Our Family Has Fallen

"No need, the Lord believes those cultists can’t stir up much trouble. Once he’s done handling the remaining matters, he can spare the energy.

The truly important thing is the information gathered from breaching the cult’s stronghold; the cult’s infiltration around is very serious, much like Ovando back then.

The Lord fears those fools nearby might be incited by the cult to invade Hamlet, so he’s asked us to monitor related actions."

Saying this, Walter handed over a list, adding: "These are the names of those in contact with the cult, gather information on them."

Vick took the list, glanced at it, and found it utterly absurd, filled with several significant figures from the surroundings — names he’s familiar with from his dealings, but never expected to be involved with the cult.

"These people really have a death wish. Some of them are pretty reputable nobles, and others are artists."

"But who can resist the temptation of Ascension, right? What they offer is just insignificant help." Walter had seen too many similar messy situations and didn’t care at all.

"If turning into a heap of rotting flesh counts as Ascension." Vick mocked sarcastically without much emotion.

Because he knew that if the Lord had tasked him with gathering intelligence, it was already a hit list, and by then, likely none would escape.

Just curious how those people would react once they understood that so-called ascension is a hoax.

The two exchanged a lot of information and how to execute the Lord’s orders, but just then, a commotion arose outside, causing both to frown.

As they approached the window and looked outside, they immediately understood.

The sky in the direction of Hamlet was enveloped in darkness, seeming to isolate that place from heaven and earth.

The dramatic scene brought immense shock to people — wasn’t it just said that the Lord had breached the cult’s stronghold and was wrapping things up?

Why would...?

Vick wanted to ask something, but Walter beside him was stupefied, his body trembling uncontrollably, only able to stand by leaning against the window frame, unable to hide the fear.

Why?

Because he was one of the survivors from the great catastrophe in Hamlet, stationed fortunately far from the city in a remote, unwelcome place, which ironically allowed him to survive.

But the despair of that doomsday-like destruction still haunted his heart...

"Are you alright?"

Vick’s call brought him back to his senses, but a stronger despair emanated from him once again.

"My family!"

Not to forget Tiffany, her mother, and brother are still in Hamlet, meaning Walter’s family is now under that dark shroud.

"Don’t panic, nothing major will happen with our Lord there, we’ll send someone to Hamlet immediately, and the news will come back soon."

Walter shoved Vick aside angrily, yelling.

"Get lost! I shouldn’t have listened to that guy back then, my children."

"My family is in Hamlet too, do you think you’re the only one anxious? You may not trust me, but anger won’t solve the problem; staying calm is the way to save them." Vick held him down with a cold face; his family was also in Hamlet, but he wasn’t a child anymore, knowing he must remain composed.

Walter realized his loss of control too, raised his hand to his face, but soon calmed down.

"Let’s hope our Lord hasn’t fled."

That sarcastic remark revealed Walter’s lingering resentment towards Hamlet’s Lord from past experiences, creating a psychological shadow.

Vick didn’t bother to respond and quickly made a decision.

"Ovando can’t fall into chaos, or our people will have nowhere to escape; send someone back to check on the situation, and prepare for battle."

Walter couldn’t move as he was being watched by the Earl’s lackeys, so that’s all they could do.

The anomaly in Hamlet was visible from surrounding areas, and Count Bastia quickly went to look from the upper levels of his castle.

Even his calm demeanor couldn’t fully hide a trace of fear; almost none who fled back then weren’t terrified; the ambition to annex Hamlet was now retracted.

That place is a cursed land!

"My father, the direction of Hamlet..."

Bruce came up, greeted him, but the Count interrupted emotion turning serene.

"Are the preparations ready?"

Bruce didn’t know why his father suddenly interrupted him, but responded.

"Everything is ready, their movements won’t escape our eyes, but Alvin..." Bruce hesitated but brought up the issue.

"After this, banish that fool." The Count furrowed his brows, his words carrying anger.

The Count was using Alvin, proposing to oust him was to take care of those rebellious nobles. But after all, he is his son, without intent to kill, instead planning exile.

"Go, do it neatly, I hope no problems arise."

Bruce heard something in that voice, didn’t linger, leaving while looking at the figure on the terrace, seemingly older.

Hamlet’s anomaly was visible in surrounding regions, but beyond a certain distance, it was invisible. However, powerful supernatural organizations had their means to observe the world.

The spiritual tide triggered by the force unleashed over Hamlet’s sky attracted their attention.

Among those attracted was a particularly special presence, Tamara.

At this moment, she was sitting cross-legged in a special observatory, holding a peculiar crystal ball, material unknown. Inside seemed to shroud the entire void, dazzling purple light mixing with darkness, dotted with countless faint points of light.

This was one of the sacred objects of the Romani, equal in status to the [Astrologer] star chart she once stole, named the [Observer] sacred object.

Like all powerful supernatural items, this sacred object was very dangerous.

If one gazed into the crystal ball, they might glimpse endless void, but if their strength was insufficient, their soul would be sucked into the void, forever trapped, leaving only a corpse in reality.

Even figures like Elders wouldn’t dare touch this, let alone use its power to gaze into the void.

Yet undoubtedly, Tamara was a freak, returning to the organization with Lance’s help; her long time tempered outside hadn’t dulled her talent.

Instead, consistent with Amanda’s concerns, with resources and guidance, her strength swiftly soared.

Leaving those who had complaints with no choice but to hold their grudge, as the genius gap was really vast.

Tamara’s rapid progress was astonishing, but like many geniuses halted before the champion’s door.

To break this limit, one could be forcibly pushed by Lance through Spiritual Essence blessings like Grendel.

Or come to an understanding like Reynard, grasping one’s own supernatural power.

Then, of course, there were various inheritances, using shortcuts, equipment or rituals to reach the goal.

Romani had inherited methods over the years, but Tamara’s legendary teacher wasn’t dead yet, where would she get something?

Moreover, Tamara’s progress was too fast, in the notably unstable realm of supernatural power, no Elder would be mad enough to aggressively push her; instead, they advised her to take this threshold as an opportunity to train and digest.

But that’s not how geniuses think, having been oppressed for so long, wasn’t it normal now to become a Master with teaching and resources?

She didn’t feel her strength increased too quickly; instead, felt oppressed...