Our Family Has Fallen

Baldwin also understood his concern, so he continued to explain.

"Just secretly find someone to spread the news, tell them that the noise just now was the undead in the ruins fighting the army.

We are making efforts to clear the path through the ruins, but the resistance from the undead is very strong. The battle is currently at a stalemate, and we need more cannon fodder to fight against those bone structures..."

Baldwin had previously talked with the Lord about the ruins and adventurers.

Clearly knowing they came for the ruins, forcibly suppressing them is possible, but that would be beyond the police’s control, requiring military troops or even mobilizing militia.

Although Baldwin didn’t know what happened over there, he was sure if something really occurred, the army must be prioritized there and couldn’t be wasted on suppressing those adventurers.

Moreover, he just took office a few days ago and couldn’t disrupt the order the Lord struggled to establish, so his duty was to maintain the town’s stability with the mildest methods possible.

Of course, if anyone acts recklessly, do they really think his broken sword isn’t sharp?

"But what if someone really wants to go on an adventure?" The police representative quickly understood Baldwin’s principle but still felt uneasy because mercenaries tend to believe they’re cunning.

"Those guys are adventurers, if we release a reward task, perhaps someone will go, but you can’t expect them to risk their lives without payment, they’d hide away."

If someone truly wants to adventure, then tell them once they’re on board, they can’t backtrack. After reaching the outpost, tell them the frontline is dangerous and they can’t leave, and if they want to return, it’ll cost them more."

Baldwin’s meaning was simple, if something happened on the frontline, the outpost would surely be locked down, and those who arrived would be directly under control.

It’s about concentrating potential disobedient threats for central control, and truly, if it doesn’t work out, they can be pulled onto the battlefield.

Baldwin controlled the mercenary adventurers’ psychology with just the word "money," easing the town’s pressure.

Lord Lance was right, those guys have eyes only for money.

Given the current situation, there were no better options, so that person immediately went to execute the plan.

Soon, the news of "opening access to the ruins" spread widely.

Simultaneously, "internal" news began to ferment...

This even led to many conspiracy theories, like Hamlet’s Army losing, hence needing more cannon fodder to fill the line.

Suddenly, this rhetoric cooled the eager hearts of adventurers, realizing they came for profit, not to die.

In a newly rented house, serving as a temporary base, the Mercenary Corps sent by the guild to recover Hamlet’s assets also received this information.

"Captain, something’s off here, a battle couldn’t cause such commotion."

Undoubtedly, those members held a skeptical attitude, as they had been on battlefields, knowing even wars couldn’t produce such exaggerated effects.

This piqued their curiosity about the events in the ruins.

"Could it be that this is a smokescreen set by those people, just to keep us away?"

Regarding the conspiracy theories circulating, they were skeptical.

Listening to them, you’d know they leaned toward Hamlet’s ongoing development of the ruins.

As everyone discussed, the captain finally asked.

"Then how do you think such commotion could be created?"

This instant left the speculative crowd silent.

What kind of powerful combat could cause such noise?

An expert indeed!

Having experienced grand events, they understood it wasn’t simple.

"You’ve never seen that Lord. If not sitting in a chair when we met, I would’ve kneeled directly," the captain sighed sincerely, "This world is far more terrifying than you imagine, don’t be overconfident."

"Should we take this chance to leave? After all, if it truly turns to war, there’ll be no escape."

"Wait for the association members, complete the handover task, even if failed, we owe the association an explanation."

The captain made his decision, and the others had no objections.

Many made similar choices, opting to observe instead of acting impulsively.

Due to previous strict actions, even some hiding ill intentions dared not come forward, fearing it was an Evil Lord’s trick to lure them out.

I’m not falling for it!

Sometimes it’s just like this, you stop them, they insist on going.

But once released, encouraging them, these guys back off.

Yet humans are abstract, and some wise choose to step ahead. Only, after hopping on board, they’re dropped at the outpost, tasked with walking the rest on foot.

By then, frontline news had returned to the outpost, with a palpable war atmosphere, prompting hesitation.

Ah! You’re serious?

Want to return, fine, but it costs money.

Baldwin in town also received frontline updates; the situation was serious, but the Lord had taken command.

Nothing to worry about then...

On the wilderness border road, the heretics amidst the battle with Grendel and a group of heroes underwent unprecedented changes.