Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1931 (1903). Mutual Perseverance
Baglem was not a man of words or eloquence, a fact that even Laqad, who was not familiar with him, knew.

After all, Twofinger left behind a group of Faded Ones to work for, not as advisors or strategists.

The decision to retain Sir Hundred was made after careful consideration of overall management.

But now, in Laqad's tent, Bagram held his helmet under one armpit and a goblet given to him by the demigod in the other.

Laqad's righteous and stern statement did not seem to surprise or embarrass him; on the contrary, it seemed as if he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that things had returned to some predetermined course.

This caught Lakad off guard.

"If you are simply acting as the Grand Justice, bringing the Knight of the Volcano Mansion to Rodel, in this difficult time of frequent changes, it is perfectly normal. This is the power and responsibility you have been granted by the Golden Law."

Baglem spoke in a very formal and measured manner, as if he were reciting or memorizing a passage.

“But at the same time,” the White Wolf War Demon gestured with his wine cup toward the outside of the tent, “my lord, why are there Flame Watchers in your army?”

Outside the open curtain of the demigod's tent, fiery martial arts practitioners dressed in crimson robes and with fiery red hair and beards came and went.

Moreover, it wasn't just the fire-wielding martial arts practitioners, but also the true high-ranking members of the fire watchers, including the fire bishop.

The Flame Martial Arts Cultivator was already about the same size as Lan En, while the Flame Bishop was even taller and more obese. He looked like a mountain of flesh over three meters high.

They wore specially made, bulky heavy armor, covered by fiery red robes, and their helmets were the most distinctive feature.

The helmet's faceplate is shaped like a human face, and on top of it is a large bowl, even larger than the helmet itself, with flames burning inside.

"You are entitled to your own private army; it is a right granted to you by the Golden Law. However, the Flame Watchers are a border group directly under the dynasty. Their existence from the beginning has been solely for guarding the giant cauldron of fire on the volcano. Any other involvement is none of their concern..."

Baglem paused halfway through his sentence and looked at the demigod.

"That's how it should be. But now, a Flame Martial Arts cultivator has joined a secular, private force. What does this mean, sir? Can you enlighten me?"

represents what?
This could mean that the Flame Martial Arts Cultivators are no longer a pure religious armed group; they have begun to pursue their own worldly interests and actively participate in them using their martial power.

Or it could mean that the influence of certain individuals on this religious armed group has become so strong, so strong, that they have made them betray their original duties and identities to pledge allegiance and obey orders.

Or worse... both possibilities occurred simultaneously.

As for Lakkad, who has already incorporated the Flame Watchers into his army, his legitimacy in sending troops to Rodel is thus seriously questioned.

—What role do you play in a religious armed group that should be loyal to the dynasty but is now neither pure nor loyal?
Holding his wine glass, Rajard looked at Baglem, the seemingly kind smile on his lips gradually fading.

He frowned and remained silent for a long while before finally speaking thoughtfully.

"The Flame Watchers are not soldiers or combatants in my army."

“They are military chaplains, only responsible for adjusting religious issues within the army. You know, not many Golden Tree chaplains are willing to come to a place like the Volcano Mansion, after all, we don’t have a good reputation.”

“We have worked so hard for the Golden Age that we have gotten our hands dirty. The soldiers at the Volcano Mansion desperately need the support of a noble faith. It happened so suddenly, and I couldn’t find that many priests.”

"It just so happens that the Flame Watchers came down the mountain because of that serious theft case and have been in contact with me for a long time. After all, they are religious people, and although they are an armed group, they can still do some of the work of religious people."

Laqad was trying to separate the Flame Watchers from his military role, implying that they were not involved in the fighting and were not part of the combat ranks.

But that's ridiculous.

Outside the tent of the demigods, the fire bishop carried a huge, fiery red hammer on his shoulder. The hammerhead was almost as big as the upper body of his three-meter-tall 'mountain of flesh'!

The ground makes a dull thud when I walk!
Is this what it means to be 'not in the fighting ranks'? Is this the attitude of 'only concerned with matters of faith'?

Bagleym simply smiled, holding his wine glass, and didn't say anything more.

But it was precisely this attitude that caused even the last trace of a feigned smile to disappear from Laqad's face.

The demigod had completely reverted to his appearance at the volcano mansion, cold and sinister.

“You should go now, Baglem.”

Lakkad raised his hand to drink in a cold tone, which was equivalent to serving tea to a guest and seeing them off.

His eyes, which shone with a gentle, blessed golden light, always reminded Bagleym of the eyes of a snake—calm and ruthless.

"Actually, we all know what you're here for, don't we?" The demigod, whose legitimacy to send troops had been severely eroded by the elders of the Faded Ones, now spoke frankly and directly.

"You wanted to know my attitude, to know how angry and persistent I was. And I have shown you."

"And all you have to do is convey my anger and persistence to Gideon Ofnir, and the two fingers behind his back."

Lacard downed his glass of volcano sparkling wine in one gulp, letting out a sigh as if he had just taken a sip of carbonated beverage.

“I hope you don’t misrepresent the situation, Baglem. After all, if they misjudge the situation, it can become very dangerous, like a volcano placed next to a campfire.”

The volcanic pot is also a unique technique of the Gemir volcano. It uses volcanic rocks from Gemir to seal the pot. When it is thrown out, the high-temperature gas inside explodes, which is much more powerful than a regular fire pot.

“I will convey your message,” Baglem agreed at first, but then changed the subject, “but I also want you to understand that the will of Twofingers and the Golden Dynasty is just as firm.”

The White Wolf War Demon placed the wine glass in his hand on the table beside him, took out his famous helmet from under his arm and put it back on, making his voice sound muffled.

"If neither side can understand the other's persistence and courage, the situation is unlikely to improve."

“That’s our business, Baglem. That’s our business,” Raccard repeated with a sigh. “You are nothing but a faded one. The Golden Dynasty ultimately rests on the shoulders of Twofinger, God, King, and Demigod.”

"And it doesn't matter how persistent the two fingers are, after all, persistence has its limits. At most, it's just 'no matter what, it won't change'. It's just a matter of who can maintain that persistence for longer. And I'm very certain..."

The demigod stared coldly at the faded one: "I will persevere to the end."

The White Wolf War Demon was now wearing a helmet, obscuring his face and expression, but under the gaze of the demigod, his body could only stand still.

After a long while, muffled voices came from under the helmet.

"I hope things don't get to the worst, most irreversible point, my lord. After all, the outer walls of Rodel have only been breached once, while the inner walls still stand strong."

“They say it’s impregnable and unshakeable,” Lakad said nonchalantly. “Isn’t Gulansanks’ corpse still lying on the inner city wall? His golden lightning spear is stuck in the city, almost reaching the opposite wall.”

"What? You think... my power is inferior to Gransanks?"

"Besides, who else is left in Rodel City now?" Lacad laughed again, but this time with sarcasm. "Last time, when the ancient dragons attacked the royal city, it was Godwin who won the battle against the ancient dragons. Can Rodel possibly produce another Golden Prince now?"

"Or are you planning to let that suddenly appearing Blessed Prince try and see if he can stop me?"

Baglam opened his mouth under his helmet, his voice dry: "I just hope... things don't come to that."

“I wish,” Lakard said coldly, “but that requires ‘proper’ communication, doesn’t it, Faded One?”

This means that when Bagleym reports to the Round Table, his side's situation should be described in an exaggerated manner, and his anger and insistence should also be exaggerated.

Both sides are sticking to their positions, and if no one makes concessions, it will inevitably lead to a confrontation.

However, if one side could back down first, the situation might be eased.

Baglem said nothing more, and after taking his leave, he turned and left the demigod's tent. After retrieving his weapons outside, he moved away from the sprawling military camp of the Volcano Mansion.

However, instead of acting like a proper messenger moving between the two armies, he did not immediately rush back towards Rodel in the east.

Instead, he first went south for a while.

They descended into the depression where the fertile forest was located, and made their way forward, winding their way through the golden trees and meadows, concealing their tracks.

He was heading towards the location of the Phantom Mage Tower, which had appeared here on the night of the Black Knife Conspiracy that marked the beginning of the chaos.

Several figures, large and small, had already arrived here ahead of time.

"Characteristics of illusion and invisibility, then this power most likely comes from the magic town of Seria."

Now that Melina has at least managed to put on a set of clothes, she is fulfilling the terms of the deal she made with Lan En: during their time together, she will answer Lan En's questions.

Although she looks young, this girl with light reddish-brown hair seems very confident in her experience and judgment.

So you could say it was to test the waters first, or to satisfy your curiosity about the night of the black knife you experienced firsthand.

After using the Qilin's speed advantage to pick up Baglem ahead of time, Lan En designated this place as the rendezvous point. He also wanted to see Melina's opinion on the location.

(End of this chapter)