Our Family Has Fallen

Actually, after Lance slew the Warwolf, the heretics’ activities began to wane. Once the Order of Knights from Bastia was routed, they vanished completely.

The Ascension Sect wasn’t foolish. They had originally intended to use the Warwolf and Bastia’s Order of Knights to suppress, if not destroy, Hamlet’s growth.

But now, the Warwolf had failed to kill Lance, and the cavalry had crushed the Order of Knights.

With Lance, their top fighter, and Hamlet’s only mobile force now free, the Ascension Sect understood—albeit too late—that their opportunity had quietly slipped away.

Thus, for the people of Hamlet Town and the outposts, the heretics’ mysterious appearance and equally baffling disappearance left only devastation in their wake. Yet, they had held their ground. The bodies lying on the ground were proof they were worthy of their Lord’s trust.

However, the Ascension Sect hadn’t entirely lost. All sacrifices were deemed worthwhile, for their deity was pleased with the grand sacrificial ritual. Every Ascension Cultist received a reward, their strength enhanced, bringing them one step closer to Ascension.

If there were any victims in this conspiracy, it would only be the Fang Tribe and Bastia.

And Lance? He had pursued the heretics slain by the Order of Knights before hastily making his way back.

Meanwhile, Reynard had led his cavalry to inspect the other two farms. These had also suffered some attacks from heretics. However, thanks to the warning beacons and the fact that these farms weren’t primary targets of the Ascension Sect, the defending soldiers and militia had managed to repel them.

The two groups then reunited, carrying news of victory back to Hamlet Town.

News from the front lines spread throughout the town with the returning cavalry’s shouts: Bastia’s Order of Knights, along with the Barbarian Tribes invading Hamlet, had been defeated by the Lord leading his cavalry! The chaos they wrought would be ended by the Lord!

The public erupted in intense excitement, their joy of victory dispelling the gloom that had lingered over the town.

However, Lance didn’t bask in the crowd’s cheers. After confirming the town was safe, he continued north without delay.

Lance went alone to the outpost, while Reynard led the cavalry to the two camps.

Upon arrival, he saw that the high walls had been destroyed by something. Though not as thick or fortified as true city walls, they were remnants of war fortresses from Hamlet’s peak.

These were solid walls built from large stones, their gaps filled with binding material; even a trebuchet might not breach them in one or two blows.

Yet now, such a breach had appeared. What terrifying power could do this? Lance knew very well he himself was incapable of it.

The arrogance from slaying the Warwolf and becoming a Champion vanished instantly. A newfound reverence for this world, and an even greater respect for the Extraordinary, took its place.

Yet, despite this, the outpost hadn’t fallen. Lance could see the stationed soldiers from afar. What tremendous loyalty!

Lance didn’t use the main gate, instead walking straight through the breach onto the battlefield ruins. The bodies had presumably been roughly cleared, but pieces of flesh still clung within the gaps of fallen stones, difficult to remove. Blood had splattered across the breach, almost dyeing it crimson; as it dried and coagulated in the wind, it turned a dark, ominous red. Numerous patches were charred black from explosions and fire, and the foul stench of scorched flesh, mingled with the heavy odor of blood, still hung in the air.

When Lance climbed onto the ruins, he saw soldiers busily at work. Their faces were haggard, showing visible signs of exhaustion. From the relentless firing, they carried the thick smell of gunpowder, and some even had one side of their faces blackened by it. They hadn’t even had time to clean the bloodstains—some from enemies, some their own—merely applying simple bandages before returning to their posts.

”I... I...” Lance opened his mouth, wanting to tell them he had finally arrived, but his lips quivered, the words caught in his throat.

Lance didn’t know exactly what had happened here, but he understood the immense price they had paid to hold this ground. He knew the battle was over. He was too late...

However, his figure was quickly noticed by the soldiers.

”My Lord!”

”The Lord has come!”

”My Lord...”

Lance was already feeling heavy-hearted upon seeing the situation here, and the day’s series of events had made his emotions particularly turbulent.

He had expected the soldiers to be disappointed in him, but the scene he envisioned didn’t unfold.

Instead, when they saw him, smiles lit up their faces—pure and simple. Against their battered appearances, these smiles seemed almost foolishly endearing.

This wasn’t the naivety of the uneducated; it was trust, determination, and hope...

They were happy they had defended the outpost, that they hadn’t betrayed their Lord’s trust, and hadn’t allowed the enemy to harm Hamlet.

They had succeeded. Despite the tremendous cost, no one regretted it.

Witnessing this, Lance suddenly understood. It’s not that you need me, but that I need you.

The negative emotions that had clogged his heart swiftly dissipated. A smile spread across Lance’s face as he shouted, his voice filled with encouragement.

”You have done very well!”

”You are my pride!”

Lance’s arrival sent a surge of encouragement through the tense outpost. At his shouts, everyone felt their exhaustion recede, replaced by a surge of strength from within.