Bear School Astartes

When Lann spoke, Margaret and Sachia were both surprised at first, looking at the Demon Hunter, then reacted and turned their surprised gazes to the One-Eyed Elf.

Iophis appeared much more composed.

"You cannot grow correct fruits from dirty roots."

The Squirrel Faction Commander, known for his cold reputation of ’indiscriminate attacks,’ was now speaking with a philosophical tone.

"Ever since Ailireen cut off the elves’ potential to reproduce as a race, we’ve learned to submit to human rule."

"Human nations are built on the ruins of Elf Palaces, and we elves make our living in these human nations."

"We are widespread, present in every country, yet in every country, our situation is roughly the same."

"For the past two hundred years, countless elves have wept, thanking the gods for encountering a lord who can tolerate and trust non-human races. But as I’ve said before... these are all like ephemeral illusions, unreliable."

"Only we can save ourselves! Help from others will one day prove unreliable!"

"But as a race, the elves can no longer stand on the world stage." Margaret calmly yet sharply pointed out a fact. "Population. The most fundamental attribute of a race, your population is too small."

Iophis responded frankly to Margaret’s sharp questioning.

"Yes, without a doubt, the elves had factually failed in racial struggles as early as two hundred years ago."

"So I dare not hope to return the elves to their historical status before human landing; such a foolish idea never even crossed my mind."

"Now, the only goal most likely to be achieved and most worth pursuing is one."

The One-Eyed Elf raised a finger, indicating to everyone around the campfire.

But it was not him who spoke last; instead, it was Lann, who, under Iophis’s eager and slightly timid gaze of expectation, responded.

The Demon Hunter calmly looked at the flickering flames and said,

"—Racial equality. Elves, Dwarves, Half-Elves, Humans... equality for everyone."

Iophis nodded with pursed lips, while Sachia, as if enlightened, yet with a bit of bewilderment, turned to look at the Demon Hunter.

"Elves alone can’t make it." Lann continued, "So we must bring everyone together, painting a shared vision for all."

"And the ironic thing is..."

As he spoke, Lann finally shifted his gaze from the fire, looking with interest at the pondering Sachia and the eagerly awaiting Iophis.

"Precisely because we must bring everyone together, promising them a fair and just future, the leader should preferably not be any side of these non-human races."

"Otherwise, you’ll constantly suspect each other internally, fearing other non-human races are using you as targets to draw fire."

"And the ones who fit the criteria, genuinely hold equality in mind, and are strong enough not to die prematurely halfway through..."

The Demon Hunter smiled tacitly, tapping his chest with his finger and pointing to the Green Dragon Female Warrior on the other side.

To accomplish great things, a correct and suitable leader is of utmost importance.

Like Iophis, his ideas, while considering reality, are bold enough.

Although not explicitly stated, Lann already fully understood: he wants to establish a city, or even a country, different from the Northern Four Countries, where non-human races and humans can truly be treated equally.

But having only ideas is not enough.

His identity and stance predetermined he cannot unite the large majority needed in the process toward this goal. He can only unite elves.

His leadership ability and charisma do not support him breaking barriers and going further.

Thus, he needs to find a true leader.

Someone who agrees with his ideals and possesses the advantages he doesn’t, to become the leader.

Failing to find such a person is also the reason Iophis resorted to recklessly raising a Squirrel Faction team.

But now... suddenly, two candidates appeared before him!

What once was an ungrounded illusion with only a sketchy outline now presented a possibility of realization right in front of Iophis!

"You want to establish a Free City like Novigrad?"

Margaret chuckled softly, shaking her head, lifting her cup for another sip.

"In the current situation? That’s a bit like a fool’s dream."

It’s not that she looks down on Iophis’s ideals but because Margaret knows the current situation is complicated, and Novigrad’s establishment wasn’t that simple either.

Novigrad was founded at the delta where the Ponta River flows into the sea, a place with unrivaled geographical advantages.

Moreover, it’s where humans first landed and established city-states, an area with deep-rooted foundations.

Then, after waves of political strife and international friction, it finally earned the status of the ’Northern Pearl’ Free City State.

But do the current international situation and geographic factors have these conditions?

The North has been developed and exploited by humans back and forth for hundreds of years, and the land isn’t large to begin with; where is there any unclaimed territory left?

Every area is claimed, who would be willing to carve out a piece?

To fight for it? That’s even less possible.

The Squirrel Faction’s guerrilla tactics might be a nuisance, but if they step out of the woods for a frontal assault, humans would be delighted.

Moreover, at this unprecedentedly tense point between North and South, the Squirrel Faction still carries a layer of ’oppressed resistance’ guise, and the public isn’t that angry at them, only thinking that the non-human race’s resistance is somewhat normal.

But if we start occupying cities, it would be openly siding with the Niflgaard Empire. Whatever is said would be useless; it would be enough to be labeled as ’enemy,’ making elimination unobstructed.

So, in Margaret’s view, the idea of this One-Eyed Elf is indeed good, but because it is untimely, there is simply no room to implement it under the waves of the era and the situation.

However, just as the Female Warlock was losing interest and turned to see her lover’s expression.

"..." Margaret’s initially sighing and head-shaking expression suddenly froze.

Because she felt a sense of familiarity from Lann’s seemingly calm eyes staring at the fire.

When he first entered Airetusa to recuperate, he said he wanted to go to Vizima to settle accounts with someone, and it was the same look in his eyes.

At that time, she advised Lann, saying there was no rush, but what was the result of the outcome... Now in Vizima, almost everyone knows.

Once he made his decision, nothing could stop him.

"You couldn’t be..." Margaret still looked at the Demon Hunter with some disbelief, "Do you think this can work?"

The One-Eyed Elf, who had been reluctantly turning away due to the Female Warlock’s cold remarks, turned his face seriously at this moment.

"There is indeed an opportunity."

Lann spoke bluntly.

Margaret first frowned, but then could only sigh helplessly.

"You actually... already had thoughts about this, right? You’ve long been impatient with the foolish aristocrats and officials filled with selfish motives, right?"

"I’ve never hidden this fact from you."

"But you never said directly that this is what you wanted to do..." Margaret was speechless, but then she shook her head and smiled bitterly. "Forget it, it’s not like I can stop you anyway."

"But you’d better think it through, dear. This isn’t a simple matter. Even the most ambitious among us like Philippa, I don’t think she would have such..."

Towards the end, Margaret found herself at a loss for words, unable to accurately describe her feelings.

"...such a subversive idea."

But Lann only cared about Margaret’s approval. After receiving the Female Warlock’s helpless yet slightly indulgent consent, Lann smiled.

He rested his elbows on his knees, but his gaze turned to Sachia beside him.

Meanwhile, Iophis was eagerly pursuing his question.

"What do you mean by ’there’s an opportunity’?"

"It means there’s still a chance to legitimately acquire a city... somewhat legitimately."

Lann squinted his eyes, thoughtfully rubbing his fingers.

Since he had already decided to do something, after a fierce battle with the Terror Tyrannosaurus, he instead became enthusiastic again.

Fight, then conquer, strategize and make policies, expand the scale...

Just thinking about this series of actions made him feel a bit satisfied.

Not sure if it’s due to the memories and instincts belonging to the Interstellar Era’s Super Soldier from the [Genetic Seed] affecting him.

Or if he himself has indeed endured long enough in this muck-like world.

Even though due to his outstanding abilities, he has found his footing in this Magical Middle Ages and has been doing better and better.

But his worldview and values still made him feel constantly uncomfortable and distressed here.

"Yaden."

After entering a slightly excited mood, Lann’s tone became unprecedentedly rational and calm.

He uttered a country’s name and turned his head to the east.

Along the south bank of the Ponta River across the valley lies Yaden, one of the Four Northern Countries.

"That is the largest grain exporter in the north. This time, Demavi is hurriedly trying to resolve the Ponta River Valley issue to avoid affecting the grain export via river transport."

"But what does this have to do with legitimacy?"

Iophis apparently couldn’t keep up with Lann’s thinking and asked in confusion.

And the Demon Hunter explained clearly and logically.

"Yaden’s grain is largely exported to make money, which in normal times is no problem."

"But now, as it’s evidently in constant friction with Niflgaard with tensions rising in the north. Important grains are still primarily used to earn money and not stored as food reserves."

"No one’s a fool. In this situation, the King and the aristocrats are eager to exchange grain for money because it ultimately ends up in their pockets. But what about the farmers?"

"The farmers can only watch anxiously as the life-saving grain during critical times is being sold out of the country more and more, while they themselves only get a mere pittance."

Toward the end, Sachia seemed pensive, while Iophis’s eyes shone brightly.

Lann softly concluded.

"In Yaden, farmer riots have not happened once or twice. Ever since they began as the largest grain exporter, they basically never ceased."

"With the atmosphere growing more tense, the farmers will also become increasingly restless and uneasy."

"And when that time comes... even if the next riot includes many non-human races, it’s still Yaden’s domestic affair, internal self-determination, reasonable and justified, right?"