Our Family Has Fallen
Chapter 997 - 561: Predicament
"Luckily you were here, or else Hamlet would have faced a catastrophe."
Lance sighed and explained the reason for his and the army’s disappearance, which was due to facing attacks from heretics in the wilderness, a series of brutal battles...
Just look at his current state to understand how fierce it was.
Listening to this, even Baldwin, who has weathered many storms, couldn’t help but frown and inquire further.
"What exactly happened here?"
Lance finally waited for him to say this, and his expression instantly turned solemn, his posture hunched as if burdened by a heavy load. After a few seconds of silence, he began to narrate in an aged tone.
"Our family has fallen..."
The love-hate relationship between the Hamlet Family and the Ascension Sect seemed epic as Lance spoke of it, and with a few simple words, he outlined his inheritance of the ancestral legacy, abandoning everything to fight against various demons and Evil Gods to prevent the apocalypse.
His words completely shocked Baldwin. On this land, such legendary stories took place, and underground there was even a Primordial God capable of destroying the world!
Lance did not stop there; instead, he narrated the crimes committed by the Ascension Sect in Hamlet and the betrayal by the Empire, the Church, and surrounding Lords, emphasizing isolation and the feeling that he alone was struggling for humanity.
Upon hearing this, Baldwin momentarily found it hard to digest and fell silent.
Back then, when faced with various heretics around him, the situation was extremely critical, but at least they were humans. How come everything here is against the heavens?
Heretics, Pigmen, Skeletons, Fishmen...
"After suffering attacks from heretics and Fishmen, Hamlet suffered heavy losses. It will likely be difficult to gather materials to treat leprosy in the short term. You’ll have to wait a while before the disease is completely cured; then leave here. This is not your battlefield."
"No! I cannot just leave like this. It was you who saved us, it was Hamlet who embraced us. Now, in times of crisis, this is not what a person of virtue would do." Baldwin’s resolve could not be concealed even by his mask, though he hesitated for a brief moment before reaffirming his decision.
"Faced with these circumstances, even if it isn’t because of treatment, I won’t stand idly by."
"Ah~ If the Empire had a few more loyal individuals like you, Hamlet wouldn’t have fought alone back then, ending up in today’s situation."
Lance did not get excited due to Baldwin’s stance, but rather sighed, "Even now, while we’re resisting heretics and monsters, Church members are inciting riots in town."
"Ah!" Baldwin, who had been isolated in the Leprosy Camp, truly didn’t know what had just happened.
Lance immediately explained the situation, depicting it more harshly. Those mobs burned people in the name of Holy Light for fun, while The Church Duo watched from behind.
The family involved was that of a recently fallen hero, an atrocious situation indeed.
From Reynard’s narrations, Baldwin was once a king supported by the Church, a devout believer.
Although the hardships along the way have long shattered his faith, and the curing of leprosy further trampled on so-called divine punishment.
But with any opportunity, Lance would certainly stir things up.
The Church could undermine him, so he could undermine the Church.
Reynard and Junia turned out successfully; now it’s up to Baldwin.
For someone with a strong sense of morality like Baldwin, upon hearing all this, he couldn’t hold back, yet he knew that since the Lord was here, it meant the matter had been resolved, so he didn’t resort to calls for violence.
"Fortunately, I returned in time and saved that family..."
After disparaging the Church, naturally, he accentuated his achievements by rescuing that family and then striking back in rage, giving the Church duo a good beating, but instead of killing them, he handed them to judgment.
With such a contrast, his image was built instantly, highlighting reason and clarity in enmities and friendships.
The conversation with Baldwin didn’t last long; Lance had many other matters to handle.
Upon leaving the Leprosy Camp, the night wind hit, and Lance suddenly froze, feeling somewhat lost.
Starting from the outpost, he’s been constantly on the move for these past few days, even after securing the wilderness, he couldn’t afford rest and rushed back to the rescue. With such busyness, what has he been working towards?
"Whew~"
Lance exhaled deeply, setting his sights on the town, without much hesitation, he walked towards it.
There’s no use in overthinking; just keep going!
Lance declared his comeback through a public trial, bringing peace of mind to the worried citizens, who could finally have a restful night’s sleep.
And those who came from outside, upon witnessing the situation, also felt the strength of the Lord, as in this world, there’s likely no one who could take hold of the Church’s Legendary characters for judgment.
While their intention was to investigate, they sensed that his presence would influence the surrounding areas, possibly even the Empire.
Since there were discussions about heretics and Fishmen in town, these are not matters to be taken lightly.
They certainly couldn’t sleep, only wishing for the port to open so they could leave as soon as possible.
The only ones seemingly uninterested in leaving were the members of the Association of Healers.