Bear School Astartes

And the so-called ’choices’, in fact, are what Lann and Iophis want to tell Sachia, the key to solving the problem of racial conflict.

Namely— the so-called [sacrifice].

’Sacrifice’ is the most noble action a wise being can make.

To establish a city of racial equality, for this vision, people must make sacrifices.

Non-human races must face the brutal reality, they have to sacrifice their hatred, and begin to stand with the human farmers.

Perhaps humans destroyed their civilization and slaughtered them first.

But the current social situation is humanity’s absolute dominance, to struggle for survival and racial equality, they must ’forget’ their hurtful past.

Otherwise, if only seeking revenge, humans will have no reason to stand with them.

Though they are victims, in the cruel and complex reality, for the future, they must make ’sacrifices’.

At least direct the hatred towards human nobility, and it must not spread indefinitely.

And cannot use this as a reason to take back what the human farmers have gained.

Humans need to ’sacrifice’ too.

They must sacrifice their original social hierarchy superior to non-human races.

Even a human farmer scraping a living off the land would feel a sense of superiority facing non-human races.

But similarly, if they want support from the non-human races during a farmers’ rebellion, human farmers must abandon those ridiculous feelings of superiority.

At the end of the day, everyone must sacrifice certain beliefs to unite as a whole and move towards the future.

In Lann’s homeland world, this is known as ’enduring for the nation’, known as ’setting disputes aside’.

But in this world, non-human races harbor deep hatred towards humans, and this world’s farmers are shortsighted, cowardly, and fickle.

They lack the so-called sense of home, country, and righteousness.

During their process of coming together to work, they are bound to be erratic, even turncoat.

You cannot demand from them steadfast and courageous will.

Thus, it can only be human intervention, strong upper-level intervention.

Force them to maintain the unity acquired through their ’sacrifices’ and consolidate their achievements.

This process will inevitably be fraught with difficulties, even filled with injustice, like the grievances of non-human races’ past.

But to cut off the chain of hatred... this is the ’method’ Lann was silently considering before on the barge with Sachia.

"If all of you can help me, also believe in me... then I am willing to try for our shared ideal."

Sachia spoke solemnly after pondering.

Iophis clasped his hands together with constant rubbing, his chest heaving violently, nodding heavily.

But after Sachia’s serious response, the face Iophis praised had a mocking smile.

She turned her head towards the most critical Demon Hunter in this conversation.

"Let me be the leader on the surface while you provide advice and support from behind... sounds like I’ve been hollowed out and turned into a puppet."

"If we indeed achieve cooperation through power and interest, then without a doubt." Lann nodded frankly, "This indeed sounds like supporting a puppet."

Lann, with an unchanged expression, speaks words that would make anyone shudder in any power structure.

"But are we?"

Amber cat eyes of the Demon Hunter and the Green Dragon Female Warrior’s eyes met, both without any diversion.

"We have no involvement of interests, no compromise or struggle for rights. Even sitting together now is only because our ideas are largely similar. And we are equally ready to start concrete actions for this idea."

With that, the Demon Hunter stretched out his right hand across the fire towards the Female Warrior.

"Now, we are comrades."

Sachia was somewhat stunned as she looked at Lann’s face flickered by the swaying firelight, then smiled and reached out to shake his hand.

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

In subsequent exchanges, with Iophis and Lann’s help, Sachia barely cleared her thoughts, having a simple idea for the future.

The oppressive environment of Yaden towards farmers is an excellent scene for organizing a rebellion.

But why would the rebelling farmers listen to the leadership and advice of a stranger? Although Sachia, according to Iophis’ theory, indeed embodies the image of an ideal idol in rebellion.

But unless one is able to instill awe and reverence, the likelihood when this beautiful Female Warrior appears in the rebel ranks is that she would be treated as a ’trophy’ by the rebels.

Regardless, she first needs to build a name for herself.

A name loud enough, awe-inspiring, and worthy of trust.

Then use this name to engage in the farmers’ rebellion that is bound to erupt in Yaden.

"[Dragon Slayer]!" Iophis declared excitedly and ambitiously. "[Dragon Slaying Saintess]!"

"Use your original appearance to lure the hunters to chase you, and after hiding in the cave, come out with a human appearance, claiming to have killed the evil dragon!"

"Just like what Clifford’s raiders said, few people dare to venture into the cave to see the corpse of the evil dragon. As long as you bring out a small box of gold and silver treasures, claiming it as the dragon’s collection, who can say otherwise?"

Lann considered this proposal as an option, but unexpectedly, Sachia seemed very interested in letting herself, a real dragon, carry the title of [Dragon Slayer] and nodded frequently on the spot.

Even though it was said to build a Free City State with racial equality, it’s best not to reveal Sachia’s true dragon identity.

Because dragons, although considered an intelligent race among Demon Hunters and Warlocks like elves and humans,

the knowledge level of Demon Hunters and Warlocks in this Magic Middle Ages is undoubtedly that of advanced intellectuals.

Can others compare? Can the average social level compare?

Due to their appearance and longstanding notorious reputation, most people still regard dragons as a form of ’monster.’

Elves and humans may listen to a dwarf’s command, but they will never heed the orders of a Water Ghost or Fiend,

nor will they unite around a ’monster’ while discussing equality.

And for the more detailed discussion of this plan, Lann did not delve too much.

As he said, he would provide help from behind the scenes but would not appear too much in the front.

He told Sachia that he had some assets in Novigrad, and if she needed help, whether looking for the Embers Knight Order or finding Dudu in Novigrad, there would be no problem.

He would inform these characters under his command.

"Then we must act immediately, time waits for no one!"

The One-Eyed Elf said ambitiously.

Seeing his dream of saving the race finally begin to take some form of progress, he now felt energized throughout.

The night was heavy, and wild rose petals opened freely under the influence of Chaos Magic Power, adorned with dew, exuding a faint fragrance.

But these beautiful scenery and scents could not affect Iophis’s increasingly strong will.

He immediately pulled up Sachia from the campfire, ready to talk with his remaining Squirrel Faction subordinates.

Sachia complained about still being a wounded person, but Iophis said that her injuries had improved significantly with the help of the Demon Hunters, and the medics in his troop were enough to cope.

Among non-human races, due to living in this world longer, herbology is quite prevalent. Overall medical standards are stronger than humans.

At least barbers wouldn’t be mistaken for medics.

After informing Sachia on how to contact him, Lann and Margaret calmly watched the other two leave, moving towards their endeavor.

"You will surely be quite busy when you return next time."

The Female Warlock leaned against Lann’s side, speaking with a hint of melancholy.

"Who knows, maybe when your Free City really progresses, you will move directly over there? Not even staying in Airetusa."

"Then build a permanent portal between the future Free City and Airetusa."

Lann shrugged, speaking indifferently.

"How much would it cost? Two to three thousand Oren? I could place a custom order for the academy."

"Hey!" Margaret, dissatisfied, lightly slapped the Demon Hunter beside her.

Aside from particular instances where Lann exhibited male chauvinism, stubbornly insisting on paying out of pride, like spatial expansion packs and crafting Demon Hunter gear,

at other times, Margaret loved covering all his expenses, finding pleasure in it.

Sometimes, Lann’s insistence on paying was seen by her as ’depriving her of the fun of spending money.’

Although with the business of Valyrian Steel attacking and conquering in the steel market, the asset gap between them was rapidly narrowing, Margaret simply loved spending money for him.

The Demon Hunter took off his leather gloves, casually tucking the stray hairs on the Female Warlock’s face behind her ear.

The direct touch of skin and the stimulation from the Chaos Magic Power caused the Female Warlock to tremble with slight pleasure.

And she exhaled a breath, letting out an alluring, winding sigh.

"Perhaps I will indeed become a bit busier in the future." Lann said calmly, "But as I said, my main role is support and planning from behind the scenes."

"Moreover, this matter cannot be done without the academy’s support. In fact, one of my major roles is to build a bridge between the future Free City and Airetusa."

The Demon Hunter looked down at the director, who was tinged with contemplative pleasure.

"Getting involved in the cause of racial equality has risks for Airetusa and the Warlocks but also opportunities."

"A Free City State. Just like Novigrad, how many forces are entrenched in that Northern Pearl now? Big and small, bright and dark, aren’t they all trying to take a share of the wave of gold coin interests in that city, expanding influence?"

"Among the Warlocks, quite a few agree with the concept of racial equality. After all, many of you have mixed elf blood, right? I remember Yennefer has a quarter."

"Hmm?" Margaret seemed to suddenly become alert, "Why do you remember her so clearly?"

Lann, who was originally prepared to thoroughly analyze the interest relationships, froze upon hearing this, and then looked at Margaret speechlessly.