Our Family Has Fallen

Once the wolf calmed down, Lance used the same technique to bring the remaining four under control.

However, Lance did not fully heal their injuries. This was a method to keep them in check; rewards had to be given out gradually to form long-lasting memories.

When William came back with the meat, he found Lance sitting on the ground with the wolves lying around him, behaving incredibly well. The scene somewhat struck him. He had indeed been neglecting his old profession lately, busy as he was with the Romani case.

The wolves were quite docile around Lance; there was no question of them refusing to eat.

After the three of them finished feeding the wolves, that was the end of it. They put them back in their cages to sleep.

”Tomorrow, find an open space and hire a few apprentices to take care of them. Make sure the she-wolves get extra food. I will approve the location and funds for you when the time comes. I will ask a craftsman to make some muzzles. With those, their aggressiveness can be lowered to allow more human contact. When I’m free, I will come over to assist with the training.”

William didn’t have many objections to this. In the small town where he started, he first became a dog trainer and then a sheriff. In Hamlet, he was first a chief of police, then a dog trainer again. So he didn’t mind teaching some apprentices. He also knew that once the she-wolves had pups and the pack grew in size, he wouldn’t be able to handle it all by himself. It was a good idea to start now.

By taming the wolves and training the apprentices, he could kill two birds with one stone, making his life easier down the line.

Once this matter was temporarily resolved, Lance took Boudica and left. He pondered the placement of the wolves on the way back, while Boudica’s excitement seemingly had yet to fade.

”Boss, I want a wolf for myself, too!” Boudica said excitedly, her eyes full of expectation as she looked at Lance.

”Alright, you can pick one out for yourself when the time comes,” Lance easily agreed to her not-too-extravagant request.

Boudica didn’t socialize much, nor did she indulge in many recreational activities. Lance didn’t have much time to accompany her normally, so having a pet for company wouldn’t be a bad idea.

”Yay!” Boudica exclaimed, her footsteps becoming much lighter with excitement. ”You’re the best, Boss!”

Lance just smiled and said nothing. She was always so easily satisfied.

Upon returning to the Lord’s Mansion, Lance saw Amanda in the living room, apparently having waited for some time, prompting him to tease her.

”People are searching for you all over the streets, and yet you’re hiding here.”

Of course, Amanda understood what he meant. With several leaders captured, it was natural for the Romani to seek out the next person who could lead them—herself, the prime scapegoat.

By that point, Amanda knew Lance’s earlier moves were paving the way for her. Now that the leaders were captured, and the organization was headless, her appearance alone could make those people cling to her. Once the Lord cooperated and staged an act with her, all the Romani would owe her a favor. Combined with the channel for Ascension Potion, the organization would recognize her worth, and she would be able to establish a firm footing. It was also a way to get some revenge, to disgust that woman from Totnes. All this was part of his plan; she just had to follow his line of thought.

But Amanda chose to give it up. She knew she wasn’t suited for a life of manipulation and intrigue; she didn’t want to be a sacrifice, waiting fruitlessly for over a decade for an end that was out of sight. Leaving the organization was not an overnight affair. Perhaps her frustrations had been building up since her time with that defiant teacher, and only now had these tensions erupted. Or maybe, if she had never seen Hamlet or met Lance, she wouldn’t have thought about wanting more from her miserable life. But having seen the light, how could she be willing to continue to sink into darkness?

”Sigh, I have something to discuss with you, M’lord,” Amanda sighed, looking somewhat helpless.

”Relax. You’re my friend, not my subordinate. Just call me Lance,” Lance said, trying to soothe her. His words, however, also carried a deeper implication. It was clear she wouldn’t be touching the core of Hamlet any time soon, more like Geralt and Junia’s situation. However, Lance wouldn’t skimp on what she was due.

Amanda wasn’t focused on those things; though she hadn’t entered the game, she was already in the midst of it.

”I want to talk about those Romani.”

”Speak. You can say anything,” Lance replied, appearing much more at ease than Amanda.

”I hope that you can be lenient with those people, especially the head from Totnes.”

”Why? I remember you had quite some conflict with her. Besides, she pushed you aside as soon as she arrived, and you still want to speak for her?”

”I don’t care about her, but Totnes is important. After I leave, Totnes will still be in her hands. This will be true whether the organization plans to send a new person to take over or simply lets her manage it. So, there’s no need to offend her this badly over such a trifling matter. After all, if she cooperates, Hamlet will have access to a broader source of information—Totnes is a hub for news.”

”But she doesn’t look like she wants to cooperate at all.”

”I want to meet them. I’ll find a way to negotiate with her,” Amanda said, then suddenly made a request. ”I would like to ask you for something.”

”What do you want?” Lance asked teasingly. ”You’re not going to ask for my head to offer her as an apology, are you?”