Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1814, page 1786: Cultivator
Leila Hassan collapsed unconscious on the floor of the Atlantis lobby.

After confirming that the person in front of him was unconscious, the large hand released Leila's arm that had been holding the broken spear, causing her limp body to fall to the ground with a 'thud'.

The spear of Leonidas in her hand came into the hands of the warrior who had knocked her down in an instant, leaving her defenseless.

The warrior's power armor was thick and powerful, and the common curved design could deflect attacks, making it even more robust on this particular suit of armor.

However, on the other hand, such sophisticated and powerful power armor also has a number of decorative and ceremonial items.

The emblem of the human skull is ubiquitous; there is a skull relief in the center of helmets.

The sealing wax stamp, along with some kind of proverb written on a piece of paper, was stamped on the arm or leg armor. The pattern stamped on the sealing wax was also a human skull.

Leila's Eagle Vision was not mistaken; this Space Marine was indeed 2.67 meters tall.

The armor is painted in a large area of ​​noble purple, and the edges of the armor are decorated with interlaced gold and silver metal borders.

Silver and gold dust were used to depict patterns on the armor: flames rising from branches and ashes falling.

This makes this powerful power armor not only impressive in terms of its artistic merit, but also quite remarkable.

It's almost incongruous with its powerful and austere aura.

The soldier glanced briefly at the 'small' broken spear in his hand.

“This appears to be something left behind by Lady Cassandra,” his voice, tinged with electronic cadence, echoed through the Atlantis foyer from the helmet’s speaker.

“I’ve seen this chapter in the chapter’s history. Lady Cassandra and Elder Alexios brought us the lost Isu technology.”

“Then it seems she cheated with this.” Another voice came from the darkness at the edge of the ruins and drew closer. “That’s why someone as utterly incompetent as her could find this place so easily.”

A giant armored figure, roughly the same size but with slightly more ornate decorations on its armor than the warrior, walked to the other side of Leila's unconscious body.

In his hand, he held a scepter with two snakes entwined around an eagle on its head—the Staff of Hermes Trismogitis!
"Then what shall we do with her, sir?" The soldier spread his hands to show the Spear of Leonidas, "and such a sacred relic."

“I will write a report about this holy spear,” the Space Marine holding the scepter said casually, “but it shouldn’t be too serious, Prokop brothers. This broken spear was a souvenir that Lady Cassandra sent to a friend after she no longer needed it.”

“I don’t think the lady would be too attached to it even now,” he added casually. “Oh, but if you’re interested in collecting it to enrich your self-built little museum, I can ask about it for you in the report.”

"Thank you very much, sir."

“You’re still so distant, Prokop brothers.” The Space Marine holding the scepter waved his hand. “As for this person… come to think of it, the Atlantis Hall hasn’t received a trial subject in ten years, has it?”

“Yes,” Prokopf said, recalling the details quickly, “neither Templars nor Assassins have come to undergo the trial for ten years… Forgive my bluntness, sir. This world of conscription is neglecting its sacred duty, and that is a crime.”

“It certainly looks that way.” The Space Marine with the scepter nodded up and down. “But this isn’t the first time this has happened.”

"Our existence and the significance of this Atlantis Hall are only open to the highest levels of both organizations. If there are any major changes at the top in a short period of time, we may face the risk of a communication gap."

"You mean...?"

“I mean, the Templars and Assassins may have gone a bit too far in their fighting outside over the past decade.” The Space Marine with the Scepter shook his head. “Or it could be internal strife within the organization, which is pretty much the norm.”

"Then we need to get the selection system back on track immediately."

Prokopf spoke seriously, while the Space Marine with the Scepter agreed.

“I will go out and explore. The Templars and the Assassins… they should understand their true mission. After all, the Book of Words says: ‘If a person does not know his or her will, then life is worse than death.’”

“If this is your wish,” Prokopf naturally had no reason to object.

However, the Space Marines, living and fighting together, developed a bond and camaraderie far beyond what most people could imagine. So even though Prokopf was completely encased in power armor, the fleeting hesitation he felt was still caught by the enemy.

"Do you think we've been too lenient, even indulgent, towards this planet, Procop brothers?"

Having already revealed his thoughts, Prokopf had no intention of arguing further: "Yes, sir."

The Space Marine, wielding a scepter, faced the enormous window connecting to the Aegean Sea, gazing up at this ecosystem, still considered rare on a cosmic scale.

The blue light from the energy barrier made the purple armor with gold and silver accents on the two appear somewhat blurred.

"The decision on how to deal with this planet is made by the chapter. This leniency is not without reason or without limits."

"As our recruitment world, this planet itself enjoys imperial privileges under the law, the most important of which is tax exemption. Furthermore, the best soldiers on this planet also carry Isu genes, enabling them to research and use Isu technology."

"This superior human genetic lineage has earned them more preferential treatment." As the squad leader permanently stationed in the Atlantis entrance hall, the Space Marine, wielding the Staff of Hermes, explained to his fellow warriors while gazing at the Aegean Sea outside.

"And according to scholars, it's best if this planet isn't significantly disturbed by us in sociological research."

The head of Hermes' staff pointed out to the ocean.

"The humans on this planet are still in their infancy. This is humanity's fragile yet beautiful childhood."

“Procop brothers, you may only see its fragility, but overlook its beautiful power.”

The Space Marine with the scepter turned his head from the blue energy barrier to look at his surroundings.

"You've been on duty for two years now, you should have experienced it, shouldn't you? The seven billion people on this planet, the rational, brave ones who still have ambitions for the future of civilization and the stars."

"This planet is insignificant; even the Isu genes can be cloned artificially. But this spirit is an invaluable treasure, Prokop brothers. We especially need this treasure."

After a moment of silence, Prokop shook his head again.

"I still don't quite understand, sir. After all, the cultivator brothers in the battle group also possess a precious spirit of perseverance. This may be why I don't feel it as deeply."

"But you have administrative authority over this recruitment planet. All you have to do is follow orders. I will obey."

“Thank you for your support, Prokop brothers.” With that, the Space Marine placed the end of the Staff of Hermes, which was propped up on the ground, against Leila’s stomach, where she lay on the ground.

The scepter began to shimmer with an orange-gold light. This was a sign that the Isu artifacts were beginning to increase their power.

"Tsk, even though you held back your punch just now, it almost broke her lumbar spine."

As he spoke, the Space Marine with the Scepter lifted the still unconscious Leila with one hand, turned his back to the sea, and walked towards the exit of the Atlantis Hall.

“She barged in, so let’s not treat her as a trial subject. I’ll use the [Axis Sign] to erase her memories of this place and throw her outside.”

“Prokopf brothers, I hope this doesn’t make you feel too weak.”

“No,” Prokop said, looking at the other person’s back. He raised his hand and, amidst a mechanical hum of magnetic force, removed his helmet.

Beautiful strands of hair, a blend of silver and gold, cascaded down, adding a touch of melancholy profundity to the imposing warrior.

"This is the world of conscription under your control, and it is also your homeland. On this planet, you possess unquestionable power—"

"The Auditore Brothers".
-
After returning from the ancient Greek world, Lann received two pieces of news in Aretusa.

One of them concerns the conclusion of this war.

“The defeat of Nilfgaard is undeniable, and of course, if their emperor had ordered the historians to write it in a more favorable light, he would have undoubtedly received a record that, from a rather strange perspective, could be considered a ‘victory’.”

Tisaya remained seated upright in the principal's seat, reviewing a stack of documents while speaking with a cold expression, without even looking up.

"But the front lines and interests will not tolerate the self-deception of the defeated. Soon, the kings of the northern kingdoms will gather in Sintra, along with the envoy of the Nilfgaardian Empire. This will be considered the post-war peace talks."

Tisaya straightened her left lace cuff, making both cuffs symmetrical and neat, and also took a moment to glance up and casually survey the cashmere bench in the office.

The legitimate headmaster of Aretusa was reclining on the bench, but Margarita, whose voluptuous figure was outlined by flowing red silk, was not leaning against the armrest of the bench.

Instead, it was on the Witcher's thigh.

Tisaya was thinking about whether to throw a water balloon at her to prevent her from burning down the office because of her current lust.

On the contrary, Mr. Lan himself was already able to handle the situation with ease.

He asked Tisaya, "What's the specific time?"

“The meeting starts in three days and is expected to last five days.” Tisaya shook her head. “But everyone knows that five days is not enough. Those kings will be like small-time shoe vendors, haggling over every single Oren and fighting tooth and nail over it.”

“As expected,” Lann said with a smile, his fingers gently tracing Margarita’s face. “But it’s lucky you made it back just in time. What’s the other thing?”

“Another thing…” Unexpectedly, this time the answer came from Margarita, who was coiled around him like a beautiful snake.

The sorceress remained as alluring and captivating as ever, but now, her charm was imbued with wisdom and confidence.

“My research has made considerable progress, regarding your elven beacon, and... pointing to a controllable celestial convergence.”

(End of this chapter)