Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1972 1944. Negotiation
It was precisely because of the [Quen Sign] that Lan En was able to sense the attack through the Chaos Magic Shield for a moment before his body actually made contact with Marlenia's blade.

Based on the understanding of Malenia's swordsmanship gained in that instant, the Witcher immediately knew: if he wanted to use the shattering recoil of the Quen sign to bounce himself off and avoid this strike...

So, Marlenia, whose first strike missed, would certainly not exert herself properly or shift her center of gravity.

Like flowing water, swordsmanship, after missing its target, will follow the current, moving with the momentum. It will cling to the opponent like a leech!
Instead of interrupting Malenia's attack, they tried to move around and delay her.

Then this demigod's offensive might be like a torrential downpour, relentless and relentless, washing people to death (or hacking them to death) without stopping!

Therefore, when Lann's [Quen Sign] shattered, the Witcher was propelled directly towards the blade of that prosthetic sword!

Marlenia's swordsmanship is similar in essence to Lann's [Water-shaped Sword].

Therefore, it is easier for the Witcher to clearly feel the rhythm of this strike.

The precisely released shockwave was like pouring a bucket of oil into the high-pressure water jet's curtain of water from the side.

Impurities and uneven forces immediately mix in, thus disrupting the smooth operation of the entire system.

Swordsmanship, as fluid as water, is most vulnerable not to obstacles that require direct confrontation.

When facing rocks, water can flow around them, wash over them, or subject them to the most explosive impacts and cuts.

There are many ways.

However, the biggest problem is if the rhythm itself is wrong and it cannot maintain a smooth, flowing motion like water.

Therefore, Marlenia's strike only hit Lann's right side, using the impact to lift up a large area of ​​ground, and the shockwave spread in all directions.

Lan En himself successfully blocked the attack.

Otherwise, if Marlene had made a normal cut, it would probably have left a very deep and very long thin cut.

"Ok?"

The red-haired demigod uttered a surprised and doubtful sound.

After that, the Venerable Knight, who was still standing on the city wall behind, immediately jumped down.

He then drew a rapier from his waist with his right hand, corresponding to the scythe he was holding in his left hand.

The venerable knights mostly wielded a rapier in one hand and a spear or a scythe in the other.

Their tall, slender builds reveal that the Royal Guard of Malenia is known for its swift fighting style; heavy weapons and large shields are not their forte.

The demigod's accompanying knight was equally swift and decisive.

However, without a doubt, compared to Malenia, whose actions left others completely unable to react, this venerable knight's actions were much more normal.

After the venerable knight jumped off the city wall, he rushed straight towards Lan En.

Previously, it was one thing for the demigod lord to act casually, but now that a confrontation has taken place, the Venerable Knight will inevitably step forward out of loyalty to his lord.

However, Lann, who had already blocked Marlenia's prosthetic knife with one hand, did not even glance at the approaching Venerable Knight. Instead, he remained focused on looking up at the demigod Marlenia's winged helmet.

“I have not done anything hostile to the Sacred Tree or to you,” the Witcher said in a very polite, even friendly manner, with their blades still clashing. “Lady Malenia, for the moment, we don’t really have any reason to fight, do we?”

Lann's left hand still drew the Arondette from its sheath, blocking the blade less than half a meter from his neck.

The golden, divine power emanating from the prosthetic blade almost washed over Lann's face.

Even so, the Witcher acted as if he didn't feel anything and that the blade wasn't beside him, showing a polite and courteous smile.

The extent and angle of that smile were simply precise and perfect.

This is sufficient to demonstrate friendliness and sincerity to the greatest extent.

For a diplomat, this level of smile is a necessity for a career.

“From beginning to end, I did not stop the head of the Mare family from opening the gate winch, and I am also very clear that for true strong people, the difference in elevation of the terrain is not a problem.”

The Witcher spoke sincerely.

The terrain at the border is uneven, but even if the Mare family doesn't open the port, does that mean a demigod like Marlenia can't get to the Yatan Plateau from the sea to Sunshade City?

Of course she can get up here; isn't she standing right here in Sunshade City?
The significance of passageways and ports lies solely in facilitating the rapid passage of large troop movements.

It doesn't mean much to a powerful individual.

The prosthetic knife, blocked by the left hand, continued to exert pressure.

The Venerable Knight arrived quickly.

The velvet ball that had just been thrown away landed on all fours, its four little paws slipping and sliding rapidly on the ground due to inertia.

It darted over quickly and charged toward the Dignified Knight with a serious expression!

Halfway there, his body erupted with light red battle aura flames.

However, Lan En immediately raised his right hand, making a gesture of stopping him.

Although the plush ball gritted its teeth and glared fiercely, as a follower cat, it still obeyed the command and stopped halfway. The aura of battle subsided.

Marlene's prosthetic knife and the Lake Maiden's sword continued to rub against each other, producing small sparks.

This shows that both are constantly maintaining their force. And on Lan En's face, that perfect and precise smile remains.

Diplomats, after all, have the function of going deep into the enemy camp to negotiate and lobby during hostile times when they are surrounded by gunfire and danger.

Even a strong diplomat should maintain their stance and adhere to etiquette in such situations.

After Lan En stopped the velvet ball from stopping the Corrupted Knight, then...

"Crackling sound, ding~"

The scraping sound of the blades rubbing against each other between the two long swords gradually subsided and eventually disappeared.

All that remained was the faint metallic clang of the blade separating.

The Knight of the Decay approached with firm, powerful footsteps, but ultimately stopped abruptly in front of Marlenia's raised arm.

"Fenley, stop."

The venerable knight immediately stopped and sheathed his rapier back into its scabbard: "As you command."

Judging from her voice, this noble knight named Finley is a woman.

Armor can easily conceal gender characteristics, and given the tall and slender figure of the Dignified Knight, no one present could actually determine whether she was male or female before she spoke.

Marlenia lowered her hand that was blocking Finley, her gaze remaining fixed on Lann.

"Able to block my blade," the demigod slowly raised his long prosthetic sword, making sure there was no misunderstanding. "Excellent skill, Faded One. But we don't seem to have met before. I'm young, but I'm not so young that I don't remember things."

Marlenia and Michaela, both demigods, were born to Radagan and Queen Marika.

When Rdagan became the king consort, it was also the time when the war of the giants had completely ended and the first king had been driven out of the borderlands, which was only a little over two hundred years ago.

Only after that did he have a child with the Queen.

Therefore, the twins of the sacred tree are at most a little over two hundred years old.

Considering the lifespan of the people of the Golden Tree, Marlenia and Michaela are still considered young people.

The power of a demigod is being wielded by someone the age of an infant... This is even frighteningly young.

"A nobody like him is not worth mentioning."

Lan En maintained perfect politeness and sincerity.

This expression, this outstanding person, made Marlenia tilt her head and carefully examine the other person under her winged helmet.

“You seem to have absolutely no hostility towards us,” Marlenia’s voice remained indifferent and crisp, but now it held a hint of curiosity due to Lann’s behavior. “But why? The two fingers of the Round Table Hall never show mercy.”

"So you should know very well what you're doing."

“That’s right.” A slight, sarcastic smile curved Marlenia’s lips as she looked at the lower half of her face, which wasn’t covered by the winged helmet. “I broke the prohibition that was given to me when I left Rodel. I returned to the Altan Plateau, to the Golden Tree.”

"What's the reason?"

The prosthetic sword was slowly sheathed by the demigod, and Lann also slowly returned the Lake Maiden's Sword, which had been drawn out to a large extent, to its sheath.

"Our eldest brother, in an era when death was not an option, met a violent end, yet he was the first and most undisputed heir to the dynasty," Marlenia said coldly. "Shouldn't we come and see for ourselves, both out of sentiment and reason?"

"As for what we received on our way to Rodel: a person of unknown origin claimed to be the legitimate heir of the Golden Clan and ascended the throne without ever meeting any demigod. What forgiveness is there for such a presumptuous and rebellious act?"

As she spoke, Marlenia flicked the blade she had already sheathed at her side, producing a soft, metallic clang. It was melodious, yet carried a chilling killing intent.

“Even though they have seized the mighty city of Rodel, such a grave crime must be punished.”

Marlenia's murderous aura terrified the soldiers of Sunshade City behind them, but it moved Marley Marley, who was kneeling before her, to tears.

Lan En remained calm.

Marlenia spoke in a refined, archaic tone, which reminded Lan En of the Dark Moon God's family in the Flame World.

“I understand,” the Witcher calmly held up two fingers. “The first reason is that you care about your elder brother and rushed here immediately after hearing the news of Godwin’s assassination.”

"The second reason: On your way here, you heard about the change of the throne in Rhodes. Whether emotionally or legally, you cannot accept it, so you regard Rhodes as an enemy. And so you regard me..."

The Witcher pointed to himself.

"The Hall of the Round Table in Rodelly, loyal to the Faded Ones of Two Fingers, consider them enemies. Right?"

Tap the golden winged helmet up and down lightly.

So Lan En's perfect smile remained unchanged, and he even became more relaxed.

"Then let me point out the important steps you have overlooked in the process of forming this hostility."

He folded his two raised fingers into one.

"The key question is: who orchestrated Godwin's assassination?"

The golden winged helmet paused abruptly, then straightened up solemnly, facing Lan En directly.

(End of this chapter)