Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 300: Chapter 226: The Person Controlled by Revenge_2

Grendel watched Lance’s confident demeanor and couldn’t help but sigh softly. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss, but not everyone can bear the consequences of blind confidence.

Just like how many in the tribe never believed the Fang Wolf Tribe would dare violate the pacts between all parties and proactively start a war.

But the outcome was equally catastrophic, unbearable. The entire tribe... only she alone had escaped, and only then because her companions had fought to the death to cover her retreat.

If he knew of the terrifying presence lurking in his own domain, he’d probably be scared to death. It’s not something an ordinary person could withstand.

However, this man had saved her. Although she didn’t want to be dragged into this quagmire, she subtly gave him a hint out of kindness.

”Witches have never been the biggest threat on this land. A far greater conspiracy hides here. If you want to survive, you should either consider relocating or seek help from the Church.”

Lance’s expression turned playful upon hearing this. ”Hmm, are you talking about the evil cult and that Evil God? How much do you know? Did the Witch tell you?”

Surprise flickered across Grendel’s face. How could he react as if he knew about those things? But if he really knew, how could he dare to stay here?

”Don’t look at me like that. I am more aware of what happens here than you, the Witch, or anyone else.”

Lance merely touched upon the subject. He wasn’t willing to divulge more information before he had completely won her over, and quickly steered the conversation back to their earlier topic.

”In fact, whether or not you join us, I will ultimately wipe out the Fang Wolf Tribe.”

”Why?”

”Let me ask you this: how does the Fang Wolf Tribe treat its enemies?”

”Massacre. Merciless slaughter. They kill the men for Sacrifices, the old and weak are fed to the wolves, and the women become Slaves. Some others are...”

Grendel wasn’t sure why Lance was asking this, but she still responded with a grave expression.

That Wolf Devouring punishment of the Fang Wolf Tribe... even in the cruel and savage Mountains, it was considered exceptionally vicious.

However, for her to escape, the tribe had resorted to a strategy of mutual destruction. She feared that apart from herself, no one else from the tribe was left alive.

In a way, they had been spared further suffering, but all that agony was now concentrated entirely on her...

”Exactly! I eradicated the White Wolf’s Claws and killed their leader. Even if I didn’t seek them out, they would come for revenge.

Similarly, the White Wolf’s Claws are affiliated with the tribe. Their leader led the White Wolf’s Claws Mercenary Corps to attack Hamlet—wasn’t that an assault orchestrated by the Fang Wolf Tribe?

By all rights, I am a victim of the Fang Wolf Tribe’s attacks, just like you. They’ve killed so many of my people, and I won’t let them off the hook either.

Therefore, our interests align. Only with the disappearance of the Fang Wolf Tribe can I truly rest easy.”

Lance plainly laid out the pros and cons, simultaneously using the Fang Wolf Tribe’s aggression against them to draw the two closer.

Undeniably, his words moved Grendel; their interests indeed aligned.

Seeing that she was wavering, Lance didn’t seize the moment to push harder. Instead, he spoke to cool things down, explaining his own difficulties.

”However, you should know that if we don’t deal with those evil cults, the whole world will eventually come to nothing, making revenge meaningless. That’s why I choose to resolve the most critical issue at hand first.

Also, Hamlet is still too weak. It needs more development to grow stronger. Only a much stronger army can complete the eradication of the Fang Wolf Tribe.”

As expected, Grendel showed dissatisfaction upon hearing these words. The raging hatred was now the only thing keeping her alive. Each time she closed her eyes, she would see vivid scenes of familiar tribespeople being brutally murdered, their endless wails and screams echoing in her ears. Intense hatred is a double-edged sword. This state allowed her to escape the Mountains, but it also exhausted her, driving her to the brink of madness.

Lance could guess her general line of thinking: She wants revenge as soon as possible, urgently. Every second her enemies live is torture for her.

But Lance had his own plans. I can’t set aside more important matters for her. Dealing with the Patriarch must be the top priority; everything else has to yield to that.

However, Lance definitely didn’t want to let Grendel go; what he’d said was just part of the negotiation.

If I directly proposed five years, she would definitely refuse, or at best haggle it down to two or three.

But if I suggest an indefinite period, make various excuses, and then finally offer five years, her psychological acceptance will be much greater.

”Five years. During these five years, you’ll work for me. I’ll offer you Sanctuary, resources, and a salary.

If I haven’t resolved Hamlet’s problems within five years, then I’ll allow you to rent my soldiers. All weapons, equipment, and food supplies will be provided to you at cost. You can take your revenge yourself then.”

Grendel didn’t outright reject the offer but pondered the conditions Lance presented. Five years to enhance my strength, plus a troop of well-equipped soldiers... perhaps I really could get my revenge then.

”Aside from me, do you think you can find anyone else to help you seek revenge? They hold no grudge against the Fang Wolf Tribe, so why would they expend manpower and resources to help you?

Not to mention, you’re from the Barbarian Tribes. You can ask Boudica about the treatment you would receive in the Empire; they definitely won’t value you as I do.”

Lance continued to persuade her, and indeed, Grendel was tempted. Although she was a barbarian from the Mountains, she was well aware of the Empire’s deep-seated prejudice against the Barbarian Tribes.

Even the Serfs, who could barely feed themselves, look down on barbarians—I know that from bitter experience; I don’t need to ask anyone else.

But...

Grendel looked at Lance, her face filled with distrust.

Imperial People look down on barbarians, and likewise, barbarians don’t trust Imperial People.

Besides, the situation here isn’t so simple; it’s questionable whether the territory will even exist in five years.

And if I’m trapped here for five years, who knows what will become of the Fang Wolf Tribe back in the Mountains?

Given their aggressive expansion, they’ll probably grow rapidly. How could I possibly defeat them then?

”How can you guarantee that after five years, the territory will be strong enough to support a war? And how can you ensure you’ll keep your promise after five years?”

Her question essentially meant that Grendel didn’t believe Lance possessed such capability.

Faced with skepticism, Lance confidently stated, ”When I took over this territory, Hamlet had been looted and slaughtered by bandits. Fewer than eight hundred people remained—only the old, weak, women, and children. They were left with a broken town, starving townsfolk, and enemies connected to the town chief and the farm owners.

In just three months, I’ve quelled internal and external turmoil, opened up sea and land trade routes, and advanced town construction. The population within the territory has increased from eight hundred to over five thousand. Our soldiers have grown from thirty to nearly five hundred, and everyone has enough to eat and warm clothes to wear.

You can ask around about these matters, and you can see them for yourself. I might be able to deceive you, but the facts won’t lie.”

Grendel wasn’t one of those barbarian warriors from the tribe who only knew how to fight. As a priestess, she was being groomed to be the next Priest—the de facto manager of the tribe—so she naturally understood the power Lance’s words represented.

To achieve so much in three months... ’genius’ isn’t enough to describe it.

Grendel remembered the townsfolk she had seen upon entering; they all seemed genuinely respectful, not feigning it. And his return cleared the tension and oppression brought by the Witch. While I was treating those soldiers, I could feel their determination to die for this man—unconditional trust. Someone who can earn such esteem definitely isn’t a fool.

”It’s normal for you not to trust me; I can understand that. You don’t need to rush your decision. After all, there’s still some time until your treatment is complete. These next few days, you can walk around the town and see for yourself. If, after that, you still don’t want to stay, I won’t make things difficult for you. We can still be considered friends, and Hamlet will always welcome you.”