Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 498: Chapter 315: Corpse Decomposition Spore_1

”You make a sound argument, but you’ve overlooked one issue. Given the current situation, it will take at least two to three months to build the road to the Old City Ruins. Our defensive stance doesn’t mean the evil cult won’t act; harassment will persist.

”Similarly, collapsing the tunnel entrance won’t solve the Pigman issue, merely postpone it. Remember, there is more than one exit to the sewers. If we don’t deal with them, our northern expedition will constantly have to be on guard against Pigman attacks.

”You wouldn’t want Pigmen emerging from behind us and the evil cult pincering us from front and back during our march north, would you? Therefore, I must lead a team to clear out these monsters.”

Grendel fell silent upon hearing this. She had been ready to act even before Geralt and the others returned, so this decision wasn’t surprising.

”We know nothing about these monsters, so I think this is a bit risky. Perhaps we could lure them out to hunt them, weaken their numbers first before we enter. After all, that’s their territory.”

”Time waits for no one. The appearance of these Pigmen suggests that the evil cult is brewing an even bigger plot in the sewers, and we know nothing about it! We must make every second count!”

Lance knew what she was worried about. However, he wasn’t entirely ignorant about the Beast Lair; he knew that the real danger in there wasn’t the Pigmen, but disease.

”Of course, I’ll need your help to prepare some herbal remedies to enhance disease resistance, as that Beast Lair might not be very clean.”

”I understand. When do we set out?” Grendel didn’t dwell on the decision. Since he had made up his mind, all she needed to do was help him prepare.

”In two days. After those Romani have left, I will depart.” Lance always maintained caution towards the Romani.

Saying something was one thing, but doing it was another—after all, one must always be vigilant against others.

After discussing the research on disease-resistant medicines with Grendel, the matter was settled.

Why did Lance, who had chosen to retreat upon discovering the entrance to the Beast Lair, now rush to deal with it? It was because the issue with the Romani hadn’t been resolved previously. It was like holding a live bomb, and naturally, he wasn’t in the mood to start a new ”dungeon.” Now, however, he had reached an agreement with the Romani, resolving that problem. Furthermore, with the Ascension Sect employing a defensive strategy and no clear target before their own development advanced, only the Beast Lair remained as a distinct objective.

Besides the real threat posed by the Beast Lair, there was another significant reason: he was running low on Spiritual Essence.

For the ancient ancestor, that was just experimental waste, but for him, it was nourishment.

After consuming these hefty Pigmen, Lance was confident he could advance his strength further. He would even have surplus Spiritual Essence to consider using ’Bless’ to strengthen a batch of soldiers.

This group of trusted aides had been selected specifically to deal with those small, scattered evil cult squads.

If you can have special forces, why can’t I?

You want to compete with me in a war of attrition? What right do you have, old fool?

「...」

Lance had determined his next phase of action, while the old crone had finally extricated herself from the meeting.

The situation wasn’t optimistic. Her suggestions hadn’t gained the support of the other Elders.

The reason was simple: the collapse of the Spiritual Network had caused tremendous losses, enough to be crippling.

Furthermore, the other Elders hadn’t truly faced Lance. They even thought the price of the deal should be raised, demanding that Lance compensate them for their losses.

Fortunately, the Head Elder intervened and agreed to the deal.

She hadn’t realized it when she was one of them, but now she finally understood what true arrogance was. How could those repulsive individuals befit the title of Elder?

But what could she say?

She herself had caused these losses; her foolishness had cost her everything.

Anyway, once this matter was over, she would withdraw. She had already let go of these concerns.

However, there was still one thing left to do: carry out the Elders’ Council’s recent command.

Tamara was clearly to be brought back, but the arrangements for Amanda were somewhat delicate.

”Would you be willing to stay?”

The old crone looked at Amanda, who sat opposite her, a hint of guilt in her expression.

She had originally reassured Amanda they would return together. However, during the meeting, the decision had been made for Amanda to stay behind.

As for the reason...

”Is it because of Tamara?” Amanda appeared very calm, directly voicing the unspoken reason.

Clearly, she felt abandoned. The organization had chosen Tamara. Therefore, she, Amanda, the Seeker of Omens who had numerous conflicts with Tamara and had almost killed her, could not be kept together with her.

Or perhaps, they meant to sacrifice her to gain Tamara’s goodwill.

Amanda’s words made the old crone a bit uncomfortable. She quickly explained, ”It’s because our trade with the Earl requires a liaison. Tamara has been away for too long and doesn’t understand these matters. Here, only you have that capability. Besides, you’re relatively more familiar with the Earl, which will make communication easier.”

Previously, the old crone would never have offered such an explanation. An Elder’s authority was indisputable, and she wouldn’t have cared about a Seeker of Omens’ thoughts, only that the task was executed.

Now, however, she behaved more like an ordinary person—and a more humane one at that.

”I understand,” Amanda replied, her voice devoid of emotion as she simply agreed.

With such an attitude, the old crone might have previously considered Amanda disrespectful. Now, however, she recognized that the organization’s arrangements were somewhat unfair to the young woman and proceeded to detail the compensation the organization offered her.