Our Family Has Fallen

For a patient, the most important thing is to maintain hope and believe that they can overcome the disease. Sometimes, the power of the spirit is very strong.

Lance composed himself and emphasized to Baldwin, ”Especially the possibility of recurring infections. Even if the virus in your body is cleared, you could still be infected by the same type of virus from the outside world. Because you have already been eroded by the virus, your resistance to it will be lower, so the probability of infection seems to be higher than that of the average person. Therefore, to test whether you will have recurrent infections without external interference, you need to move away from here and be isolated from other patients for the next step of testing.”

This statement simply meant it’s best for him to stay in Hamlet because we need to track the progress of the disease. Moreover, once he mixes with other leprosy patients, he will be reinfected quickly, so further separation is necessary.

Baldwin didn’t speak. He just nodded silently, indicating he understood.

”Third,” Lance continued, ”we’ve run out of materials for treatment. I need to lead a team deep into the wilderness to find materials for the next step of treatment.”

Upon hearing this, Baldwin’s previous calmness disappeared, revealing great shock, hard to conceal even in his current state. A Noble Lord personally searching for medicine for these patients?

”Outside Hamlet is very dangerous, with roaming Heretics and various monsters. An ordinary person simply cannot pass through,” Grendel chimed in, steering the conversation.

Lance took the opportunity to draw Baldwin’s attention deeper into the crises faced by Hamlet. ”Didn’t you also suffer an attack by Heretics on your way here? Those crazy fellows are followers of a cult called the Ascension Sect, who worship the Evil God and are devoid of humanity...”

Lance’s description of the Ascension Sect wasn’t about elusive matters but events Baldwin had experienced firsthand, which immediately aroused his interest. Through further details, Lance described the various evil acts of the Heretics and the damage done to Hamlet, finally expanding the scope to the entire world.

”These Heretics want to drag Hamlet, and even the world, into death to summon the coming of the Evil God.”

By the time Lance finished speaking, Baldwin’s emotions had been stirred as well. ”Oh, Holy Light! How can this world tolerate such an evil existence! It must be purified!”

His somewhat hoarse voice was filled with anger. This was the first time Lance sensed such strong emotions from him. After all, even when confronted by the refugees in that manner, he had not been angry. Yet now, he was furious upon hearing about the actions of those Heretics.

However, Lance faintly detected the habitual expressions of Church followers in his words. A very strange person...

”My Lord, I request to join your team,” Baldwin declared. ”I cannot just sit idly by on such matters.”

Baldwin did not hesitate much. Now that he was treated, he could once again wield his Great Sword.

But Lance shook his head, refusing his request. ”No, we need to observe whether your condition will further deteriorate under normal circumstances. The treatment is not over; it has entered the next phase. Also, the places we are going to have extremely harsh environments where it is very easy to catch new diseases. I must consider your current state, as infections causing complications would make the following treatment more troublesome. Moreover, the enemies we face are all strong. I must consider my other companions.”

Lance could see that Baldwin was so eager to show his worth because he felt guilty for freeloading and knew the resources consumed for his treatment; he wanted to do something to make amends. Therefore, I am even less likely to give him that chance so easily. Indeed, it’s necessary to keep him under pressure. Otherwise, why wouldn’t I simply use Flesh Reconstruction to remove his internal injuries and scars? Why not proceed with the treatment for the other leprosy patients? It’s precisely by administering this treatment bit by bit that I give him a reason to stay. At the same time, he must owe Hamlet an unrepayable debt, so he can be used for my purposes. A strong individual, even if just kept here unused, has enough deterrent value. I consider it a valuable asset. Hamlet is destined not to consist only of ordinary people. When more Transcendent beings arise, it will be necessary to have people on my side to maintain order. The moment Baldwin agreed to stay, he had fallen into the vast net I had woven. With my methods, Baldwin will only get trapped deeper. There’s no way I’m letting him leave.

Baldwin, having heard Lance’s advice, calmed down but also felt a surge of frustration at his own powerlessness.

”You could try some recovery training. Once your condition is confirmed stable, I believe you will be able to pick up your weapon again and help us,” Lance still offered him a glimmer of hope.

This psychological manipulation tactic sounded complex, but in reality, it was quite simple: slowly wear down someone’s psyche through alternating pressure and encouragement. Lance was a natural at it.

”Alright,” Lance said, ”say goodbye to the others and explain the situation. I’m afraid they won’t understand if I tell them.”

Baldwin could only nod in agreement, as he needed to relocate for the next phase of his treatment.

Then, Lance, accompanied by Baldwin and Grendel, gathered the lepers.

”Look at me, everyone, look here! I have an announcement to make!” Lance spread his arms wide and shouted loudly so they could hear him. ”After the first stage of treatment, the virus inside Baldwin has been completely killed, and his condition has not worsened. This proves that leprosy is not a Curse and can be cured!”

Upon hearing this statement, all the lepers were stunned. It took them a while to react before they turned their gaze towards Baldwin.

”Is that true?”

”Can it really be cured?”

...

Baldwin could understand their feelings. The emotions he had managed to calm surged up once more, and with tear-filled eyes, he nodded at them. ”Yes, we’ve succeeded.”

The scene suddenly became somewhat chaotic. Their numb bodies produced the most intense reactions; many couldn’t even stand up. It looked like a dozen twisted figures writhing on the ground, emitting eerie wails. Fortunately, Amanda had run off quickly; otherwise, her stress would have spiked again.

Baldwin instinctively wanted to approach the patients but was stopped.

”This is part of the treatment,” Lance reminded him.

Baldwin understood and had to adhere to the previous agreement not to make contact.

Lance didn’t wait for them to vent their emotions as he had before; he spoke up directly. ”Trust me. As long as you go through the treatment, you will eventually be able to live normally like everyone else. You won’t need to cover your bodies to stand under the sunlight.”

With that statement, he drew their attention back. I couldn’t let Baldwin go up there; this was my chance to shine. Hamlet can only have me as its Lord. I must secure my absolute leadership position! I’m recruiting competent subordinates, not looking for a father figure.

Lance briefly announced the subsequent treatment plan but didn’t mention that he would be searching for the materials they needed. Some things are better realized by them at the right moment to evoke a stronger emotional response. After all, news of this will spread throughout the town.

After this whole series of moves, Lance no longer needed to rely on Baldwin’s reputation to gain sufficient trust among the lepers.

After finishing all his tasks and leaving the camp again, Lance filled Grendel, who was beside him, in on what he couldn’t say earlier. ”This Baldwin is no ordinary man. If Hamlet faces a threat, we might use him, but it depends on the situation. He’s the sort of person who’s like a paragon of morality, a saint.”

Lance kept Baldwin behind with another consideration: Hamlet would have someone useful.

”Are we going to take action again?” Grendel sensed another layer of meaning and couldn’t help but ask.

”The outpost has sent a report,” Lance said. ”The Heretics we’ve recently encountered have become stronger, and even the wildlife in the area has shown signs of Flesh Corruption.”

Lance casually removed his equipment. Taking off his mask, he let out a long sigh and looked up to the north. ”The enemy has grown stronger, and our time is running out. We must take action...”