MTL - Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 874 856. Knight of the Goddess’s Believer

 “But it seems to me that you are hiding from someone.”

Lan En, who was leaning against the cliff with his arms folded, did not move, but suddenly spoke.

 Foldolink's body that was about to leave froze for a moment, and then resumed his movements.

Hand waved without looking back.

“It’s just an appointment that has not yet come to an appointment. We all have our own things to do in this decadent world. Don’t worry about me, an old guy. Let us go our separate ways, Lan En.”

 “May the flames protect you, goodbye.”

 Foldolink untied the crimson cloth that the Archbishop had just wrapped around his body and threw it to Lan En.

Then he disappeared into the rugged and winding mountain road without looking back.

In the breeze in the mountains, Lan En, who had his hands folded across his chest, gently raised his hands, and the crimson strip of cloth flying in the air was grasped in his hands.

 “A world in decline?”

Some of these people were holding large flags, and some were holding small flags. Most of them had a dark red background, with gold patterns depicting a diamond pattern on them. It seems to be some kind of emblem.

 Some were sealed in coffins and the coffin lids were trapped with iron chains. Some are stuffed directly into the car.

They were a group of dead bodies, even more skinny and haggard than the lumberjacks Lan En saw for the first time.

 But in the entire convoy, the most eye-catching thing was not the piles of undead corpses, nor the devout believers and vigilant warriors. It was a group of special things.

 So in this convoy, there are some special things being transported together.

 Let’s take advantage of the convenience and safety of the convoy.

Their bodies were elongated to about the same height as Lan En, but their bodies were so thin that you could directly see the gaps between their ribs.

It seems to be a way to prevent these undead people from suddenly resurrecting and causing riots, so that they can be dealt with in time.

They wore religious robes and hoods, but the patterns and textures were far worse than those of Archbishop Klimt, showing their religious class.

 But such a large convoy, in today's increasingly chaotic world, has finally been able to get it together for one dispatch. Of course, the more things it can do, the better.

 These corpses were placed on several carriages at the end of the procession.

 Archbishop Klimt, who led this convoy, said that the main purpose was to "welcome back the obscure goddess."

These should be those ‘immortal people seeking liberation’ who have just been processed and transported out of the undead settlement.

 In the convoy, except for the church knights who looked like iron towers. It can also be seen that some people with fighting ability are following these corpse trucks.

 In the motorcade, believers are everywhere.

Lan En put the crimson strip of cloth into his pocket and followed the convoy naturally.

More believers just clasped their hands in front of their chests, prayed silently in a low voice, and followed step by step.

The witcher raised his eyes and looked up from the mountain road. The dim yellow sky seemed to have remained unchanged. No change in light angle, no change in light intensity is like losing hope.

 The people in the motorcade didn't say a word about his joining, and didn't even take a second look. They just kept their heads down and walked.

Most of these corpses had holes in their chests, as if they had been directly stabbed to death with a spear. Judging from the wounds, there were no signs of struggle and they were clean and neat.

 There are no moist eyeballs in the empty eye sockets. The originally full eyeballs are now dry and sticky at the bottom of the eye sockets.

They were a group of big, fleshy-looking insects.

　　Or maggot man.

 Their whole bodies turned into flesh-colored worms, squirming and enlarged. Only the upper body still retains two arms and a head and neck. It’s just that on those faces, the facial features are as distorted as melted wax, leaving only a few rough outlines of holes.

If Lan En saw these maggot men in the wild, he would probably draw his sword first and then look at the situation.

 But now, this group of twisted maggots are walking, twisting and crawling in the convoy openly.

  A few people hold a staff similar to a religious ritual instrument in their hands to support their upper body and walk.

The status of these maggots seems to be not low. The believers surround them in the middle position, just behind the goddess's carriage.

 “Those who are followers of the goddess [Rosalia].”

“Believers who have undergone the ‘rebirth ceremony’ and are in the process of rebirth.”

Suddenly, a gentle male voice with an aristocratic accent spoke to Lan En from the side.

Because Lan En considered himself to be "barely" a fighting force, he consciously followed the group of warriors guarding the corpses of the undead at the end of the convoy.

 The person who spoke to him was one of these people.

Lan En looked down to his side. He was also a man of normal build. It's just his outfit

 Reminds Lan En of the hunters in Yharnam.

He wears a black leather coat, leather gloves, and leather boots, with metal parts underneath to enhance the protection of key parts. He has a three-cornered hat on his head, and a silver mask on his face with only his eyes exposed.

As far as Lan En has seen in this world, everyone is still dressed in a serious style from the knight era. Armor or uniforms are all in the style of this era.

 And this guy’s Victorian costume is undoubtedly conspicuous.

 He also seems to be a believer in the goddess Rosalia.

 Because of his current tone, Lan En felt that he was similar to the Eternal Fire preacher who preached in the countryside.

It's just that those Eternal Fire preachers are impassioned and spread hatred, but this guy chooses his tone and takes his time.

 At its core, he is still a ‘preacher’.

 “This goddess’s name is Rosalia?”

 Lan En turned his face away, showing no particular interest.

"Exactly, [Mother of Rebirth] Rosalia. My name is Leonard, and I am a knight who serves the goddess."

Consistent with Lan En’s experience, for a character like ‘Preacher’, as long as you show a moderate curiosity about what he says, he will keep talking out his words.

If you are too enthusiastic, he will feel that he does not need to spend any energy on you, and you will do it yourself.

If you are too indifferent, he will feel that there is no need to waste time with you, and the negotiation will not be possible anyway.

 Lan En's current attitude is exactly the kind that requires effort.

“The goddess has the power of [rebirth]. As a warrior, I think you can understand the necessity of [rebirth].”

Leonard used a calm voice to introduce his goddess to new people.

“Not talented enough to go further. Cruel battles lead to disabilities and hidden injuries, and old age is painful, weak and desolate. These are the unavoidable fates of warriors.”

“But as long as you perform the [Rebirth Ceremony], you can gain a new life with experience and strength!”

 “Ugly people can become beautiful, short people can become tall”

 Leonard's words were seductive, and his voice was as gentle as sleep.

 (End of this chapter)