Bear School Astartes

Chapter 932 - 914: Fire Transmission Altar

The duel between the two abruptly came to a conclusion.

That’s the outcome that a tactical error can lead to in battle.

"Slice!"

The body, deprived of soul power to control injuries, was cut open by the clear blade and the rapidly flowing Qi Flow Blade on it.

Guta’s body, lying on the ground, only twisted halfway under his enormous strength.

The rocks and soil beneath him were flipped over like cotton.

But his movements were ultimately not faster than Lann’s blade.

In the end, his futile struggle only shifted Aron Dite’s blade from the back of his neck to the side.

Under the effect of the Qi Flow Blade expelling blood, the fan-shaped clear blade light was followed by a fountain-like spray of blood!

Lann’s blade cut deeply, thanks to his own strength and skill, and also due to the unparalleled sharpness of the Lady of the Lake’s Sword.

Heroic Guta’s cervical vertebrae were severed, leaving only a thin layer of flesh attached.

The tall and strong body immediately slumped after the blade light, losing the ability to move.

Only neurotic convulsions remained, occasionally scraping the ground.

Lann, victorious in the speed-action race, let out a breath.

The foot originally stepping on Guta stumbled back two steps, his body swayed, nearly losing balance.

Then a mouthful of blood surged up from his esophagus.

Although the [Early Recovery Stone] continuously healed his body, he forcibly accelerated his breathing to outpace Guta’s movements.

This ended up worsening his stomach bleeding.

But in the end, as long as he won, everything would be alright.

Lann’s hand trembled slightly from exhaustion but still reached into the alchemy pouch at his lower back.

He took out a bottle of [Advanced Swallow] and took a sip. The potion’s effect rapidly stimulated his body to recover.

Although Guta’s kick was quite fierce, under Lann’s alchemical skill, the [Advanced Swallow] was enough.

It seems to be a characteristic of powerful beings in this world upon death, a wisp of soul like a flame appeared on Guta’s now slumped, motionless body.

But unlike Ausloes, it displayed a true flame-like orange-yellow instead of crystalline blue.

Lann collected it.

An expert walked down from the arched gate of the ritual site, gazing curiously at Lann and the Lady of the Lake’s Sword in his hand.

"I never thought you could defeat Heroic Guta."

He walked to Guta’s corpse, speaking to Lann as he bowed slightly in respect to Guta’s body.

"I just thought you could provide me more of Guta’s combat techniques."

"You are a warrior worthy of respect." The expert slightly turned after bowing to the corpse, his eyes blazing as he addressed Lann, who had caught his breath.

"Once you’re fully recovered, we should also exchange a few blows."

Lann sheathed Aron Dite noncommittally: "If by then the world hasn’t crumbled, why not?"

"And to ensure we have a place for our duel, we should also go inside to take a look."

After saying this, the two turned towards the other end of the ritual site.

There was a heavy and tall door, behind which lay the Fire Transmission Altar, crucial for the world’s existence.

The heavy door opened with a dry creaking sound as the two pushed it.

The expert’s gaunt face showed anticipation, but Lann felt it was not an anticipation for ’a good blade’.

Now, the surroundings were very dark.

This indicated that the decline of the First Flame was more severe. Although Lann’s body was being rapidly restored by [Advanced Swallow] and [Early Recovery Stone].

Yet deep inside him, a restless, angry emotion rose, like a pool of asphalt, crude oil clinging to his psyche.

The Demon Hunter knew: The darkness within him was thriving as the First Flame dwindled.

After entering the doorway, a winding and steep mountain path lay ahead.

Death’s usual portrayal in this world, with tombstones and sarcophagi scattered along the meandering mountain road.

Several tall and imposing black armored knights were dispersed across this complex terrain, each armed differently.

Their height was about the same as Lann, and the black armor interlocked and overlapped as it covered them, upon closer inspection revealing a silver layer underneath.

Though few in number, just the weaponry in their hands showed they weren’t ordinary knights.

And in the observation slits of their helmets, it was utterly dark, completely obscuring whether beneath the helmet was a person... or something else.

"These are the Black Knights."

The expert nodded towards Lann.

"They were originally the Silver Knights guarding the Divine Race. In the Mythical Era, the elite Silver Knights followed Great King Gwyn to vanquish the life created by Izalis Witch’s uncontrolled experiment — demons. The demons’ flames blackened the Silver Knights’ armor, turning them into Black Knights."

"Later, they followed Great King Gwyn to the original fire furnace, becoming ash. It was the first [Fire Transmission] in history. They were also the first [Ash] in history."

As he spoke, the expert slightly bent over, one hand pressing on the scabbard, the other gripping the hilt.

Assuming a ready stance for a drawing slash.

"Time has passed too long; they’re all groggy now."

"Even if it’s just behind a door, they didn’t notice what happened at the ritual ground. Only that Black Knight who saw Guta resist fought him and ended up dead."

"Unless you show them proof of the House of Losric, they’ll obey silently; otherwise, they don’t care why you’ve come to the Fire Transmission Altar. We need to fight our way through."

The expert pressed down on his knife, lowering his center of gravity and moving forward.

Just as he said, the Black Knights, upon noticing someone approaching, silently drew their weapons like machines and moved toward the intruder.

Without a word, without any questions, they were poised to fight.

Lann furrowed his brow, looking at the expert who was ready to act.

In the [Spiritual Vision], the flow of Soul Power and physical strength in the expert’s body became clear.

Lann clearly saw on the expert’s waist blade, a [Combat Skill] engraved with Soul Power... quite interesting.

...A [Combat Skill] combining a quick draw slash and [Parry]?

He noted in his mind the flow of Soul Power and physical strength but had no intention of fighting the Mythical Era’s Knight Order right after battling Heroic Gudah.

Thus, he silently pulled out the small flag given to him by Priestess Emma.

The expert said the Black Knights only follow the House of Losric, which is actually an outsider’s vague understanding.

These knights, groggy from the long passage of time, only become active in battle and actually obey the authority of Losric.

The pillar of one-third royal power represented by the priestess was undoubtedly part of that authority.

Thus, the expert, poised to display a [Combat Skill], stopped halfway in his tracks as the tall Black Knight in front of him halted.

Not only did their steps cease, but they even sheathed their weapons.

The expert was still in a daze, while Lann, holding the small flag, walked past him.

The Black Knight stepped aside, allowing Lann to pass.

"Do you still have guards here?"

Lann inquired of the Black Knight in front of him, and the Knight, after a noticeable pause, slowly nodded.

The overlapping armor emitted a rigid scraping sound due to his movement.

Just standing in front of these Black Knights, one could almost feel the weight of the concept of ’time’.

However, their armor and weaponry, maintained in excellent condition through supernatural means, still give off an impression of strength and bravery.

A striking contrast indeed.

Some time later, Lann, brandishing the small flag, ensured he met each of the stationed Black Knights there, confirming no unexpected incidents would lead to a fight.

The expert was glad to save the trouble and planned to go about his own business after greeting Lann. According to him, he was going to find a fine sword.

Lann, on the other hand, proceeded straight into the Fire Transmission Altar.

As always, darkness reigned; the First Flame would not provide more power to illuminate here simply because it bore the name ’Fire Transmission Altar’.

It was a multi-layered circular altar, the center being the lowest, with the outer layers gradually rising.

Upon entering, Lann first saw the five Yearning Thrones opposite.

These thrones now appeared as ordinary stone chairs, roughly crafted and inconspicuous.

Only three people occupied this lightless altar. Each had a small pile of candles, burning and spilling wax tears to provide some light.

One was a crippled old woman sitting against a wall in a chair. Another was an old blacksmith clanging away on an anvil in the corridor.

The third was a woman standing motionless beside an extinguished brazier in the middle of the circular altar, unclear how long she had been there.

"My, my, who would have thought that besides us poor souls bound here by the fire, someone would visit at this time?"

Lann’s footsteps were abrupt and noticeable in the altar with only three people.

The old woman huddled in the chair bent her back, laughing shakily as she spoke.

Her voice was low and hoarse, sounding unsettling.

Instead of a kindly old grandmother, the voice resembled that of a scheming witch from a fairy tale.

Evidently, the chief here should be the woman standing at the altar’s center.

She was a Firekeeper.

Lann deduced this because her attire resembled the [Crystal Daughter] Krinshid exactly.

Krinshid was, by nature, Prince Losric’s Firekeeper.

She was tall and elegant, with a refined face, wearing a delicate silver mask covering the upper half, obscuring her full appearance.

Lann knew the mask wasn’t just for show but served as a genuine blindfold.

Whether it was the White Sect or other orders, they mostly revered blind women as Saintesses, believing that ’lacking general sight offers a greater appreciation of the flame’s value.’

Even their scriptures are recorded in Braille, known as ’Tactile Holy Scripture.’

For a Firekeeper, theoretically the most exalted Saintess, forsaking sight was just the basic requirement.

To accommodate the Firekeeper, Lann deliberately stepped louder.

Sure enough, hearing the footsteps, the Firekeeper turned gracefully.

Her black and gold-trimmed clerical gown fluttered like waves around her ankles.

She bowed slightly in Lann’s direction, "Welcome to the Fire Transmission Altar; I am the Firekeeper here. May I ask who you are...?"