Bear School Astartes-Chapter 870 - 853: Flame

But there is a problem.

The scenario that Lann and Mentos imagined was based on wandering souls losing their humanity, slaughtering a large number of Undead, and then the Undead becoming wandering souls themselves.

But the most fundamental question is—how did the Undead actually come into being?

Part of the desire to explore this strange world stems from Lann’s curiosity, which was indeed piqued by the phenomena of this world.

On the other hand, he had to stay here for a while, waiting for the Chaos Magic Power tide to come again, and for the celestial sphere’s gap to open so he could return.

Being in an extremely unstable environment without understanding the environment itself is truly dangerous.

Just upon arriving, this new world threw Lann into such a ruthless situation, it undoubtedly marked it as ’extremely unstable.’

Fodolink led Lann up the slope of the forest, seemingly heading towards the ’mountain’ he had mentioned earlier.

On this upward path, the ground was covered with dead branches and leaves, and even when green plants appeared occasionally, the shades of green looked withered, yellowish, and lifeless.

It was as if the entire environment was coated in this gloomy and oppressive tone.

The forest, which should have been rich with life, was silent.

There were neither slight chirps of birds nor any sounds of small animals moving about.

The only sound was the ’rustling’ of two people’s boots on the fallen leaves. When their footsteps lightened, they could even hear each other’s breathing.

The atmosphere was oppressive and still.

Fodolink seemed to have no notion that this situation was abnormal, so Lann could only speculate that perhaps this world’s forests were like this.

Yet, the social skills inherent to the Sons of the Emperor inevitably influenced Lann.

Although he wasn’t someone who considered socializing essential, he was quite good at being the ’atmosphere breaker’ now.

"Are you also here to witness the [Fire Rite], Fodolink?"

Lann’s tone was calm, without revealing any excess emotions, as if it was a casual question.

The information gleaned from the still-clearheaded woodcutter sounded like a big deal, and mentioning it should be a good conversation starter.

And indeed, as Lann expected.

The [Fire Rite] was certainly a significant event for this world... a tremendously significant affair.

Fodolink’s normal stride suddenly made a discordant ’clank’ sound.

It was the sound of his armor clashing due to the sudden stiffness from inertia.

Though it quickly returned to normal, Lann noticed it nonetheless.

"[Fire Rite]..."

Fodolink seemed to savor the term as if chewing both hope and despair simultaneously.

The emotions in his words were so intense that they appeared to be quite peaceful.

"Two years ago, people would cheerfully believe the [Fire Rite] would be as usual. Although this era hasn’t produced any famed heroes, we at least still have Prince Losric."

"As long as he becomes the Lord of Cinder, then everything can remain unchanged—our lives, this entire world—as long as the flame can still burn..."

"But now, no one knows what’s in Prince Losric’s mind anymore. He’s delayed for so long, too long. Even..."

Fodolink suddenly lowered his voice, as if even in this silent forest, he feared that his words would spread too far.

"Even rumors have risen among the crowd, saying the Prince actually... doesn’t want to link the fire!"

After speaking, he turned to take a deep look at Lann.

It was as if his expression was telling him: Today this talk can be done secretly, but in the future, don’t shout it everywhere.

Suggesting ’the Prince doesn’t want to link the fire’ seemed to be a taboo topic.

So taboo that it wasn’t meant to be uttered by anyone.

[Flame], what exactly is this thing?

Lann couldn’t quite understand why the flame was so important.

How is the [Fire Rite] conducted, and why would a prince named ’Losric’ resist performing the rite?

"That flame..." Lann said in a tone full of ambiguity, interpretable in any way. "How is the flame now?"

No matter what Fodolink interpreted from this tone, he likely wouldn’t think Lann knew nothing about the so-called [flame].

Given his tone, [flame] seemed to be something everyone in this world should know.

"How else could it be?" Fodolink scoffed, "The Undead have already blatantly appeared on the roads, isn’t the waning of the flame obvious enough?"

Lann astutely sensed the resentment and unwillingness in Fodolink’s aged voice.

And the appearance of Undead... was it because that [flame] began to weaken?

There ought to be a process for the flame’s weakening, and if what Fodolink said is true, the degree of waning is positively correlated with the number of Undead appearing.

That means that the currently appearing Undead are far from numerous.

What would happen when the [flame] is totally extinguished? What would this strange world become?

After a series of contemplations, Lann and Mentos both felt that the so-called [flame] might be the reason for the world’s peculiarity.

It’s also what Lady of the Lake referred to as: ’the fundamental difference.’

"By the way, I seem to have not asked your name yet."

Fodolink looked back at the Demon Hunter, while Lann extended his hand to him.

"Just call me Lann."

The old knight frowned at Lann’s extended hand, then shook his head without grasping it.

"No, these days, it’s better not to extend your hand casually. The flame is weakening, life is getting harder, who knows what might be on the hands of the person you shake hands with?"

"Heh, you really are a ’young master’."

Lann didn’t feel uncomfortable with Fodolink’s harmless teasing.

Just furrowed his brow and withdrew his arm.

Even shaking hands must be cautious... has the world already deteriorated to this extent?

"Let’s hope Prince Losric can link the fire soon."

In the end, Lann could only say a blessing based on known information that could not be wrong.

Fodolink laughed coldly, his aged voice sounding like phlegm was caught in his throat.

"Indeed, everyone is praying that the Prince can link the fire soon. The people of Losric City pray outside the church daily. The Losric Knights advise His Majesty."

"And pilgrims from distant lands have also started to head north, preparing to come to Losric to pilgrimage and be received."

"Hope... having hope is always good."

Losric City.

Lann caught onto this name.

It indicates that ’Prince Losric’ shares a name with the nation itself.

The King of this country must have high hopes for him.