Our Family Has Fallen

Rather than the current miserable close combat, both hard and tiring, and also getting beaten, it’s akin to an extraordinary laborer.

Damn ancestor!

Regarding this, Lance could only curse the ancestor silently in his heart, unable to show any emotions at this moment.

Meanwhile, the appearance of the Screamer Demon also gave Lance a sense of crisis; it hadn’t appeared before, why is it here now? Could it be the ancestor’s plot? What if this thing attacks Hamlet?

If Lance opened the ruins to interfere with the ancestor, then now Boslake’s information on the Screamer Demon also caused him a disturbance.

This might slightly disrupt his plan...

During the journey to Hamlet, Lance roughly understood the composition of this team and thought about how to settle these tribal refugees.

What’s the most difficult part of accepting refugees? It’s not food, nor land, but work, a stable and sustained job.

Lance could temporarily settle tens of thousands of people because there’s vast land for cultivation, and various projects under construction.

Those women and children might be transformed and integrated into Hamlet, but it’s certain that these professional mercenaries won’t stay, and Lance doesn’t want them to stir up trouble either.

Simply put them into the Forest Guard Team, knowing there are many undeveloped wild areas around Hamlet.

Just like the Screamer Demon, it’s not strange that there’s something inside, so Lance needs to explore these places even more.

Coincidentally, the Barbarian Mercenaries have good strength and are from the Mountains, utilizing their professional skills, and most of the time they patrol outside, avoiding too much conflict with the crowd.

As for those children, Lance wants to send them all to school for learning; this is the first step to civilization.

After all, not all tribals are adept at the common language like these mercenaries who’ve stayed in the Empire, many especially women and children from the Mountains do not understand.

Boudica speaks with an accent, and sometimes with peculiar quirks, one can tell...

Coming out from the wilds and stepping onto the old path sped up the journey significantly, and at the end of that road vaguely visible human activity traces.

Hamlet certainly cannot compare to Bastia now, but the vitality like the rising sun slightly dispelled the gloom hovering over the team.

Lance marked out a piece of ground outside the town for them to temporarily camp; they need rest and learning before integrating into the town.

Of course, this is also a precaution; Lance also fears if any of them might be mingled with an affliction like beastification disease or similar, what if it spreads and infects?

Isolating them on the pretext of rest is the best option, like those refugees needing three-day isolation, then undergoing inspection.

The handling plan was already roughly discussed on the road earlier, Boslake managed the team, and Lance gathered a batch of supplies in the name of personal aid.

This counts as a bit of help from Lance.

Soon the camp was set up; in this autumn wind, a bowl of hot soup is enough to warm their tired bodies and wandering souls.

While others relaxed, Lance, Grendel, and Boslake were still researching and discussing how to settle these people.

"There’s no negotiation about this, everyone must adhere to Hamlet’s rules, I won’t have any scruples about your identities, don’t look for me if there’s trouble, deal with it as it should be."

"I’ll go talk to them."

"If the kids don’t go to school, how will they live in the future? I can offer them tuition reduction, don’t worry about money."

"I’ll persuade them..."

Mostly Lance spoke, Boslake responded, Grendel made simple additions alongside.

After saying all that, Lance added one last sentence.

"Of course, this is just a rough plan, and it’s all by voluntary principle. If someone doesn’t wish, I won’t force them, since I’ve already given the opportunity.

Also, if someone has special abilities or talents, we’re not against arranging them to suitable positions; our task is to let everyone settle down quickly."

"I have no objections." Grendel nodded in agreement.

"I also have no objections."

Boslake isn’t a rigid person, otherwise, he wouldn’t be here, and the suggestions Lance proposed aren’t unreasonable indeed.

Not to mention their current situation, even if there’s an issue, they must overcome it.

"Right, now you’re the leader of the Forest Guard." Lance directly assigned Boslake his role.

The Forest Guard is not within the administrative system, but the military system, so Lance can directly assign.

And Boslake is a tribal himself, having some prestige within the team, enough to manage those Barbarian Mercenaries.

"Tell me, where did you encounter that grand bird?" Lance asked, unfolding a map, the implication clear, the newly appointed ranger must demonstrate their potential.

"Roughly here."

Few people could understand maps during this era; Boslake is one among them, after all, he was a tribal leader and mixed as a mercenary in the Empire.

Lance glanced at the circled area without saying much, only instructing.

"Rest for a few days, also learn and understand Hamlet’s situation; contact her if any issues arise, don’t cause any trouble."

"Understood!"

Having said that, Lance then walked out, Grendel slowly got up, but reminded before leaving.

"The Lord might be able to cure Sapan’s illness."

Without further explanation, Grendel departed directly, leaving Boslake deep in thought.

That sentence’s meaning was clear to him, knowing its significance.

Could his son truly recover?

Grendel quickly caught up with Lance, asking him directly.

"Can you cure Sapan’s injuries?"

"Why say that?" Lance replied, uncertain of why she’d ask, without giving a definite answer.

"Sapan is a genius too, very intelligent, but unfortunately, the tribe failed and the incomplete ceremony backfired."

Grendel briefly described Sapan, showing great talent from a young age, or he wouldn’t have been protected by Boslake after injuring during failure, as he’s not only his son but the tribe’s hope.

Although Sapan hasn’t died, the tribe perished first.

Such unpredictability in life...

Lance didn’t react significantly to this; geniuses abound, but the most important is growing up successfully.

"I’ll pay attention to him, but better come through school first."

Lance doesn’t save just anyone; they must prove their worth.

Regarding this answer, Grendel said nothing more, she merely recommended a talented fellow for boosting Hamlet’s strength.

"Are you going to deal with that grand bird?"

"Indeed, such a monster is too dangerous, better take care of it first."

It wasn’t surprising to Grendel, as Lance asked that question earlier, it became apparent.

"What’s the plan? When do you plan to act?"

"No plan, starting today."

Lance quickly agreed, intending to swiftly finish this battle, with the time set for tonight.

As Hamlet Family’s internal secret, Lance can’t bring others, lest something unintelligible is exposed.

Still having to cover for the ancestor, damn!

Lance’s activities were purposeful, without lingering, giving instructions before heading alone into the dense forest.

Not riding a horse; if screamed at by the Screamer Demon, he’d be fine, but the horse frightened might die, causing embarrassment.

This group attack tactic is why Lance doesn’t bring people; dealing with them is unnecessary.

Grendel watched Lance leave, her expression somewhat conflicted.

She originally thought of accompanying him, but her strength was too weak, unable to keep up with his pace...