Bear School Astartes

Lann, who had come near Elrand City, had no intention of entering the city. Instead, he sent Lincoln to ask the busy merchants on both sides of the road a couple of questions and learned the location of the Meretelli Temple, then rode his horse in that direction.

This kind of asking for directions seemed quite common, so neither the merchants nor the passersby were surprised.

The faith of Meretelli is the most widespread belief in the Northern Territory, and the Meretelli Temple in Elrand is the most renowned temple of this faith.

Each year, countless pilgrims or those seeking help travel tirelessly here in search of spiritual solace or tangible assistance from the priests.

In a way, perhaps the city of Elrand is widely known because of this Meretelli Temple?

The temple is located outside the city and is not hard to find.

Because there is a convenient road for pilgrims and supplicants leading from the city all the way to the temple.

This road is smooth and solid, worthy even of the bustling city center, yet it lies in the open plain outside the city.

After finding the direction, the Embers Knights and Lann ambled unhurriedly on this road.

The fields on both sides of the road remained farmer’s lands, where they planted a large amount of wheat, and a small number of turnips, potatoes, and carrots.

There were also easy-to-grow herbs like Hundred-Relief Grass.

It was a bit overcast at this time, but combined with the vast skies surrounding the city and the large clouds drifting with the wind, it felt expansive and distant.

A tall and large windmill, though its blades looked worn, was in constant ’creaking’ motion, amid many farm fields in such weather.

In the team, a few Embers Knights, as they approached the Meretelli Temple, gently touched their foreheads with their fingers and muttered prayers.

Lann turned and looked at them but said nothing.

The impact of Meretelli’s faith needs no emphasis; almost all women in the Northern Territory believe in it.

From the Queen to the laundress.

And men inevitably are influenced by the women around them.

Even though the Embers Knights were solitary figures, in their family’s lifetime, mothers or sisters, lovers, must have been followers of Meretelli.

Now they were not just honoring the deity but also commemorating their deceased female relatives.

Meretelli is a gentle and inclusive faith, comforting the pains of all beings with the trinity image of a maiden, a pregnant woman, and an old lady.

Of course, this includes men who have lost female loved ones.

They continued walking along the pilgrimage road until the main gate of the Meretelli Temple emerged.

Though called a temple, it is actually an architectural complex.

It does not have the grand architectural style of Yan’an, the Flame World or the Ardan World; nor do the people here have such architectural prowess.

The Meretelli Temple’s entirety is akin to a section of buildings in Novigrad’s Upper City District being enclosed.

Gray-white stone walls bonded together, with red tiled roofs above them.

A poplar tree-lined path extends from the main gate forward, leading to a building beside the sanctuary.

The main hall area is built against the mountain, with stone statue fountains of Meretelli’s three forms standing at its entrance. Presumably, there are even more solemn statues or paintings inside the main hall.

The arrival of a group of knights disrupted the temple’s original tranquility.

The heavy sound of hooves naturally conveyed a sense of sternness and urgency.

However, most people in the Meretelli Temple remained calm, as the pilgrims from all over the world were the ’sights’ they have seen.

And no one believes that anyone would dare to commit evil in Meretelli’s sanctuary.

Inside the temple gate, a few female priestess apprentices who had originally been sitting together feeding chickens and ducks first thought to shoo away these poultry when they saw the knights entering, lest they be trampled by the hooves.

A burly old woman with a large broom in hand pouted unhappily, seemingly disdainful of the dust and leaves freshly raised by the knights’ steps.

The Embers Knights, with their bright armor and noble demeanor, distinguished themselves from ordinary knights at a glance.

At this moment, they attracted a lot of attention.

The female priestess apprentices training in the temple, while herding the chickens and ducks, surreptitiously glanced at the Embers Knights who walked with unwavering eyes.

But no matter how many Embers Knights there were, none were as eye-catching as the leading knight at the front.

On a magnificent horse over two meters tall at the shoulder, with beautiful pale mane spilling from under its harness, and an elegant form that seemed otherworldly.

A knight in keeping with the horse’s form sat dignified atop it.

However, he seemed to be wearing a popular magic cloak, and the shadow of the hood made his face indiscernible, maybe the figure was accentuated by the magic cloak?

The female priestess apprentices absentmindedly scattered more feed to the side, leading the chickens and ducks further away. Yet their eyes still stole glances at this sudden group of knights.

But while the female priestess apprentices were puzzled, there were those who could discern what was happening.

From the end of the tree-lined path among the buildings, a wooden door opened, and a simply dressed old lady, draped in a blue veil, stepped out.

"What’s all the noise for?"

Her loose-skinned hand grasped the hanging sides of her veil at her chest as she spoke and walked towards them.

The passing female priestess apprentices greeted and explained the situation to her.

"A group of knights suddenly came, Mentor Aiora!"

"They are knights we haven’t seen before, surely outsiders!"

The girls were chatting away, cheerful and lively.

In stark contrast to the annoyed and restless old woman listening to their chatter.

"Alright, alright! Do you think I’ve gone deaf?"

The old woman exclaimed helplessly.

"Little Aiora, take them aside first; after feeding the chickens, ducks, and geese, go and water the flowers, vegetables, or whatever... Hey, spare me, please."

So, a girl stood out from among the apprentice priestesses, leading them away to a more distant place.

It seemed that both of their names were the same, perhaps Aiora, the mentor, had adopted this girl.

Having dispatched the noisy and lively apprentice priestesses, the old woman turned around to quickly assess the group of foreign knights entering the Meretelli Temple.

At this moment, Lann and his companions dismounted very politely, each soothing their steeds to prevent any commotion.

Such courtesy and discipline evidently made the old woman’s eyebrows raise in surprise.

Soon after, Aiora’s mentor’s gaze swiftly caught sight of the constantly upright-held long spear of Lincoln, with the blue-gold lion flag.

"The banner of Sintra... the renowned Embers Knight Order?"

The old woman cautiously asked, clutching the corners of her headscarf in front of her chest.

Although she was about seventy to eighty percent sure, mistaking a knight order could certainly anger some known and stubborn knights.

Luckily, Lann and the Embers knights were not that kind of people.

"Hello, Mentor Aiora." Lann stepped forward, beginning the negotiation in a gentle tone.

This tone was essentially affirming her words.

As the old woman sized up Lann, who was speaking...

"You can just call me Nanny Aiora; you are... Duke Lann of Sintra?"

Aiora instinctively introduced herself but then quickly realized something.

If an ordinary person had such a stature, the general first reaction was: this person was wearing a fashionable magic cloak.

This was also the success of merging Dandelion’s promotional strategy with Dudu’s commercial planning over this period.

But if someone like this leads a group of Embers knights out... you’re telling me this is a magic cloak?!

It’s only heard that illusion techniques can bewilder one’s appearance, never that it could self-equip such elite knights!

It was just a moment of surprise, and Nanny Aiora quickly regained her composure.

As the temple’s priestess and apprentice guide, devoted to serving the Goddess, this was her utmost attitude towards worldly fame.

"Quite the esteemed figure visiting us indeed."

The old woman said teasingly while bowing to Lann, to which the Demon Hunter also responded.

"Your visit to Elrand this time seems to be about matters concerning the Ponta River Valley?"

Nanny Aiora seemed to speak casually.

Yet, these words made Lann turn to exchange a glance with Lincoln.

Indeed, within this esteemed Meretelli Temple, though lacking secular power due to the dogmas of faith itself, the status was prominent.

Information was well-informed.

"Since you are also in the know, I have nothing to hide; it is indeed so."

Lann spoke politely.

"Veltrest personally wrote to us, so we traveled from Velen all the way here, reaching Elrand today. We just hope to find a place to rest peacefully."

"The merciful Meretelli will share shelter and food with all who seek assistance."

Nanny Aiora first spoke devotedly, then gestured backwards, pointing in a direction.

"But first, I would like you to meet the chief priestess."

"I came precisely for that." Lann said compliantly.

Qilin and the other Embers knights stayed behind, while Lann followed Nanny Aiora along the leafy path ahead.

They walked until reaching the side of the main hall built against the mountain, where there was a small entrance with flickering light inside.

"This is a greenhouse we’ve excavated, used for cultivating special herbs."

Nanny Aiora explained while leading the way.

"Nanik is currently inside tending to those delicate plants."

"...You’re not worried about assassins or anything inside, are you?"

With this, the old woman jokingly glanced back at the Demon Hunter following her.

If tales from the battlefield were true, then not just stealthy killers, even an armored legion would be nothing before this man.

Indeed, following behind, Lann showed no signs of disturbance beneath his hood.