Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 504: Chapter 318: Idealist_1

After sending Boudica off, Lance also noticed Joan nearby, looking at a loss.

At twelve years of age, in this era, one was considered a young adult. Previously tormented by hardships while fleeing calamity, she had appeared disheveled and gaunt, like a bamboo pole. Yet, her delicate features and lively eyes had left a deep impression on Lance; otherwise, she wouldn’t have caught the attention of those rogues and rascals.

After arriving in Hamlet, the resources she received were excellent, whether due to her mother’s position as headmistress or Lance’s intentional grooming. She hadn’t even enjoyed such treatment back in the city.

Having been nourished for a while, she had blossomed. Standing there, she was gracefully slender. Though still with thin arms and legs, the long hours of rigorous training gave her an appearance not of frailty, but rather a hint of a valiant spirit.

Her eyes were still bright, as if one could see hope shining within them.

”Hmm, not bad.” Lance nodded at her, looking very pleased.

Of course, what pleased Lance was not her appearance, but the spirit she exuded. Her hardships had not eroded it; instead, they seemed to have made it shine even brighter.

”Come, take a break after training so hard.” Lance sat on the steps and gestured for her to come over, planning to check on the talent he was nurturing, to make sure she didn’t go astray.

Joan’s admiration for the Lord had begun at their very first meeting; she would never forget the man who had reached out to her.

She didn’t have to get up so early for training, but she chose to be here to be a bit closer to him.

However, the Lord was busy, and most of the time, all she could glimpse was his hurried figure.

Now, faced with the Lord’s invitation, she moved towards her faith without hesitation, looking a bit nervous, afraid that she might not be doing well enough.

Lance noticed her nervousness and chatted with her in a gentle tone about daily matters. Soon, under Lance’s guidance, Joan relaxed, realizing that her Lord was still the same Big Brother from before.

Lance had only heard from his mother that the quiet little girl who loved to study had suddenly taken a liking to training and was desperate for strength, but he was not aware of the detailed reasons.

And now, from her own words, Lance understood that past hardships had indeed changed Joan’s perspective.

”Do you prefer studying or training?”

Joan didn’t want to deceive the Lord. She lowered her head in silence for a moment before muttering, ”I like reading, and I want to be a teacher like my mother, but reading can’t protect the people I care about.”

After hearing this, Lance fell silent for a few seconds before sighing.

”Yes, in these times, holding a pen is useless. You have to speak with your fists.”

Lance raised his fist in front of Joan but then opened it. Lifting his hand, he gently patted her head, saying with a smile, ”But don’t worry, I will protect you all. You can do what you wish.”

The situation outside was more troublesome than she imagined, but he didn’t want to burden the child with too much pressure.

However, Joan didn’t see it that way. Because she trained with Boudica, she knew some secrets that ordinary townsfolk didn’t. The Lord had been constantly fighting; how could she fall behind?

”I know there are enemies eyeing Hamlet. How could I just stand by?”

Lance hadn’t expected her to hold such views at such a young age. In fact, he had been watching her train for a long time; she was probably under this kind of pressure.

Since she had the heart for it, Lance didn’t mind investing more resources.

”Boudica is skilled in combat, but she doesn’t understand military tactics. I’ll talk to Reynard later, and you can attend the training camp classes at night.”

”Remember, one person’s strength is limited. The only way to bring peace to Hamlet, and even the world, is to unite everyone’s strength. In practical terms, that means a strong, invincible army. But this path is destined to be hard and arduous. Will you choose to continue walking it?”

”I want everyone to live in peace,” Joan asserted, her slender frame revealing a defiant determination.

Lance had nothing more to say upon hearing this.

So, you plan to shield others from the rain because you’ve been drenched yourself?

It was bound to be a thankless task, and Lance wouldn’t be foolish enough to do it; everything he did was for himself. But he didn’t mind the presence of more idealists; the more there were, the easier it was for him to coast through life. After all, the world was never held up by selfish people like him.

”Stride forward. Don’t concern yourself with what’s behind you, because I’m standing right behind you.”

Lance patted her shoulder, his gaze turning toward the rising dawn, full of hope!

「...」

”No need to wait anymore; he won’t be coming,” Tamara leaned on the carriage counter, looking towards Amanda, whose radiant expression held a hint of smugness.

She had long guessed that Amanda would use the opportunity of this send-off to see Lance, then try to maneuver the conversation towards seducing him.

So she had done her utmost to persuade Lance not to come, arguing that all necessary farewells had been exchanged the previous night.

As if you, little bitch, could stage an accidental meeting? Not a chance!

”I came to send you off,” Amanda retorted calmly, unfazed.