade techniques.

Her interest in the current foundation-practiced [Iwami Style] by the Embers Knights was entirely expected.

This blood noble progressed rapidly, mastering basic routines within only a week and a bit, now just left with familiarizing her body with [Core Breathing] over time to control [Qi Flow Blade] techniques when drawing the blade.

[Iwami Style] always was simple and direct, combined with her high foundational abilities.

It left the Embers Knights who invited her as their swordsmanship coach feeling slightly shortchanged.

However, the knights quickly recalled this lady was brought by their Master of the Knight Order, making profit or loss indifferent.

Anyway, they are starting to learn the [Acceleration Technique] now, aren’t they? Although they’re still completely clueless about it...

Lincoln thought to himself as he arrived at Lann’s room.

The secretary first swung the hefty book hanging diagonally across him into his hand and opened it, once again using his memory to confirm what he needed to do. Only after ensuring clarity did he raise his hand to knock on the door.

However, before he could knock, he heard voices coming from inside the castle, which had mediocre soundproofing.

”Feels... inconvenient...?”

Despite the poor soundproofing, Lann was speaking in a normal tone inside, but to Lincoln, the words were fragmented and a bit muffled.

Another voice, which the secretary could never recall hearing before, responded in the same broken manner from within the room.

”Interesting! Here... you’re my student! And everyone seems quite idle...”

Lincoln knocked on the door with a calm expression.

When Lann’s voice came from inside, inviting him in, the secretary naturally looked around, but saw no second person in the room.

”What’s the matter, Lincoln?” The Demon Hunter was doing something akin to dusting off ashes, patting his hands against each other, ”Hmm? Are you looking for something?”

”No, just looking for someone.” The secretary replied honestly, ”I heard voices coming from your room earlier. Are you ready to explain it to me?”

”No, I’m not prepared for that; it’s a surprise.”

The Demon Hunter straightforwardly refused, making the secretary feel quite tongue-tied.

”Tsk, why play surprises among us? Wouldn’t it be better to use this energy on Lady Margarita, or Lady Triss, Lady Tishaya, Lady Maria?”

”The first two require too much effort to achieve incredible results, and the latter two, coming from your mouth, seem like a mere jumble.”

Lann didn’t mind the secretary’s teasing; he responded calmly and naturally.

”So, what’s the matter?”

Talking business, Lincoln’s expression also turned solemn: ”It’s Stuart; he thinks he can get out of bed.”

”Master Belengar and Lady Triss believe you should come over and assess his current physical state before deciding.”

The once-joking Demon Hunter now grew serious as well, heading toward the doorway where Lincoln stood.

”Psychologically, he’s recovered quickly; let’s go.”

The secretary sidestepped to allow his superior to pass.

However, while bowing in salute, he noticed their lord’s hands appeared as if they had indeed been working, dusted with something like talcum powder.

No wonder he performed the ash-dust motion earlier.

Specifically what he had done, Lincoln still had no clue amidst Lann’s mischief.

Nonetheless, Lincoln didn’t dislike these occasional antics. After all, it was during these times he felt he was actually a peer of Lann’s age group.

When Lann and Lincoln arrived at the mutation room, Belengar and Triss were already waiting.

The room, initially so spacious that speaking echoed, now felt somewhat crowded.

Because the second batch of four undergoing mutation had injected the [Cyan Grass Trial] potion set and [Big Appetite Energy] into their bodies a few days ago.

The alchemical potion created by Lann indeed made the transformation process for the Demon Hunters rather stable and reliable.

The plan was originally to wait until Stuart’s complete mutation before proceeding with the second batch.

However, both Belengar and Triss, after double-checking with their experience and magic, grew much more at ease.

The Old Demon Hunter had initially been deeply worried, as if disaster-stricken, and the Female Warlock, lacking experience supervising Demon Hunter mutations, was quite anxious.

But only three days after Stuart’s mutation began...

”Isn’t this progressing too smoothly?” The Old Demon Hunter seriously asked Lann at the time, ”I’ve indeed seen his body twitch and stiffen, but these are just natural responses to pain.”

”But his fever, hysteria, hallucinations, internal bleeding, vomiting... these most intense and dangerous symptoms of bodily mutation, why did they last less than half a day?”

During the mutation process, due to pain, muscles swell and tense, and due to prolonged time, muscles suffer from overuse, rhabdomyolysis, and necrosis.

This is considered relatively mild damage in Demon Hunter mutations.

Endure the mutation, become a Demon Hunter, and a month’s recovery with the now immensely strong body is all that’s needed.