Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 2020. Invitation

The Dragon Armor Tree Guardian is a tree guardian who suffered a crushing defeat in the ancient dragon invasion of Rhodel and was deeply tormented by it.

They fought valiantly against the ancient dragons, but were no match for them. The outer walls of Rodel were breached for the only time in history, and it was only after Godwin personally intervened that the battle was ended.

Later, these tree guardians became depressed and blamed themselves for this, eventually even becoming somewhat obsessed: believing that only the power of the dragon could defeat it.

So he began to actively collect the remains of the defeated and dead Gransanx on his own body, not only using the remains but also experiencing the power of the ancient dragon within them.

These tree guardians no longer use the golden prayers of the dynasty; instead, they can directly unleash the red lightning belonging to the ancient dragons.

From this perspective, the Dragon Armor Tree Guardian may possess a deeper understanding of dragon power than this Lava Earth Dragon.

However, even though the Great Tree Guardian was the flower of knights in the Golden Dynasty, and the Dragon Armor Great Tree Guardian was an exceptional one among them, after such a great battle, his golden armor and ancient dragon bones had many scars and burn marks.

It's obvious that he was seriously injured.

The lava dragon's body twisted on the magma, eventually shrinking back into the lost knight with a red hood wrapped around his helmet.

The wounds from his Lava Earth Dragon form, especially the one where the giant dragon claw pierced his brain, remained intact on his body.

Although he won't die now, his brain has been pierced through, and through the huge hole in his skull, you can see all the way to his jaw. No matter what he says, he can't move now.

However, Oreg, an old acquaintance of Makar, put away his twin swords and came over, seemingly relieved, and thanked the Dragon Armor Tree Guardian and Lann.

“At least they retained their human form and didn’t degenerate into uncontrollable lava dragons,” Oreg said solemnly to them. “For someone like Makar who performs the dragon offering ritual, this is already a good ending. I should thank you.”

The dragon-clad tree guard remained silent, simply nodding before turning his horse and riding away.

Lan En chatted a bit more, saying he was very interested in the Storm-type War Ash of their Lost Knights.

Without a word, Oreg immediately retrieved a Lost Knight's Axe-Spear from the charred remains in a lava lake, based on his experience, and handed it to the Witcher along with a Lost Knight's Sword from his own waist.

Both of these weapons, most commonly used by the knights of the lost homeland, are basically engraved with storm-themed battle ash.

As one of the Storm King's Wings, his sword wielded a weapon imbued with profound experience and technical guidance.

Back when the Storm King was still alive, he and another member of the Storm King's Wings, Ingwell, even had blank weapons in the Knights Order uniformly engraved with war ash to make it easier for newcomers to learn and use them.

It can be said that their Storm-type Battle Ashes can be considered the technical templates for the Knights of Lost Home.

It is very valuable for reference.

After accepting the item, Lan En entered Rodel's city gates without any hindrance.

He captured Gevya, which was the most direct and greatest achievement of the war. If it weren't for the explosions of powerful warriors clashing on the lava lake outside the city, the Knights of Rodel would have been expected to come out of the city to greet him.

As soon as they entered the city gate, Bai Zhi immediately began making arrangements to imprison Ge Fuya.

He was, after all, a golden demigod, a true member of the golden race. If the wound in his heart was left unattended, it would most likely heal on its own.

The treatment he received during his detention was not on the same level as that of others.

According to Baizhi, they plan to build a sealed prison for Gefuya, and after imposing various restrictions, they will imprison him in another dimension.

Upon entering Rodel, Lann saw the perfumers leading the hybrids, peeling the immortal bodies of the warriors from a pile of charred remains.

The city was bustling with activity, the noise no less than that of the battlefield outside.

There was a small, empty space where no one was around, because two ominous children stood beside the perfumer in that space.

Even with the perfumers currently facing a severe shortage of staff and a heightened sense of crisis, only one of them will work with the Child of Omens to protect her.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Torisha spotted the Witcher and practically leaped up, waving at Lann.

In any case, at least these perfumers won't be sent to the battlefield.

It was too chaotic and busy right now, so Lan En didn't go over to say anything more. He just nodded to Torisha across the crowd.

His promise to Torisha has been fulfilled at this moment.

The lava lake outside the royal city took two days to roughly solidify, and the excavation of the warrior's body, which had been solidified inside the lava, was so slow that it seemed endless.

But the whole city was jubilant. After all, they had defeated the massive combined army of two demigods so quickly.

On the night of his capture, the Great Rune on Geffia's body was stripped off and handed over to the Blessed King.

Rodel was still busy, but Lann and many others from that night arrived early this morning at the Golden Tree Cathedral high above Rodel to complete the commendation ceremony for their respective merits.

In the sacred and solemn Church of the Golden Tree, people celebrate the achievements and rewards of heroes.

The most uproar was caused by Oregon and Christopher.

Together with the Faded Ones, they completed the battle against the two demigods and thus received the highest reward at this moment—they would be qualified to return to the Tree as heroes!
The moment the news was announced, the entire Golden Tree Cathedral erupted in uproar.

Even though those present were all nobles and powerful figures from the Golden Dynasty, they were no exception, speechless and blushing as they looked at the Blessed King after he was sealed with two fingers.

Let the soul return to the tree!
That means the stable cycle of the Golden Tree People is still in place! It can still be used!
The bountiful and eternal Golden Age of Law still holds this generous blessing! Now, even with the fortitude of Oreg and Christopher, they immediately knelt on one knee amidst the clanging of their armor, bowing their heads to the Blessed King behind the sealed light barrier.

The more people live in this corrupt world, the more they yearn for the golden age of law and order that was not so long ago.

Compared to this time, it was like a golden paradise.

After the two men solemnly and sincerely thanked the King for his blessing, they withdrew amidst the envious gazes of the onlookers.

The process of returning to the tree occurs only after physical death. They are still alive now, and can only be returned to the tree after they die in battle.

It is conceivable that, having received this promise from the King of Blessing, the two would become even more fearless on the battlefield, and even eager to embrace death, which is especially precious in this era.

However, Lan En was in the crowd, looking at the magnificent Golden Tree Cathedral and the nobles and knights dressed in gorgeous or imposing clothes.

His brows furrowed slightly.

After spending a long time with Melina and learning about many profound secrets and truths of this world, he felt that the Blessed King's promise was not quite right.

After all, the Golden Law has already suffered a structural collapse, and even the Elden Ring, which is the most basic foundation, has been substantially broken.

How can the Golden Tree receive souls?
This is theoretically impossible. Unless the Blessed King and the Two Fingers of the Round Table have some other way to accomplish this?
But now it was a glorious and solemn occasion, and no one questioned it; they only cheered and envied.

Those who have faded are no exception.

Although the Faded Ones' achievements were more than enough, even surpassing those of the two, they were under the command of Two Fingers and did not even receive the most basic Golden Law blessing. The Blessed King could not decide their allegiance, so the reward of returning to the tree was out of the question.

Oreg and Christopher retreated meticulously, their cloaks gliding across the pristine white marble, sweeping aside the shimmering leaves of the golden tree.

The crowd parted like a tide, revealing a passage in front of Lan En.

The passage leads directly to the sealed light screen where the two-finger emblem appears.

Although the Witcher was still thinking about something, at this moment, he felt as if his hand, which was hanging down, was being gently squeezed.

There was no one else around; the plush ball was all lying on the second floor of the cathedral watching the excitement.

Lan En knew that this was his own 'borderland little wooden encyclopedia'.

If all goes well, her mission will be completed today.

Without making a sound, Lan En's hand also slightly closed, the touch in his palm suddenly withdrawing like a startled little animal. But a moment later, it pressed down on the back of his hand again.

No one noticed these subtle movements.

The Witcher went straight ahead and defeated and captured Griffia and his son Griffin, a feat that was now attributed to him.

People looked at this faded hero with reverence and admiration, as if they had returned to the glorious and great era of the War of the Giants.

The Faded Ones were also heroes who received rewards, and those who stood upon them and bestowed blessings upon them were the Eternal Queen and the First King.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

The ceremonial soldiers blew horns, called out names, and loudly recited their achievements... People were eager to hear what sacred words the Blessed King would utter again, words even more glorious than 'Returning to the Tree'.

But when Lan En made his request, the people suddenly fell silent, looking at him with incredulous eyes.

Moments later, thunderous cheers and applause engulfed the Golden Tree Cathedral.

In these difficult times, people are moved by the existence of such pure and unwavering faith, willing to exchange all their achievements for a chance to get close to the golden tree.

He truly deserves to be called a hero among the faded ones!

However, what was originally a request that was "not too difficult" as Baizhi had said, caused the Blessed King to remain silent for a long time after the sealing light screen of the two fingers was pressed.

The tall figure behind the light screen remained silent for a long time, even silencing the cheering crowd in the cathedral.

People looked at each other, and the atmosphere became awkward.

But after a moment of silence, the figure within the light screen finally spoke.

“Lan En, the Faded One,” the Blessed King said, his tone almost accusatory, “are you truly willing to forgo any reward and simply touch the Golden Tree once?”

The Witcher felt a tightness on the back of his hand.

“Yes,” Lann said without showing any sign of distress, “I just want to be able to see the real golden tree.”

There was another moment of silence.

“I understand,” the shadow of the Blessed King nodded somewhat laboredly. “Then… I will solemnly invite you, hero of the Battle of Rodel, the Faded One Lann, to enter the palace for a pilgrimage to the Golden Tree.”

The figure behind the light screen turned to the side.

The cathedral erupted in cheers!

(End of this chapter)