Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 505: Chapter 318: Idealist_2

”This sentence just emphasizes that the one who’s leaving is you, while I am the one who stays behind.”

Had it been before, Tamara would definitely have bristled at this, but now she simply didn’t care and lounged on the counter, looking somewhat lazy.

The old woman didn’t mind at all. Sending someone off represented courtesy, but not sending them off wasn’t a problem either, since all the matters that needed discussing had already been settled.

However, knowing Lance’s direct and decisive personality, the old woman figured he certainly wouldn’t waste time on such formalities.

”We’re leaving now. The matters here are your responsibility,” the old woman said, holding Amanda’s hands and offering some final words of advice. Then she left with Tamara and the others.

Amanda watched the carriage drive away, yet she stood there pondering for quite a while afterwards.

It had to be said that Tamara’s guess was right; Amanda indeed wanted to use this opportunity to get closer to Lance. But Tamara’s current reaction felt off. Shouldn’t *I* be the one upset about the Lord not coming to see us off? After all, I’m the one staying behind. Even if I can’t see him today, I can tomorrow. Why does Tamara have this inexplicable sense of superiority? And her attitude previously was one of dissatisfaction, even resistance to returning. Why has she changed just overnight? Did the Elder promise her something, or did the Lord?

The old woman guessed correctly; Lance wouldn’t bother with any formalities. Whether Tamara urged him or not, he hadn’t planned to see them off.

Firstly, he didn’t have a good opinion of the Romani people to begin with; the collaboration was only for the greater good.

Last night, going to find Tamara was because she had value, worth the investment, though Lance hadn’t expected to end up investing himself.

Secondly, what status do you think you hold to expect an Earl of the Empire to see you off? If I have to see off every little business dealer, where would I find the time?

Right now, Lance was in a meeting. Selecting personnel for the Beast Lair expedition required vigilance against that old ancestor, so comprehensive arrangements and contingency plans needed to be made.

Everyone present held a core position within Hamlet. People like Geralt, Junia, and Tadiff—whose statuses were unclear, who belonged to other organizations, or who were essentially mercenaries—couldn’t even get in.

Taking in refugees was a problem. He couldn’t withdraw too many people. William needed to maintain order, screen the refugees, and guard against Heretics infiltrating.

The recruitment had been decided. Reynard now oversaw military affairs. Balistan needed to train new recruits, while Barton was in charge of supervising cannon casting and military equipment replacement.

As for Paracelsus, she was busy with her research. Unless there was a topic of interest to her, she was too lazy to mobilize, not to mention she wasn’t adept at combat to begin with.

Grendel, due to Lance’s trust, needed to stay behind for administrative duties, research, and as a Transcendent.

Moreover, his departure would weaken the town’s high-end Transcendent combat power. However, leaving Geralt and Junia behind would allow them to work with Grendel to suppress potential Transcendents, such as the old ancestor’s Heretic Priest.

So, not many people were available for the expedition. Soon, the participants were selected.

Dismas, Boudica, Tadiff, plus himself.

”Alright, this matter is settled. I hope that during my absence, we can be united in spirit and pull together for Hamlet,” Lance announced.

”For Hamlet!” Reynard and the others echoed. Seeing their resolve, Lance understood that the team was still very unified.

Most were not united by his side for gain, but for some far-fetched and mystical hope, something even Lance himself found hard to believe in.

As long as he was still around, that hope would not vanish, at least not for now.

”Reynard, stay. The rest of you may go about your business.”

Lance had Reynard stay behind not to burden him with the dirty job of monitoring others or inciting internal conflict.

It was to enhance his strength and for the Strengthening of Hamlet’s high-end combat power.

”This is a piece of Extraordinary Equipment with an ancient legacy,” Lance explained, taking out the Sunlight Ring. ”It contains immense power, capable of converting sunlight into personal strength. The stronger the sun, the greater the power converted.”

Reynard wasn’t unfamiliar with Extraordinary items. He had handled many during the war, though most had ended up in the Church’s pockets.

Just from the description, it was clear this was no ordinary Extraordinary item, as its side effects were extremely low.

”But remember,” Lance cautioned, ”Supernatural Power can easily lead one astray, to their downfall. One must beware the temptation of power and never succumb to it.”

They were aware of the regulations for managing Extraordinary Equipment: all such items belonged to Hamlet. They only had the right to use them during missions and had to return them upon completion.

”Yes!”

After receiving the ring and putting it on, Reynard, as a seasoned warrior, had excellent control over his body. He could indeed feel a faint, though not pronounced, power coursing through him.

”Go on. And by the way, have Junia come in.”

Reynard took his cue to leave. As he exited the room and stepped into the sunlight, the previously faint power from the ring grew noticeably stronger.

Reynard understood this was a task assigned by his Lord before departing; he had to use this power to defend Hamlet.

”My Lord, when do we depart?” Junia asked. She was unaware of the arrangements from the recent meeting. However, seeing people go to summon Geralt and Tadiff, she understood they were definitely going to deal with those monsters and assumed she was called to prepare for departure.

Seeing her earnest and eager demeanor, Lance, however, remained silent.

Geralt was a Witcher who lived by taking missions, a true professional. All Lance needed to do was inform him, mention he could rest after his last mission, and give him the instructions.

With Geralt’s personality, if Hamlet were truly in danger, he would not stand idly by.

But Junia was an unstable element, a youngster full of passion, eager to do something significant. If she wasn’t chosen this time, she would probably be upset. What if, left behind and disheartened, she resorted to the Church’s methods to stir up trouble?

The key was to find something for her to do, to appease her at the same time.

Thinking this, Lance promptly stood up and smiled as he motioned for her to sit down. ”You’re not on the list for this mission.”

”Why?” Sure enough, upon hearing this, Junia stood up and asked sternly.

”Don’t be hasty; there’s something more important.” Lance smiled, pulling out the Iron Torch he had obtained from Tamara and placing it before her. ”Remember this?”

”I do.”

She was naturally very familiar with this item. Without it, their group wouldn’t have lasted until the Lord’s rescue.

”This torch is said to have been used by a Saint of your Church, hence its powerful divine force, but it lost its power after that battle.”

”However, I’ve done some research. With continuous infusions of divine power, it will one day be restored. You were the one who damaged it; you wouldn’t want a holy relic to become trash, would you?”

Lance grabbed the torch and thrust it into her hands. ”So your task now is to cleanse it with your power, see if it can be restored.”

Junia quickly left with the Iron Torch. As for how she might restore it, that was not Lance’s concern.

To be honest, Lance didn’t hold much hope. He merely wanted to give her something to do.

Pray all you want in your room; no one will heed you. Just don’t do it outside.

Junia’s abilities were practical, and Lance needed to use her, but how to do so was a delicate matter.

Following Junia’s departure, Lance had completed his preparations for Hamlet. This journey to destroy the Beast Lair was imperative!

But before he could set out, an unexpected yet somewhat anticipated person came looking for him.

”Sir, Amanda is seeking an audience,” Susan reported.

Lance frowned, inevitably recalling what Tamara had told him.

Has Amanda set her sights on me? Is it her own initiative, or is she fulfilling a mission for her organization?

”Let her in.”

Amanda entered. Having lost the initiative to Tamara last time, she wasn’t going to wait this time and went straight to Lance.

However, upon meeting, Lance cut to the chase.

”Tamara, who wanted to stay, left. And you, who wished to leave, ended up staying. So tell me, how do you plan on surveilling me?”