Bear School Astartes

Chapter 458. Like a hero

"Regis, how effective is this containment measure on him?"

Lann drew Aron Dite from his waist, cautiously scanning the hillside above, keeping a close eye on the slowly advancing vampire creatures, while asking Regis without turning his head.

Ged’s actions were almost identical, yet he cast a bewildered glance at Lann.

From his perspective, Regis was a mage, and if one were to inquire about the current state of the high vampire, it shouldn’t be directed at him.

Mages are researchers, but they generally do not study monster behavior.

What Regis said next seemed rather professional, further astonishing Ged.

"His regeneration rate has been suppressed to a very weak level. His jaw was torn off and his right shoulder was hacked off. Normally, such minor injuries should heal within one to two hours. But it’s been five minutes since we first saw him, and his body shows only faint, imperceptible signs of regeneration... He must have been in a worse condition when first confined here."

Regis spoke calmly as he walked to the edge of the cage under the watchful eyes of the man inside, reaching out to knock on it.

"Anahad’s design is impressive, a cage alloyed with silver, magic-resistant gold, and meteoric iron. This should be the craftsmanship of the dwarves of Hein Castle, and the sturdiness of the iron bars is no less than that of the popular Valerian steel. Combined with the forces of the mountain mobilized by Anahad, this place can even suppress all vampire creatures!"

Indeed, the vampire creatures on the hillside behaved as Regis described. Initially, they were like mad dogs, sliding down from the snowy terrain.

However, the closer they got to the bottom of the pit, their speed gradually slowed, as if two wills within them were conflicting and pulling.

One urged them to descend immediately and tear apart the humans. The other dissuaded them, as going down felt unbearably unpleasant.

They continued to edge closer, and from afar, more creatures were rushing over.

Ged’s palms holding the silver sword began to sweat.

Even though he was growing tense inside, he didn’t stop talking.

"Regis, didn’t you say you knew nothing about monsters?"

He retorted without turning his head.

"I figured you were just trying to avoid work before, admit it."

"Please don’t make assumptions on your own, my friend. I know nothing about these vampire creatures’ knowledge, but I am knowledgeable about high vampires. Extremely knowledgeable."

Regis’s tone was as calm as ever, neither hurried nor slow. However, Lann keenly detected a touch of discomfort in his voice.

He, too, felt the suppressive force present here.

Now, the vampire creatures were very close to the pit’s bottom.

They were like slow-moving, hunched tigers, staring intently at the three humans.

This behavior was far from the frenzy and violence of their earlier charge.

However, the oppressive feeling of being watched by a group of tigers was even stronger.

Ged started to swallow his saliva.

At least thirty or so diverse vampire creatures had gathered here by now.

Bat-winged Brain Demons, the kind that could assault and overrun city garrisons in groups of three, numbered at least seven or eight here!

And this was despite having slaughtered four monsters the previous week.

Damn it, they should have spent a few more months slowly reducing their numbers!

Ged silently cursed their oversight and carelessness.

But deep down, he knew he couldn’t blame anyone. After all, even the most seasoned Demon Hunter Master wouldn’t anticipate so many vampire creatures gathering here.

No Demon Hunter has ever died of natural causes, Ged understood that well.

It seemed today was his day.

These thirty or so creatures could wreak havoc in any city, causing monstrous carnage.

Even the Great Mage, faced with these, could only save himself, or at most protect an area the size of the Royal Palace.

Lann, indeed, was formidable, nearly unbelievable for a young Demon Hunter, but in this situation...

"Are you planning to break through, Lann?"

Ged’s tone turned as robust and nonchalant as usual.

"With Regis’s magic, you both might have a chance to break out. They’re exhausted and weak on this godforsaken snowy mountain; they probably won’t catch up to you."

Meanwhile, the young man beside him gripped his long knife, first stiffening before peculiarly questioning.

"Have you lost your mind, Ged?"

"No, not at all. And I’m not suddenly a hopeless altruist, so don’t look at me like I’ve been bewitched."

"I am very clear-headed."

Ged reiterated.

"It’s precisely because of this clarity that I know you are still young, and I am not. You have a future, while I do not. My nature isn’t the kind to turn on you and make you stay as bait. Of course, if it came to a fight, I couldn’t take you on anyway. So..."

"I’ll stay behind to cover. Not because our relationship has deepened in these few days to the point where I’d sacrifice myself for you, but simply because I think it’s worthwhile, okay?"

The outer vampire creatures growled continuously, like a school of sharks circling a pool of blood.

Ged, hailing from the Curved Coast Duchy, thought to himself.

Go, Lann. Carry my regrets into your future.

You should have a broader life to...

As Ged mused, the pleasant sound of metal clashing with a scabbard resounded.

Ged turned back in astonishment, only to see Lann standing straight, completely abandoning his combat stance, even sheathing his sword.

"Were you just momentarily moved by yourself?"

Lann asked seriously.

"... Hey! What’s wrong with being moved by myself? What’s the problem!? I was ready for self-sacrifice!"

Ged replied displeased.

"No, no, no, I’m not criticizing you in the slightest, esteemed, noble Mr. Ged."

Lann shrugged, tilting his head.

"In fact, I found it very touching, so... snap."

The young man snapped his fingers without turning back.

"Regis, could you lend us a hand?"

"Happy to help."

A leisurely voice came from within the mine.

Regis slowly stepped out into the sunlight, and in Ged’s ghostly wide-eyed glance, his two fangs began to elongate, and the skeletal structure of his hands shifted towards claws.

The claws touched lightly, emitting a clang of metal clashing and sparks flying.

Ged watched in stunned silence, his mouth opening and closing without uttering a word.

"Please help us clear these creatures, will you? They’re a bit of a pain for the two of us."

Lann casually pointed at the vampire creatures on the slope.

And Regis, his face somewhat fierce due to elongated fangs, showed a face-fitting grin.

"Of course, no problem."

Immediately, Regis’s body dissolved into a swirl of black mist.

The mist swept toward the thirty vampire creatures.

The mist would envelop a vampire creature for only a short while and leave behind a mess of dismembered pieces upon departure.

The black mist continued to move, and the previously eager and predatory vampire creatures now began to flee in haste.

Ged pressed his lips as he sheathed the silver sword on his back, then covered his face as if avoiding being seen.

Then he mumbled quietly.

"So I’ve been living and eating with a high vampire these days? And the other who did too knew all along?! ... Fine, go ahead and laugh at me now."

Lann patted his shoulder.

"Why would I laugh at you?"

"Because I knew nothing, like a fool."

"But you were indeed planning our breakout, weren’t you? If my earlier joke upset you, I apologize. But honestly... you just seemed like a hero, Ged. If anyone mocks you for what you did, I’ll draw my sword on them."