Our Family Has Fallen

Back when someone clamored for the army to wipe out Hamlet, his family was eventually beheaded by the empire’s emperor, which allowed Walter to get involved with the empire’s army logistics.

That guy isn’t important, the reason Lance remembers is because of the wax puppets and the manipulated corpses he had with him at the time.

Before the sacrifice happened, there was a sudden explosion, but the soul fragments were still consumed by the void. Perhaps the sensation of that explosion had startled the legion.

Lance omitted most irrelevant information, directly mentioning the wax puppet he captured before, and the explosion of power when destroying it, concluding it was likely an avatar of a Lich.

As expected, after hearing this, the legion seemed to become agitated, with a simultaneous shout echoing in Lance’s mind.

[Kill!]

His strong and formidable spirit was the only reason he wasn’t shaken, otherwise an ordinary person might have their soul shattered by the sudden shout.

The unabashed hatred was easily perceived by Lance; now he roughly understood the legion’s arrival was due to a Lich creating several undead calamities, and the legion sought revenge, inadvertently eliminating the filth.

Moreover, they didn’t interact with ordinary people nor wantonly killed them, hence the tales of their merits were sung by ordinary people harmed by the corruption.

You could see they didn’t engage in wanton slaughter upon arriving at Hamlet, even when harmed they didn’t rampage, choosing instead to lapse into dormancy, which illustrates their code of conduct and their limits.

Lance didn’t know the specifics of the legion’s longstanding grudges with the Lich, but it seemed a cooperation could (be) formed (for mutual benefit).

However, he needed more information on why they entered the ruins.

The answers Lance got were somewhat abstract.

They were guided here by someone upon arrival, who told them the ruins were occupied by undead.

Thinking the Lich was hiding inside, naturally, they stormed in.

After several days without finding the Lich, they unexpectedly encountered that necromancer, and an extreme darkness coincidentally descended, getting hit out by rampaging skeletons, following the retreating team out.

Listening to this, Lance was genuinely speechless; what a mess, but they found that necromancer. If they are defeated, the skeletons at the ruins could settle instantly.

However, the ruins are now insignificant; the dungeon is the fundamental issue.

"Finding the Lich is almost impossible, the passage of centuries explains everything.

And it’s not that I’m underestimating you; even if you find a powerful spellcaster, you may not win, and even if you do, it might escape.

You also have difficulty communicating with ordinary people; acquiring information is challenging, even when the Lich appears, finding and tracking it is difficult.

But I am different. I am the Lord, with an army, and many powerful transcendents under my command, able to receive news from everywhere.

I can communicate with others, trace its tracks, and send you there quickly.

Moreover, I have a personal vendetta with the Lich, having thwarted its plans, making it bound to seek trouble with me, so I want to eliminate it as well.

Let’s cooperate then, you help me with certain tasks, and I’ll try my best to find and eliminate the Lich. Time is on your side, and if unsatisfactory, you can leave later."

Does Lance really have a vendetta with the Lich or is it a threat?

Not at all, he barely remembers those old incidents which indicates his indifference; he spoke of a common enemy just to forge a closer bond between both sides.

Never mind the rest, unite all possible forces and defeat the ancestor, then help catch some rats during the remaining time.

Once the ancestor is defeated, it’s fine to let them leave.

Lance is crafting hyperbole, attempting to obtain gains with empty promises, yet his conditions are indeed enticing.

Just as he said, the legion couldn’t catch the Lich despite the passing years, and humans living four or five decades is reasonable, whereas it’s a mere nap for them.

But the legion aren’t fools, they have principles, with the right to refuse unreasonable missions.

Lance obviously agreed verbally, without signing any contracts, only mere verbal promises.

Will you work against cultists? Free meals and accommodation included.

Soon, Lance exited the place, yet the legion remained inside.

Outside, with so many eyes watching, he needed to find an opportunity for the legion to reasonably leave, such as the army’s upcoming actions to divert attention to the ruins.

Lance is evidently preparing for the dungeon assault, all centered around this core.

Hurry, faster.

...

Ovando, a team arrived at the estate Walter deemed as retirement leisure land.

"Reply? What does he want again?"

Walter gazed at the cavalry before him, his expression somewhat bizarre, maintaining a calm facade yet suppressing internal fury.

After being married for so many years, the woman hurriedly stood before Walter, explaining.

"They were sent by the Lord to ensure safety along the journey, escorting me back. It’s your daughter’s request for a reply."

The woman said as she handed over a letter in resignation, "It’s from your daughter. She worried that you wouldn’t believe anyone but her."

Walter hastily tore it open, scanned it briefly, his expression suddenly stiffening, the anger not only failing to subside but becoming even more difficult to contain.

Just as he was about to speak, the woman quickly tugged his clothes to interrupt.

"It’s been a tiring journey for everyone, take a rest first." Seeing his state, the woman disregarded other concerns, forced a smile to thank the cavalry for their diligent escort, and signaled those below to accommodate them for a rest.

She hurriedly dragged Walter away, knowing it’s a family issue, causing a scene outside would be embarrassing.

However, the cavalry showed no reaction to their behavior, rather casting inquisitive glances at the soldiers training in the estate...

Reaching a secluded space, Walter couldn’t bear it anymore and roared.

"Dammit!"

After shouting, as if suddenly realizing, he urgently chased after the woman, questioning.

"Did the Lord force you? It must be that guy!"

Watching Walter’s frantic state made the woman feel unfamiliar; she hadn’t seen him panic like this in many years.

Without experiencing such an incident, she naturally didn’t understand, Walter was indeed psychologically scarred by the catastrophic event back then.

An entire city, Hamlet, over a million people vanished without a trace, such irresistible forces terrify anyone.

Yet the woman knew clarifying the situation was crucial, otherwise misunderstandings would only deepen. She hurriedly stepped forward to console.

"Calm down, they’re perfectly safe."

Walter wasn’t inherently volatile; though initially overwhelmed by anxiety, he gradually calmed, seeking detailed answers.

"Did you receive the letter I sent?"

"Here they are; I knew your thoughts, they didn’t interfere with your letters, not even opened them. The wax seal was intact when I received them."

"What do you know then, why didn’t you tell them how dangerous it really is?"

The woman handed over a letter previously opened, Walter grabbed it, cursing under his breath as he reviewed it, finding no alterations.

This harsh reality finally silenced him, "Tell me, what exactly happened in Hamlet?"

"You know I am cut off from those matters, and my daughter doesn’t discuss work with me. That day, darkness suddenly descended; chaos erupted outside, but quickly subsided.

My daughter swiftly returned to ensure my safety, then asked me to fetch my son at school where troops were stationed, offering more security until your letter arrived.

I sought their opinion, but they disagreed to leave. At that time, the Lord was absent; they couldn’t decide.

Initially, I was concerned the Lord had confined them, but later, knowing once the Lord returned from the front lines, I approached him with my request, and he readily consented, even promising cavalry escort.

Yet when my daughter learned the Lord agreed, she argued vehemently with him, while my son refused to leave the school as well."