Bear School Astartes-Chapter 837 - 820: Bronze Hammer Spear

"Are you okay, Phidias?"

Lann asked casually from behind the mud wall.

The sculptor on the other side was still a bit shaken.

"No, I’m fine."

"Thank you, thank you! Zeus above, if it weren’t for you, I’d surely be dead today!"

"Be careful, buddy. Given Athens’ current atmosphere, you should thank Apollo."

Lann reminded in a joking tone.

"Yes, yes, Apollo! Thanks to the god of prophecy and foresight!"

Phidias replied, his tongue almost twisting.

From behind the mud wall came the sound of dragging heavy bodies, and Phidias’ remarkable artistic imagination made him feel as if he was watching Lann handle the corpses.

Meanwhile, Cassandra, still in the ground floor hall, slowly released the bowstring, returning the longbow to her back.

"It seems Socrates was quite right."

Lann spoke while dragging the corpses of several Divine Guard he had dealt with.

To prevent the plague from affecting Phidias, he decided not to cross the wall to speak face-to-face with him.

"Now, due to the chaos in Athens, everyone wants to take advantage of the disorder to achieve their own agendas."

In other words, as the saying goes: it’s easier to fish in muddy waters.

Phidias knew Lann was reminding him, but could only curl up behind the wall and smile bitterly.

"Who wouldn’t agree? If the situation were stable, I’d be attending gatherings at Pericles’ mansion every few days, showing my face. Those Divine Guard wouldn’t dare to openly come and kill me... Haha, the plague is truly a great cover-up."

"Now quite a few wealthy people in Athens have died, and thieves and bandits have taken this opportunity to break into many empty homes. There are even advocates specializing in stealing money from the deceased, filing numerous lawsuits against dead wealthy folks."

"Socrates once foresaw this: those bandits and thieves wouldn’t live well after they stole money from the dead because the plague makes people uneasy. No one knows who will survive the next day, so they will spend lavishly, live each day as if it’s their last."

"Is there anyone more uninhibited than someone who thinks they’re about to die?"

"If too many people become so uninhibited..." Lann added gravely, "order will get messed up."

"Quite right," Phidias chuckled bitterly, "No wonder Socrates always fondly reminisces about talking with you; you two speak very similarly."

Lann instinctively shook his head.

Not that he disliked Socrates, that unconventional yet extraordinarily wise fat man; conversations with him were indeed interesting.

It’s just that Alcibiades often catches the scent and comes running, which can be overwhelming.

"Change the subject." Lann started a new topic, "You’ve learned not to contact others during the plague, good decision, who advised you?"

Speaking while tossing the corpses of the Divine Guard down the staircase to the first floor, patting his hands.

"Oh, you mean this method?"

Phidias perked up. Indeed, the method had kept him comfortable since the outbreak, so he trusted it dearly.

"A doctor from Macedonia taught me. Pericles invited him to treat Athens. Sadly, more people prefer praying before statues than seeking treatment from this doctor."

"A Macedonian doctor?"

Cassandra suddenly questioned from below.

Lann walked briskly down, curiously asking.

"Does it sound... you know this doctor?"

Cassandra raised an eyebrow: "Is his name Hippocrates?"

"Oh, Cassandra! You know him too?"

Phidias said excitedly.

"Of course. Socrates once sent me to Argolis to inquire the whereabouts of my mother from the priests of the Medical God and specifically mentioned this person."

Cassandra nodded, evidently holding a good impression of both Socrates and Hippocrates.

"He’s indeed a good doctor, far more useful than the priests in the temple who only receive tributes."

"Thanks, Phidias. We know what to do next."

Lann, now back beside Cassandra, looked up to the sculptor on the corridor from the ground floor, speaking.

"You should find another place to settle. Your wealth is substantial, right? Cover your mouth and nose on the way, don’t contact the sick, carry water and food. The plague won’t end anytime soon, and the Divine Teachings surely won’t mind clearing out unfavorable individuals during the chaos."

"We have to go. Goodbye, Phidias."

"You take care too, goodbye, Cassandra. Goodbye, Lann."

The sculptor on the corridor watched his two friends leave his workshop, feeling melancholic.

Then, he had to regain his spirit and start packing his belongings to leave the now unsafe location.

He had little to take, just valuable gold, silver, jewels, and savings.

With his skill in creating the statues of Athena in the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon Temple, he could prosper anywhere.

Lann and Cassandra walked out of the workshop, the Demon Hunter beckoned, and Rong Buqiu, who had been stationed by the workshop’s side window, ran over.

Upon hearing the sounds of conflict earlier, it had instinctively guarded the only exit besides the main door.

"Here, see if this can be of use to you."

Lann handed Cassandra a pole hammer, the Divine Artifact from the tall Divine Guard he defeated earlier.

Though an undeniable heavy weapon, Lann believed that given Cassandra’s physical build, she should wield it comfortably.

Sure enough, when the Hawk Trainer received it, the bronze hammer pole, containing the Elder Race’s residual technological materials, shone brighter than when the previous owner used it.

This made Lann wonder again: what level is Cassandra’s Elder Race bloodline?

Apart from Hapalos, who had his body altered and golden circuit patterns appeared on his chest due to combined effects from the Elf Beacon and Anka Cross, all Divine Artifacts became brighter and more powerful in her hands, unlike becoming dim or ineffective.

"Ha! Thank you!"

Receiving the gift, Cassandra playfully jumped up, pressed Lann’s head down, and enthusiastically pecked him.

Receiving a hammer pole capable of shattering a bull’s skull seems to make her happier than receiving expensive jewelry or flowers, letting her feel loved.

Maybe that’s the Spartan way?

"This hammer pole emits vibrating power, penetrating enemy armor to affect the flesh, amazing! My sword is about to fail. Perfect timing!"