Our Family Has Fallen

Money means nothing to him, but these Extraordinary Materials circulate better among Transcendents than Gold Coins.

But surprises followed suit, as he actually found some Extraordinary Equipment among those corpses.

A total of eight pieces, most of which were low-level equipment, with little utility but absurd side effects that made them unusable.

Now that money is not an issue, these items serve merely as a collection for Lance.

For ordinary people, Extraordinary Power and Mysticism are simply unreachable.

Many people live their entire lives without encountering them, which is the norm.

People like Lance, who deal with related matters daily, are a rarity.

Simply put, it’s a different circle, and the channels they come into contact with are also different, though some might call it...

After clearing out the scattered white bones on the nests and those platforms, Lance held a torch and circled the base of the tree.

Years of accumulation made the pile of bones like a small mountain. Thankfully, only bones were left; otherwise, Lance wouldn’t dare to act.

To be honest, there was no Extraordinary Equipment, but some ordinary weapons and armors were still to be found, as well as money, likely from the Screamer Demon’s captured prey.

Although there’s no lack of these things now, the joy of scavenging is unrivaled.

After digging for quite a while, the simple statistics show there are actually over a thousand Gold Coins, indicating how many humans the Screamer Demon consumed.

Lance originally wanted to burn this eerie big tree but now decided to leave it, wondering if it could attract more Screamers to nest.

Glancing at the gray night sky, Lance didn’t linger.

"Time to go home!"

...

With continuous development and an influx of people, Hamlet is no longer as quiet as before.

These Adventurers who come to seek treasure are not farmers and workers; they have some capital and are accustomed to a lifestyle similar to mercenaries.

This era lacks entertainment options; when the ruins are not open, they stay in bars, casinos, and brothels for amusement.

Compared to a bustling city like Bastia, Hamlet is still somewhat monotonous, especially due to regulation, as the town doesn’t have those fantasy Potions.

Moreover, the quality and quantity in brothels are described as unbearable.

This has led to the emergence of many clandestine prostitutes, an issue the Lord only addressed after realization.

Damn it! Is this money for you to earn?

All the pimps organizing prostitution were apprehended, and their homes raided and confiscated.

Now they either wear shackles while building roads, actively participating in labor and aiming for transformation.

If forced abuse is involved, then it’s a sanatorium rather than hoeing the ground for them.

As for those rescued from them, as long as they’re willing to work, they won’t starve in Hamlet.

Of course, there are some "professional players" among them with no skills, surviving only on their youth.

Handling these people is also quite a headache, as some, out of inertia, don’t understand Hamlet’s situation and are unwilling to leave their current condition.

Simply put, they are emotionally numb from their experiences and don’t believe Hamlet can truly help them.

Because of this, Lance decided to utilize the reformed women, who no longer work in this trade, guiding these people through private spaces akin to confession booths.

Transformation must begin psychologically; only by experiencing such pain can one better understand others.

Not everyone is willing to endure the humiliation of prostitution; many have no choice, and now Hamlet offers them a chance to change.

This is also a psychological study and an intriguing social experiment.

Of course, there are those lazy dogs who refuse to work and prefer lying down to earn money.

The Lord’s mercy has limits; he won’t waste resources on hopeless cases.

If you enjoy buying, then head straight to the brothel; if you have complaints, go build roads.

Did they really think he’s some nice guy?

Prostitutes rarely live past twenty-five, and that’s if they’re lucky.

Remember, this era lacks "protective gear," and various sexually transmitted diseases mean waiting for death upon infection.

Not to mention their occupational diseases and encounters with clients who have peculiar tastes...

Entering a brothel at least ensures that those with peculiar tastes and diseases are unwelcome and may even be taken away if they act out.

Moreover, they won’t be forced to entertain clients, nor fear them refusing to pay...

More importantly, the spread of hygiene and health knowledge along with some disease prevention and treatment takes precedence.

This connects to the prior massive cleanup where all detained prostitutes were examined.

Many infected individuals and severe occupational diseases were discovered, and Lance had them sent collectively for Paracelsus’s research.

It wasn’t to dissect them but because female test subjects and peculiar diseases warranted study.

Additionally, complex conditions could serve as the first batch for testing the [Healing Potion] to assess its efficacy and gather data.

Unknown to them, they were treated as test subjects, which seems cruel, but Lance saw it as saving them.

Otherwise, few would survive the torment of illness, some were merely teenagers.

After market rectification, the Lord now monopolizes those industries.

It brought stability and order, providing patrons more choices, a win-win-win situation.

Who lost then?

Of course, those smart alecks.

They treated Hamlet like other cities, noted the lack of similar organizations, and attempted to establish gangs here, hoping to take over lower-level management like in big cities.

Opening brothels, casinos, and bars, dealing in illegal drugs, to earn hard and live well.

But William was unkind to these smartasses, reporting and investigating them, capturing them all for a complete service.

The people of Hamlet are unafraid of them, which is the deadliest blow.

Also, some overspent, seeking to make money in a place lacking bounty tasks, resorted to petty theft.

No surveillance exists, but don’t doubt Fergus’s capabilities, especially given this world’s alternative mysterious power.

Such incidents are just a minor part of Hamlet’s adjustment to the world’s rapid development.

Hamlet continues to see an influx of outsiders yet maintains stability and order, achieved through substantial sacrifice, leaving anyone who enters in awe.

"What a strange place..."

In a tavern corner sat a travel-worn woman with disheveled blond hair, wearing a shabby gentleman’s suit adorned with various complex equipment, who murmured while tilting her hat.

She was listening to various discussions about Hamlet in the tavern.

Audrey originally came for the ruins, not expecting this place to be so intriguing.

Its complex and strict rules, and logic unlike other noble territories, restrict those adventurers accustomed to "freedom," which leans toward chaos.

There are no empire-wide churches or continent-spanning guilds here, let alone cockroach-like gangs.

Wide roads, orderly traffic, rational urban planning allow transportation and pedestrians without interference.

There is no stench of crowds, and the ground beneath is solid, not covered in flowing waste.

The spread of health and hygiene opened her eyes, showing that a cup of hot water can resolve so much illness.

Not to mention the Lord filled with legendary stories, mysterious yet powerful.

Everything here amazed her, albeit with restraints.

There are two days until the ruins open, yet looking at her attire, it is clear Audrey isn’t one to sit idly...