Bear School Astartes

Lincoln tilted his head slightly, speaking in a low voice as he dared not look at Lann.

"Sir, because of you, the most commonly used and the most trained weapon in the Knight Order now... has been replaced by the elves’ kind of... long blade."

As he spoke, Lincoln cautiously pointed a finger towards Lann’s waist.

Lann’s head followed this direction downward and saw the Lady of the Lake’s sword hanging at his waist.

After being adjusted by Lady Galadriel, it not only had a beautiful and smooth curve, but also had elegant and complex elf-style carvings from Ardan World on the pommel, grip, guard, and blade of the long blade.

"If people want to become better, they always need to set a goal, a benchmark, and then imitate him, get closer to him. Ultimately, becoming a better version of themselves."

Stuart spoke in a calm voice.

"Perhaps it isn’t as you think. I wanted to become a Demon Hunter to make this body, damaged beyond full recovery, strong again. Then this idea influenced others."

"But others want to become a Demon Hunter mostly because you are a Demon Hunter, Sir."

"So, now..." Lann rubbed his face helplessly, "To what extent have things developed?"

Stuart and Lincoln exchanged glances, and it was Lincoln who stepped forward slightly, speaking in a low voice.

"Do you remember those alchemical formulas you left behind to assist Demon Hunters in combat? Alchemy Bombs, sword oils."

"I, uh, no... they."

Lann glanced at Lincoln, and immediately the young man with just a stubble shifted his tone.

"They’ve already learned quite a bit."

As he spoke, Lincoln shielded a small pouch hanging from his waist, knowing full well this action wouldn’t stop Lann from observing, hence a faint, awkward smile appeared on his face.

Lann’s nostrils flared slightly, realizing only now, after smelling it...

"Bear fat, flea badge, Hundred-Relief Grass... it’s [Enhanced Corpse-Eating Organism Oil]."

Lann squinted at Lincoln in front of him.

"You rascal!"

But after watching for a while, although Lincoln still appeared cautious and awkward, he did not retreat under Lann’s gaze.

This is what Lann said before: The Embers Knight Order respects him, obeys him, but still maintains a high degree of personal initiative.

"Fine, forget it."

Finally, Lann sighed.

"Regarding your desire to become Demon Hunters, I understand. But until I find a way to improve the Green Grass Trial formula, I won’t let you come into contact with those things."

"I wouldn’t want to return someday and find only a dozen of you left, understand?"

"Of course, Sir!"*2

At this point, Stuart and Lincoln replied loudly in unison.

Lann waved his hand, the greater reason being he still couldn’t quite leave Stuart’s nearly disabled state compared to the past.

That was a body disabled in front of him, executed and mutilated.

At the time, for the sake of the overall situation, Lann couldn’t save him and his father. This left Lann with some regret and a sense of debt.

"Alright, the account is settled, I should go. There are still things to be done."

Without even sitting on a chair, Lann almost finished tidying up the Knight Order’s affairs, ready to leave.

But Lincoln blinked after hearing what Lann said.

"Sir." The Knight Order’s secretary scratched his head, "When you say ’things to be done,’ do you refer to... over at Elrand?"

"Hmm?" The Demon Hunter raised his head in surprise, looked at Lincoln.

How would he know such things? Regarding the safety of the Ponta River Valley, even spreading rumors in the market about such matters would cause massive economic shockwaves and panic.

Neither Veltrest nor Yaden’s Demavi would let the news spread freely.

But after a second thought, things became clear.

Since only a few people have the qualification to leak the news, surely they informed the Embers Knight Order stationed here.

"Did Veltrest’s messenger also come here?"

"Yes, Sir." Stuart’s speaking would uncontrollably tug at his iron jaw on his chin, "But for caution’s sake, the messenger only conveyed a message to me and Lincoln after confirming the command authority of the Knight Order."

"King Veltrest briefed us on the situation and said you might likely be involved in this matter." Lincoln supplemented from the side. "But whether the Knight Order will be deployed is ultimately up to us, that is, your will."

"Of course, we all hope you can use our strength in this unclear predicament."

"We haven’t fought together in a long time, Sir. Although our loyalty is beyond question."

Stuart also stepped forward, looking at Lann with eyes as calm as an ice lake.

"But we all hope to experience this honor again. Moreover, this time the location involved in the Ponta River Valley is too important, there will likely be powerful nobles appearing there."

"Even considering your status and appearance, you need someone to accompany you."

Lann glanced around at Lincoln and Stuart, whose expressions were insistent but still always ready to comply with orders.

"You are all the ones who survived the weaponry of Sodden Mountain with me. If you want to fight alongside me again, I certainly agree."

Lann finally relaxed.

"But the number of people can’t be too many. I’ll only take ten people; otherwise, it will slow down the journey. The two of you are responsible for selecting people, that’s it."

With the final order given, Lincoln and Stuart exchanged glances, then saluted Lann and left the room to announce and execute the order to the Knight Order outside.

Lann thought to himself that picking out ten people should just be a matter of calling names.

So he simply sat in the specially made large chair and began reviewing the Knight Order’s accounts over this period.

The accounts, once handed to Mentos, were quickly audited, essentially flipping through and integrating them simultaneously.

But in the courtyard outside the main structure of the castle, what was initially orderly training sounds changed after Lincoln and Stuart went out to announce the order.

Almost instantly, it turned into an enthusiastic cheer.

The Embers Knight Order usually operates with perfect order; each member is of noble origin, understands etiquette, and was honed seamlessly in the last war under Lann.

But when the opportunity to travel alongside Lann, even to fight alongside him, was made available, this usually quiet Knight Order.

Suddenly, like embers about to extinguish, erupted into explosive flames!

As Lann finished reviewing the accounts in the chair, in less than two minutes by his efficiency,

an abrupt clashing of blades erupted in the courtyard outside!

Lann was first stunned, as was Rong Buqiu. The Demon Hunter and the Elu Cat looked at each other on their respective large and small chairs, their cat eyes meeting.

"...Oh shit!"

Then Lann blurted out as if a light bulb went off in his head.

He knew too well what the situation was now—

You were supposed to pick people... and now there’s an honors duel going on here!?

Selecting ten Honored Swordsman on the spot, right!

Lann stood up from the large chair, and Rong Buqiu leapt onto his shoulder from the small chair.

When he walked to the window to look, sure enough!

"Meow!"

Perched on Lann’s shoulder, Rong Buqiu twisted its body with excitement, its elongated form resembling a cat worm.

Don’t be fooled by its cute appearance; it’s actually a battle maniac that loves to be immersed in combat and the clash of blades.

For instance, now, watching the scene below, it cheered.

To earn—or rather compete for—the honor of traveling alongside Lann once more and fighting together, the Embers Knight Order, as close as brothers, began an internal contest.

Except for Stuart, who claimed his physical condition would "not delay the lord’s journey" as a reason for not participating, stating coldly.

The moment the announcement was made, all knights, with originally rational and calm eyes, suddenly became clouded with a fervent battle intent akin to a raging fire!

Without much more words, everyone separated in a clatter of lightly colliding armor.

With sharp gazes, they surveyed everyone else, detached the Elf-Style Long Blade from their belts, and switched to unsharpened training swords at the edge of the training ground.

They also removed the armor they always wore, leaving only the silk shirts underneath.

Purely using martial skills to compete for superiority.

Even with unsharpened training swords, on bodies without armor, they would appear excessively hard.

However, allowing the blade to sweep across the body, feeling that hair-raising moment, to display their swordsmanship and martial skills... this was exactly their pursued goal.

With coordination skillful enough to surpass the times, the Embers Knight Order established a series of simple rules including grouping and competition format within just half a minute.

Holding swords opposite each other on carefully selected open spaces, they had joyful and delighted smiles on their faces.

Half a minute later... with a "clang," an explosive burst of metal clashing rang out!

Thus opened the competition, followed closely by the dense sounds of blades striking one another, drawing Lann from his seat to the window.

Combat without armor elevates the danger level rapidly, the technical requirements rise drastically, while the entanglement time drastically decreases.

Because even a small mistake could result in a failure to exit the stage.

Within High Hill Castle, which King Veltrest assigned for the Embers Knight Order to garrison, there are twice the number of horses, cooks, and servants as there are knights.

These personnel, likewise appointed by Veltrest, over nearly two years of interaction believed themselves quite familiar with the Embers Knight Order’s style.

This Knight Order is significantly different from other knight orders they have interacted with.

Even if they had seen knight orders entirely composed of nobles’ descendants, let alone those mixed with civilian warriors.

But none of those knight orders are like the Embers Knight Order, possessing such a self-restrained ethos.

Each member seems to strive to maintain calmness, rationality, and grace at all times.

While strict with themselves, they would even engage in public works like road and bridge repairs.

Compared to those arrogant knight orders, these service staff always felt the Embers Knight Order was perfectly abnormal.

However, when a string of blade tip collisions sounded, these service staff hurriedly poked their heads out from their work to check, realizing... they didn’t actually understand another side of the Knight Order.

Violent, fierce, fearless, passionate...

In the instant of blades crossing, these individuals, to enjoy the honor of ’fighting alongside Lann,’ erupted into an honors duel.

This showcased their most dominant feature as a top-tier knight order in today’s world—absolute martial prowess!