Our Family Has Fallen

”I’m not scared!”

Ryan tried to stay tough, but the forced bravado made Lance want to laugh. However, he chose not to tear down the child’s ”dignity” and instead turned to ask the others.

”And you?”

”Scared. Scared of getting hurt, and even more scared of dying. When I saw that person charging over, I even thought about running away,” Joan, an honest child who was perhaps too straightforward, wouldn’t lie to the Lord.

Lance looked at those students who were less vocal but likely held the same sentiments, and then he nodded.

”That’s exactly the feeling of killing someone, which proves that we are normal people, not some crazed Heretics.

You think soldiers in the army aren’t scared? To say they aren’t is a lie. They’re not the only ones; I’m afraid too. Killing makes me feel nauseous. But even when we are afraid, even when disgusted, there are things we must do.

We protect Hamlet, just like you protect your school. We feel fear so that more people won’t have to; we feel disgust so that more people don’t have to.”

”Children, remember this,” Lance looked at them seriously. ”Respect life, do not harm others without good reason, but do not give up the fight. When it’s time to act, don’t hesitate.”

Children of this age are at a critical stage of advancing towards adulthood. They need the right guidance, to be told what they should and should not do.

This isn’t an issue that can be neglected or ignored, yet there are very few who realize this.

Most of their parents are farmers toiling in the fields, illiterate; how would they care about this?

Among them are many orphans too, without parents; who will teach them?

Mental health counseling is necessary; otherwise, those who dare to stand out might develop psychological disorders from today’s events.

But now, Lance had provided a role model for them, cloaking their actions in a noble cause, which could lessen their guilt.

However, it seemed like he might have gone too far as he saw increasing excitement in the children’s eyes, as if they were eager to kill more Heretics to prove their loyalty.

Are you guys... a bit too extreme?

Lance didn’t stop for a moment. After leaving the school, he went straight to see William and the other sheriffs. Upon hearing about Tadiff’s act of bravery, he didn’t waste words and simply said two words—raise pay.

When the heavy purse of money landed in his hands, Tadiff knew he couldn’t leave Hamlet anymore.

Say raise pay and it’s done, and always generously at that. Where else can you find such an employer?

”You pay me, I help you; it’s only reasonable.”

”There will be many more opportunities to work together,” Lance promised with a smile.

However, Lance didn’t stop there. He continued to move throughout Hamlet Town, using his authority to minimize negative impacts and quickly restore normal life and production.

In the temporary hospital set up in the town, many of those injured in the chaos were treated, a significant number of whom were militiamen who had just changed their jobs.

Despite some training, they were still in danger when facing those crazed Heretics.

Also, the Heretics who broke into the town caused some casualties among the unarmed civilians, with the specifics still being tallied.

Lance had visited this place once before when he first returned and had already dealt with some of the critically injured.

He was here now to look for someone.

Lance and Paracelsus were on their way to the sanatorium.

”This time, I’ve brought you research materials from the Mountain Barbarian Tribe, but why do you seem a bit unhappy?”

Upon hearing this, Paracelsus lifted her expressionless face towards Lance, revealing eyes shadowed with dark circles and devoid of vitality.

The whole person emanated a feeling of dejection.

Tired... She was truly exhausted.

In the past, she had gone to great lengths, even sneaking to the Outer City to steal corpses for her research materials.

But since arriving here, she had never been short on materials, to the point that she was almost overwhelmed by them.

Just yesterday, a batch of Pigmen had needed dissection and recording. She worked through the night and couldn’t finish by dawn. She had barely lain down when another incident occurred, and she immediately got up to fend off the Heretics and treat the wounded.

Luckily, Lance’s return and intervention gave her a temporary reprieve.

So now, you’re telling her there’s another batch of materials...

Could she be happy?

Of course, she’s happy, almost ecstatic to death!

”You’re tired, right? That’s why I told you to rest well. Hamlet never runs short on materials.” Lance knew what she was going through and teased with a smile. ”Staying up late not only leaves you with dark circles, but your skin also becomes rough and dull, and you might even lose hair...”

As Lance talked, he cast ”Bless,” infusing her overworked body with a vigorous Life Force. ”Flesh Reconstruction” took care of the minor issues within her body, liberating it from exhaustion.

Paracelsus couldn’t help but realize that Lance was making fun of her. She adjusted her round glasses to cover her embarrassment, but then felt a sudden strange sensation that made her let out a soft murmur.

”Ah~”

Fortunately, the electric-like feeling vanished instantaneously, and in just a breath, she felt a lightness in her body as if reborn.

Paracelsus was surprised by the change in her body.

”This is Hamlet,” Lance said with a laugh, patting her shoulder. ”Keep up the good work; better days are still to come.”