Our Family Has Fallen

The appearance of Alviss was also an unexpected delight for Lance.

Once caught, it would be impossible to let him go easily, after all, he is a talent and has a significant role in the construction of Hamlet.

As for why he exposed his hypocrisy at the start and directly cursed him?

It’s because such an old fox is extremely sensitive to outside influences. If you play tug-of-war with him slowly, Lance has no certainty of inciting him and might get caught for petty actions.

Better to lay things out directly, give him a slight Hamlet shock, only when his emotions fluctuate can Lance better influence him.

Whether it’s effective or not is not important; if he chooses to keep hiding like a rat in the gutters, so be it.

However, tonight’s events also remind Lance about the major nuisance of Transcendents.

These things are extremely complex, causing Lance’s planned stealth attack on the ancestor to temporarily be set aside.

At this moment, he understands the wisdom of "decisive action" from the sages, but unfortunately, Hamlet cannot collaborate with the Church to pressure the Transcendents, so he must abandon this strategy.

Lance didn’t dwell on it for long; his primary focus is still on military affairs.

As long as the ancestor remains, he can’t have peace.

Once this trouble is resolved, he can focus on other things.

The planning for the dungeon expedition is already brewing in his mind...

But some troubles have found him first.

A new batch of ships returned from Totnes, bringing more adventurers for the ruins and also some more ill-intentioned individuals.

Among the fleet were more merchant ships, making the already expanded and repaired dock somewhat stretched.

Among them, the most unique were naturally the ships flying the flags of the Mercenary Guild and the Association of Healers, and some special organizations.

Such as the Merchants Association of Totnes and some peculiar organizations and associations.

Some of them have enough financial resources to rent a whole ship, while others are mixed in with the merchant ships.

Without a doubt, they’re all attracted by the benefits brought on by the rise of Hamlet, wanting a share of the pie.

More or less, they have already arranged spies like other powers, infiltrating into Hamlet from all aspects.

According to their expectations, when they arrive, they would be greeted by already opened channels.

Unfortunately, upon arrival, they are still greeted by port staff repeating rules, with no message from their own people.

After inquiry, they found out their people were cleared out in previous actions, leaving only a few who haven’t yet acted and survived until now.

Hamlet immediately gave them a "welcome to our turf," showing them whose territory this is.

In a room, the representative of the Mercenary Guild met the leader who previously took on a task in Totnes, his expression odd as he finished listening to a simple recount and then probed with a question.

"Your Mercenary Corps is almost up to the gold level, Scorpion, are you truly going to give up this task?"

"I also inquired post-factum; the situation is real, and the policies abolished those land deeds long ago. There’s nothing you can do if they’re not recognized."

The chief referred to as Scorpion handed back those deeds and documents, but the representative persistently continued speaking.

"Scorpion, when did you start adhering to rules? Looks like you’ve adapted quite well here, even your sting has softened."

Faced with such mocking banter, Scorpion lifted his head to look at the other and slowly spoke, "That Lord only forbids organizational activities, not individuals or small teams. His administrative team can resolve all problems; the Guild has no advantage here."

After all, originating from the Guild, Scorpion doesn’t wish to offend the people from headquarters, and he still offered a hint.

But the representative did not agree.

"The Lord’s most foolish intention is wanting to control everything and monopolize all benefits; everyone will oppose him, everyone will unite against him."

If Scorpion hadn’t been here for a while and had seen the world traveling far and wide, he could have been stirred by such words.

If that man truly wanted to monopolize, he wouldn’t have opened the ruins freely. Combined with Hamlet’s policies, it can be seen he’s sharing benefits with everyone, and you organizations are the minority.

Even the vilest person can’t help but feel genuine respect upon seeing the Lord, especially with the opening of the ruins. All adventurers know that scavenging bones is better than being your cannon fodder.

But Scorpion wouldn’t let the other party lose face, he’d just pretend to be oblivious.

"When we were caught by the police, the task had already failed..."

"Humph! Looks like you’ve made your choice, hope you don’t regret opposing the Guild."

The representative walked away with a smirk, the attitude clearly conveyed the meaning.

Yet the chief felt baffled, as he merely wished to preserve the Mercenary Corps, not get involved, yet was directly labeled as part of the Lord’s faction.

Do these people see not standing with the Guild as siding with the Lord?

The Lord himself didn’t force him to choose a side, yet the Guild does; a feeling of speechlessness and absurdity arises...

The Mercenary Guild doesn’t have much restriction over its mercenaries; this stems from its unique mechanism, as its scattered structure doesn’t require the Guild to bear too much responsibility nor have strong control.

But the people from the Association of Healers aren’t like this; since they are cultivated by the Association, their interests are tied with it, so such situations don’t occur at all.