[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bear-school-astartes":3,"chapter-bear-school-astartes-bear-school-astartes-chapter-834":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Bear School Astartes",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1620600,2087,"Chapter 834 - 817: Exchanging Intelligence","bear-school-astartes-chapter-834",834,"\u003Cp>Compared to the robust and formidable Cassandra, Lann had no idea how Phoebe had changed over the past year and a half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone like him, this plague was at most just a slight taint in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for ordinary people, it was death itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only hoped that the little girl who dreamed of a grand adventure wouldn’t succumb to the plague halfway in Athens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra watched Lann’s movements and chuckled, then nimbly dashed toward the residences along the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could climb steep cliffs by relying on just one joint of her finger, supporting her whole body’s and her equipment’s weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving through the city’s residences was like taking a stroll for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Buqiu followed from behind, standing at the edge of the street, looking up at the building before leaping up, one jump at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cats were natural climbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two, alongside the cat, sprinted across the rooftops of Athens’ residences, while Icarus occasionally called from the sky, guiding their direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Phidias’s studio appeared before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time Lann first arrived in the Ancient Greek world, he stayed there for a few days; now it seemed the studio hadn’t changed much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it seemed Phidias had completed one batch of orders and received another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence, within this warehouse-like workshop, the unfinished marble sculptures had changed significantly in appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scaffolding, pulley systems, and other tools were placed as per Phidias’s usual habit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that after Lann left, Phidias’s life hadn’t been greatly disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phidias!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann shouted inside the sculptor’s workshop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice echoed within the structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sculptor’s voice came from the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, I’ve closed shop, don’t come in! Look for someone else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice sounded listless, filled with caution and distrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Times are tough right now; we should be careful. Once things get better, I’ll lower my prices for orders, I promise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you insist on coming in, I’ll have to call the guards. They’ll do their duty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann exchanged a sidelong glance with Cassandra and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Phidias...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann called the sculptor’s name with a sigh, and it seemed as if Phidias recognized the familiarity in the voice from the second floor, and stopped urging them to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your justified and unyielding stance in this terrible time is truly invigorating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least it’s better than how frightened you looked the last time we met. The plague isn’t that terrifying, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hesitant voice of Phidias came from the wooden corridor on the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you talking about? Have we met? ...Wait!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann’s acquaintance, the bearded, almost driven mad, and half-dead Athenian sculptor tormented by the Order Divine Teachings, stuck his head out from the second floor, looking down suspiciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, when he saw the tall and extraordinary figure, his eyes widened with a look of joyous surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lann?! Is it really you! By the gods!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come up, quick...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as Phidias began acting like an old friend reunited, mid-sentence, he turned apologetic and hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... no, you two just came from outside... it’s too dangerous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, it is dangerous, considering the plague outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann’s tone was quite natural; keeping a distance during a plague isn’t unfriendly but sensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, I’m truly glad to see you’re okay. We can just talk like this. We only came to ask about the current situation in Athens; Cassandra and I just arrived today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Th-thank you for understanding, Lann. And you, Cassandra. I’m sorry, you were standing behind Lann, and I didn’t see you at first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra waved with a look of helplessness yet understanding, indicating no need to worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that thanks to Lann’s natural demeanor, Phidias’s tone eased a bit from his embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sculptor quickly positioned himself on the wooden corridor directly above Lann, leaning his hands on the wooden railing, peering down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked as if he wanted to be as close to his friend as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seeing you unchanged gives me real comfort. In this world, seeing things that remain unchanged feels like a luxury.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phidias said with deep emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that while the plague hadn’t affected him physically, living in a city overrun by disease, with bodies and dying patients on every corner, was mentally exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann smiled, and this smile offered Phidias some comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your current expression reminds me of facing Alcibiades... you weren’t influenced by his si- love theories, were you, Phidias?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha, don’t joke around about that with me. I only want to sculpt you, not bed you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Lann’s control of the atmosphere, Phidias visibly relaxed mentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a state of mind conducive to conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, you both came to Athens at a truly unlucky time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they began discussing serious matters, Phidias remarked wistfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This plague seemed without start or end, then one day everyone was suddenly sick and dying. I don’t even know how to explain it. But Pericles and others said the plague had been spreading in Athens for three months, and it was traceable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m just a sculptor; I don’t know much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phidias laughed self-deprecatingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now the city is in panic, even the Spartans sieging outside are terrified of the plague.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But when I came, I saw there were still Spartan troops destroying the fields and farmlands outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra asked, looking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those are Spartan slave armies; I guess there aren’t many Spartan citizens among them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phidias shook his head, adding a note that it was only speculation from rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And soon enough, the unchecked plague might scare even the slave armies away. Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phidias chuckled in resignation, pointing down around Lann and Cassandra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People believe it’s because Athens disrespected the great Apollo, so he, who controls plagues, sent a punishment, making people understand the cost of disrespecting the gods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since people started getting sick, I’ve received numerous orders to sculpt Apollo, for Divine Halls, private clients, political entities...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those unfinished products you see are just the rough shapes halfway through the process.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now, many who placed orders have already entered the Netherworld themselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1002,"2026-06-06T10:40:27.274Z",1,"novelbin.me","38077701297d7a96f95f87b39bf25e6e363016f9d4a124e01d5aa95dcfe3377e","bear-school-astartes-chapter-835","bear-school-astartes-chapter-886",1043,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbear-school-astartes-cover.jpg"]