Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 497: Chapter 314: Pigman Trace_2

Lance knew better than anyone what students represented. The corruption of a regime is inevitable, but as long as there is fresh blood for timely replacement, development can continue. However, once the educational system rots, that blood itself becomes contaminated...

Grendel didn’t know why the Lord reacted so strongly and, naturally, didn’t bring up the issue again. Instead, she talked about the recent situation concerning refugees.

The composition of the refugees had changed, as had the proportions within their ranks. Previously, they were mostly farmers who could no longer survive, dragging their families along as they fled famine. Now, however, they were townspeople affected by the conflict, fleeing to avoid the war. The silver lining was that the quality of these refugees was much better; quite a few craftsmen and literate individuals were identified during the initial screening.

”In just a few days, more than three hundred people arrived in Hamlet, and this number continues to increase. We’re facing ever-increasing pressure, and there have been quite a few disturbances recently.”

”Once the three-day processing was complete, ordinary people were dispersed and assigned to various farms to clear new land, while craftsmen were given work assignments. These few new blacksmiths should help ease the demand among the civilians. Those who are literate can undergo an assessment. I plan to establish schools on several farms as well—just for basic literacy, free to everyone. If anyone causes trouble, send them directly to me in the north. The wilderness development project is in dire need of people.”

Lance’s words weren’t anything extraordinary; it was just the usual procedure they had always followed. What puzzled Grendel was that she had also briefly held power in the past. However, she had handed it back upon his return and was subsequently assigned to research the Witch’s legacy. Therefore, she had been prepared to hand over her duties upon his return, but his words just now clearly indicated no intention of reclaiming power. On the contrary, he signaled for her to continue handling the matter. Why was that?

”Do you have other matters to attend to?” Grendel asked outright. They had an agreement: speak frankly about any concerns and avoid cunning games.

”Hmm, judging by the time, Geralt and his team should be back soon. I intend to lead the troops to sweep through the wilderness and eradicate the remnants of the heretical forces. This will ensure that the fruits of our great development are secured. While I’m away, I can only feel at ease entrusting the town to you.”

Lance explained without any intention to conceal anything, but he also realized he should show her more concern. ”How’s your research coming along? Are you under a lot of pressure?”

”With the samples on hand, the fungus has been successfully cultivated. We are currently working on improvements based on the conditions you provided. It will likely take a little more time.”

”You’ve been working hard. I feel somewhat indebted to you; since following me, you’ve reaped few benefits and instead faced constant hardship.”

”The stronger Hamlet becomes, the more likely my revenge will succeed.”

Grendel’s words made Lance understand that true openness still eluded them; she continued to regard revenge as her sole focus.

”I’ve told you, this matter is mine as well. You don’t need to dwell on it; I will handle it when the time comes.” Lance forcefully shouldered the responsibility, emphasizing their shared goal.

Before they could continue, news of Geralt’s squad’s return arrived, causing both of them to set aside their concerns.

”Let’s go!”

Lance, with Grendel, hurried over to meet the squad. They were visibly battle-worn and in poor condition.

”How did it go? You haven’t been hurt, have you?”

”We’re fine, but we have important intelligence to report to My Lord.”

”Come in, sit down, and have some water before we talk,” Lance said unhurriedly, beckoning them indoors.

”This is the map we’ve drawn.” Geralt presented the map before starting to recount their experiences.

The Ascension Sect had abandoned their encampments and withdrawn from the wilderness, but they left small units roaming within it.

”A very reasonable arrangement. They know that if they gather and we find them, a military siege awaits. Instead, dispersing and causing trouble will tie up most of our efforts.” Lance looked at the several abandoned camps on the map that Geralt’s team had discovered and quickly surmised their plan.

Indeed, through multiple clashes, Lance had gradually realized that the Ascension Sect wasn’t particularly formidable. Their structure was pyramidal, with the vast majority being ordinary followers; Supernatural Power was uncommon and possessed by only a small fraction. So, after Lance had destroyed several of their camps, the old progenitor must have realized this as well, deeming such a response reasonable. This also indirectly confirmed that Hamlet’s overall strength wasn’t significantly inferior to that of the Ascension Sect.

”We’ve thought the same. But now I feel that the greater threat isn’t the Heretics, but the monsters that lurk here,” Geralt said, pointing at the map, right where the sewer entrance was.

”Monsters...” Lance murmured, looking at the spot pointed out.

He had a guess as to what it might be... and this guess was soon confirmed by Geralt’s description. They had discovered traces of the Pigmen and, based on this, found the already damaged entrance.

”This is the skin of a monster we hunted.” Geralt took out a prepared cloth bag and opened it.

A strong stench mixed with the smell of decay emanated from it, but Lance didn’t mind at all. He went over to spread out the skin. A part of it resembled human skin, but the characteristics of a pig soon became apparent.

Grendel also watched this object with curiosity. The Mountains teemed with all sorts of bizarre monsters; there were even rumors of Rat-men—creatures resembling rats that could stand upright—living underground. But this Pigman monster, resembling a pig, was something she had never seen or even heard of before.

”What on earth has the Ascension Sect done in there to create these disgusting monsters!” Lance exclaimed, his expression a mixture of puzzlement, disbelief, and strong revulsion.

Of course, he knew the Pigmen were the old progenitor’s doing, but the Ascension Sect had to take the blame, so he could only feign ’deep loathing.’

However, he didn’t delve further into the Pigmen’s origins. Instead, he turned to Geralt’s team and quoted a price. ”Good! This information is worth thirty Gold Coins, plus ten for the map. I’ll add another two for equipment maintenance, making a total of forty-eight,” Lance said.

Lance casually tossed a heavy bag onto the table. The crisp clinking sound of coins was oddly pleasing.

”You’ve all worked hard these past few days. Go and get some rest,” he said.

Geralt and his team showed little reaction, simply dividing the money. But when Tadiff held twelve Gold Coins in his hand, he was quite excited. Walter was right; there’s good money to be made with this Lord. As for the danger? Bounty Hunters always stake their lives on their work. As long as the pay is good enough, they’d dare to swing an axe even at a god!

After Geralt’s team withdrew, Lance turned to Grendel. ”What do you think about this?”

”It’s quite obvious,” Grendel said. ”One reason the sect abandoned their positions is the difficulty of dealing with military sieges. The other is likely their intent to release these monsters to slow us down.”

”Yes. So, what should we do now?”

”The Heretic squads are scattered everywhere, and these are all Elite Squads. Even Geralt’s team finds them challenging. If our army goes in, not only will we likely fail to find them, but we could easily be led by the nose and defeated piecemeal. Similarly, while I don’t know the specifics of the sewers, I’m certain the terrain is unsuitable for large-scale military operations. If we can’t use muskets or cannons, our army will be weaker than the monsters. The best approach, then, is to find a way to collapse the tunnel entrance, completely sealing off the monsters’ route. Then, we proceed with the original plan to develop the wilderness. Once the roads are built, cannons can be brought in, greatly increasing our army’s strength. By then, those scattered Heretic squads will collapse without a fight,” Grendel analyzed.

Grendel’s analysis made it clear that deploying the army was unsuitable at this time. Her meaning was simple: ignore the Beast Lair and focus entirely on developing the wilderness. When the army advances on the Old City Ruins, the Heretics will be forced to defend it—a strategy of attacking a point the enemy must rescue. Regardless of their minor tactics, we would then crush them with overwhelming strength.