Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Three Things_1

”This matter has nothing to do with her—it was all my doing. Please, My Lord, spare my daughter.”

”Hand over everything, and I’ll spare your daughter.”

Lance had no intention of bargaining; the musket he held aloft was already primed to fire.

”I will give in.”

Unable to bear the pressure, the farm owner immediately agreed. Only then did Lance lower the musket, not neglecting to grumble, ”Wouldn’t it have been better to do this from the start? Must I resort to force—did you really think you could escape?”

”The reason David kept me alive is because he hadn’t found my money,” the farm owner said, now calmer, revealing why David hadn’t killed him.

As he spoke, he seemed to resign himself to his future, seeing it clearly for the first time. Now he wondered if he hadn’t harbored David, if he had just been honest, could he have avoided today’s fate?

”I hope that you, My Lord, will keep your promise.”

”As long as she doesn’t make trouble, I won’t touch her,” Lance glanced at the woman who was crying in fright, his expression calm.

After receiving Lance’s assurance, the farm owner led them to the hidden money and some valuable items.

What surprised Lance was that most of the town’s silver coins had ended up in his hands. Though there were only two chests, their contents included a greater proportion of silver coins. There was even a small, exquisitely made box containing over fifty Gold Coins, along with a large stack of land deeds and Indenture Contracts.

”Is this all?” Lance grasped the Gold Coins, feeling their hefty weight, yet still not satisfied.

”That’s my family’s legacy of three generations—it’s all here.” The farm owner spoke with a numb expression.

Lance didn’t care about his thoughts. Considering the farm’s food supplies, regardless of what the farm owner did, he was determined to take over this place. It was just a matter of how gently or forcefully to do it. He could not tolerate the security of the food supply being in someone else’s hands. He had seen too many tragedies in this regard, from ancient times to the present, and his sense of crisis was at its peak.

Excluding the journey, the actual takeover of the farm took only an hour. However, the subsequent investigations and assorted administrative tasks, like taking inventory, dragged out the process considerably. Ultimately, it was because he had no one he could rely on among his subordinates. Dismas and the others were good at killing, but managing was another story—these tasks all had to be attended to by Lance personally.

However, he did find one or two useful individuals.

”Mr. Walter, I’m entrusting you with the farm.”

”Thank you, My Lord, for your trust. I will definitely manage the farm according to your instructions.” Whether Mr. Walter was truly sincere was debatable. In any case, he definitely wouldn’t dare to refuse. After all, the bloodstains and brain matter at the door had yet to be cleaned up.

Indeed, it felt surreal. He had been planning to flee this morning; how had he inexplicably become the farm manager by evening?

At this moment, the squad leader ran in, reporting to Lance. ”My Lord, all the people of the farm have been gathered.”

”You’re just in time,” Lance called the squad leader over, instructing him. ”From now on, you’ll assist Mr. Walter and carry out his orders.”

”Yes, yes, yes!” The squad leader readily agreed, showing no objections despite Mr. Walter now being his superior.

The once insufferable David had died, and even the farm owner’s family had become Serfs. As for regaining his position, he could only consider himself incredibly lucky. As for this minor issue, he was quite experienced and promptly assured Lance that he would complete the mission.

Lance didn’t care whether these two were genuinely working for him. He just needed someone to help maintain order on the farm and ensure the production of resources. He would deal with the rest once he had resolved more pressing matters at hand.

The sun set behind the mountains, but dusk had not yet fallen. In the past, the Serfs of the farm would still be working, but now, they had all been gathered in the open space in front of the manor house. They might have heard some news, seen Lance inspecting the area, or witnessed the battle that had taken place. But most of their discussions centered on the Guards who were bound hand and foot and lined up.

The Guards who had survived the battle felt fear and disheartenment about their future. They hadn’t even fully understood what had happened before they were defeated and forced to surrender.

At that moment, Lance and others finally emerged from the house. Standing on the balcony, with the sunset casting a halo behind him, he appeared especially divine.

”I am the new lord of this domain—Lance Hamlet.”

This statement sparked discussion among the Serfs. However, having addressed large crowds before, Lance was not concerned by the disturbance. He continued to speak of the farm owner’s crimes, pushing all blame onto him while raising the banner of ”justice” for himself.

As the banner of justice was raised, the emotions of the Serfs, long oppressed by the farm owner or David, erupted. However, most were still conservative and didn’t cry out for bloodshed. Because they still had a mouthful to eat, unlike those in the town who were driven mad by hunger.

Lance detested long-winded speeches; he knew what the Serfs needed most and immediately pronounced his judgment.

”I’m here to do three things. First, the farm owner and these Guards involved in the rebellion are all demoted to Slaves.”

As he finished speaking, the farm owner, his daughter, and those few Guards were pushed out.

”WOO-HOO!” The crowd went wild with joy, seemingly forgetting their own suffering as they reveled in the farm owner’s misfortune.

As for the Guards, they were actually relieved. Many of them were originally Serfs who had been promoted, so being a Serf again wasn’t a drastic change. However, it was tragic for the farm owner and his daughter. While they hadn’t exactly lived in opulence, their physiques—each weighing over two hundred pounds—clearly showed they hadn’t done much real work.

”Second, the food standards for all Serfs are raised, with two hours for lunch and rest at midday.”

”Third, those who perform well will receive bonuses, and the most outstanding individuals will be pardoned from their debts by the Lord himself, regaining their freedom as citizens.”

”Long live Lord Lance!”

The two conditions Lance threw out next caused cheers among the people, for it was tangible benefits that won their support.

Regardless, these people now recognized only Lance. The prestige the farm owner and David had built dissipated with just a few sentences from him.

”Dinner is served!”

With a grand gesture from Lance, the food that had been prepared was wheeled out.

Amidst the cheers of the Serfs, Lance stepped down and went with his squad to the dining hall for their meal. The farm’s resources were excellent because all the supplies had been hoarded by the farm owner’s family. The white bread, rare in town, was plentiful here.

Lance hadn’t eaten much meat in the two days since his arrival. Considering the conquest of the farm an occasion to celebrate, he decided to indulge. He commandeered all the meat found in the kitchen to be cooked and even had a servant butcher a chicken.