Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 1071: Chapter 595: The Value of Intelligence

The outside world is ultimately unable to reach Hamlet, and it takes a significant amount of time to travel to the Empire and then to Hamlet.

However, the news of the relic impacts the areas surrounding Hamlet, and even the Empire, the most.

The commoners of the Imperial Capital St. Heliel know of the news about Hamlet but are unaware of the upheaval among the nobility.

The Emperor, wanting to secure those people’s support at all costs, used the Michelle Family, which had risen quickly thanks to the Emperor’s support, as a price.

Regardless of the truth, the Michelle Family had to bear the brunt of the war deficit, the princess’s disappearance, and various charges, ultimately being purged under the guise of treason.

The Emperor wanted to investigate further, but after two mysterious deaths of individuals sent to audit the frontline troops, the matter was dropped.

As Lance said, this was a result that both sides were satisfied with.

Interestingly, the Church also got involved, as they genuinely discovered traces of demonic influences.

The rebels, who initially enjoyed seeing internal strife within the regular army, immediately distanced themselves, claiming no involvement.

If the Church determined they were colluding with demonic forces, with just one word, the rebels would crumble easily because the real masters of the Empire were never the Emperor but the Church.

This is precisely why the Emperor insisted on pulling the Church into the matter.

With both sides disavowing responsibility, the blame was ultimately pushed onto the Michelle Family, the convenient scapegoat.

Bullying the dead who cannot speak, right?

It seems the dead are more useful than the living.

The subsequent stirring of Hamlet-related news was mainly a tactic by the Emperor, the Church, and various great nobility to divert public attention.

They needed to create a bigger topic to overshadow the changes happening at the top; this wasn’t anything new, as they would have concocted something else even without Hamlet.

For those far away, the matter of Hamlet is more of a topic of conversation.

The regions around Hamlet are experiencing unusual sentiments because of the news, considering no one can resist the ”gold mine” that’s laid before them.

However, no daring individual wants to break the balance that has persisted for years in the remaining areas surrounding Hamlet.

Everyone knows that the first to stand out will be ganged up on by neighboring lords, and this might even serve as a rationale for other lords to send troops to Hamlet.

No one wants to be another’s stepping stone, thus a strange balance has formed as everyone waits for the first to be unable to hold back.

In Bastia’s castle, the Earl, who is processing paperwork in the study, is reminded by the butler’s voice.

”Sir, Baron Lawrence has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, the Earl puts down his work, but instead of summoning directly, he asks another question.

”Has he shown any abnormalities since returning these past few days?”

”Possibly due to the dual blow of the war failure and his daughter’s disappearance, since his return, the Baron has erupted in anger over these matters, which took many days to subside.

He also dismissed most people in the castle, including guards, leaving only a few servants, and appears to have no intention of recruiting more staff.

Our people say the Baron now spends his days locked in the castle, either brooding in his daughter’s room or leaving the territory’s affairs to be managed by others while seeming indifferent.

Moreover, it is said that his temperament has become irritable and quick to anger, going into a frenzy as soon as related topics are mentioned...”

”My son causing him defeat and imprisonment and humiliation, while I couldn’t even protect his daughter, makes me truly an incompetent lord~”

When saying these words, the Earl maintains a calm expression, only continuing after a few seconds of silence.

”How are the people under him?”

”Our people said Baron Lawrence hasn’t summoned those knights since his return, and even when knights approached him and brought up these matters, they were driven away.”

”What about the conscription? Has he intervened?”

”No, he is not managing affairs now, although the knights under him seem to be uniting to resist the conscription.”

After getting through to the end, the Baron’s suggestion is simply made.

”Let him in.”

”Yes.”

The butler bows and retreats, soon bringing Lawrence along and naturally leaves, closing the door behind him.

”You’re here!” The Earl acts as if he was just getting away from his duties upon hearing, raising his head to see Lawrence now wearing slightly cleaner clothes, although his mental state seems even worse than when he first returned.

”I’m sorry for not protecting her; it’s my fault...” The Earl instantly puts on a concerned front, quickly standing up and walking briskly to Lawrence, ”but rest assured, I’ve already arranged for people to look for her and they will find her.”

Hearing this, Lawrence simply shows a blank expression and waves his hand, ”This isn’t your fault, my lord, her disappearance was due to the guard’s failure, I’ve dismissed those guys.”

While saying this, Lawrence isn’t naive; they’re all merely acting.

Indeed, Lawrence’s current demeanor is also an act, since he knows very well where his daughter is, why would he truly be saddened by her disappearance?

Exactly taking this chance with Margaret’s matter and starting an investigation, he really found some things.

Hence, he dismissed most of the people but deliberately left behind an informant, just to perform for the Earl.