Our Family Has Fallen

”We ran into a group of monsters as soon as we went in—Knife Pigs and Hook Pigs, all ferocious and rushing at us the moment they saw us. There was also a crippled Pigman trying a sneak attack, but luckily the boss spotted it...”

Boudica always had her own way of describing enemies, mainly based on their weapons and size. For example, those with knives were called Knife Pigs, and there were also Hook Pigs. For enemies without distinct weapons, she named them based on physical traits; disabled Pigmen, for instance, she simply called Crippled Pigs, and thin, tall Pigman Drummers she dubbed Bamboo Poles.

Her heavy accent was interspersed with incomprehensible Barbarian Tribes vocabulary, but this didn’t prevent her from painting a vivid picture of the harsh environment of the Beast Lair and the savage, bizarre Pigmen.

The reactions to her descriptions varied among her listeners. Tiffany had no combat experience, much less experience with such monstrous carnage. Boudica’s narration plunged her into deep worry, and she tensed up every time an enemy confrontation was mentioned. This was especially true when Boudica recounted her own weakening due to an evil Pigman curse. She spoke of the Pigman Drummer’s dying call for reinforcements, and how numerous Pigmen then surrounded their small team from both ends of the corridor. At that moment, Tiffany’s heart felt suspended; she barely dared to breathe, as if she could affect the outcome of the battle that had already concluded. Not to mention Lance single-handedly guarding their backs, Dismas failing to snipe the drummer, and Tadiff caught in the onslaught of two Knife Pigs. Hearing all this, Tiffany felt her heart practically stop; she hardly dared to listen anymore.

However, Boudica became even more excited, her voice rising several notches, as this was her moment in the limelight. Fighting off the weakness, she charged forward to combat the Knife Pigs and free Tadiff. This bought Dismas time. Eventually, they killed all those Pigmen, her only regret being a gash on her arm.

”That blade almost chopped off my arm, but I was tougher and killed it first.”

Hearing about the hard-won victory, Tiffany finally exhaled. Her tense body quivered slightly as she relaxed, slumping towards the pool, her expression easing as she exclaimed, ”That’s just too horrible!”

Boudica, however, was nonchalant in her response. ”What’s the big deal? This little injury healed up quickly.” As she spoke, Boudica stood up directly from the water and showed off the scar on her arm. After several days, the scar had nearly blended in with the surrounding skin, leaving only a faint trace.

This method of healing was unknown to Tiffany and Catherine, but Grendel and her companion understood it was a technique of the Lord’s. Otherwise, if a normal person were wounded in the harsh conditions of the Beast Lair, avoiding infection and amputation would already be considered good fortune. Healing so quickly was nearly impossible.

It wasn’t too clear while she was submerged, but as Boudica stood up, Paracelsus couldn’t help but scrutinize her. A mane of wine-red hair flowed loosely. Her face, marked with indigo tattoos, beamed with a bold smile. Boudica’s muscles were not exaggerated but lean and wiry. Combined with her streamlined core and clearly defined abdominal muscles, she resembled a lithe cheetah, embodying both strength and agility. Various scars crisscrossed her body, the most conspicuous being a massive gash-like scratch on her abdomen, yet these only enhanced her wild charm. When she grew excited, the power in her muscles became even more pronounced; no one could doubt the strength contained in her robust physique.

Paracelsus’s interests were unique; she had studied many bodies, most of which were male, as there were few female pirates or bandits. What differences are there in the anatomy of men and women? There are still a few female Heretics in the sanatorium... Perhaps I could...

Paracelsus was lost in thought, but the battle Boudica was recounting hadn’t ended.

”That’s nothing! Wait till you hear about the massive half-man, half-pig Big Guy we ran into later. He towered over me like this—tall and brawny! With just his spear, he skewered a person, shield and all, sending the boss flying.” Boudica grew more and more worked up as she spoke. She raised her hand, stood on tiptoe to stretch herself taller, and gestured animatedly to convey the exaggerated size of the Pigman Knight.

Paracelsus hadn’t paid much attention at first. Half-man, half-pig creatures, after all, were not uncommon; Pigman specimens were kept in the dissecting room. But the more she listened, the more something seemed off. The specimens Lance gave me weren’t this large, were they?

Once it involved her research, she was no longer shy but became forcefully inquisitive, pressing for answers. ”What did you say!”

Her interjection halted Boudica’s narrative, drawing the attention of others. Caught up in her excitement about Lance’s battle with the Pigman Knight, Boudica was momentarily taken aback by the interruption. She had no idea what this person had suddenly gotten worked up about. But she didn’t offer a friendly face in return; instead, she turned and snapped back, ”What’s your problem! You wanna fight?”

Apart from Lance, Boudica feared no one. Paracelsus might be the angel of death to the ordinary townsfolk, but to Boudica, she was just a sprout that could be knocked out with a single punch.

”What’s wrong?” Grendel noticed the situation. She reached out, taking Boudica’s arm and gently tugging it. ”Sit down and let’s talk,” she urged, trying to defuse the tension.