Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 494: Chapter 313: Happy Cooperation_1

Lance had been very accommodating in his attitude towards them regarding this matter, even making many concessions to ensure it wouldn’t affect Elder Gan.

But in this crazy world, his concessions only made them think he was weak, and now that he was being tough, they didn’t dare to say a word.

If Amanda still held out some hope, Tamara’s sensitive nerves were instantly stirred up.

She had been hunted by the Seeker of Omens, having nearly lost her life several times—that was the truth.

After years on the run, she was chased even in her dreams, but since coming here, she had been able to sleep peacefully.

Having been away from the organization for many years, the authority of the Elder no longer had a significant impact on her.

Tamara didn’t speak, but she sat down next to Lance, making her stance clear without words.

The old woman could no longer hold back when she saw this. One of her purposes in coming here was to take Tamara back, and now she had inadvertently pushed her completely to his side.

As for the other, although there was no action, the seed of doubt had already been planted, and choosing neutrality at this time was already a statement in itself.

She felt she had never suffered such humiliation in her life, now wishing she could curse the man in front of her to death, even if it meant paying with her own life.

But what could she do?

Just as Lance said, she sat here because she was outmatched, not to mention that it was she who had initiated the fight.

It was a misdeed of her own making, and she had to pay for it herself.

”This is my fault and has nothing to do with the organization, and even less to do with the Romani people.”

The old woman had completely let go of her pride as an Elder, just wanting to quickly end this matter.

And finally, Lance softened his attitude a bit.

”I agree to let them go with you, but I have one condition,” he said.

As soon as Lance spoke these words, Tamara’s and Amanda’s reactions were a bit off. Hadn’t they agreed not to use themselves as bargaining chips?

The old woman looked at Lance, not holding out much hope, as if expecting an unacceptable condition, just like she had mocked him before...

”I want their safety guaranteed, at a minimum, that they won’t suffer from internal punishment because they’ve only been here for a few days. Tamara has long been unrelated to you, and Amanda has not betrayed you or revealed any secrets.”

Was this really a demand? She knew Lance was posturing as the good guy, but whether he was genuine or not, she had to agree.

”I, as an Elder, guarantee their safety. My visit here is to rescue them. The organization has never intended to secretly execute them, not now, nor in the future.”

The identity of the Elder lent some persuasiveness to her words, although Tamara and Amanda were not really paying attention to that.

Noticing their distraction, Lance explained to them.

”Alright, it’s not like you could stay here forever without ever going out. It’s good if misunderstandings are cleared up. There’s no need to have conflicts with your family. Do you really want to fight to the death? It’s utterly meaningless.”

Lance was being practical and explained why he had agreed. It was ridiculous for them both to remain in Hamlet forever and engage in such fruitless internal strife.

With his words, and his earlier assurance of their safety, an inexplicable emotion stirred in their hearts.

They shouldn’t have doubted him...

”The conflicts between you end here. The Elder agrees, right?”

”Yes, let’s put the past behind us. Neither of you two were at fault,” the old woman readily agreed, as she had already decided to step down after this matter anyway.

She knew she had lost, that their hearts had been won over by him.

But what could she do about it? No matter what, it would not change their identity as Romani people.

As long as she brought them back and slowly educated them, she believed they would eventually understand her position.

”While I agree, the choice is still up to them—it’s their business whether they go or stay.”

Lance used his prestige to pave the way for the two of them, leaving the choice entirely in their hands.

”Come back, children, the misunderstanding has kept us apart for too long, and you are the pride of the Romani people,” the old woman put on a heartbroken face, confident that by invoking racial righteousness she could quickly take the two of them away.

”The Sacred Object is yours. I’m not going,” Tamara said almost without hesitation. Having been through the wringer, she was not buying any of it.

A bluffer herself, she knew all too well what such empty talk meant—in short, utterly pointless.

As for staying in Hamlet, that wasn’t something she found unacceptable. She was tired of running, it was a good time for a rest, and she was quite satisfied with everything here.

Moreover, anyone could see that Hamlet’s strength was growing, and its controlled area would expand. She understood that, according to Romani customs, they would not provoke a powerful force just to kill her, especially once the Sacred Object was handed over and extreme conflicts no longer existed.

As for the issue of race, the Lord had all sorts of odd individuals around him, including the Mountain Barbarian Tribe and Levantine people. They wouldn’t mind one more Romani.

Tamara’s declaration was too quick; neither the old woman nor even Lance had time to react.

This wasn’t what they had agreed on before. By handing over the Sacred Object, her importance in his eyes was rapidly diminishing.