Our Family Has Fallen

At that time, Lance took the Broken Arrow to find Grendel, hoping she knew its origin.

Initially, Lance didn’t plan on letting these people go, given that Michelle’s identity was sensitive, and it was impossible for her to leak information.

However, after understanding the situation and seeing the Broken Arrow, Grendel requested to come over personally, claiming she could resolve the matter.

Naturally, Lance chose to trust her and called Boudica and Laura along for her safety.

Even though her power in nature was very strong, a fragile Spellcaster remained fragile.

Boudica acted as the front line, while Laura was meant to find traces of the hidden Barbarian Tribes.

Back then, Lance didn’t pay much attention due to time constraints, but now, having understood the situation, he grasped her thoughts.

”So you want to make Bastia take the blame?”

Lance’s words revealed the core reason behind Grendel’s intricate arrangements.

Upon hearing this, Grendel couldn’t help but relax; Lance could understand her intentions were for Hamlet, not to shield the Barbarian Tribes. Such trust and unconditional support gave her great security.

”Even if you conceal everything, controlling all who know, the incident happening within Hamlet is enough for them.

They will find ways to get more answers, whether using Supernatural Power or anything else, possibly dragging us into endless conspiracies and troubles.

But if we use these Barbarian Tribes and direct that trouble towards Count Bastia, releasing some rumors like the Earl is preparing a secret unit.

Whether the result satisfies them is unknown, but it will at least disrupt the situation; even if they fight, it won’t concern us.”

Lance smiled, nodding as he took over the conversation.

”Also, since it’s the Earl who let the Barbarian Tribes pass, it’s quite logical for him to deploy a secret unit to kill the nobles’ convoy that inadvertently discovered the secret.

With those Barbarian Mercenaries as witnesses, it looks like Count Bastia won’t shake off the blame this time~”

This explains why Laura’s Hawk appeared at such a close distance, and was easily discovered.

Clearly, it was Grendel’s intention to expose Laura, disguised as the Eagle Flock.

For the Barbarian Tribes, when the Eagle Flock appears, Bastia’s army would naturally be associated.

It’s just like the natural law~

Control the most critical person, Boslake, and you can form a complete chain of evidence. When this spreads in the Mountains, it can be said that even the far-off Earl in Bastia didn’t expect to suddenly take such blame.

”But how do you ensure Boslake will be obedient?”

Lance was still a bit curious as to how Grendel could determine the most critical point with just a Broken Arrow.

Standing by, Grendel naturally explained Boslake’s situation.

”Boslake is no simple person; he’s the most outstanding warrior in a small hundred-member tribe and also the leader. His strength is formidable, especially with his tribe’s legacy of Extraordinary Equipment — a great bow, and he’s an expert in using poison.

Their tribe has issues with their legacy…”

Grendel began narrating a peculiar ritual from Boslake’s tribe, where to gain poisonous abilities, they must be bitten by venomous snakes.

Such a ritual isn’t something an average person can endure; once it fails, it could even be life-threatening, relying on their innate bloodline talent.

Because of this, their tribe’s numbers never grow, so a few strong warriors can’t support most ordinary tribesmen, forcing even the leader to go out working as a mercenary to earn money for the tribe.

Due to this dangerous ritual, they have many exchanges with the Deerhead Tribe, maintaining close relations, almost relying on the Deerhead Tribe.

Boslake’s youngest son nearly died in the eighth year due to a failed ritual, and it was the Deerhead Tribe — Grendel — who saved him.

”Ah! Starting at eight years old with snake bites seems a bit inhumane, doesn’t it?” Lance was startled by the ruthlessness.

”It’s not just at eight; they start feeding various medicines to enhance poison resistance from one year old. At five, they can be bitten by snakes, gradually using more poisonous ones, eventually employing snakes with Extraordinary Bloodline.

Such a brutal Secret Technique naturally brings great power, not to mention the enhancement of basic constitution. Their resistance to most poisons is high, and their attacks carry poison.

Their tribe was originally a strong medium-sized tribe but suffered heavy losses in a great war, even partly severing their legacy, leaving such an awkward situation.”

Lance once found some leather scrolls recording tribal legacies after eliminating the head wolf, documenting some tribal secrets as well.

Barbarians favor leaders leading the charge. If a tribe’s high-ranking members suddenly die, this scenario could arise.

Grendel had little interest in past affairs, shifting the topic back.

Yet these aren’t the real reasons Grendel felt confident to control Boslake; fake kindness isn’t it.

”My confidence comes from his tribe being invaded by Warwolf, probably killing his two children, so his hatred toward the Fang Tribe might exceed mine.

He gathers remnants also attacked by Fang Tribe to use hatred for revenge.

Otherwise, with his abilities, he could merge into other tribes; surely no one would reject those tribal rituals and tribal legacy’s Extraordinary Equipment.

So with this as the crux, he’ll definitely act as I say, because he doesn’t have the opportunity to meet someone like you, and the big tribes have no reason to avenge him, leaving only one path.

And that’s following the route I gave him.”

Lance marveled at such meticulous thinking, Grendel’s arrangements proceeded entirely based on her understanding of the Mountain Tribe, grasping a few words to confidently hold Boslake, completing the layout.

Though not in the Mountains, Grendel can see through the situation from a thousand miles away, impacting the Earl and Barbarian Tribes’ chess game with a few words, leaving one move to manipulate both sides.

It’s not just making the Earl take the blame; she’s also calculated a layer where the Fang Tribe incites internal tribal conflict.

As Boslake goes back spreading the news, even if the large tribes don’t fall for the Earl’s trap, the Fang Tribe surely will perish.

Once the Warwolf is gone, the remaining ragtag bunch can’t guard the amassed wealth.

Is it easier to fight the Earl or the Fang Tribe? Those old guys can figure out the math.

The Fang Tribe previously boasted great gains to lure other Barbarian Tribes, which surely becomes the catalyst for self-destruction.

”I expected you’d prefer personally exterminating the Fang Tribe.”

”Once the Warwolf dies, it doesn’t matter; they’ll just slaughter without strong support and vanish into the Mountains. After all, the original sin is not maintaining wealth with strength.”

Grendel teasingly chuckled at Lance, ”Hmph~ Do you think those guys will shout slogans of avenging the Deerhead Tribe?”

Lance understood the implication, couldn’t help but laugh along, responding with a jest.

”If I could spare the effort, I’d also avenge the Deerhead Tribe.”

Lance’s remark intended to mock the large tribes, though Grendel took it seriously.

”You’re different from them.”

”Certainly different; they want supplies, I just want you.”

”We’re outside, behave properly.” Grendel rolled her eyes at Lance, then slightly worriedly brought up a problem.

”But there’s a pivotal problem with these matters, which is Supernatural Power.”

Grendel meant simply that many big figures behind scenes possess some Supernatural Power, like Michelle’s Spellcaster.

If Supernatural Power interferes in this matter, it might direct the prophecy toward Hamlet or Lance.