Bear School Astartes

"Oh? Have I become a bit famous?"

As the nickname was uttered from the mouth of the man with milky white hair, Lann couldn't help but scratch his neck.

After taking that Oren Coin, Geralt's attitude relaxed a lot.

It wasn't because of the money, but because it confirmed that the young bear had normal human emotions and adhered to the tacit rules of society.

This was far more reassuring than the 'old bear' he encountered last time.

Placing oneself outside the rules of society, in the eyes of modern people, this seems exceedingly cool.

However, in the medieval and earlier times, within human settlements, there was mostly a disciplinary measure—a reprimanded person would become a free person, unbound by social constraints, politically akin to the beasts in the wild.

If he kills, it won't be called 'murder', but equated to a beast killing.

However, simultaneously, if someone kills him, it would be seen as hunting a beast.

People won't feel secure around beasts; insecurity breeds expulsion and intent to kill.

Thus, people who gained this 'free' status would often be hunted down like beasts within days.

Unbound by social constraints, one is also unprotected by society.

Geralt, when facing that 'old bear', felt more uneasy than facing a murderer.

Because murderers kill for a reason, mostly for money; who would want to work hard for no gain?

But the emotionless, antisocial Bear School... Geralt felt like if he stayed a little longer, one of them would end up lying down there.

Geralt was confident that he wouldn't be the one lying down, but still, there was no point in fighting hard and killing, without any gain.

From that encounter onward, Geralt's impression of the Bear School was poor.

"'A bit famous'? You seem to have no awareness of what you've done."

The wolf head necklace on his chest jingled as he shook his head.

Geralt treaded on the wet, cold, muddy ground, approaching Lann slightly but keeping a safe distance.

"Your actions have influenced the entire continent's demon-resistant gold market. Count Steza's abrupt death provoked a fierce reaction from the Niflgaard Empire; they invested heavily in this nobleman. Just in these six months, the border conflicts with the Northern Countries have doubled. Sintra, Brugge, Livia... the nerves of bordering countries are about to snap."

"Your information seems very well-informed? By the way... may I have your name?"

Lann smiled and extended his hand. His counterpart hesitated a moment, but eventually grasped it.

"Geralt. Geralt of Livia. You needn't introduce yourself, Lann of Sintra. As I said, you are quite famous. Maybe the most famous Demon Hunter on the continent."

"Concerning being well-informed?"

Geralt patted his two swords behind him. To avoid misunderstandings, he kindly patted the end of the scabbards, not the sword handles.

"If you find work along the south and north border and suddenly notice that ghoul, bane demon, and demon spirit commissions have shot up compared to usual, you too will sense something is amiss."

"Got it," Lann nodded.

Having initially established trust, the two colleagues maintained a cautious distance as they walked out of the alley together.

"The corpses and blood from the border conflicts have attracted monsters. That's understandable, but... why, in your description, do I seem like a scheming, ambitious individual?"

Entering the alley as one Demon Hunter, exiting as two Demon Hunters.

One with sickly milky white hair, the other with dazzling molten silver hair.

Two peculiar, distinctly featured Demon Hunters quickly stirred whispers around them.

But for those in this line of work, such strange glances are the mildest treatment.

Thus, neither Lann nor Geralt felt much about it.

"That's not my description; most who know about this think so... have you been hiding away for your crimes during this time, hearing nothing?"

Facing the curious eyes of the young Demon Hunter, Geralt discreetly turned his head and rolled his eyes in resignation.

If Lann spent more time with Triss, he'd probably hear about it; but Margaret... she cares more about parties than political circumstances.

"Everyone guesses you're a hired assassin backed by someone; currently, Kovir is the strongest guess. Because they earn the most from the demon-resistant gold business. Stirring up south-north tensions allows them to easily reap enormous military funds while resting on the world's edge, with little risk."

"Hmm, instigating war offshore then selling armaments... I must say, it does sound like a lucrative plan."

Lann muttered, his expression peculiar, as this suggestion felt strangely familiar to him.

Familiar like trading scalps for gold coins.

"But you don't seem to believe that rumor."

Geralt frankly nodded, showing he wouldn't hastily conclude based on rumors.

"I don't think you're a hired assassin disturbing political circumstances... I believe it's because Steza blocked your way, and you went in and killed him."

"That's undoubtedly biased, but I'm sorry... upon hearing you're from the Bear School, that was my immediate thought."

Geralt shrugged, leaving Lann silent and pursed his lips.

Alright, the external impression of the school is a bunch of lawless brutes.

Lann, who feels no affiliation to the school, has now become the epitome of such stereotypes.

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

"So..."

Miss Eliza clutched her handkerchief, at a loss upon seeing one Demon Hunter turn into two upon returning.

"So, you can receive the services of two Demon Hunters without a fee upgrade. This will help improve the efficiency and success rate of lifting the curse."

Lann raised a hand in greeting with a smile, briefing the client on the current situation.

The young Demon Hunter had learned this trick self-taught from previous dealings with Auridon's fishermen.

No matter how much you twist the original service content, you have to make the client feel like they're winning!

The noble lady blankly stared at Lann, then, whether she understood or not, her face flushed, her mouth slightly opened.

"Wow~"

With a low call, she involuntarily stepped forward to speak.

The Demon Hunter with milky white hair twitched at the corner of his mouth, immediately interposing himself between the two, eager to complete the task.

Pushing Lann, who had just come close to the fence, towards the manor's exit.

"Alright, esteemed lady. We will go directly to your brother, then proceed to lift the curse. Please be patient."