Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 428: Chapter 282: Assassination_1

In the depths of the wilderness, the members of the Ascension Sect lay in wait for a long time, hidden from the scouting party by an unknown Supernatural Power, as if they had appeared out of thin air.

But Lance and his group did not pay too much attention to this.

Even without Boudica and the others, with him leading the team and a Witcher Master at their side, they undoubtedly held the advantage when facing a few heretics!

This confidence vanished the moment they were attacked by tentacles summoned by the Ascension Priest Sorcery.

Death awaited in that brief moment of relaxation...

Lance wore no armor, and in the urgency of the situation, he did not even have time to assume a defensive posture before he was struck forcefully.

The instant the tentacle touched him, he lost all sensation, as if his body had been flung away while his soul remained in place.

The sudden turn of events on the field took them by surprise.

Geralt knew the terror of these Otherworldly powers because he had also suffered a similar attack.

However, he had the Quen Glyph to protect him. Even though only the aftermath reached him, it had almost cost him his life, and it took a precious Potion for him to recover.

And there was Lord Lance, right before their eyes. To save Junia, he took the attack head-on, like a ragdoll flung into the air.

Initially, I had been wary of this mysterious Lord, but I never expected him to sacrifice his life to save another! Geralt thought.

Junia was also extremely surprised; she had not expected the Lord to push her out of harm’s way.

He had borne the attack meant for me.

I’ve involved the Lord again...

Boudica did not entertain as many thoughts. She knew only that she must exterminate these enemies; in her mind, the Lord would certainly not fall so easily.

The demonic assault, controlled by the Ascension Priest, was swift, but that did not mean the elite Ascension Cultists were merely for show.

On the contrary, seizing this opportunity, a group of them rushed towards Lance as he lay on the ground, intent on killing him.

”WAAAGH!!!”

Enraged by their reaction, Boudica let out a war cry and, in the next second, charged forward with her War Halberd.

As a Guard, I must protect the Lord at all costs, and this time, I will not take even half a step back!

Junia was by her side. Seeing this, she immediately raised her mace towards a heretic, channeling her anger and divine power into a flash of light directed at the nearest one.

The pillar of light, brimming with unparalleled force, struck the nearest cultist, stunning him and holding him in a stupor.

Boudica, who had rushed over, executed a slashing strike that split the cultist’s head in two. As she withdrew her War Halberd, the body collapsed, and the cleaved brain slipped out like jelly.

Geralt also reacted. However, he did not immediately rush to Lance’s aid.

As an experienced Witcher, he knew the greatest threat was not the cultists before him but the mysterious enemy casting Sorcery from the shadows.

His rationale urged him to eliminate that Spellcaster first, but on the other side, the severely injured Lance was under attack.

After a moment’s hesitation, his calm, golden vertical pupils shifted away from the dark forest, and he quickly turned to join the fight.

At the same time, his Longsword unsheathed, shimmering with a bright glow even in the night...

Lance, lying on the ground, gradually regained consciousness after a few seconds.

But at that very moment, excruciating pain surged into his brain, seizing control of his body once again. He could feel nothing else, only waves of intense pain tearing at the remnants of his consciousness.

His vision began to return, yet it was as if obscured by a layer of blood; one eye was completely dark, devoid of sight.

His hearing also returned; the buzzing in his ears stopped, and fragmented, chaotic sounds reached him intermittently.

”Boss!”

”Quick, save him!”

”Divine Arts...”

I can’t black out... If I do, I’ll really be dead...

Lance did not even have time to use Flesh Reconstruction; despite the excruciating pain, he had to use Bless to refresh his consciousness and prevent himself from passing out.

The Spiritual Essence transformed into strength, nourishing his soul and allowing him a brief respite.

He took this opportunity to check his own body.

I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t looked. Good heavens! The only reason I didn’t die instantly is my robust constitution.

Under the immense pressure, his organs had ruptured. Micro-tears in his muscles were visible, seeping blood beads.

His bones were in no better state; broken ribs pierced his lungs, and fluid nearly filled his entire chest cavity. Numerous bones throughout his body showed fine fractures.

Power of Flesh and Blood, I command thee—Flesh Reconstruction!

While saving himself, Lance completely unleashed his Spiritual Essence. His severe injuries drew upon this energy like a parched sponge encountering water, desperately absorbing it.

Fortunately, he had always been in the habit of saving a little extra. Although he had spent quite a bit blessing Dismas and the others previously, the corpses from the town earlier today had allowed him to replenish his reserves, thus sustaining the cost of healing.

CRACKLE... POP...

Clear sounds of bones snapping back into place echoed continuously from Lance’s prone form, accompanied by spasms.

This disturbance was particularly noticeable in the night, drawing the attention of everyone in the fight, both friend and foe.

”The Master says: Kill him!”

”He cannot be allowed to live!”

”Join the Ascension!”

The heretics abandoned their struggle with Boudica and Geralt. They were ready to trade blows—even if it meant taking hits—to kill the man on the ground, driven by an incomprehensible, deep-seated hatred.