Bear School Astartes

Putting Dudu’s letter away, he sets down the envelope.

In Lann’s mind, Mentos is meticulously and systematically processing the newly received information.

About the covert operation and allocation of funds, about the intelligence compilation of the Dark Alley Gang, about Sachia and their future actions in the peasant uprising in Yaden...

Thinking about these things was not difficult for him.

To manage an organization, support an organization, or even use an organization to systematically and strategically undermine a country was not unimaginable for him.

In fact, he could say he had more ’experience’ than anyone else in this world.

The Sons of the Emperor always pursued ’perfection’, although Lann tended to keep such impulses under control without becoming obsessive.

But he had to admit, the memories of those Sons of the Emperor were indeed quite helpful to him.

In the era of the Human Empire’s expansion and expedition among the stars, the Sons of the Emperor had combat power and comprehensive abilities that were unmatched, though their numbers were relatively few.

And because they were few in number, they fully leveraged their advantages in ’diplomacy and interaction’.

They didn’t fight rigidly; when they wanted to conquer a planet, they would penetrate its interior using diplomatic tactics.

Diversion, suppression, recruitment... a process complemented by the inherently formidable combat power of the Sons of the Emperor, along with fleets stationed in outer space, was almost always successful.

And now, Lann holds the access to funding channels, has a gang collecting intelligence, and is currently about to support a foreign violent organization involved in a peasant uprising...

The Demon Hunter involuntarily chuckled, feeling momentarily ’familiar’ with himself.

But there was one crucial difference: unlike the entity he felt ’familiar’ with.

Lann doesn’t do these things to expand his own interests or influence; he simply confirms—he’s doing the right thing.

"The main responsibility for this will be yours and Stuart’s."

Lann waved the envelope he had put away and looked at Lincoln.

"This is what I’ve decided to do..."

"Therefore, it is what we’ve resolved to do, sir. We’ve already discussed this long ago, there’s no disagreement."

Without letting Lann finish, Lincoln calmly interjected.

And earnestly looked at him.

Lann shrugged.

"That’s right, so the main responsible party must be our people. Airetusa will secretly assist in this, but won’t bear any responsibility, do you understand?"

"I completely understand, sir."

Lincoln agreed unequivocally.

Margaret frowned slightly, wanting to say something, but Tishaya’s hand stopped her.

The Female Warlock, who was the real voice of Airetusa due to her seniority, solemnly looked at Lann.

Her stance indicated that she no longer represented herself at this moment.

"This indeed matches our long-standing cooperative style. The academy will fulfill its commitments, and the details of this agreement will be confined to a very small number of people. It will involve the academy’s finance department, magic item department..."

Tishaya systematically listed several departments within Airetusa Academy, without trailing off with ’and so forth’.

This clearly delineated the scope of authority and those informed, leaving no room for ambiguity. Only the heads of these departments would actively participate.

That was sufficient.

Lann needed this cooperative attitude.

"You must not only assist them but also supervise them." The Demon Hunter turned his gaze back to Lincoln.

"We detest oppression between races, which is why we support Sachia, turning her naive and hollow ideals into reality and feasibility."

"But her followers will undoubtedly include many non-human races, those who have been harmed and filled with resentment. They don’t seek equality; they’re driven to revenge in madness."

"This situation cannot be let to spread unchecked. After all, when we first started discussions with Iophis, we agreed that in order to achieve a hopeful future, sacrifices must be made."

"Namely, controlling the scope of hatred and revenge."

"Their emotions might become obstacles on their path, and if I’m not around when that happens... I hope the Ember Knights responsible for supervision can provide them ’education’."

The wording was subtle, but everyone present understood the meaning.

That meaning carried a scent of blood.

Actions taken to resolve racial issues should not lead to an escalation of hatred, correct?

And this requires limitations.

"We need force."

Lincoln stated steadily.

"The Embers Knight Order currently has the highest combat strength when organized. But according to your instructions, we cannot show ourselves formally, at least not for a considerable period of time."

"This means we need adequate force even when numbers are insufficient."

This force is not for the Ember Knights to directly attack the non-human race soldiers under Sachia when they go berserk.

Sachia and Iophis are both rational people, and Lann had confirmed this in previous conversations.

They don’t wish to escalate hatred, so they will definitely adhere to agreed rules.

Lincoln naturally knows their role will be akin to oversight at that time.

What he meant by ’force’ was the power to ensure he wouldn’t meet an ’accidental death’ in everyday life, after fulfilling rules in front of everyone.

It’s easy to imagine non-human races full of hatred forming factions to eliminate a bothersome human within the group.

"Speaking of which, I do have some good news."

Lann tilted his head and looked at Lincoln.

"I have made some progress on something you’ve been longing for."

While speaking, Lann nodded to Tishaya.

The female Warlock took out three cautiously preserved plant seeds from her space expansion bag and placed them on the table.

Lincoln couldn’t help raising his eyebrow as soon as Lann hinted.

"Are you saying...?"

He stared intensely at the three plant seeds on the table.

Could these represent the hope for them to overcome the Cyan Grass Trial and make their lives more resilient?

"This alchemy formula’s effect on the Cyan Grass Trial hasn’t been tested yet, and making it is quite difficult; it needs to be cultivated from the raw materials."

Lann shrugged.

"But the future is bright, isn’t it?"

"If these herbs are indeed viable," Lincoln stared intently at the table, "then these will be the most important assets within the Knight Order!"

However, Tishaya ignored the young knight’s gaze and put the plant seeds back on the table.

"But I can’t let you cultivate them, at least not until I confirm they won’t cause species invasion."

"Species... what?"

Lincoln looked puzzled.

Though he counted as a cultured man even among the knights, the world’s ecological knowledge hadn’t developed deeply enough yet.

He struggled to understand the term.

"Irrelevant." Lann shook his head, "Just consider these plants to be risky, and let professional Mages oversee them."

After a round of discussion, Lann had already figured out many things that happened in the Magical Middle Ages after they were transferred away and urgently started dealing with the Fog Nest Master’s corpse.

He only needed to coordinate some matters slightly, then the arrangements and plans could proceed step by step.

Lincoln, after completing face-to-face reports and orders, would leave Airetusa that same day, returning to High Hill Castle. To deliver the orders to the Embers Knight Order.

The ten Honored Swordsmen who previously traveled with Lann had returned to the group after the Fog Nest Master’s corpse disappeared, and started teaching Lann’s Swordsmanship to the rest of the Knight Order.

So the Embers Knight Order had begun a long-awaited busy period.

Additionally, they’ll have to follow orders to provide assistance and oversight to Sachia far away in Yaden... The energy and action required for this task are not something an ordinary Knight Order can bear.

Especially since, in terms of scale, they were just a small Knight Order with only sixty members.

However, neither Lann nor the knights themselves doubted whether they had the ability to complete the mission.

After the conversation, Lann did not snuggle with Margaret, whose eyes were gleaming.

Tishaya cited it being broad daylight and work hours, and hauled Margaret to talk about her being forced to temporarily abandon Magic in the New Continent. Instead, she managed to delve into theoretical research and made great progress.

Tishaya always felt her power, compared to others, stemmed only from self-discipline and time, while Margaret possessed a talent that surpassed hers.

Thus, she harbored high hopes for this student.

She hopes her experience and findings can be validated and advanced under Margaret’s talent.

Therefore, she couldn’t wait to drag this outstanding graduate back to class.

Lann had his own matters to attend to.

He started heading towards the lower levels of Airetusa, aiming for the secret grotto.

After achieving progress, Tishaya’s understanding of the Elf Beacon grew more profound, and she better understood the chaos magic power tides driving the Celestial Sphere Convergence Rift.

Her calculations were becoming increasingly accurate.

The opening time of the Celestial Sphere Convergence Rift was indeed approaching.

The reason Lann assigned the Embers Knight Order the task of assisting and overseeing in Yaden without being able to get involved himself was precisely this.

He must devote himself to even more important work.

He certainly valued the activities of racial oppression and resistance greatly. But if something went wrong on the other end of the Celestial Sphere Convergence, it would likely be more than just a single race’s issue.

He walked along the rocky corridor down to the half-open grotto, listening to the sound of waves rising and falling outside.

But under the isolation of magic, there was no uncomfortable dampness.

Still simple furniture arrangements.

Rong Buqiu had been here for a long time. It was cradling its two small paws, seriously considering what more to carry for the next adventure as it looked at the row of display cabinets against the wall.

Seeing it having ideas of its own, Lann felt quite pleased.

With Rong Buqiu’s current physical condition, he was actually prepared to discuss fighting spirit techniques with it.

After all, this was also a traditional technique from Rong Buqiu’s homeland, as a Hunting Cat.