Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 492: Chapter 312: I’ll Know If You’re Sincere with Just One Touch_3

Grendel was not a woman who lacked discernment. She was well aware of who Hamlet’s current main enemy was, and there was no need to provoke a new one. Besides, she hadn’t suffered any loss herself. Grendel offered an out that eased the tension in the room. She also handed the situation over to Lance, showing no intention of staying.

”Since you’re here to discuss serious matters, I shall go attend to my own business.”

Lance didn’t say much. The old woman also took the cue to let the women beside her leave, leaving just the two of them in the reception room.

”There’s nothing for us to talk about. I’ve already said everything that needs to be said. It was you who refused my offer. Since you want to fight, let’s fight.”

The old woman actually guessed right. Lance really had no intention of wasting words, as everything that needed to be said had already been said before—it was just that they hadn’t believed him.

Now that things have gone wrong, they’re scared and come running to me, expecting kindness? What a joke!

”Earl Lance, we are both very clear that there is no direct conflict between us. The previous incident was indeed due to my personal impulsiveness and was unrelated to the organization. I extend to you my sincerest apologies here.”

The old woman said this, handing Lance a somewhat thick file.

Lance could tell if there was sincerity just by feeling the file’s thickness. After skimming through it, he had to admit that these ”tokens of sincerity” indeed moved him.

What were in these files? They contained the information the old woman had discussed with the other woman in the carriage—information that would soon become obsolete. Information has a shelf life. To the old woman, these things would soon lose their value. But for Lance, it was an opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Empire’s situation—something he had wanted to do before but hadn’t had the capability to accomplish.

”Then let’s discuss the real business.” Lance’s attitude became much more serious.

This was just an appetizer, not enough to satisfy my appetite, he thought. I must gain more benefits from this situation.

The old woman breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. As long as he was willing to talk, the line of communication she had previously broken could be reestablished.

”Besides clearing up misunderstandings, we have come here seeking cooperation with you.”

”Cooperation? My demands are simple—just three.” Lance raised three fingers as he spoke. ”First, I want your communication network. Second, I want the technology to make your carriages. Third, I want a thousand horses with that Extraordinary Bloodline.”

Before coming, the Elders’ Council knew they would have to pay a certain price. However, she probably hadn’t expected Lance to make such outrageous demands, proposing virtually impossible conditions and leaving her at a loss for words. The Spiritual Network was the organization’s key to its standing in the world, developed over centuries with countless resources. It was virtually their most central secret. The technology to manufacture carriage compartments and the horses with Transcendent Bloodlines, developed in relation to the Romani’s nomadic habits, were equally Romani secrets. These three things were essentially the Romani’s core interests, which could not be compromised, yet he was demanding them all at once.

The old woman quickly realized he didn’t truly want these three things; he even knew she couldn’t meet these terms. He had proposed them only to disrupt her psychological expectations, laying the groundwork for his real demands. This was a negotiation tactic; haggling was a merchant’s skill.

”Earl Lance, you have excellent vision. These three things you mentioned are indeed our core secrets. However, these conditions aren’t necessarily impossible, provided you agree to one of our requests.”

The old woman didn’t refuse outright. Instead, she revealed an ambiguous attitude with a sly smile.

Lance was somewhat surprised by her response. His demands were indeed exorbitant, designed to be bargained down, and he had been waiting for a counteroffer. But now...

”What’s the request?”

”You just need to become one of the Romani,” the old woman said with a smile, adding earnestly, ”Join us, and you will have our utmost support. None of these will be an issue.”

”Why shouldn’t you become Hamlet’s People?” She’s talking nonsense, Lance thought, but bargaining like this didn’t really upset him. In business, any emotional response is unnecessary.

”Let’s talk about something practical then. We want to take Tamara and Amanda with us. Henceforth, the Romani will not interfere with your actions. What will it take for you to let them go?”

The old woman laid out her demand, signaling for Lance to make an offer.

Hearing her words, Lance understood their real purpose for being there.

These people want to withdraw, showing no concern for the so-called prophecy of world destruction, he realized. If the two were merely ordinary individuals, I would let them go in exchange for some resources. But Tamara’s case is complicated; her talent is still useful to me. I have to draw them into this, Lance thought.

Understanding this, his previously calm demeanor chilled in an instant. He said sternly, ”They are both my people now. They are not items to be bartered with.”

The old woman hadn’t expected negotiations that were going so smoothly to suddenly turn sour. She didn’t believe his words, subconsciously thinking it was just Lance’s way to negotiate for better terms.

”Perhaps Earl Lance would first like to hear about our sincerity?”

”There’s no need to say more; they’re not bargaining chips.” Lance slowly shook his head, then added, ”Actually, regarding this matter, it’s quite simple.”