Bear School Astartes-Chapter 847 - 830: Ideas and Surprises

After some effort, the situation in Athens is indeed improving.

The number of infected people is decreasing, and at least you don’t see people collapsing dead on the streets anymore.

However, the order that collapsed due to the plague, such as home invasions, murders, and prosecuting wealthy deceased for inheritance, is not something that can be resolved overnight.

The collapse of order is swift and easy, but rebuilding it is hard as climbing to heaven.

Now, there is a group of Ares worshippers in the city preventing the burning of bodies, claiming it ’desecrates the dead.’

This is different from when Lann killed that group in a cave outside of Athens.

These Ares worshippers haven’t committed outrageous acts like ’massacre sacrifices,’ so they cannot be expelled from the city-state without reason.

But now, as more and more bodies need to be burned, these fanatics are starting to pick up weapons.

Their fanaticism, in these tough times, even attracts some people.

They believe the desecration of the dead will incite even greater divine wrath, worsening the plague rather than alleviating it.

And because the measures against the plague have shown results, people’s health has improved.

This has led to an increase in criticism of Pericles on the streets.

Public health improvements are subtle and not noticeable to ordinary people who aren’t conducting specific statistical surveys.

But the anger that Kleon has stoked up isn’t so easily quelled.

So, during this period, the public security situation in Athens has even worsened.

Cassandra accepted Hippocrates’ request to help him collect and burn the bodies found dead on the streets.

Considering they fearlessly encounter most infectious diseases, those who use Divine Artifacts are truly treasures of their city-states.

Phoebe also took on a mission from Aspasia, to deliver information about a certain cooperation to a political ally of Pericles.

Lann and Rong Buqiu stayed in the mansion, also responsible for its security.

Now people are agitated; just yesterday, someone even threw a just-slaughtered rooster into Pericles’ courtyard.

The flapping of the poultry before death left the whole yard in chaos.

Bloody, brutal, and dirty.

Lann then roasted the rooster and ate it with Rong Buqiu.

At first, Pericles’ servants were in awe of Rong Buqiu, almost about to set a table and offer tributes to this ’Divine Cat.’

But after Lann had a few meals with Rong Buqiu, the servants got used to looking at the Elu Cat with curiosity.

Today, Lann sits in the mansion, his eyes empty, his thoughts and biological intellect intertwined.

He organizes and learns the profound knowledge he obtained in Ker Morhan.

The part about biological fusion in the [Alzus Cross] magic has given him many fantastic ideas.

And about the Primaris Space Marine surgery’s second procedure—the [Tendon Coil], also known as the [Inner Steel] enhanced organ, he is beginning to have some thoughts.

This enhancement organ was meant to be a technologically produced high-tech metal machine with self-replicating and operational programs.

It appears as a bundle of metal wires resembling a plant’s root system.

Such a pure technological creation cannot be made according to the Empire’s standard process unless Lann finds a Yishu Civilization factory with a smart editing system.

However, mastering the biological fusion ability in the [Alzus Cross] magic might allow him to...

Just as Lann and Mentos were working through simulations and calculations in his mind, his hand absentmindedly scratching Rong Buqiu’s furry chin.

The kitten suddenly lifted its head from a state of immersion and comfort, lightly meowing in another direction.

Lann turned his head as well.

"Pericles?"

The Demon Hunter rose from the stone bench and walked towards the weak and shaky Athenian Governor.

"Why are you coming down at this time? You should be resting well."

Now, this politician, who was once eloquent and confident on Athens’ debate stage, looked emaciated and frail.

His once gray hair was almost entirely white, and the confident gestures he used to make were now difficult and slow.

He wore the grass-green Athenian robe, with a pure gold headband still on his head.

But everything was different from Pericles a year and a half ago.

He carried a scent of old age and decay.

Lann could smell it.

"Ah, I’m sorry, Lann." He leaned against the wall, panting, and gave the Demon Hunter an apologetic smile. "It’s unseemly to show my condition before someone as strong as you."

"But I must get out of bed, to, to the Parthenon Temple."

"This might be the last time in my life I see my contribution to Athena and Athens."

He slowly walked with Lann’s arm for support.

Raising his head, he looked out through the courtyard’s ceiling, at the large red bronze Athena statue built by Phidias.

Here, you could see the statue’s crown.

"Aspasia wants to take me somewhere else, away from Athens for recovery."

Suddenly, Pericles said this as he lowered his head.

"I’ve heard about it, it’s a good decision." Lann looked down at the Athenian Governor and spoke softly.

"Your body is no longer infectious, now it’s just suffering badly from typhus; staying away from political turmoil is a good idea. This might ensure your survival."

Historically, Pericles died of a plague, but Lann had not seen if it was this particular outbreak.

"’Infectious’... Haha, you do say things I don’t understand."

Pericles laughed offhandedly.

"Then, my friend, can you take me to see the Parthenon Temple one last time?"

Lann looked outside, then frowned at Rong Buqiu by his feet.

"Alright, my old friend."

"Rong Buqiu, go ahead and explore, find us a way out without contact. I don’t want him to catch typhus again."

Pericles also bowed his head and smiled at Rong Buqiu: "Thank you, Divine Cat."

Rong Buqiu puffed out his chest, looking spirited.

"It’s Elu Cat, meow!"

Thus, the Three-Floral Kitten ran towards the courtyard wall, hopped lightly, and landed on top.

With its paw over its eyes like shading, it scanned the surroundings and finally found a route through the bustling outside, calling down.

"Found it, follow me, meow!"

Meanwhile, Phoebe, who had just delivered the message on the street, suddenly felt something was off around her...