Our Family Has Fallen

So our next task is to find and find a way to break the evil ritual, rather than wasting resources looking for an uncertain fellow."

Lance was very clear about what he should do. If he got entangled with the Ascension Sect itself without seeing through the core conflict, he would be led by the nose by the ancestors.

Amanda also understood something, but she always wanted to demonstrate her strength in front of Lance, and immediately asked a question.

"But where is the ritual? We’ve already searched the entire old mansion."

"Underground, you know those guys like to dig holes like mice." Lance pointed to the ground, "But we don’t know the entrance, so I need to get Audrey over here, she’s an expert in this field."

"They’re all just mice~"

Upon hearing Lance mention Audrey, Amanda scoffed slightly but did not forget the main topic, realizing she could showcase herself, and became more actively involved in the subsequent plan.

"So, our next task is to locate the ritual, I can do some divination, maybe I can find the entrance first."

To be honest, as an organization-cultivated Seeker of Omens, Amanda did have research in this, whether in terms of the Transcendent Ritual or divination.

"Look at you, getting anxious again."

"As a cult that believes in the Evil God, you don’t think that ritual is guarded by powerful spellcasters?

Moreover, making a ritual that can awaken an Evil God your target, your divination might not be effective, instead, you should consider the backlash that could pollute your spiritual essence."

Lance calmed Amanda’s restless mind and reassured her, "I’m protecting you."

Amanda wanted to say a few words initially, but she somewhat submissively nodded upon hearing this, her face showing a hint of pride.

She was eager to showcase herself mainly because Audrey’s abilities displayed in the old mansion gave her a sense of crisis.

But now, a few words from Lance eliminated that inexplicable pressure, merely staying by Lance made her feel peaceful and even joyful.

She was indeed the one Lance valued...

Lance did not continue with this topic, he glanced at the surrounding situation, then shifted his gaze to the setting sun, and couldn’t help but sigh.

"You’ve worked hard today, let’s pause the action for now, everyone needs a good rest."

Lance wasn’t just saying it for no reason, the team indeed needed rest, and also he disliked night actions, which would weaken his own advantage.

Those who liked to act specifically at night seemed like the ones in horror movies that sought doom to Lance, without any sense.

Even Boudica knew that abandoning one’s advantage was not bravery, but stupidity.

Also, before embarking on a new round of action, more resources needed to be dispatched, and shipping took time.

He was more anxious than anyone about why they easily seized the old mansion yet didn’t find the entrance to the dungeon, but rationality was the trait he should exhibit now.

Hey, [Messenger] is moving.

Lance immediately passed Amanda and took out the messenger.

...

As the news regarding the ruins was vigorously sold by the Romani and spread in the commercial activities of Totnes merchants.

Hamlet, this ordinary name, once again caught the attention of the Empire, even the entire continent.

As time went on, more information emerged, and Hamlet grew increasingly abstract in rumors.

There was simply a desire for wealth, the spirit of adventure flowed through everyone’s heart.

Also, some heard about Hamlet’s advanced medical methods, where even those abandoned by the gods could be saved.

Some oppressed Transcendents learned about Hamlet’s unique system, seeking a space for breathing.

As positive news came, negatives followed, claiming the ruins were filled with Necromancer-controlled Skeletons, Hamlet doesn’t respect the Church, treating leprosy is actually heretic sorcery, the Lord is a ruthless Dictator...

Amongst them were those who, under the accusation of blasphemy, incited fanatical church followers to attack this insane Lord, as to who did it, it was unclear.

No matter what, individuals with various intents set off towards Hamlet.

That sea route became busy again because of Hamlet, not just sparse boats but many merchants coming for a share of the market.

None could have a sharper sense than those merchants, just like Sela who arrived in the morning, they didn’t care about any power struggle, purely here for profit.

Although Lance had been expanding the port and docks since his ascendance, facing this situation was still quite challenging.

Another reason was those ships that agreed to leave yesterday were still here, occupying the already limited dock spaces.

Yes, they had waited an entire night, now a day too, many ships arrived, but all were merchant vessels, no sign of any pirates.

The factions gathered in the ship cabin again, with one speaking first.

"Is there any point in waiting anymore?"

Someone asked this question and simultaneously answered it.

The others couldn’t hold back anymore, glancing towards the leading few.

"Is there any news at all?"

"That’s right, give us a definitive time, otherwise it’s pointless to wait further."

...

With just a few words, the leaders felt overwhelming pressure, this loose alliance reached the verge of collapse before even starting operations.

If it was early morning, they could have scolded a few times, using the forces behind them to suppress them.

But after a full day and night’s wait, they were desperate, for they really couldn’t contact those pirates anymore.

Those guys also realized they were unreliable, vaguely forming connections throughout the day.

They couldn’t ignore the united force, enlarging the incident wouldn’t be wise, as they were merely representing their individual factions.

What was this equivalent to?

A dorm with several groups, their trust became a joke.

But to say they didn’t trust, truthfully, the pressure they endured was significant, waiting another day, if not trust, what was it?

Their relationship was woven between trust and distrust, truly abstract.

The few understood the momentum was lost, hence didn’t insist, explaining the situation.

"The pirates have disappeared, we don’t know if they were swept into the sea by the waves or encountered something else."

Though everyone was prepared, saying this marked the complete collapse of the alliance, slightly disappointed, but mostly relieved.

On edge all day, nobody had it easy, now all they cared for was swiftly seeking a way out.

"So what do we do now?"

"What else but leave this godforsaken place, unless you wish to act tonight?"

"Our ship’s cargo is still pressing down there."

"Lower your head, sell the cargo, though they’re sure to press the price."

"Damn it, last night we should’ve acted ourselves."

"Without external forces assisting, just us might not even break through the dock."

"They opened the ruins, evacuated the adventurers that night, long prepared against us."

Saying this, those who suffered began to panic, the cargo would surely be undervalued, but returning would yield not a copper coin, losses and wasted time far exceeding the costs.

Moreover, those who said they’d leave the night before were charged a hefty fee for staying an extra day.

Losing money was tolerable, but never enduring such indignation.

The hardest part for them was how to report back?

Should they claim having squatted on the ship for a day and night only to sell off the cargo and flee?

It could be anticipated that most in this batch here would be replaced.

But what could they do?

Would they really act? Did they dare?

"There’s no need to argue anymore, while it’s not completely dark, minimize losses as much as possible."

This sentence ended the topic completely, and they all dispersed...