Our Family Has Fallen

Unfortunately, the stronger one’s Inspiration Talent, the more susceptible they are to the ancestor’s influence in Hamlet. Just like what happened moments ago, even a Champion could stumble unexpectedly.

Of course, the statue also played a part. It didn’t affect Lance, but Alhazred had been staring at it for quite a while.

It’s safe to say that if Lance hadn’t been here, Alhazred definitely wouldn’t have shaken off the negative influence so easily.

”That’s Hamlet’s own business. If you need something, we can continue discussing this statue.”

”If not, you can go to the tavern for a drink on me. As long as you follow the rules here, Hamlet will welcome you.”

Dirty laundry shouldn’t be aired in public. I can’t tell just anyone about these messes, much less a Transcendent who just arrived.

”Now, it’s no longer just an issue with a statue. The Abyss’s erosion has already spread across this land, and this place has become a nexus between reality and the Abyss.”

”Once it reaches a certain point, that terrifying existence will descend. Not only here, but the entire continent, even the whole world, will fall into despair!”

Alhazred seemed not to have completely emerged from his previous madness. His wildly gesticulating hands completely lacked the composure of a Champion, and his face bore a trace of urgency.

But for such things to happen in Hamlet seemed quite reasonable. After all, Warwolf was also a Champion, and yet he died here.

In contrast to Alhazred’s frenetic and overly excited demeanor, Lance remained very calm.

Wouldn’t Lance know about something that even a newcomer was aware of?

He understood it more clearly than anyone else, but it wasn’t something that could be explained in a few words, nor could it be solved all at once.

He had his own plans and would continue to push them forward rather than fall into disarray over a bit of news.

Especially from an outsider.

”It seems you don’t have much interest in this thing now,” Lance said, retracting the statue and turning his gaze to Alhazred. ”So, what do you want to do now?”

The question left Alhazred silent. What did I come here for again? he wondered.

Lance didn’t feel the statue’s influence, so it was difficult for him to understand the sensation: one’s mind constantly being watched by strange forces, needing to maintain intense mental focus to resist the Void’s incessant whispers that echoed in one’s ears, where a slight misstep could drag one into the Abyss.

It could be said that the statue’s actual influence on a Transcendent was even more terrifying than Lance had imagined.

When the peculiar statue was retrieved and the Void barriers of the Collector’s Showroom isolated its influence, rationality slowly returned to Alhazred’s mind, and he soon calmed down.

Oh, right!

I followed the scent of the evil object here to seal it, to prevent this place from becoming a nexus between reality and the Abyss, and to stop the Abyssal Evil God who spies on reality from invading.

But now...

Just as I said, this isn’t about a single evil object anymore. There are things on this land far more evil than the statue.

The barrier between reality and the Abyss here is too weak. The statue’s power was terrifyingly amplified; it easily twisted my perception just now. Thinking back on it still makes me shudder with lingering fear.

I don’t want to experience that feeling of sinking into madness again. Here, I’d have to constantly endure the Abyss’s gaze. I instinctively want to flee, to return to the High Tower, and under its Seal, cut off all connection with the Abyss.

But...

”I want to stay here.”

”Why? You should be aware of how dangerous it is here,” Lance said, his expression turning somewhat troubled. These Mystical Scholars truly aren’t afraid of death!

It’s just as the rumors say: in their quest for power, they’d even dare to make deals with an Abyssal Evil God.

It’s obvious Hamlet’s secrets have attracted this Mystical Scholar.

Alhazred seemed a bit neurotic, his hands groping the air as if searching for something, mumbling, ”I’ve found it... At last, I’ve found it... Finally, to confront my tormentor. So, come forth...”

Watching his deranged behavior, Lance felt a headache coming on.

Why is no one who comes to Hamlet normal? This is so damn absurd!

But undeniably, this Mystical Scholar is very important. His understanding of Supernatural Power and Mysticism is deep, perhaps even more so in other areas.

Compared to Tamara’s half-baked knowledge, he’s clearly much better suited to be my Mysticism advisor.

But what’s the cost?

He’s a highly unstable bomb. No one knows how long his sanity will hold. If something happens, I’m afraid no one in Hamlet but me could handle it.

”What’s happening in Hamlet isn’t much of a secret. It wouldn’t be too late for you to decide after you’ve heard me out.” Lance dropped his previous demeanor, a concerned expression on his face as he began to speak.

”The Ascension Sect, an evil cult delusionally planning to sacrifice the entire world to summon an Evil God, is rampaging across the lands of Hamlet...”

Having said this much, Lance no longer felt the need to hide anything. He simply explained the existence of the Ascension Sect, blaming them for all the problems.

As for the ancestor, he didn’t say much, only implying that the true Lord of Hamlet had died at the hands of the Ascension Sect long ago.