Our Family Has Fallen

Actually, Sela’s reaction is understandable, after all, the initial news about Bastia was leaked from her hand, and later, whether she took action or not, others would easily think that she betrayed the princess’s travel information.

Seeing Amanda’s immediate reaction of suspicion towards her was enough to know that, no matter what, she couldn’t explain clearly.

Unless the missing princess is found, or the culprit is uncovered.

Amanda suspected her but just casually mentioned it, initially intending to prompt her to bring up Michelle herself, unexpectedly gaining some extra information.

After further inquiry into the matter, Amanda shook her head in denial.

”The timeline doesn’t match; it wasn’t the princess’s convoy.”

”This incident indeed occurred around Hamlet. Remember to keep an eye out for me, and notify me immediately if there are any updates.”

”I will keep an eye on it...”

The conversation between them actually didn’t take up much time, and Amanda quickly left this area.

Upon stepping off the ship, out of the sight of those people, her expression suddenly became a bit solemn, and she hurriedly went back to meet Grendel.

”This is the situation regarding those people.” Amanda handed over the intelligence in her hand, and just from her reaction, she seemed somewhat uneasy, completely lacking the ease she had while sparring with Sela.

She couldn’t help but start introducing.

”Those merchant ships are backed by various forces, most of whom came over to investigate after hearing rumors and intelligence about Hamlet. Whether they have malicious intent is uncertain, but they clearly have purposes.

The ship with the Serpent Staff Crest belongs to the Association of Healers, who came after hearing about Hamlet’s ability to cure leprosy. Their purpose is very clear.”

Regarding this, Amanda didn’t have much reaction, after all, those people upstairs even if they had their own objectives, wouldn’t directly conflict with Hamlet.

But what’s below is the real heavyweight.

”Leprosy is known as the Divine Punishment, even the Church’s Divine Arts cannot cure it. The lord spreading news of curing leprosy is naturally a challenge to divine authority, so the Church has sent people, and they aren’t ordinary individuals.”

Even Amanda had to pause to gather her emotions before continuing.

”The Church has only sent two people, one is a Mendicant Monk, and the other is the Candlelight Priest who guards him.”

”Let’s discuss this; I’m not very familiar with it.” Grendel wasn’t particularly familiar with this, as she hadn’t interacted much with the Church in the Mountains.

But seeing Amanda’s demeanor, she knew these two individuals were dangerous.

”The Church has many factions, and this Mendicant Monk is actually a general term for this faction, also known as begging monk. Even within the Church, it’s a very niche branch.

This faction’s monks advocate actively maintaining the Church, zealously preaching, willingly living a life of poverty and celibacy, and because they live by almsgiving, they got this name.”

”It seems they truly are believers with faith.” Grendel had heard Lance comment on faith and religion, and roughly had a judgment.

However, Amanda wasn’t as calm as her, and immediately added.

”That’s exactly what makes it troublesome. The Mendicant Monk amongst many factions is also known as a rather radical fanatic. They maintain the Church’s reputation by attacking heretics.

Although it’s uncertain what the strength of this monk coming to Hamlet is, as long as he backs the Church, we cannot compete. Once they discover Hamlet even dismantled the chapel, perhaps...”

”This is Hamlet; it’s not up to them to dictate, even the Church.” Grendel raised her hand to press down and gestured, ”What about that Candlelight Priest?”

”The Candlelight Priests within the Church are a vocational faction that can be compared to Templar Knights; they...”

While the two continued their discussion, the two individuals sent by the Church had already disembarked from the ship.

One had a slender, hunched figure, fully wrapped in a white monk’s robe, arms wrapped in white bandages. His face was obscured by a hood, hard to see, but from his figure and movements, he didn’t seem young.

Poverty is their trademark, and indeed this monk had little adornment, only a Holy Canon bound by chains at his waist, his hands holding a tall golden magic wand.

The design on it is a variation of the Church’s cross pattern, with an unlit candle at the center of the large cross.

The melted wax attached to the wand, but no one questioned it, as candles hold special significance within the Church.

Beside the Mendicant Monk was a burly man, wearing a brown underlayer monk’s robe, draped in heavy armor, standing tall like a tower as a guard.

His hood hid his face, but terrifying scars were visible, nearly tearing half his face open, making him appear menacing.

On his back, a staff resembling a reduced version of the Mendicant Monk’s wand was strapped.

His right hand held a warhammer marked with dual punitive symbols, and his left hand held a metal great shield half a person’s height. Interestingly, many candles stood on the top of the shield, the wax flowing down the shield, creating a fused appearance.

Thus revealing he was indeed the Candlelight Priest Amanda had mentioned, judging by his appearance, he was certainly not one of those frail priests only capable of sermonizing but rather strong and powerful!