Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Bloodletting Therapy_1

Looking at the scene before him, the captain’s mind was consumed by surging anger, and he cursed aloud.

”You bunch of trash! Firing your guns without even seeing anyone?”

”You’re like a pathetic group of green recruits, utterly lacking any semblance of order!”

”Get back to your squad positions!”

The troops’ morale, already low from the attack, plummeted further under the captain’s scathing reprimand.

The second-in-command, who had gone to search the surrounding area for Barbarians, returned with two bodies draped in white wolf fur. It seemed they had been killed by stray bullets earlier.

”Boss, these men must be the Barbarians returning to defend. Their appearance means they’ve also brought back their goods.”

Upon seeing this, the second-in-command immediately went to reassure his leader. The captain’s anger abated somewhat upon hearing his words, but a different thought began to form in his mind.

”Have all the wounded defend in place and collect the bodies! Everyone else, full speed ahead! Kill them all!”

The captain’s order wasn’t a fit of hotheadedness. Rather, he was unaware that the Wolf Faction maintained a very large alert perimeter. His men had been discovered long before they neared the camp, hence the ambush. He genuinely believed these attackers were Wolf Faction members returning to defend their base. If that were the case, he had to intercept them before they could join forces with the camp. Otherwise, the task would be far more difficult. If he could intercept them early, it would be a huge windfall.

But the wounded bandits didn’t see it that way. In such circumstances, being left behind was tantamount to being sent to their deaths. The wounded soldiers believed they were being abandoned, and even the uninjured lost heart, for no one could guarantee they wouldn’t be the next to get hurt, become a burden, and then be deserted by their leader.

The already precarious morale plummeted once more. Just as the ranks seemed on the verge of collapse, the captain grasped the situation and immediately declared, ”A silver coin for each Barbarian head! And whoever takes them down gets to keep their spoils! I won’t take a penny!”

At these words, the bandits’ enthusiasm suddenly ignited. Previously, most of the loot they plundered had to be handed over, leaving little for themselves. Now, not only were enemy heads valuable, but they could also keep whatever their targets possessed. The bandits couldn’t resist such a rich temptation, and their sagging morale was instantly boosted by that single sentence.

Even though they had lost quite a few men, the Barbarian attack had been swiftly repelled, and the enemy had even left behind a couple of bodies with white wolf pelts. This proved the enemy wasn’t invincible.

As for the wounded, it was simply their bad luck. What did it have to do with the others? Better if they died somewhere far away.

”Those who are injured, stay behind for treatment! The rest, move on!”

With that, the captain left behind a few wounded men and a field of corpses, pressing onward.

The recent attack had served as a harsh lesson, and the captain, no longer taking things lightly, spread scouts around to prevent another ambush.

But Lance had no intention of keeping up. Instead, he focused his gaze on the wounded soldiers.

”Are you thinking of dealing with them?” Laosan asked, sensing Lance’s implication. His face showed reluctance at the thought of attacking his own comrades.

”They’re in our way,” Lance stated. ”We get paid for what we do; that’s our rule. You can choose not to participate, but you’ll have to forfeit one hundred Gold Coins to us as compensation for covering your share.”

”Just tell me what to do,” Laosan said, his expression turning serious.

Life as a bandit was too hard to bear. He had once been a noble Artilleryman in the Empire; although his rank wasn’t high, he was still a Non-commissioned Officer. After experiencing such a life, how could he ever be content being a bandit?His only option was to borrow his brothers’ heads for a while.

”Dismas, go call Reynard and the others over,” Lance said, beginning to examine the wounded soldiers.

Three were already dead. Among the remaining eleven wounded, two were dying, four were seriously injured and had lost all combat capability, and only five with minor injuries could still move. It was difficult for these men even to flee. They could only receive rudimentary treatment for their wounds and then lie there, moaning in pain, awaiting death. Their only hope was to hold on until the main force returned victorious, which was their sole chance of receiving proper medical care.

But Lance had also noticed that the captain seemed to be employing what could sardonically be called ”American Bleeding Therapy.” As mentioned before, medical care in this society was extremely backward; it was basically a one-stop service from injury to infection to death. The captain had abandoned them. Regardless of victory or defeat, these men’s chances of survival were slim. After all, not everyone could endure the brink of death for over a dozen days like some veterans and still be around for Lance’s unreserved rescue efforts. It could be said these men were as good as dead.

”The captain wasn’t like this before,” Laosan began, his voice tinged with sorrow. ”He stood out from the military academy as a civilian and became a Non-commissioned Officer. He was known for his studiousness and diligence, as well as his integrity and kindness. Moreover, he treated common soldiers without any airs and was dearly loved by them. We only managed to escape alive thanks to his care.”

Seeing this scene made Laosan quite sorrowful. He had noticed the captain’s abnormal behavior before, and now, from this detached perspective, the man felt like a stranger, as if he had transformed into someone else—greedy, irritable, and mad.

”What exactly happened during that war?” Lance attempted to probe Laosan’s secret again, but Laosan kept his lips sealed, even choosing to change the subject.

”It must be that woman’s fault. It’s her bewitchment that changed the Boss into what he is now.”

Here we go again. Lance was somewhat speechless but also curious about this woman who apparently held such an important position.

While they waited for the others to arrive, the two soldiers on the brink of death succumbed to their injuries. Ironically, those who could still move immediately thought of looting their bodies.

”Get ready. Avoid using guns if possible, so we don’t alert them,” Lance instructed.

He looked at his men and noticed Laosan had somehow found a piece of cloth to cover half his face, apparently still feeling guilty. But who wouldn’t recognize his getup? This was just like burying his head in the sand.

”Move out.”

At Lance’s command, the team sprang into action. No complex tactics were needed against these incapacitated soldiers; they simply charged out from the dense forest.

The fight was over quickly, amidst the victims’ terrified cries.

Laosan looked at the bandits who had died with shocked expressions, knowing they had recognized him. Complicated emotions welled up inside him.

”You’ll return to the city, sleep in a clean, tidy bed, and eat warm, sweet white bread,” Lance said, seeing Laosan’s stupefied look and offering some comfort. He still had use for Laosan; the man damn well better not drop the ball at a critical moment.

”I’m okay,” Laosan shook his head slightly, sighing deeply.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Suddenly, intense gunfire erupted from afar. Everyone knew the battle at the front had begun. With no time to dawdle, they hurried to join.

”Dismas, you go ahead with him,” Lance instructed. ”We’ll deal with these guys.”

”Yes!”

Laosan harbored no suspicion and followed Dismas to scout ahead. Meanwhile, Lance quickly attended to Sacrificing all the bodies, to prevent the old man from eating his fill and then stirring.

With no time for a thorough search, Lance hurriedly threw all their belongings into the dense forest and caught up, carrying only two Barbarian spears.