Our Family Has Fallen

As Lance fell into silence, Amanda’s heart began to feel uneasy as well. Her conflicted mind seemed to question why she had acted so impulsively. At the same time, she grew more afraid that after learning all this, he would change his previous attitude and abandon her like those so-called kin.

”I understand,” Lance said, offering reassurance. ”No matter the situation, I respect your choice. The gates of Hamlet are always open to you.”

Lance did not persuade her to continue with the previous plan because Amanda had made it very clear that it was no longer of value. Therefore, Lance chose to respect her decision. Hamlet was not so small that it couldn’t accommodate one more person.

The sound of Lance’s voice instantly made Amanda tense up, a feeling she didn’t even experience when facing enemies; she subconsciously looked up at him. It was only when she saw the gentle smile on his face that Amanda’s heart, which had been in her throat, began to relax, feeling an unprecedented sense of security.

He had not abandoned her...

”What do you plan to do now? Leaving the organization might not be simple, right?”

The Romani had been feeding Amanda hyperbole, letting her take the fall, but they definitely wouldn’t sit idly by and watch her leave the organization. After all, she was a talent they had cultivated for a long time.

”Why did that person from Totnes come all the way here? Isn’t it for this position? Then let her have it. At this time, I might be able to trade for some resources with her. I think she’d be willing to pay a price. Moreover, I suggest we don’t contact the organization regarding the Ascension Potion, but negotiate directly with her. The position in Totnes is very important. As for me, I will find an excuse to bow out when the time comes.”

”After all, it’s the organization that raised you, and they are your kin. If you don’t want to do it, do you really need to sever ties?”

”I started carrying out missions when I was twelve—ten years now! Do you know how I’ve lived these past ten years? I owe them nothing...” Amanda’s emotions suddenly became agitated but then instantly subsided, as if she didn’t want to bring up those things again.

Looking at her like that, perhaps Lance’s previous punches hadn’t hurt her as much as the organization’s attitude had. Her heart was already dead. What use was there in saying more?

Amanda, speaking, handed back the crime records she was holding, her meaning clear without words. She wanted to take responsibility for the crimes committed by the Romani and then allow Lance to report to the organization so she could take the opportunity to resign, while also negotiating terms with that person.

”Isn’t this unfair to you?”

”This world has never been about fairness,” Amanda replied with an involuntary, bitter smile upon hearing this.

The organization hadn’t hesitated to throw her under the bus, yet here he was, concerned about whether she felt aggrieved. Truly ironic.

”But in Hamlet, there is fairness, at least with me!” Lance disagreed, hammering his hand down on the document. ”I don’t agree.”

He had come to Hamlet for three things. Amanda saying such things wasn’t just about her own debasement; it was a direct slap in *his* face!

”Only in this way can I take the opportunity to accept the blame and leave. Anyway, it doesn’t make a difference at this point. I suppose I won’t have much to do with them in the future.”

Slandering herself like this was Amanda’s way of cutting off her own retreat, a declaration of fealty. Besides, she had no hopes for the organization anyway and didn’t feel the slightest heartache.

”What you think is your business, but right is right and wrong is wrong. I absolutely will not allow my people to make needless sacrifices. Protecting you all is my responsibility. If I can’t even do that—if I need my own people to tarnish their names—then what am I, the Lord, good for?”

Amanda found Lance’s demeanor somewhat unbelievable. After all, in her eyes, he had always been a very calm, complex man. She had felt utterly powerless before him when they first met.

Taking the blame to secure benefits was the most obvious choice. A man as shrewd as him couldn’t possibly be unaware of that. Yet, now, in these matters, he was acting like a child... Naive?

For a moment, Amanda was amused by the strong contrast, and the pressure that had been building inside her was somewhat relieved. But suddenly, Amanda froze, as if realizing something.

When had she last laughed so genuinely, from the heart, rather than with that fake smile of hers?

The last time... it seemed to be when she was happily hacking away at Tamara...

But quickly, her drifting thoughts were called back by Lance’s words.

”I definitely need to catch the person. No one is exempt from the rules of Hamlet. As for you, just tell the higher-ups that they don’t listen to you and you can’t do it. As for that person, let them do it if they want. Regardless, I won’t exchange you for any benefits. Without you, there’s no need to cooperate with the Romani for the Ascension Potion. We can just sell it ourselves. Since the output isn’t much, find a place to hide now. I suspect people will soon be looking for you.”

Lance had already decided everything, leaving no room for Amanda to refuse. But she could feel the sanctuary he offered.

What else could she say? She could only obey and withdraw.

When she walked out of the room again, she let out a long breath, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief.

She really wasn’t cut out for this kind of mess. It was simpler to just be a hired gun, doing whatever the mission required.

As the one in charge, she’d reaped no benefits, only endless aggravation. Who could stand it...?

After Amanda left, Lance sought out Grendel and briefed her on the situation.

”There’s been a change of plan. We’re not cooperating with the Romani for the Ascension Potion; we’ll handle it ourselves.”