Our Family Has Fallen

Apart from Earl as a common enemy, what unites them now is also interest.

So everyone has the same goal, that is to go deep, to kill and plunder.

And at this moment, the tribe welcomes back a long-lost person—Boslake.

Together with him are six others, meaning only those few from over a dozen managed to return.

Looking at Boslake’s wretched appearance, some people suddenly remember those mercenary teams that had previously disappeared, thinking they were annihilated by the Earl, not expecting any to come back.

Those people wanted to scold Boslake for his failure, since they all wanted to take advantage of the situation to shed those conditions, and swallow those remnants.

However, before they could act, Boslake spoke first.

”Do not go deeper! This is a trap, set by Fang Tribe colluding with the Earl.”

He burst into the venue with this remark, leaving everyone somewhat perplexed.

The elders and wise ones looked at each other, with some expressing disdain, believing he’s making excuses for his failure.

Even such weak force as Bastia’s can you lose to? Truly a bunch of waste.

Boslake knew better than anyone the character of these guys, understood that he couldn’t wait for them to ask, must actively showcase his experience, so he explained their recent ordeal.

Headed towards harassment positions, encountered a cavalry charge, then inadvertently entered another territory, discovering a massive convoy, initially holding the advantage in the encounter.

But everyone was preoccupied with looting, led into a trap, and most were killed, only a dozen escaped under his cover.

”What’s the point of your words? Being chased by those Knights like a wild dog? Or being defeated by a convoy?”

Ridicule was blunt, almost insulting, yet this was indeed their usual style.

Boslake didn’t become angry, instead continued.

”After our defeat, we didn’t flee, but continued to assault that convoy, and this decision displayed the nightmare, proving it’s a conspiracy.”

As the story reached its climax, Boslake abruptly stopped, aggravating those eager listeners.

Leaving suspense, what does half-telling mean?

Everyone understood it’s Boslake expressing dissatisfaction, the large tribes refusing humility, but smaller ones lacked such pressure.

Though they enjoy those fellows’ misfortune, now curiosity prevails, calming and urging him.

Boslake knew those guys wouldn’t relent, but just expressed dissatisfaction, hence continued.

”The Order of Knights’ capture was entirely engineered by the Earl, fundamentally non-existent. We ran into the Order, even witnessed them massacring a mighty convoy swiftly, later escaping under Eagle Flock’s pursuit.”

Boslake started from there, briefly describing that battle along Hamlet’s old path.

The convoy guards they had once fought, now butchered under their watchful eyes.

”Can’t I know Bastia Knight’s specifications? Though no flag was hoisted to conceal, it’s undoubtedly them.

Only Bastia’s forces would have Eagle Flock nearby, you can inquire others.”

If Lance heard this, perhaps he’d laugh, Bastia’s Order disguised with part-switched gear, looking different.

Indeed, other returnees confirmed it.

”I guess the Earl feigned weakness, whether the Order misfortune or troop fatigue solely to lure us deeper, the true elite already ambushed, unintentionally uncovered by us.

In mountains, we could entangle Knights, but in flatlands who assures resisting Order’s charge?”

This news shocked them, shattering their initial joy.

Some even felt chills; if true, danger loomed indeed.

”Why say Fang Tribe’s collusion?”

”Why hasn’t Fang Tribe participated? Recently heard any of their movements?”

Boslake investigated upon returning, Fang Tribe’s anomaly highlighted the issue.

And now, threw out shocking statements.

”Warwolf, chasing Deer Head Priest, led away Fang Tribe’s elite, but they were defeated in Bastia, Warwolf long dead.

Without Warwolf and bulk elite, Fang Tribe knew they’d become everyone’s target, hence cooperated with the Earl, to weaken us, allowing themselves prosperity.”

Except the leaders and few others, the rest unaware of that night; Bastia’s cautious, slow attack with defensive recon measures.

Meanwhile, dispatched an elite squad towards Fang Tribe’s base, predictably Boslake among them, clutching bow in revenge.

No matter Fang Tribe’s actual alliance, none want to leave this threat, regardless.

Analyzing for long, Warwolf truly vanished, else wouldn’t send a child earlier, truly lacking manpower.

Even without grudges, they don’t mind sharing spoils, Fang’s pillaging small tribes surely hid treasures.

Only few confined know action against Fang, enlisting unaware elite warriors discovering mid-journey’s target, puzzled at mountain direction.

Squad tasked probing Fang Tribe’s reality, none knowing elite’s fate, three days later survivors unable describing twisted nightmares, exclaiming solely.

”Escape! Escape! Flee the mountains... they aren’t human anymore!”

A disaster manifested in the mountains...