Bear School Astartes-Chapter 857 - 840: Surgery

"It seems you’ve already set your goal?"

Lann and Cassandra stood on the command seat, watching the sailors below diligently checking the sails, fire pits, and bows under the command of Barnabas, busying back and forth, in a monotonous routine.

Sailing, in any era, is a rather dull and boring job.

But at this moment, Cassandra was in a good mood. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Naxos Island, Aspasia said that my mother should be leading there."

"Ha, interesting. The tiger mother bears no dog daughter, right?"

Lann joked.

Naxos Island isn’t just a trivial island scattered in the Aegean Sea; it holds substantial weight on trade routes.

It is not only a prime producer of marble but also home to fine craftsmen, making it a ’complete industrial chain’ in the Aegean Sea of this era.

To be a leader on Naxos Island, with the status of a woman exiled from Sparta, her skill and capability are undeniable.

"It’s almost ridiculous; I’ve been tirelessly searching the Aegean Sea for my mother. But now that I’m just one step away, I’m actually... a bit scared."

Cassandra’s hands rested on the wooden railing of the command seat, her gaze blank.

"It’s understandable, after so long without seeing each other."

Lann didn’t offer comfort, firstly because such emotions are normal, and secondly because Cassandra is strong enough.

She is a woman who rarely needs others’ consolation.

As expected, the Hawk Trainer’s confusion only lasted a minute or so, then she refocused her gaze, transforming back into the demigod roaming the Aegean Sea.

"When I find Mirene, I truly hope you’re there too, so I can introduce you two."

Cassandra clenched her fist lightly, pounding Lann’s arm beside her.

The sound of a muffled yet powerful clank came from between their armor, a greeting custom among warriors.

"But it seems to me that you’re about to leave again?"

Cassandra said sharply.

Lann, beside her, pursed his lips and shrugged.

"I’d love to stay with you for the important moment... but my time is tight as well."

"I understand."

Their conversation was straightforward and efficient, no unnecessary words exchanged.

But this doesn’t imply their bond is superficial.

"My ship is stable now. I’ll first finish the task you need help with, then I’ll think about how to send you off... Do you need to go to Athens when you leave? Then..."

Cassandra was in the midst of arranging everything, trying to handle everything for Lann.

The Demon Hunter watched this scene with a smile.

That night, as usual, Cassandra carried two pottery bottles filled with wine to Lann’s cabin.

However, tonight, those pottery bottles of wine remained untouched.

The wine is meant to enliven and warm the atmosphere, turning a clear vibe into something lively, ambiguous, and hazy.

But as soon as Cassandra entered the cramped cabin, they both realized the mood was already warm and hazy enough.

As usual, Cassandra came with her firm and decisive demeanor, her toned muscles rippling under her skin, healthy and aesthetic.

The Aegean Sea was restless tonight, as Barnabas would say, ’another day of endless quarreling between Zeus and Hera.’

Clouds gathered heavily, and among them, pale lightning occasionally flashed, briefly illuminating the world.

Strong winds created massive waves, and the Adrestia rocked violently on the Aegean Sea. The wooden hull creaked amid the wind and waves.

Inside the cabin, someone seemed to be praying and screaming due to the night’s storm.

This turmoil matched their emotions perfectly.

Wave after wave, seemingly endless.

The waves outside continuously crashed against the ship’s sides, fierce and furious. On the other side, Barnabas in the cabin pondered whether to set up an offering table, beseeching Zeus and Hera to calm down.

Fortunately, the Mediterranean, after all, is what it is; its intensity and duration of storms are incomparable to the open sea.

This violent storm gradually quieted down after half the night.

Barnabas convinced himself it was due to his prayers, planning to boast about his devotion to Herodotus the next day.

In the cabin, Cassandra, with a thin layer of sweat on her face, leaned into the Demon Hunter, murmuring.

"If we are apart too long again, will I forget how marvelous this feels?"

"Don’t worry."

Lann’s hand gently stroked Cassandra’s smooth back, feeling the lithe, panther-like muscles beneath. Her skin bore small scars, which did not diminish her beauty but added a fierce femininity.

"As I told you before: If you’re willing, I could take you to my side right now."

"What separates us now isn’t something insurmountable; it’s just that you have your affairs, and I have mine."

"Once we both have some downtime, we can be together all the time."

"Of course, of course." Cassandra propped herself up, pressing against Lann’s chest. "It’s just that women tend to feel, um... a bit melancholic after the peak. Never mind."

"Now, can you tell me what you’re planning to do?"

Cassandra rummaged through the scattered clothes and finally pulled out the Anka Cross.

"Ha, luckily this thing didn’t get wet."

She gave Lann an amused smile.

Lann helplessly shrugged and also took out a container holding the Holy Chant Gland.

"I need you to install this into..."

Lann pointed to his temple.

Unsprisingly, Cassandra was stupefied.

In this world, where medicine is still in its infancy, the notion of inserting something into the brain likely only appears in myth.

More like those punitive mythological tales.

Something akin to ’Prometheus having his innards pecked by Zeus’ eagle, endlessly.’

Thus, the look Cassandra gave Lann now seemed as if... ’Did you offend your father?’ or something similar.

"No, it’s actually a means to get stronger. Just like how you upgrade Leonidas’ Spear and your brother upgrades the Sword of Damocles."

The Demon Hunter explained earnestly with a deadpan expression.

"So is it... some kind of trial?"

Cassandra tried her best to interpret it with her understanding.

"Like the twelve trials of Hercules?"

"If you put it that way, yes."

Lann nodded nonchalantly.

Gradually, Cassandra found the explanation reasonable and became accepting of it.

Lann used a variant of the Yakxi Rune on Cassandra, much like when conversing with the Qilin. He created an explanatory animation showing the brain’s structure and the surgical procedure, sending it to Cassandra.