Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 2029, Section 2001: Investigation
"In the border region, there are hardly any people who wield the power of fire."

Lann spoke sincerely to Marlene.

The Valkyrie remained silent. Because what Lann said was the truth.

Once the Battle of Rodel began, everyone knew that the demigod Lacad, a relative of the emperor, had secretly trained many warriors skilled in fire.

This knowledge of the power of fire came from his good relationship with the fire watchers on the snow mountain, as well as the lava spells left behind by the Gmir volcano itself.

In today's world, Lakad's Volcanic Palace is probably the one that has developed the most fire power.

It's no wonder people suspect you.

But Lan En still had something to say—[Blood Flame].

Obtained through the worship of the Mother of Truth, cursed blood is ignited, which in turn fuels the blood flame.

Although blood flames are not known for their temperature properties, they do involve combustion and can be considered fire.

That is why it was able to be understood and reproduced by Lan En's [Cursefire].

The source of the Blood Flame is none other than the master of [Iron Thorn] Elommer, the mastermind behind the group of bloodthirsty lunatics in the Demigod Alliance.

Lan En didn't know who he was or where he was hiding, but he was certain that this person was on Rodel's side.

At least for now, they are on one side.

So strictly speaking, Marlene's act of demanding an explanation was quite accurate.

Rodel is indeed a prime suspect.

But when to say what? If Lan En didn't want Marlenia and Rodel to fight directly, he wouldn't bring things up now.

“Rakad, he won’t have time,” Marlenia said coldly. “The people from the Volcano Mansion want to get to the Sacred Tree unless they set off before the Night of the Black Knife and acted without stopping for a moment. That’s why the news is only now getting back to me.”

Seeing that Marlene still had doubts, Lann added calmly.

"It is entirely possible that the demigod of the maternal relatives planned the Night of the Black Knife from the very beginning, and that he was preparing to set off before that."

"Moreover, the number of people who want to abduct Michaela from inside the Sacred Tree cannot be large, but they must be very elite. They will move very quickly."

“Besides…” Lann tilted his head at Malenia, “I think right now, you’re more concerned with finding Michaela herself than finding the mastermind behind it all to get revenge, right?”

The Valkyrie paused for a moment, her chest heaving as if she were trying to determine the balance between her anger and reason within her.

Finally, she let out a sigh of relief: "You're right. Nothing else matters except Michaela."

She stepped forward, her chest almost touching Lan En's head, looking down at him.

"We need to find my brother."

Beneath the winged helmet, Lann couldn't see Marlenia's eyes, but the meaning was clear.

You say you're good at finding and investigating, so let's get started.

Lan En had no objection to this, since it was in accordance with his plan.

Another interpretation is that this has fallen into the 'daily' work scope of a Witcher.

In the past, witchers would simply search around villages for missing people and livestock to see if any monsters had migrated to the area.

What Lan En is looking for now is a demigod and a god who have been kidnapped.

"Are there any clues regarding the Sacred Tree?"

The Witcher, speaking as casually as if he were handling a quest, skillfully began to learn about the quest details.

On the other hand, he also subtly took a step back to distance himself from the aggressive Marlenia, otherwise he was worried that the group of corrupt knights standing behind the Valkyrie would come up and fight him.

As Lann had predicted, Marlenia didn't like to talk much. While her lord was thinking about what to say, Finley, who was behind her, stepped forward and interrupted the conversation.

"The messenger from the sacred tree only brought this bad news."

Finley, leaning on his scythe, walked behind the Valkyrie and explained the situation to the Witcher.

“But we all think there shouldn’t be any more clues at the sacred tree. That group was just as you guessed, very professional and quick.”

The Sacred Tree Abrefil is a massive tree city built by Marlenia and Michaela after they left Rodel, together with a large group of followers.

Michaela is known for her gentleness and tolerance, and Lann speculates that this isn't just due to the demigod's personality, but may also be related to the laws she bears. These are already supernatural abilities.

Marlenia, on the other hand, was born an anomaly in the eyes of others because of her vesic disease.

Therefore, the Sacred Tree Abrafiel, from its very inception, has been a place that embraces almost all the outcasts and persecuted in the borderlands.

It is a place of salvation and a pure land in the eyes of those 'outsiders'.

These outcasts and persecuted individuals are naturally drawn to this land of redemption. In this borderland, outcasts are rejected not only because of their appearance or special circumstances. In this divine dynasty, their rejection is likely more due to—power.

Unique strength and unique beliefs are the reasons for being rejected.

These factors are also the best at filtering out the truly exceptional individuals.

Therefore, in the sacred tree Abrafiel, strange powers and technologies that are completely invisible in the local areas of various border regions emerge one after another.

It's just that the power of fire is too sensitive, and it was already under Lakad's control beforehand, otherwise the Holy Tree might also have had people from the Fire Watchers appear.

Therefore, Finley and Marlenia both had faith in the Sacred Tree: if the people of the Sacred Tree couldn't send any more messages, then there really were no leads.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them not to be found.

"But having no clues is a clue in itself." After listening to Finley's explanation, Lan En stroked his chin and analyzed, "If they could leave without any clues after the investigation by so many extraordinary talents at the Sacred Tree, wouldn't their evacuation method be quite simple?"

“You mean…” Finley tentatively began.

But before she could finish speaking, Marlenia calmly interjected, "A long-distance teleportation portal."

“That was a long-planned scheme,” Finlay’s voice was cold, “or rather, a no-holds-barred one.”

The teleportation technology in the border region is not advanced; it is certainly not as widespread as in the magical medieval era, where even a slightly skilled sorcerer could cast a single-person teleportation spell, and a powerful sorcerer could open a teleportation portal directly in mid-air.

According to what Lan En learned from Melina, the fixed teleportation technology here is basically derived from the destroyed underground Eternal City.

Because the eternal city underground has been destroyed, this portal technology, as well as the materials that support it, are like rare, non-renewable resources.

“If there’s a portal, then no clues will be left during the escort of Michaela. We need to deduce the destination on the other side of the portal.”

Lan En murmured softly, which was less about explaining his thoughts to Marlene and the others, and more about a professional habit that demon hunters often have when they are working.

“Michaela is not good at fighting and destruction, but she is still a demigod and a god. No one would feel at ease if there were no qualified strong people watching over her. That is to say, there must have been people of at least demigod level at the scene where Michaela was kidnapped and at the destination they were teleported to.”

"So, over such a long period of time, where in the entire border region did the largest number of demigods gather?"

Lann's mutterings were not loud, but as soon as he finished speaking, Finley and Marlenia turned their heads and looked at each other.

“The answer is obvious,” the Witcher said, scratching his head. “This is it.”

For months since the siege began, the Battle of Rodel has been the area with the highest density of demigods in the entire border region!

And all the people Marlene could suspect were here.

“You mean…” Marlenia’s voice, which had been relatively calm, trembled slightly, “Michaela was imprisoned less than a hundred miles from me?”

Finley looked at Marlenia with concern.

But Lan En's gaze was scrutinizing.

“As I just emphasized, getting emotional about things that have already happened and cannot be changed will only create obstacles. And you just agreed with that, Marlene.”

“If you can’t control your emotions, then I don’t think you’re suitable to participate in this survey.”

The thin lips beneath the winged helmet twitched slightly, but quickly regained their composure.

“No,” Marlenia’s voice seemed even colder, “I will control myself. And you… be quick.”

“Of course,” Lan En turned around and patted the bewildered Qilin behind him, indicating that he was quick enough to get things done, “but there are still some things I need to know. Do you have any of Michaela’s clothes or jewelry?”

"What are you going to do?"

"I need some smell as a reference."

"...?"

Now, even Marlene, who had just managed to suppress her emotions, looked at the Witcher with the same strange gaze that Finlay could sense even through his helmet.

What is the faded one saying?

Is he going to smell his brother's (Lady Michaela's) clothes too?!
Lann was a demon hunter, and he was already immune to the strange and curious looks others gave them.

He shrugged and said nonchalantly, "Finding someone? Aren't there only a few methods? Look, listen, and smell."

“No,” Marlenia said with some difficulty, pressing her winged helmet, “We are, after all, a legion going to war, how could we… it’s impossible for us to bring my brother’s clothes.”

Although her care and affection for Michaela had reached an extreme level, it wasn't to the point that she would bring Michaela's belongings with her whenever she went on a long trip.

“But imprisoning a demigod will inevitably leave traces.” As if afraid that Lan En would give up, Marlenia added, “The mere existence of a demigod’s power is enough to leave traces in the environment, let alone a god-man who is burdened with laws.”

“Mikaela’s blood, dripping onto the ground, is enough to sprout the [Holy Bloodwood Sprout]. Even if he was abducted, as long as he wasn’t inside the portal, it’s impossible for him to leave no trace along the way.”

(End of this chapter)