Bear School Astartes

Chapter 451. The Dwarf’s Hein Castle

"Bear School... Bear School... I can’t even remember the last time I saw one of you."

Five Dwarves and three "humans" walked along the mountain path.

The atmosphere among the crowd became much more harmonious.

In this dangerous and tense world, meeting familiar faces is always better than encountering strangers.

Even if it’s the typically emotionless Bear School.

The Dwarves living in the mountains have long learned how to deal with them, so they aren’t as scared as ordinary farmers would be of these emotionless Demon Hunters.

And not to mention, the two Bear School members who came this time... they seem quite nice.

"Poof!"

The leading Peng Ke let out a joyful puff of hot white smoke.

"Sodden Triple Honey Wine! Oh, I love this sweetness!"

"How much further?"

Lann smiled and inquired beside him.

He and Regis, Ged, were now surrounded by the five Dwarves.

This was a kind of precaution, but considering the current state of the world, it seemed understandable.

"Not far now. We need to lead you to the patrol team’s midway station first. Then we’ll report your presence to the elders above and see what they say... You understand, right?"

"No problem, you’re in seclusion, and we’re just coming over suddenly; it’s reasonable."

Lann expressed understanding.

Just as they were speaking, they arrived at a small wooden cabin. This cabin was quite low, but humans had to bend over to enter, yet didn’t feel cramped in the horizontal space.

The group entered, and the three humans sat down to rest, while Peng Ke had two of his men light the fireplace.

While they were busy, Peng Ke hugged his wine pot and chatted more with Lann.

The Dwarves in the mountains of course brew wine, but drinking too much Dwarf spirits means not often getting a chance to change the taste.

"Burp, I gotta tell you beforehand, so you’re mentally prepared."

Peng Ke leaned closer to Lann, seemingly wanting to speak quietly. But his Dwarf-like booming voice rendered the attempt pointless.

"Our Great Elder here is called Lence Ziva, an old man as stubborn as a rock. He was quite upset by your split a few decades ago, so he has a bit of... you know?"

"Why was he upset about our split? Just because the work wasn’t finished? But we even disbanded the School, and any task entrusted to the School no longer has a subject to be entrusted to. He wouldn’t vent his anger on us, would he?"

Ged asked curiously from the side.

"How would I know? Gulp." Peng Ke took another big sip, "I’m just a patrol guy, do you expect me to know what’s in the elder’s head? Then why don’t you know what’s in your King’s head?"

"That’s exactly what you asked the right person." Ged sneered, crossing his arms and looking down on Peng Ke proudly. "Can’t say for sure, but about 80% of the Kings in the world are only thinking about killing and breeding. I’ve seen quite a few."

"Hmm, just the Kings? Isn’t that what 80% of all you humans think about in your heads?"

Peng Ke wiped the alcohol drops dripping on his beard, sarcastically unconcerned.

"Gentlemen, let’s stop this topic about racial characteristics here, shall we? We’re not here to discuss such profound issues, okay?"

Lann interjected promptly before the topic got deeper, halting its progression.

After speaking, Lann turned to Peng Ke.

"Report what’s necessary, his impression of the Bear School shouldn’t be connected with a young guy like me, right? At least think of me as someone coming to buy things, so we can at least talk."

"Alright, then you wait here, it shouldn’t take long, firewood, cured meats at your disposal. Partners, let’s move."

Peng Ke capped the remaining half-bottle of Sodden Triple Honey Wine and tossed it to his teammates.

Then, with a call, the Dwarf Patrol Team took to the mountain path once more.

The small cabin was left with only the three humans.

"Actually, about the topic of racial characteristics just now..." Regis smiled as he began.

Ged and Lann were all too familiar with this expression.

Whenever this barber-medical practitioner wished to issue rational and profound insights on a topic, he would wear this expression.

So Lann and Ged exchanged a look and sighed helplessly.

"Regis... This time, just let it go."

"Uh... alright."

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

As Peng Ke predicted, the others arrived quickly.

When the three of them heard the commotion and stepped out, a large group of Dwarven soldiers had already reached near the cabin.

They were well-equipped and numerous, with the scattered crossbowmen on the perimeter not yet having arrows drawn, but the positioning was already tactical.

"Looks like Elder Ziva doesn’t have a good attitude towards us indeed."

Lann turned around and commented to Ged.

From the ranks over there, a Dwarf with a cotton robe over his armor stood out, boasting.

"Bear School, are you here to see the Elder?"

His voice was like thunder, and such a voice in Sintra would absolutely add to his male allure.

The three nodded silently, and thus the densely hairy face returned their nod.

"Then let’s go, everyone! The Elder is waiting."

Saying this, the formation opened up a path, and the trio walked into it, moving with the Dwarven formation.

They walked for about two hours in the snow-covered mountains, as they proceeded, although the altitude was rising, the traces of snow on the ground decreased.

More and more solid rocks were exposed.

Eventually, they came to the gap between two mountain peaks, with an entryway guarded by a mixed stone-and-wood checkpoint.

The Dwarf clad in armor and cotton robe extracted a token from beneath his shaggy beard and waved it by a nearby rock, then led his people forward without any questioning procedure.

After entering this gap, before the three appeared a spectacular scene.

If Lann were to give his appraisal, he’d say the place could rival Brokilon’s Tree Spirit City—Dun Kanar—in terms of amazement.

Originally, the gap between the two mountain peaks should have been a narrow and cramped terrain.

But the Dwarves paid no heed to the mountain’s trajectory, directly taking this gap as a starting point, and hollowing out both mountains’ bases to create a spacious area.

Their city was constructed against the extended mountain walls, predominantly stone structures, with large plumes of white steam emanating from them.

This warmth melted the snow on the elevated sections above the hollows.

The melted snow water trickled down, forming a small lake beneath the Dwarven settlement.

"Hein Castle, built thousands of years before your human Heinkawei. Once you’ve met the Elder, if he agrees, you can browse around. Alright, you can go in now."

The Dwarf with the cotton robe casually said.

"You’re not taking our weapons?"

Lann asked, intrigued.

"No need, and it wouldn’t work." The Dwarf shrugged, looking like a giant potato swaying back and forth to the humans.

"You Demon Hunters use Magic, and taking a guard’s weapon isn’t hard. Unless we hang Demon-Blocking Golden Shackles on you, but you’re not enemies or prisoners, at least not now. So no shackles, besides..."

"We have Demon-Blocking Gold ingots and Demon-Blocking Gold weapons, but no ready-made shackles. Should we seal your Magic capabilities by, in contrast, handing you a Demon-Blocking Gold weapon? We’re not that dumb, your Swordsmanship is much more troublesome than Magic!"

"Carry your swords if you will, after all the Elder just dislikes you. Fighting... wouldn’t go that far."