Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Unparalleled_1

The sudden gunfire didn’t attract much attention, but Lance’s abrupt halt made every heart lurch.

Whether bandits or soldiers, at that moment, all seemed to stop, their focus entirely on that figure.

Lance could feel something striking his Armor—an unmistakable difference from weapon impacts. Just two or three seconds later, he felt an excruciating pain, as if his chest was being torn open.

Is this what being shot feels like...

”He’s been shot! He’s down for the count! Charge now!” Laosan noticed Lance’s strange reaction and, immediately dropping his cover, shouted loudly to spur the bandits’ fighting spirit.

As expected, the bandits, who had moments before been avoiding confrontation, erupted with fierce fighting spirit and surged forward.

”Protect My Lord!” Andrew yelled, trying to organize a team to reach him, but Lance had charged too deep.

These raw recruits were adequate for self-preservation, but rescuing someone was simply impossible.

Lance also realized the predicament he faced. Even through his helmet, he could see the ferocity on their faces, as if they couldn’t wait to drink his blood and devour his flesh.

But isn’t he just like them?

You are all my offerings—the time to feast on this bounty has come!

[Flesh Reconstruction]

The bullet embedded in his body was squeezed out by his muscles.

[Bless] circulated through his body, and his blood, which had settled slightly, surged once more.

That was power—endless power!

The face hidden beneath his helmet began to contort with madness, and the bandits drawing near could even hear muffled laughter.

Is he laughing?

But before those bandits could react, Lance, who had been stationary, moved.

His Longsword cleaved through the air, devoid of any finesse, but displayed even more exaggerated strength than before.

One strike split a man from shoulder to hip. His upper body, flung away, only then seemed to register the shock.

He was laughing maniacally!

Lance, like a maddened bull, barreled into the pack of bandits. His Longsword wreaked havoc, and no one could stop him.

The very bandits who had just charged forward were now turning tail to flee, all the while cursing Boss Laosan who had deceived them.

Is this the crippling gunshot wound you talked about?

Damn it, he’s even fiercer now!

Laosan was also panicking. He could feel Lance’s attention on him; the gaze from beneath the helmet sent chills down his spine.

Meanwhile, the bandits blocking Laosan’s path were being cut down by Lance’s wild sword strikes, and the distance between the two was shrinking relentlessly.

Seeing that the last bandits between him and Lance had been cut down, with no one left to shield him, Laosan could no longer bear the immense pressure.

”I surrender!”

But Lance showed no hesitation; his Longsword swung horizontally.

”No!”

Laosan only had time for a single shout before a spray of blood erupted and his head flew into the air. Only when he saw his own headless body did he realize the blood was his.

No escape! Deeply encircled! And forced to continue fighting...

At this point, for the bandits, the spear formations blocking their escape routes, front and back, no longer mattered. They were already on the brink of collapse, and the death of their leader utterly erased any last vestiges of their will to resist.

”I surrender...”

”Please... don’t kill me...”

”Save me...”

The bandits cried out, dropping their armor and weapons, begging Lance for mercy, pleading to live.

But Lance’s sword strokes did not diminish in strength. Wherever he went, blood and flesh flew, and not a single bandit escaped his Sword Blade.

”Kill, kill, kill!”

Until Lance suddenly stopped in his tracks. He looked up to face the spear formation, realized something, and turned to look back, only to find not a single bandit left standing behind him.

He alone had cut a bloody path from one end of the street to the other, carving through the bandits’ ranks. All who remained had fallen beneath his Longsword.

Suddenly, an armor-clad figure drenched in blood emerged, startling the new recruits blocking the rear. Fortunately, they quickly recognized My Lord.

But such a ferocious display of prowess truly left them stunned in place.

Even Reynard and Balistan, who were supervising the battle from behind, couldn’t help but be surprised.

My Lord’s growth is too fast!

Although confident in their own strength, they wouldn’t dare plunge into such chaotic combat. Even with armor, one would accumulate injuries, especially against attacks with armor-piercing and bludgeoning properties, like those from hammers.

Not to mention that stamina is limited; once one’s strength falters, they become like a tin can, waiting to be pried open.

Yet now, My Lord had done it. His strength already matched, even surpassed, theirs.

”Long live My Lord!”

No one knew who shouted first. Soon after, the other soldiers joined in, and the atmosphere there reached its peak.

Lance removed his helmet, revealing a determined face stained with blood.

”Hamlet Must Win!” Lance raised his Longsword, emitting a thunderous roar.

”Must win!”

”Must win!!”

”Must win!!!”

At that moment, everyone seemed to feel a strong sense of honor enveloping them. The new recruits instinctively raised their Spears, shouting at the top of their lungs.

They had succeeded.

Under My Lord’s leadership, they had completed an almost impossible task, defeating the bandits despite their poor equipment and significant numerical disadvantage.

The bandits were eradicated from Hamlet’s soil, avenging their fallen friends and family.

Cheers echoed through the streets as everyone reveled in the joy of victory.

Lance, however, lowered his Longsword and looked back at the corpses of the bandits with a slight frown.

More blood seeped into the soil, feeding the malevolent entities that dwelled there.

He then gazed into the distance, looking towards the dimly visible cliffs far away.

The eradication of the bandits did not mean Hamlet was now safe.

Only I know how many enemies are on this land: fallen humans, ferocious beasts, despicable demons, and twisted Aberrant Demons...

I am not yet entitled to lie down and enjoy the victory. As long as that old thing lives, I will never sleep in peace.

However, now was not the time to discuss this, as he did not want to dampen their spirits.

This victory was symbolic. Anointing the new recruits with the bandits’ blood signified that Hamlet had finally established a credible fighting force. His territory would no longer be easily trampled. In the future, even if he personally led expeditions, he wouldn’t have to worry about his home base being overrun.

”Attention, everyone!” Lance called out, then began to issue orders.

”Immediately check yourselves for injuries! Separate the wounded for treatment. Those who are uninjured, clear the battlefield! Use your weapons to check the bandits; if any are still alive, finish them off...”

It was their first time experiencing the carnage of a battlefield, and there was much to learn.

Fortunately, they had Reynard and Balistan to lead them.