Bear School Astartes

Chapter 425. Demon Hunter only

How unexpected.

In this increasingly chaotic world, two Demon Hunters appeared simultaneously in the same city.

And they both wore the roaring bear head pendants.

Unlike when Lann deliberately sought out the Wolf School Grandmaster, resulting in three Demon Hunters traveling together for a time, this was purely by chance.

The boxing match organizer was clutching his small fur cloak to his chest, his sweaty hands gripping the soft leather with such force that it made rubbing sounds, while his throat bobbed as he swallowed nervously.

Clearly, standing before Lann required a significant amount of courage.

When speaking, he dared not look into the shadow beneath the hood, instead fixing his gaze on the tabletop.

But fear can be defeated by courage.

And courage can be inspired by other things.

Compared to those piles of gleaming coins, talking to someone who could easily punch out all your teeth seemed not much of a challenge.

"You mentioned just now... ’that job’?"

A calm and indifferent voice came from the shadow beneath the hood.

"Is there trouble in the city lately?"

The boxing match organizer let out a sigh of relief.

"You didn’t know?"

His tone became cheerful; as long as he wasn’t immediately floored, it meant they could continue talking! It meant there was a chance he might get paid!

"Recently, the mayor issued a task, and it’s posted on the bulletin boards at every crossroads. Although the task description isn’t very clear, the reward is substantial! A full seven hundred kroner!"

Upon hearing the figure, Regis gave a dull "hmm" while holding his wine glass.

This wasn’t a small sum; converted to Oren Coins, at today’s exchange rate, it was about three thousand five hundred Oren.

It was indeed a rare lucrative opportunity.

However, unlike the layperson vampire, Lann wasn’t particularly concerned about money; he was more focused on the information about the task itself.

He said ’the task description isn’t very clear’... This usually indicated some unspeakable issue on the part of the issuer.

Whether related to scandals, evidence of crime, or simply a desire to avoid public speculation.

Overall, it implied ’discuss in person’ subtly.

But a task issued by the mayor of Sintra with vague wording... there had to be something behind it.

Yet the instant thought process within Lann wasn’t outwardly visible.

He merely glanced at the somewhat relaxed boxing match organizer.

"Seeing how eager you are, even recommending someone for the task comes with a commission?"

The organizer’s face first became rigid, then relaxed as if admitting defeat.

After all, at worst, it was just a matter of taking a punch and losing a few teeth.

"Yes, the mayor personally put up fifty kroner, specifically to reward those who recommend a Demon Hunter for the task. Whoever’s Demon Hunter completes the task first gets the fifty kroner."

"That’s truly unusual."

Lann took a sip of the honey wine from his cup.

"Your mayor specifically wants Demon Hunters to complete the task."

Once upon a time, the common folk feared Demon Hunters more than monsters. After all, monsters stayed in forests and caves, while Demon Hunters brazenly walked the streets, entered inns, wandered in sanctuaries, divine halls, schools, and entertainment venues. Decent people felt offended and started hiring others to deal with those brutish Demon Hunters.

In such resistance, Demon Hunters rarely received official commissions.

Virelaid, the mayor of Vizima, only began to understand the Demon Hunter community when Geralt went to claim a task five years ago.

The mayor of Sintra personally designated that Demon Hunters handle the task, rather than more trusted ordinary human mercenaries, which was a rarity.

But it indicated that the task was likely quite ’professional.’

Why did King Aivelle of Videns want Geralt to break the cormorant curse? Because he was a Demon Hunter, sufficiently professional.

Why did King Venceslav of Brugge want Vesemir to communicate with the tree spirits? Because he was a Demon Hunter, sufficiently professional.

"I think we should go take a look."

Regis poured another glass for himself and Lann, laughing and said.

"A Demon Hunter from your school has already started action, regardless of your interest in the task, but you definitely have interest in that Demon Hunter."

The Bear School Demon Hunters had long abandoned their Heinkawei Castle and lacked emotional attachment to the school legacy.

Thus, the Bear School Demon Hunters wandering the continent looking for work were mostly the old members from when the castle still existed.

They undoubtedly knew the relation between the school and the dwarves in Amel Mountain.

Lann had already made up his mind.

"I will go check the notice, but that doesn’t involve you."

Lann told the boxing match organizer.

"I may not punch you in the face, but I also don’t want to see someone who wanted to provoke me the previous moment, trying to profit off my fights, truly making money because of me; that’s too disgusting."

"Yes, sir."

Seeing the side income vanish, the match organizer dared not say more and left dejectedly.

Regis and Lann finished their dinner and went upstairs to rest.

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

Early the next morning, the Demon Hunter and the vampire stood in a small square in Sintra City.

The dirt road here was mixed with horse dung and dog feces, yet barefoot children still chased and played along the road.

Vendors began setting up stalls and shouting, merchants transported goods back and forth by horse carriage.

This was a typical northern city corner.

"It’s this notice... ’For Demon Hunters only, ignorants, don’t waste your life for money you won’t get.’

Lann laughed lightly.

"He really wrote it. Surely many people have started cursing the mayor because of this notice."

"But that’s normal." Regis explained, tugging on the single shoulder strap of the bag across his chest.

"A few years ago, the Sintra court had issues with the Demon Hunters. You’ve heard of it, right? The banquet regarding the Surprise Law festivities."

Lann thought to himself that he not only heard of it but heard it directly from the persons involved.

The fate link between Geralt and Ciri started from that casually mentioned Surprise Law.

"So, Sintra people aren’t strangers to the profession of Demon Hunters, and the mayor knows their professionalism."

The young man stroked his chin, speculating behind the task’s hidden information.

"That’s correct."

Regis first nodded, then leaned closer to Lann, lowering his voice.

"Should I investigate it? The description is too vague; it doesn’t seem like a decree from the mayor to ensure normal city operations."

The vampire gestured a ’sneak over’ motion with his hand while speaking.

Lann pondered with a hand on his chin and then shook his head.

"No, not yet needing your help. I understand what you mean; such a secretive task feels more like a ’royal decree’ rather than the mayor’s ’executive order’... But the more it is like this, the less space you have to operate as a vampire who can turn to mist."

Since the most crucial information would remain solely in the minds of the informed rather than on paper.

"Let’s go have a look first. After all, if it’s unachievable or too bothersome..."

Unconcerned, the Demon Hunter shrugged.

"We’re not here for the reward; we can walk away if needed! With you here, who can stop us?"

Lann gave the vampire beside him a firm pat on the shoulder, and Regis smiled gently.