Bear School Astartes

Chapter 439. Name and Title

[Hunting Marquis].

This title seems to have a special effect.

The arrival of the queen had already made these soldiers stand straight and firm, but when the title came from the queen’s mouth, several soldiers closest to the Demon Hunter took a small step away.

Their movements were surprisingly uniform, so much so that a movement that should have made only small sounds on the armor seemed somewhat piercing when combined.

The leading soldier’s face turned exceedingly ugly in an instant, and the faces of those soldiers were a mix of embarrassment and fear.

It was unclear whether this fear originated from the title or from losing their composure in front of the queen.

Hacksaw, who was originally bowing deeply, tilted his head slightly, using his peripheral vision to observe what was happening behind him.

Yet, even from the mere glimpse, he could sense the incredulity in his expression.

Among the Demon Hunters I commissioned... is there the legendary... [Hunting Marquis]?

Hacksaw’s gaze wandered, searching for that striking silver hair.

It must be him!

Hair as radiant as molten silver, a handsome face...

And when Hacksaw found him in the crowd, he met Lann’s cat-like eyes.

There was no malice in those amber cat eyes, yet it still made him swiftly turn away as if fleeing.

It’s him!

Who else could it be?!

Hacksaw shouted internally.

He didn’t recognize Lann, mainly because he hadn’t expected, or dared to think, that a figure from rumors would appear before him.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. The looks of the [Hunting Marquis] do not match the portrait that was sent... I didn’t recognize him."

At this point, he could only offer a feeble excuse.

The Queen of Sintra, also the actual ruler of Sintra, adorned in emerald jewelry that matched her green dress and eye color, with a slender golden crown encircling her light gray hair.

That hair confirmed for Lann that the little one he once encountered in Brook Leon Forest indeed shared the same bloodline with the queen in front of him.

The Sintra Lioness, once famed for her figure, had now slightly plumped. Her beauty had dimished, yet her charm in youth was still evident.

At this moment, her face bore an intrigued smile as she stopped and carefully observed Lann.

After hearing Hacksaw’s explanation, her smile didn’t fade but continued as she spoke without turning her head.

"Ah, that portrait sent from Temeria, I remember it... You can’t be blamed, Hacksaw. A clumsy artist could never capture even a third of this beauty."

Calanthe gently raised her hand, wanting to stroke Lann’s cheek.

Yet the Demon Hunter’s smile remained unchanged, and a slight tilt of his head made that slightly plump hand miss its target.

"Ah, and this air of disdain for nobles that seems to be present all the time except for the arrogance hidden beneath a smile, is also beyond the depiction skills of a third-rate artist."

Calanthe wasn’t angry, correctly speaking, she seemed indifferent.

This was starkly different from those wildly flamboyant female nobles.

Even as the fully armed soldiers instinctively kept their distance, she unabashedly approached Lann... the name "Sintra Lioness" seemed not to be an empty boast among the aristocrats.

Lann accurately realized this.

"You mentioned... there’s a portrait of me here? Yet I don’t recall meeting with any artists."

This was the first time Lann spoke upon entering the Sintra Palace.

"Indeed." Calanthe casually acknowledged.

"An impressive warrior like you is worth attention, and besides. That loathsome Steza, in terms of blood relation, he is my... what is he again, Hacksaw?"

The Palace Steward stood up, smoothly listing titles as if reciting a menu: "Count Steza’s great-grandfather shares the same... with the cousin brother of your great-grandfather..."

Calanthe only listened to the beginning before waving her hand, signaling Hacksaw to stop.

And her gaze never shifted from Lann.

"You heard it, that worm has some blood ties with me, so gathering information about you is only logical."

"Also, having not met with any artists, they couldn’t meet the likeness requirement."

"Speaking frankly... your actions indeed suit the temper of Sintra People, Mr. [Hunting Marquis]."

"Just call me Lann, Your Majesty."

"Then, would you like to have a chat with me, Lann?"

Without waiting for Lann’s response, Calanthe turned directly towards the swing under the big tree.

"As for the other two, Hacksaw, make sure to entertain them well."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

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"If Visegrad knew that among the three of you there is a [Hunting Marquis], he wouldn’t just send twenty people to bring you over... no, he wouldn’t allow this meeting to happen at all; he would try his utmost to stop me."

"In Sintra’s reputation, you’re a great hero, but you must understand that affection and politics often do not align."

The Queen of Sintra strode boldly towards the swing, like a man with a grand posture.

While Lann followed half a step behind Calanthe, speaking calmly.

"Of course, I understand that politics must be handled cautiously. This Marshal seems aware of the Demon Hunters’ combat capabilities, at least those other than myself. This is quite rare."

"Haha! That’s because he witnessed firsthand what a Demon Hunter can do when armed only with a sword and unarmored. Geralt of Livia once caused a stir at my banquet ten years ago, which Visegrad had arranged the guards for. Ever since then, he’s never met any Demon Hunter alone. If the Demon Hunter were white-haired, he’d double the number of guards."

Calanthe turned and sat on the swing, occasionally pushing the ground with her foot to keep it swaying.

Originally, there were a few young women accompanying her, one sitting on the grass beside the swing, her dress spread across the green, like a patch of white snow. The other two were further away, picking strawberries and arguing.

But when she brought the Demon Hunter over, the queen waved her hand, and these girls hopped away.

"Well then, enough of the idle chatter, let’s proceed formally, beginning with mutual greetings: very pleased to meet you."

"I’m equally pleased, Your Majesty."

"Great, after the greetings, let’s get straight to the point. I want you to talk about what you heard from the tomb during this trouble."

Calanthe swung on the swing, facing the setting sun.

Lann stood near the swing, facing the same direction.

During their conversation, they did not make eye contact, which usually would be seen as impolite, yet neither seemed to mind.

Lann truthfully recounted the grievances once expressed by Rogner, who had become a Demon Spirit, within the tomb.

Calanthe seemed not at all surprised, without even a trace of reaction.