[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bear-school-astartes":3,"chapter-bear-school-astartes-bear-school-astartes-chapter-994":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},1620817,2087,"Chapter 994 - 976: High Hill Castle","bear-school-astartes-chapter-994",994,"\u003Cp>\"Bury a box of Oren Coins in the castle ruins? I’m not saying this, Geralt. Your rich and thrilling life as a Demon Hunter has only given you this little bit of barren imagination?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with Lann’s sarcasm, Geralt remained unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, when taking jobs, he wouldn’t be affected even if villagers spat on him, and now it was even less likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Lann, who was mocking Geralt, found it considerably less entertaining when Geralt didn’t retort or get prickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright then.\" The young Demon Hunter shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember, I’m actually a Duke appointed in accordance with the law?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the beginning of the Battle of Sodden Mountain, the Sintra Palace Steward Hacksaw handed Lann a letter of appointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crest on it was rigorous and lawful, exhibiting indisputable legitimacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The appointment read, ’Lann of Sintra is recognized as the legitimate Duke by Queen Calanthe of Sintra from the date of this appointment.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that war and Hacksaw, both Lann and Geralt’s voices carried a hint of gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lann was marginally better than the emotionally sensitive Geralt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After participating in the war, the journey to the New Continent—the sincerity, enthusiasm, and the magical, vast nature of the new land healed his mind and body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Lann merely sighed and reminisced briefly before returning to his usual self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The territory of Sintra was not reclaimed in the post-war negotiations, and Niflgaard wasn’t going to give it up. Now, both the South and the North are exhausted mentally and physically; no one wants to break the peace after the disaster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Veltrest settled some of my Knights under the name ’Sintra Expeditionary Order’ in Temeria, along with a castle as their station.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was to win you over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt said calmly. Though his status was merely that of a Demon Hunter, he was involved in quite a few court and political events. Many people valued his swordsmanship, wanting him to cut someone’s throat at a banquet or meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, having seen the reasons behind many issues, he had more insight into perceiving beyond appearances than ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was also to appease you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing in this unparalleled force that could charge through a battle involving tens of thousands was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veltrest was even envied by other Northern Territories because Lann had connections in the Velen Province of Temeria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the other hand, no one wanted to go to war again now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unprecedented battle involving tens of thousands caused many countries to not even show signs of economic recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, too many people had died, and in an agricultural society, this sudden loss of human resources was hard to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veltrest also feared Lann because of his territory, driving towards the temporarily softening and settling Niflgaard Empire to provoke it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann nodded, candidly expressing that everything Geralt thought of, he had too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So he gave me and my knights a castle. That place is called High Hill Castle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But accepting this castle didn’t really mean Lann would get along peacefully with Niflgaard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could a classical militaristic and slave-based Empire really be expected to know when to stop during expansion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not possible. Any slightest thought of ’stopping,’ even if Enshir Enriss is the Emperor of the Empire, revered as the ’White Flame Dancing on the Graves of His Enemies.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even he, should he dare entertain such a thought, would face death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Empire would see to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because without expansion, militarism would collapse. Anyone not wishing to expand is the internal enemy of the entire Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now is a precious period of peace, but Lann believes... the Niflgaard people will not stay calm forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also why he let Meno Kuhorn go at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They will inevitably confront each other again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Embers Knight Order accepted logistical and financial support from Temeria.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann said while stroking the Qilin’s mane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This was originally to prevent Veltrest from panicking, ordering them to accept it. For a small knight order with only sixty or so people, that’s a significant amount of money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Lann’s expression showed a bit of embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he has to temporarily withdraw the not-so-urgent funds from the knight order to patch up the gap in his cash flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, so this is your solution?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt laughed as well, teasing Lann.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Velen region isn’t just damp, muddy swamps and misty, foetid forests; to the south of this area rise rugged, winding mountain peaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These mountains aren’t very high, with the highest, Bolder Mountain, at just over five hundred meters in altitude, but the massive oak trees growing on Bolder Mountain are very noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said that beneath the massive oak trees of Bolder Mountain, a night feast is held every year, said to revolve around the three witches in Velen’s folklore, making for a lively scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ancient castle granted to the Knight Order by Veltrest stands in distant view of Bolder Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It used to be a military outpost built on the mountain, gaining strategic advantage from its elevated position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Screech!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the horizon where the mountains meet the sky, a Royal Griffin with bristling feathers was spiraling through the air, letting out a sharp cry from its beak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt rode on Roach, while Lann rode on Qilin, with Rong Buqiu curiously watching the sky from Lann’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all stood in the shadows of the woods at the downwind position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Demon Hunters slightly raised the brims of their hoods, watching the griffin that was releasing its abundant energy through its calls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This griffin was young, with robust and slightly gray-tinted black feathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its strong body was even capable of lifting two armored soldiers into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, to both Lann and Geralt, it was not a formidable opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Royal Griffin, still looking for a lifelong mate... a young and irritable bachelor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the shade of the trees, Lann summed up the griffin’s characteristics in just a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt agreed with Lann’s observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once it gets bored, it’ll fly away. No need to tangle with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Demon Hunters’ conclusions were right; the young griffin patrolling its territory soon flew away on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two continued to walk up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountains of Velen were more like ’hills’ because, aside from being rugged, they were not very high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several tens to hundreds of meters of elevation slightly distanced them from the humid mist on the ground, making the air fresh and suitably humid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brightness of the flowers and grass was also better than on the plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There used to be only decaying wooden bridges over the streams flowing down the mountains, but now they were replaced with bridges that were obviously sturdier and newer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems your Knight Order is adapting well to life here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt’s pupils contracted irregularly, activating the Demon Hunter’s senses to track traces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re all very capable.\" Lann appeared unsurprised, \"Of course they would adapt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, if every member of the Knight Order had a high level of initiative and collectively discussed and decided on matters,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then, in front of such a team, there would be very few environments they couldn’t adapt to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since its inception, the Embers Knight Order had always had a trend of taking Lann as a role model.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lincoln, who was a subordinate commander and initially a mere child, later unconsciously mimicked Lann in word and deed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Knight Order had now moved into a mountain castle in the Velen Region, yet they didn’t let themselves become idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the two Demon Hunters clearly saw signs of the team’s training, as well as their maintenance and repairs of the roads during their free time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Geralt puzzled since he had never seen soldiers, except those specifically given engineering orders, repair anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, soldiers were roughly equivalent to strong-armed bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the norm and common sense in the Magic Middle Ages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Improving the environment around their station, renovating facilities... even for a Knight Order, this seemed overly... self-disciplined?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lann seemed quite natural; after all, this was how he led the Embers Knight Order before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, under the influence of this exemplary effect, the Embers Knight Order was developing in a manner that made Lann feel both familiar and reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain wasn’t high, and it was easy for Roach to tread on the repaired mountain path, while Qilin found it even easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two Demon Hunters looked west from the mountain, spotting the gigantic crown of the oak tree on Bolder Mountain, they could also see a military fortress primarily composed of rocks atop them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann leaned forward on horseback and grabbed Geralt’s shoulder, preventing him from moving closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sure enough, the next moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoosh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crossbow arrow shot out from a firing slit in the fortress’s outer wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the trajectory given by Mentos, the landing point should have grazed past Lann and stuck in the ground beside Qilin’s hoof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lann’s left hand suddenly blurred for a moment, and by the time it steadied again, the crossbow arrow was spinning in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s even a Demon-Blocking Gold arrowhead, huh, not bad for vigilance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann stroked the arrowhead with his fingertips, chuckling lightly. Then, raising the crossbow arrow, he raised his voice towards the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s me! Can’t you use a different method to see through illusions next time?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the castle, there was a brief silence, followed by a short yet intense cheer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden cheer even startled Geralt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please forgive us, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the cheer, a voice filled with humor and excitement came from the firing slit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You always come and go, busy as a bee, but we have to inspect thoroughly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on...\" Lann pouted, taking off his hood. \"You make me feel like an enemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the hood was down, Lann’s hair cascaded like liquid mercury from the hat, and his face was revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The castle’s main structure was similar to the Raven’s Nest where the Governor of Velen once stayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick wooden door, five or six meters high, opened from the inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann patted Geralt on the shoulder, then led the way riding Qilin, clip-clopping into the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>",1706,"2026-06-06T10:40:28.727Z",1,"novelbin.me","7683141a34170d2477ca5a6028409d0295c95669cf75900905fbcb4a56abf6c0","bear-school-astartes-chapter-995","bear-school-astartes-chapter-993",1043,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbear-school-astartes-cover.jpg"]