Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Catching a Turtle in a Jar_1

Bandits inherently lack loyalty; after all, changing leaders doesn’t really make a difference to them.

However, the continuous internal strife among the bandits had instilled a sense of panic in the remaining two leaders. They also sensed something unexplainably eerie about the small town.

”What do you plan to do now?”

When the third leader heard this, he turned to look at his weary subordinates. He knew the brutal combat had taken a toll without yielding any substantial loot. This had greatly diminished the team’s fighting spirit, and their morale was in freefall.

Moreover, the two successive internal battles had left many bandits dead, leaving only about fifty or sixty remaining—more than half their original number lost, not to mention the many injured.

If they were attacked now, the consequences would be unimaginable.

”I’ll take half of the tavern’s food and the money here,” the third leader declared. ”We’ll grab the supplies and leave. The food from the tavern is enough for us. Splitting the casino money between us should also be sufficient for each of us to live comfortably for a while.”

The other leader looked reluctantly towards the north side of the town but didn’t agree immediately.

”If we join forces, we could take over the town. Where could those people run to anyway? I heard there’s a farm north of town; they must have fled there.”

”Money can always be made, but life is a one-time thing,” the third leader coldly reminded him. ”Look at the state everyone’s in before you say anything more.”

This made the other leader realize that his men were indeed exhausted and no longer capable of further action. With this realization, he could only reluctantly order the withdrawal.

”Gather the supplies and prepare to retreat!”

Hearing this, the bandits under him relaxed. This raid had been a huge loss; they hadn’t laid eyes on a single woman but had seen so many brothers die. However, getting some money in the end was still something.

One bandit found a silver coin and secretly stuffed the blood-stained coin into his shoe. That way, he wouldn’t have to turn it in.

Just as he was reveling in his luck, a sudden noise came from outside.

”Run! It’s the enemy!”

...

”My Lord, everything has been arranged,” reported Dismas, disguised as a bandit, in a low voice to the Lord.

He wasn’t required to lead a unit of soldiers, but Lance had assigned him special tasks to maximize his impact. Judging by the commotion from that direction, it seemed his tasks were complete.

”Good. Now I need you to get ready. Take down anyone with a gun,” Lance instructed, looking up at the surrounding buildings before pointing to the three-story guild hall that overlooked the street.

”Yes!”

Dismas acknowledged and went to secure the vantage point, from which he could control the entire situation.

”Inform the other two teams to move out and encircle them,” Lance then dispatched two more men to notify Reynard and his group.

Reynard and Balistan, upon receiving the notice, promptly began to organize their troops. As seasoned battlefield veterans, they were adept at rallying soldiers. With just a few words, they ignited a strong desire for combat within all their troops.

”Advance!”

”Charge!”

The commotion here naturally caught the bandits’ attention. When a spear formation appeared in the square, those bandits still busy looting immediately dropped their spoils to rejoin the main force, shouting warnings as they ran.

”The enemy! The enemy is here!”

When the two leaders saw the orderly spear formation, they instantly had a bad feeling.

”Damn it! How could there be a Regular Army here?”

”Quick! Never mind that, we need to retreat first!” the third leader shouted hoarsely, commanding his men to drop everything.

But just because he could act decisively didn’t mean his subordinates could do the same.

Your leaders feast daily, but these men haven’t eaten well in days. Besides, with coins littering the ground, who could just walk away?

Sometimes, there’s a reason why leaders become leaders.

Seeing this, the third leader strode forward and cut down a bandit engrossed in picking up coins. He then brandished his cleaver and bellowed, ”What’s more important, your life or money? Whoever wants to live, drop your damn stuff now, or none of us will make it out alive!”

The intimidation worked; the bandits realized the gravity of the situation. Under the pressure of survival, they abandoned the supplies and tried to retreat the way they had come.

However, the path they had taken was now blocked by Reynard’s troops. No one dared to charge the wall of extended spears.

”Quick! Go that way!”

The third leader immediately directed his men to break out in another direction. Once out of the square, we can use the residential buildings to split their forces. As long as they can’t form up, I still have a chance.

But just as they changed direction, before they could reach the exit, another unit of soldiers burst from the side of the road, formed a spear line, and advanced, shouting battle cries and pressing closer with each step.

As mentioned, the square was a confluence of three streets: one south to the old road, one east to the harbor, and one north to the farm.

”Quick, to the north! We still have a chance!”

With only one exit remaining, they had no choice. Like a school of fish driven by a fisherman, they surged through the square and into the northern street. Initially, they met no blockade, but they soon realized something was wrong.

All the side alleys, apart from the main road, were barricaded with debris.

”Damn it! Retreat, get out of here!”

The third leader sensed the trap and wanted to turn back, but panic had gripped his men. Those at the rear, desperate to escape, pushed the ones in front forward.

In the chaos, everyone was desperate to survive. My orders are being ignored; no one is listening!

They’re here. Lance heard the chaos ahead, knowing the fish had been driven into the net. Now it’s my time to shine. He shouted:

”Get ready!”

With that, he donned his helmet and, raising his Longsword, pointed forward.

”Form ranks! If you’re scared, shout it out!”

”HA!” The soldiers formed up as trained, leveled their spears before them, and advanced, chanting in unison.

”One, two, one...”

Lance, at the head of the imposing spear formation, bore down on them. The already panicked bandits scattered in terror, instinctively trying to turn back.

But before they could change direction, their escape route was cut off by Reynard’s and Balistan’s advancing troops.

Now, trapped with spear formations to their front and rear, all the bandits were sealed within the street.

Seeing this, even the dullest leader would have realized something was terribly wrong. We’ve walked right into a trap!

”Brothers, grab your weapons and fight them!” the leader roared in anger, lifting his hammer.

The bandits were desperados. Lance’s tactics had utterly blocked their escape. Cornered like this, their desperation ignited a frenzied madness.