Bear School Astartes-Chapter 840 - 823: Hippocrates

"Heroes, demigods, trials... we can talk about these things later, Phoebe."

A calm and melodious female voice came from the other side of the courtyard, gradually approaching.

"The stories of mythology may last for millennia, but Athens today cannot wait even a moment."

"Aspasia."

Lann and Cassandra both turned around, the Demon Hunter nodded in greeting to the newcomer and received a nod in return.

"I’m glad to see you well, Lann."

Her thick eyebrows were as if sculpted from graphite, her captivating features combined into a visage of beauty, yet exuding rationality and composure.

Wearing a Greek gown, Pericles’ lover and advisor approached the two.

"Your return to Athens at this time, even if only in spirit, is a tremendous encouragement to us."

Aspasia said earnestly and sincerely to the two.

Being a politician praised by Pericles, when Aspasia needed to be sincere, her sincerity was undeniable.

Lann discreetly extended a hand to stop Cassandra from speaking.

Cassandra was an exemplary warrior, but she lacked sensitivity in some areas.

"Both of us came to Athens for our own matters, as you’ve heard. But looking at the situation now..."

Lann stepped forward to negotiate with Aspasia.

"Are my friends probably too busy with their own issues?"

"Indeed." Aspasia furrowed her brow tightly, shaking her head in sorrow.

"No matter what you wish to do in Athens, a city-state on the verge of collapse cannot accomplish it."

"And now, aside from saving Athens, we don’t have the energy to focus on anything else."

Aspasia spoke as she stepped aside, making a guiding gesture.

Lann and Cassandra naturally followed along.

After walking a few steps, they reached a series of rooms along the corridor of Pericles’ Mansion’s courtyard, where guests would indulge themselves after getting drunk during normal banquets.

Vomiting, drinking excessively, vomiting again, tearing clothes, men and women together, and so on.

But now, these rooms were evidently being used for serious matters.

Comedy master Aristophanes, Socrates, Alcibiades, and a middle-aged man with a bald hairstyle whom Lann had never seen before, all looked worried in the room.

Even without the middle-aged man Lann didn’t recognize, this room gathered the most brilliant minds of current Athens.

Without an introduction from Aspasia, Cassandra had already called out the name of the bald middle-aged man.

"Hippocrates!"

The Hawk Trainer’s tone was filled with delight, indicating that she had developed a good rapport with him from earlier interactions.

Hippocrates, the founder of Western medicine.

An innovator in suggesting the theory of the four humors of the human body during this budding period of civilization, his advocacy for medical ethics, known as the "Hippocratic Oath," has been passed down through generations.

Such a person would not generally be disliked by anyone unless they were particularly eccentric. Cassandra was no exception.

In Argolis, she had received much intelligence support from this doctor, eventually uncovering clues left by her mother.

However, now the plague in Athens greatly affected this doctor’s mood and emotions; his face was grim, and he only nodded to Cassandra’s greeting.

A stark contrast to the passionate and helpful demeanor he once had.

Meanwhile, Alcibiades was as ebullient and nonchalant as always.

He still wore a robe exposing his right shoulder and half of his chest, with an olive branch-style gold collar around his neck, leisurely fanning himself.

It was currently summer in the Ancient Greek world, and the Mediterranean climate sent Athens’ temperatures shooting past forty degrees, with the coastal location offering only humidity rather than coolness.

Yet, in this stifling and gloomy atmosphere, as Lann ducked in through the doorway, excitement sparkled in Alcibiades’ eyes.

"Ah! In this suffocating moment! My Muse!"

Generally speaking, ’Muse’ is a term for goddess, used to praise the beauty of women.

But this was Alcibiades, and his eyes were not on Cassandra but on Lann.

Originally, this group was standing around a large wooden table discussing matters. But now Alcibiades unceremoniously shoved aside Aristophanes and sidled over to Lann.

"I am so pleasantly surprised, Lann! In this hot weather, why are you wearing such heavy clothing? Come, I still have the robe you wore in my room, let’s change clothes first... ow, ow, ow!"

Before Alcibiades’ hand could reach towards Lann, Cassandra, with an expressionless face, grabbed Alcibiades by his white hair.

And began dragging him away, step by step.

Alcibiades well knew how formidable the Hawk Trainer was in combat, so the ever-cunning and savvy him offered no resistance, merely yelping with each step he was dragged.

Urging Cassandra, in his unique way, to be gentle.

Ultimately, Alcibiades was pulled by his hair, away from Lann.

"Hey, Cassandra! Why are you so selfish? Trust me, the more, the merrier!"

"No." The Hawk Trainer smiled as she declined Alcibiades, folding her arms with an unyielding demeanor.

"I prefer to share and try new things only after I’m thoroughly satisfied, thank you."

Rong Buqiu blinked, bewildered by the scene.

Beside him, Phoebe found the cat adorable and gently tapped its helmet.

"Hey, little cat! Lann even dressed you in armor!"

"I am not a cat!" Rong Buqiu held onto its helmet, lest Phoebe tilt it askew. In the room, with everyone’s jaw-dropped expressions, it clarified its identity.

"I am an Elu Cat, meow!"

"A cat... that can talk?"

Socrates was the first to murmur, soon curving his lips into an excited smile.

"Aha! Intelligence beyond humans!"

"What is an Elu Cat... Lann?"

Aspasia was also stunned, cautiously stepping closer to the Demon Hunter while keeping her eyes fixed on Rong Buqiu.

Lann shook his head: "Nothing special, it’s a Divine Cat I met during my travels, now traveling with me."

Considering the current atmosphere, Lann chose an explanation that could be more easily accepted by others.

This was also Cassandra’s first instinct at the time.

Indeed, once given a ’reasonable’ explanation, everyone in the room readily accepted it.

After all, Lann and Cassandra had previously dragged the corpses of the ’Minotaur’ and ’Bear-man’ into Athens in broad daylight before the entire city.

The processed bodies were still enshrined in the Parthenon Temple.

"Rong Buqiu, why don’t you and Phoebe go outside and chat for a bit? The training you two have undergone is largely identical; Phoebe could even be a step ahead of you."