Bear School Astartes-Chapter 523 - 525. Alcibiades

Chapter 523: 525. Alcibiades
The so-called ’trained footsteps’ can be easily recognized by those in the know.
Even if the training methods differ, the combat philosophies vary, as long as the battlefield environment is still a brawl between people, there will always be some similarities.
The footsteps shouldn’t be too erratic or flimsy; it’s best to keep them close to the ground at all times to easily push off and adapt as necessary.
But they can’t be too rigid either, because tense muscles can’t produce a good burst of strength, and during unexpected situations, there’s no time to shift positions with the feet.
So, the footsteps by the port warehouse made Lann immediately realize: there was someone with decent skills, or at least someone who had undergone stringent training, approaching.
Upholding the principle of ’helping to the end’, Lann didn’t just leave the employer after receiving the payment.
He reached out and placed Petulus behind him, quietly watching the direction of the footsteps.
As expected: a finely crafted Athenian short sword emerged first from around the corner, looking quite valuable.
But unexpectedly: after the short sword peeked out, the person wielding the sword followed.
He was a man with delicate, fair skin, slightly muscular contours, and a handsome appearance.
He had a head of fluffy white shoulder-length hair, with a tear mole below his right eye adding a touch of allure. It seemed he even used some of this era’s cosmetics to adorn his already handsome face.
Most importantly: he wasn’t wearing armor, not even the simplest kind, only a robe exposing his right arm and half of his chest.
This really didn’t look like a gangster’s henchman.
And it was indeed as Lann had expected.
The man poked his head out and surveyed around, first seeing the downed henchmen on the ground, then spotting Petulus and Lann at his second glance.
He promptly discarded the expensive-looking sword as if throwing away a toy he disliked but had to hold, and briskly approached them.
"Oh! Petulus! Fiery beauty! As soon as I heard you were dealing with the gang, I rushed over. Are you okay?"
The newcomer greeted in an exaggeratedly slick and unserious tone.
Lann wasn’t sure if this was a habit of the upper-class Athenians influenced by drama and entertainment, so he only raised an eyebrow without voicing his thoughts.
Although this person was calling out Petulus’s name sweetly, his eyes were scanning Lann’s body from bottom to top, inch by inch.
Apparently, Petulus also recognized the newcomer, as he didn’t look happy but wasn’t nervous either.
"Alcibiades, I’ve already hired mercenaries to deal with this situation here. Don’t pester me anymore. I’ve told you many times I don’t want to sleep with men, okay!"
"You’re a bit old-fashioned, dear."
Alcibiades said regretfully while fiddling with the gold olive branch collar around his neck.
"The gods created two genders for humans, and you don’t want to sleep with men, that’s like missing out on half the fun in bed!"
Petulus turned and walked away, only waving his hand during the turn as a farewell.
Lann felt unease brewing, so he turned to leave, eyes straight ahead, as if not seeing the man right under his nose.
But obviously, Alcibiades had now completely abandoned his interest in Petulus.
As if his sneaking into the dangerous gang stronghold with a sword wasn’t even for that man.
"Are you a mercenary? Really? I came with a sword because I couldn’t find a pretty and capable mercenary."
Alcibiades’s expensive sandals rustled on the sandy road, and he had to quicken his steps to match Lann’s stride.
Yet, at this moment, he wasn’t the least bit displeased, instead delighted to keep up with Lann.
With a gulp, Alcibiades inadvertently swallowed.
"How much did Petulus pay you? Fifty Drachmas or more? As I see it, having your noble hands do dirty work deserves triple that! I’m his friend, how about I make up the difference?"
Alcibiades prattled on for a while, following along even after leaving the port area.
Lann paused reluctantly, sighed.
"If I said, like Petulus, that I don’t want to sleep with men, would you stop annoying me?"
Alcibiades clasped his hands at his chest, looking sincere.
"Oh, you already know the answer, dear."
Lann pinched the bridge of his nose.
He had contemplated connecting with powerful figures in Athens. This frivolous, apparently sex-obsessed guy was indeed one of them.
First, he was wealthy. While ordinary people equipped themselves with armor and weapons for the military, his father equipped an entire fleet, personally commanding it.
Second, his father was Pericles’s brother, making him the current Athenian Governor’s nephew. After his father’s death, he essentially became Pericles’s adopted son.
This status, combined with his charming looks and ’open’ personality that garnered public attention in Athens, undoubtedly made him an influential figure.
However, the problem was, in the history Lann knew, Alcibiades, though licentious and fun-loving, was portrayed as a politician and military strategist.
But in their actual encounter...
To be honest, Lann was somewhat reluctant to associate with him.
"If I knew the [Son of the Giant God] had come to Athens from Megaliss, how could I not issue a generous request, instead of foolishly bringing a sword myself?"
Alcibiades leaned against a stone border of a city flowerbed, but his eyes never left Lann’s profile.
"[Son of the Giant God]? What’s that?"
"They say your towering figure is proof of your lineage... but you seem even taller and more robust than the rumors!"
Alcibiades spoke with a hint of excitement.
Which was understandable, as Lann’s physique had stabilized during the sea voyage to Athens. He now stood at an impressive 2.5 meters tall bare-skinned, reaching about 2.6 meters in armor.
Even individuals with the build of the One-eyed People were dwarfed by Lann, who stood half a head taller.
Months had passed since he implanted the [Bone Reinforcement Organ], and the [Second Heart] had accelerated the reinforcement process with its powerful metabolism.
When flexing his upper body muscles, he could even feel the ribcage, resembling the blinds closing tightly together, rubbing each other like interlocking scale armor.
His bone reinforcement was nearing completion, and all the armor accessories prepared by Belengar had been fully utilized.