Demon Hunter: School of the Wolf.

Chapter 654 Druid Fan Choir
Saint Lin... Master Cano... Golden-haired Beast...

If the Holy Mainer hadn't made any unusual moves, Erin might have just listened and forgotten about the conversation.

But that mysterious woodland had only just reappeared before the Witcher's eyes.

Without much thought, he could tell that the mysterious forest was most likely the sacred forest the druids had mentioned.

Yes!

After consuming the "elements of the deer's head essence" and entering that mysterious forest, he crossed the aerial roots of a banyan tree that had grown into a forest. What blocked his way to the nameless lake was a beautiful and majestic reindeer with huge antlers like ebony.

That must be the reindeer saint that Ada Emin and the druids were talking about.

Before leaving the sacred forest, the reflection of the dragon after it plunged into the lake was indeed that of the golden-haired behemoth King Cano...

When asked by the large reindeer by the lake, he blurted out the word "Kano" without really understanding what it meant.

The strange movements of Holy Mayna, the Grand Master's sudden praise of life, Master Kano, the Golden Beast... all these seemingly unrelated things suddenly became connected.

but……

"Because of the name 'Kano' that I somehow blurted out at the end, it's understandable that the druids mistook me for a great druid named Kano," Erin wondered. "But why did they actually start looking for King Kano?"

"King Kano is a beast from the savage world of the One-Eyed Demon, how could he appear in the world of Witcher?"

Erin's mind was in turmoil.

Zebi Ortega and Aida Emin had finished their pleasantries, and their aged yet kind gazes fell upon the Witcher.

Erin instantly put aside his chaotic thoughts and focused his mind.

"So you're the witcher who wants to learn about the ways of the druid?"

Zebi Ortega looked him over with interest: “Mother Nature does not care whether her servants are commoners, nobles, humans, or elves. Even a butcher who slaughters livestock every day can believe in Mother Nature, because she is the mother of all living beings.”

"But it must be said that although the work of the Witcher is very noble and truly protects humanity, the killing ultimately goes against the way of nature and the principle of protection."

“I have quite a few witcher friends, from the Wolf School, the Griffin School, and even the Bear School. When I was young, I also fantasized about sharing the tranquility and gentleness of Mother Nature with them…”

"But without exception, they all failed."

"I have never met a single witcher who is inclined towards nature..."

“Vesemir, I remember he was also a Witcher from the Wolf School, right?”

Arlin nodded: "Vesemir is a master witcher of the Wolf School."

“You’re already a Master Witcher…” Zebi Ortega sighed upon hearing this. “I remember when I shared this, he was so disgusted that he left the camp that very night. Of course, I was indeed a bit too radical back then…”

"So, Erin, may I call you that?"

“Of course, Master Zebi Ortega,” Erin quickly replied.

“Aelin,” Zebi Ortega stroked his gray beard, “can you tell me why you’re interested in the druidic path?”

As expected... Erin knew that even with a referrer of considerable status, becoming an apprentice of a high-ranking druid was not an easy task.

“I’ve run into some problems, quite tricky ones,” Erin said sincerely, looking at Zebi Ortega, carefully choosing his words. “My intuition tells me that the answer might lie in the Druid’s natural way…”

Just say it.

The boundary between the inner and outer rings of the Maynard Rui's Ring suddenly fell silent.

Leaning on a staff with a raven bone top and an oak shaft, the aged half-elf druid silently stared at the witcher.

The druids around him exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing Arlin's reply, their expressions involuntarily turning indignant.

We chose the natural way in order to solve the problem...

What an arrogant reply!
It's as if the road they revere, are proud of, and believe in is merely an axe for chopping wood, a plow for tilling the land, and a knife for killing...

What happens after the problem is solved?
They also abandoned axes, plows, and knives in the wilderness, letting them rot and rust.

Ada Emin smiled, but her face remained expressionless. She didn't try to smooth things over at this moment, which gradually made the atmosphere at the junction of the inner and outer rings of the Maynard Rui's Ring become unfriendly.

"Boom!"

Zebi Ortega slammed his raven staff into the ground, breaking the tense silence.

“At least you’re honest.” He glanced at Ida Emin, chuckled softly, and asked, “Will the problem you’re trying to solve harm nature?”

“No,” Erin shook his head. “On the contrary, I think it’s a good thing for nature.”

“Arrogant!” a druid muttered beside Zebi Ortega.

What problems could a mere demon hunter, after having his problems solved, possibly be considered a good thing for the mighty nature?

After making his comment, the druid was about to add a few more sarcastic remarks when he met Zebi Ortega's stern eyes and shrank back.

At this time.

Another druid, who had been deep in thought ever since hearing Erin's name, suddenly nudged the one who had spoken with his elbow, exclaiming excitedly:
“Simmons, Erin…he’s that Erin!”

"So what if he's called Arlin?" The druid called Simmons impatiently slapped away the other druid's elbow. "That witcher looks down on us... wait... Arlin, which Arlin are you talking about?"

Simmons froze, looking at the Witcher in disbelief, his gaze shifting from the azure cat eyes to the two longswords scabbarded behind him.

"You're that Erin?!" Simmons screamed like a frightened woman.

Erin was startled by the druid's suddenly high-pitched voice and nodded: "If you're talking about that wolf school witcher, then that must be me."

The one named Simmons, because his answer showed disdain for the druid, seemed to be his admirer.

This is not surprising.

Thanks to the spread of Arland's bards, Arryn was quite famous in the Temurian region, and even Geralt's father, Corinth, was an admirer of his.

He just didn't quite understand...

Zebi Ortega is a high druid who meditates year-round in the inner ring of the Maidalui Ring, which is understandable. He's been recuperating from his injuries in the Maidalui Ring for a month, so how could there be a druid who doesn't know his identity and be so surprised?

“Simmons has been out completing the tasks assigned to him by the Druid Circle and only returned today,” the druid who reminded Simmons explained. “Mentor Zebi didn’t tell us that the distinguished guest we were to meet would be…you…”

"Just call me Ailin." Ailin got goosebumps from the formal "you" in the title.

“It seems you’re quite famous outside,” Zebi Ortega said curiously. “I rarely see Simmons and Olga admiring someone so much, especially a non-Druid witcher.”

“Mentor Zebi, you don’t know,” Simmons said excitedly, enthusiastically recommending the song, “in the taverns of Mayna, Maripo, Dorndale, and Vizima, the most famous ballad is the poem ‘The Death Knight from the North’ by ​​the poet Evgeny Willard…”

"...As the azure cat eyes opened and closed, death answered the call..."

"...A fourteen-year-old knight from Elland named his beloved silver-white longsword Elsa..."

……

Simmons started shouting without warning. Although his voice was not bad, much louder and clearer than Elni and Clara's, it still made Erin's scalp tingle under everyone's gaze, and goosebumps immediately rose uncontrollably on both arms.

Why are you making things so awkward without even offering a heads-up?

Erin couldn't help but mutter to himself, while feigning an appreciative smile on his face.

But what happened next only amplified the awkwardness.

Not only did Simmons start singing, but the druids around Zebi Ortega also joined in and sang along. In the end, even the archdruid Zebi Ortega himself hummed along to the melody.

Erin's pretense could no longer hold; her toes gripped her boots tightly, her lips twitched, and an awkward smile appeared on her face.

The sudden druidic chorus only ended when faint commotion gradually began to be heard in the distance.

“Evgeny Villard?” Zebi Ortega hummed again with interest. “A fine melody. It seems the Northern Continent is about to produce another great poet. He should still be in Temuria. We could invite him to the Ring of Maidalui…”

What was the purpose of inviting Yevgeny Villard here? To organize the druids of the Maidalui Ring to awkwardly sing "The Death Knight from the North"?
What a nightmare that would be!

Erin's expression turned somewhat unpleasant as she imagined that scene.

“Evgeny Villard is no longer in Temuria,” Simmons said. “Something seems to have happened a month ago that made him leave Temuria without stopping, and he should be back in Cowburg now.”

Does this refer to being turned into a leech by Vera? Erin breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s a real shame,” Zebi Ortega shook his head. “His innovative rhythmic techniques in this poem, though somewhat immature, are quite excellent, but Elsa…”

He paused, glancing curiously at the twin swords behind Erin: "Isn't that the name of the Vesemir Silver Sword?"

The druids also cast curious glances their way.

Because of Erin's deeds, Elsa is gradually showing signs of becoming a famous sword.

“Elsa was indeed Vesemir’s silver sword, but due to some… well… changes,” Erin paused, then found an explanation, “I’m the one using it now, and much of what’s in the ballad is exaggerated.”

“Artistic embellishment is normal,” Zebi Ortega comforted him. “Besides, the fact that this ballad has spread so widely means that the artistic embellishment wouldn’t be too exaggerated. At least it wouldn’t attribute achievements you didn’t participate in to you.”

Erin didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

After chatting for a while about the events Erin was involved in and the poems written by Yevgeny Villard, Zebi Ortega's image became more and more vivid in the Witcher's mind.

Unlike the typical druids who are hermits, stubborn, and old-fashioned, Zebi Ortega, perhaps influenced by the half-elf blood in his veins, has a great fondness for all kinds of art.

He is easygoing and approachable, a very likable old man.

The druids surrounding Zebi Ortega were all his former apprentices. After Aida Emin sent a message in advance yesterday, Zebi Ortega decided to take a trip to the outer ring today to see his former apprentices.

The teaching model of the Druids' Circle is very similar to that of the Wolf School, or rather, the teaching models of all the extraordinary forces in the Northern Continent are similar.

Once an apprentice has passed certain tests—trials and exams—an experienced mentor will be assigned to guide them through a deeper level of study.

The only difference is that the Demon Hunter school has more rigorous tests, the sorcerer's personal bond is closer and more demanding, while the Maynard Rui's Ring is gentler and usually teaches an understanding of nature rather than leading apprentices to travel the northern continent, inherit commissioned resources and connections, and hunt monsters.

However, because it is simply the transmission of knowledge and insights, the relationship between Druid apprentices and their mentors is obviously closer, more like that of teachers and students in pre-undergraduate compulsory education in a previous life.

Because of the extremely weak dependency relationship, many teachers do not keep in touch after graduation, but those who teach with dedication always gain more respect.

Clearly, Zebi Ortega is such a mentor.

However, no matter how good the atmosphere of the conversation is, it always comes to an end.

As the surrounding noise grew louder, many figures that appeared to be small animals but were actually high druids gathered from all directions.

“The Grand Master is calling,” Zebi Ortega turned to look at the Holy Mainer, his kind gaze falling on Erin. “Simons, Olga, since you both know Erin, take him back first and teach him the basics of meditation on my behalf.”

"After meeting with the Grand Master, I will go back."

“Ada, it’s been a long time since you’ve been to Mayna. Would you like to come with me to see the Grand Master?”

Zebi Ortega turned his head to look at Ida Emin, who hadn't joined the conversation and was leaning against an oak tree with her arms crossed.

Ada Emin shook her head: "No."

"This is your Maynadruid Ring's internal affair, so I won't interfere."

“Internal affairs…” Zebi Ortega shook his head slightly. “Aida, you should know that the Grand Master is…”

“I know,” Ada Emin interrupted the grey-bearded archdruid with a smile that didn’t change. “Next time, Zebi Ortega…”

Just say it.

Ada Emin nodded to Erin, then opened a portal and left.

Zebi Ortega had no choice but to give up. After nodding to the curious-eyed Erin and the other druids, he joined the pilgrimage-like procession.

"There's a story behind Aida Emin and the Ring of Maidalui..."

Erin withdrew his gaze from the spot where the portal had disappeared, and instead squinted at the sacred Mahina shrouded in a hazy green light...

Thoughtful.

(End of this chapter)