Our Family Has Fallen

”Look at these traces. They seem to match the movement of a Pigman with disabled hands and weak lower limbs. The leftovers strewn on the ground are clearly theirs. It’s apparent that the crippled Pigmen are at the very bottom of their social hierarchy.”

However, as Lance spoke, he couldn’t help but voice his doubts.

”But the Pigman Concealers also have a high degree of evolution, as evident from the battle just now. Their status doesn’t seem lower than that of the Pigman Butchers or Hookhand. Yet, they’re also too short for the height of the dining table. Why is that?”

Alhazred had no great interest in these sociological studies. He was only fascinated by Mysticism or the corruption of evil.

As for Boudica... you’ve rather put her on the spot.

”I’m more inclined to think that only the Pigman Mob has the right to dine at the table. This is its exclusive feast, while other Pigmen are merely a backdrop,” Amanda observed, offering her own speculation after surveying the surroundings.

Truth be told, she wanted to demonstrate her capability, but she was also afraid of her words being seen as having ulterior motives, thereby attracting disdain.

But Lance’s next words reassured her that an excellent leader could appreciate the intelligence of their subordinates.

”What you said makes sense, and it’s definitely a possibility. The Pigman Mob is a higher rank than the others, so it’s more inclined towards mimicking humans,” Lance concurred, shifting his attention back to the meal cart and continuing his speculation.

”What intrigues me more, though, is that these Pigmen actually use carts to transport food. This indicates it’s not a one-time event but a regular occurrence. So, where does this food come from? And from where is it transported? There are too many mysteries here.”

He looked at the cart, filled with a mixture of flesh and blood of indeterminate origin, though the distinctly human tissue was still recognizable.

In Hamlet Town, or even the Wild Development Zone, disappearances had to be reported. At least, he hadn’t received any reports before arriving here.

Unless someone beneath him was withholding information, these corpses weren’t from his controlled areas.

This could only be evidence that the Ascension Sect was feeding them.

Lance’s expression changed slightly. His gaze on the remains narrowed, and a hint of cold light flickered in his eyes in the dim environment.

Feeding humans to pigs... such a deed wouldn’t seem out of place for the Old Ancestor.

To that old monster, there’s probably no difference between ordinary people and pigs; both are just livestock to be slaughtered at will...

However, Lance refrained from saying too much. He simply raised his hand to Sacrifice the remnants on the cart, converting them into a small amount of Spiritual Essence.

Then he directly collected the entire wine barrel into the Exhibition Room. Truthfully, he was also curious about what sort of beverage the Pigmen had brewed.

”It’s rare to find such a clean spot in the Beast Lair, and we’ve been inside for quite a while. Let’s all take the opportunity to rest,” Lance suggested, withdrawing his gaze.

His energy seemed boundless, but that didn’t mean everyone else felt the same.

Having been in here for so long and engaging in frequent battles, especially the fierce one just now, they were nearly spent.

The discovery of fire drove away wild beasts, marking an important turning point in human evolution. Therefore, for humans, a lit campfire signifies safety to some extent. At least, it gives that impression.

Everyone sat around the campfire. Lance took out various prepared items and quickly served up a hearty meal, much to the astonishment of Amanda and Alhazred.

This was their first mission with Lance, and they clearly didn’t know him well yet.

But it wasn’t about the food. It was the fact that a Lord was actually doing this! A noble preparing food for them!

This completely defied their understanding.

Boudica, on the other hand, wasn’t bothered by such concerns and simply started eating.

Hell yeah, time to eat! Eat, eat, eat!

Boudica ate heartily, having adapted to the environment. Amanda and Alhazred, however, couldn’t do the same, merely nibbling slowly before stopping altogether.

The ambiance here really spoiled the taste of any food.

Lance understood this, so he had prepared relatively light food.

Eating was only one part of making camp. Rest was essential for a quick recovery.

But as soon as they finished eating, even Boudica, despite her appetite, didn’t just idle; she began sharpening her axe blade.

Weapon maintenance is a skill that every warrior should master, as it ensures combat effectiveness.

Chopping through Pigman heads and clashing with weapons earlier had been very damaging to the blade, resulting in many small nicks and chips on the axe’s edge. Regular maintenance was imperative to keep it sharp.

Alhazred sat cross-legged on the ground, cradling the Skull Candleholder, seemingly deep in meditation.

Amanda was also maintaining her various weapons and gear, re-enchanting the projectiles that had been used up in the fight.

Even someone of Amanda’s status wouldn’t casually discard those projectiles unless they were consumables. Otherwise, she would retrieve them after the battle.

Compared to them, Lance seemed quite relaxed. He had no weapons or armor to maintain and lay down to rest as soon as he was full.

Learning from his last experience, he had designed a foldable travel bed that kept him off the ground, using ”Tribute” as inspiration.

It was a simple wooden frame covered with fabric, which, when unfolded, provided an elevated sleeping space.

As their leader, Lance thoughtfully provided the same for his three companions, as a way to improve the harsh conditions.

Fighting and killing isn’t for an ordinary person like me. Lying down is so much more comfortable~

If there was one significant difference in this encampment compared to previous ones, it wasn’t the foldable beds but Wang Cai’s transformation into a Spiritual Body.

Its perception of the world had become purely based on Spiritual Essence. Nothing could escape its ”gaze,” not even someone in stealth.

Unlike Lance, who needed a Bless to refresh and maintain his state for extended periods, Wang Cai knew no fatigue and could keep watch anytime, anywhere.

So, nothing was more suitable for night watch than Wang Cai, finally allowing Lance to get some decent rest while camping.

It should be fine...

With this in mind, Lance turned his gaze toward Wang Cai.

”Wang Cai, right?”

Wang Cai seemed to notice Lance’s gaze, but its eyes were somewhat unfocused.

It was as if Wang Cai was asking, Why are you looking at me?

Seeing its bewildered expression, Lance smacked his lips. Better not to have too high expectations, he reminded himself.

「In the Bastia region, Baron Lawrence’s Domain.」

A young maid ran hurriedly toward the castle, a look of panic on her face.

This kind of rushed behavior was only permissible here; in the strictly regulated castles of Bastia’s nobility, the Butler would likely have dismissed her for such impulsiveness if he’d seen her.

But her behavior wasn’t without reason.

Ever since her last competition mishap, the young lady had fallen into a strange state. After returning from the festivities, she had locked herself in her room, showing no interest even in her favorite pastime of hunting. Once so vibrant, she now spent her days in a daze, lost in thought.

The young maid felt extremely guilty and worried deeply. If she hadn’t playfully insisted on dragging the young mistress to the celebration, that accident wouldn’t have occurred.

It wasn’t until today, when she heard some news and realized its significance, that she had rushed back in such a panic.

In her haste, the maid didn’t even bother with greetings before pushing open the room door to see the young mistress.

”Miss! Miss! Terrible news!”

”What are you doing?” Margaret, who was sitting by the window in a daze, turned her head with a helpless sigh upon seeing the maid’s state.

”The Lord is in trouble!”

”What?” Hearing this, Margaret’s calm expression suddenly turned serious, and she frowned, pressing for details, ”What kind of trouble has Father gotten into? Speak clearly.”

The maid recounted the news with an anxious expression, having clearly made inquiries before daring to speak so assertively.

”It’s all over town! Mr. Alvin and the Order of Knights, led by the Lord, were pursuing the Barbarian Tribes and were captured by the local Lord in Hamlet Town…”

Hearing that not only her father but also Alvin, along with the entire Order of Knights, had been captured, Margaret’s expression became subtly complex.

Alvin was captured?

Such good news?