Our Family Has Fallen
Chapter 51: Undercover_1

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Undercover_1

Simply put, Extraordinary items represent power and money.

Dismas immediately understood. The artillery wouldn’t let this opportunity slip by. Even if the Wolf Faction tried to flee, the artillery would abandon the town to pursue them; he and the Wolf Faction were sworn enemies.

"Remember, never talk about this alone. Otherwise, you’ll be the first one to die. It’s best to discuss it among several people. Moreover, it’s better to speak vaguely. Don’t express your own thoughts directly. Let them guess for themselves; only then will they believe it."

Lance’s words drew Dismas’s attention back. Truthfully, he was also somewhat intimidated by what the Lord had said, prompting him to ask, "My Lord, do you think there’s any real possibility of this?"

Lance paused, clearly not expecting Dismas to ask such a question. However, he didn’t seem too concerned and said indifferently, "Let’s not discuss whether it’s a false lead. Even if there is something valuable, it will ultimately be ours. What are you afraid of?"

Hearing this, Dismas also laughed. He had indeed been overthinking it.

"So, what should we do with him now?"

Lance let out a soft "Hmph." He approached the bandit. "Do you have anything else to say?"

Realizing what his fate would be, the bandit broke down, sobbing and begging for mercy. "Please... spare me..."

It was hard to associate this figure with the bloodthirsty, crazed bandit from before. Instead, he now seemed more like an old farmer with broken legs, begging nobles for mercy.

Lance stood over the bandit, looking down at him, his expression unmoved by the pleas for mercy. He spoke slowly, "Those commoners must have been just like this before you back then, huh?"

The bandit was taken aback, and before he could react, a Short Sword pierced his chest.

Gazing at the bandit’s gradually dimming eyes, Lance finally spoke. "A life for a life. Not a single one spared!"

The bandit was dead. Lance had fulfilled his promise to give him a quick death. He then turned, dragged the body outside the camp, where ravenously hungry wolves, long in waiting, immediately rushed forward to drag it away, their feasting creating chilling sounds in the darkness.

Dismas witnessed this scene without a word. He was merely glad he had reformed early and, at the same time, relieved he wasn’t Lord Lance’s enemy.

Lance silently turned back. "I entrust this important task to you. Prioritize your own safety. If things go south, just run. Don’t feel pressured. We’ll be nearby, ready to support you."

"I guarantee the task will be completed!"

Dismas had experienced all sorts of things; he was confident there wouldn’t be any problems.

Lance patted Dismas on the shoulder and then returned to the camp.

He glanced at Reynard and Balistan, ensuring they were fine, before turning his attention to the woman. "Let’s go. Mission complete. We’re heading back to town. Reynard, give her a hand."

Reynard, understanding the Lord’s meaning, immediately took the woman and led the way.

Lance remained in the third position, still burdened with various odds and ends, while Balistan brought up the rear.

In the darkness, the wolf seemed to sense something. It stopped feasting, looked in the direction Lance had departed, and let out a long howl towards the sky.

AWOOOO!

...

"Damn it! Why do I always get stuck with such lousy luck, standing guard here early in the morning? Am I a bandit or a soldier?"

"Enough complaining. They’ll be here to relieve us in a bit."

"I bet those lazy bones are still on top of their women, refusing to get off."

"If it were me, I wouldn’t want to get off either."

"Tch! What’s so great about that type? You need... heh heh... the real premium stuff."

He didn’t specify who, but the other bandit reacted immediately. "Thinking of making a move on her? Kid, are you insane? Careful the Captain doesn’t shoot you."

Far from being scared, the bandit just winked and snickered lewdly. "If I could take *that* kind of shot, dying would be worth it."

The two bandits sat aside, spouting nonsense. Judging by their lazy demeanor, they hadn’t the faintest idea of how to act as sentries; in a real fight, they’d likely be useless.

Suddenly, a sound came from the bushes in the dense forest. The two sentries instantly grew alert, scrambling to their feet and aiming their long-barreled muskets towards the noise. "Who’s there?"

"Come out now!"

"Don’t shoot! I’m one of you!" Dismas emerged from the bushes. He looked utterly wretched. His signature coat was gone, replaced by ragged hemp clothes and a tattered cloth draped over him. With his filth-smeared face and clumsy movements, he looked exactly like one of the bandits.

"What are you doing here?"

"I’m one of Big Brother Billy’s men. We were attacked by the enemy, and I’m the only one who escaped."

Dismas raised his hands to show he posed no threat, panting as he emphasized, "Quick, take me to the Captain! I have something important to report!"

The two sentries, having undergone some military training, understood the gravity of the situation and quickly escorted Dismas back into the camp.

Dismas had only observed from a distance before, but now, up close, he noticed many details.

The entire camp occupied a stretch of ruins. Most of the visible structures were brick and stone; or rather, only the brick and stone had endured, while wood and earth had been worn away by time. It was a mystery why such extensive ruins existed on this old road.

He could see other bandits moving about; most seemed to have their guard down, but nearly all kept their firearms close. His earlier estimate that only a third of them were Gunners had been too conservative.

Passing some buildings, he could see or hear disturbances from within—kidnapped women were being tormented.

Previously, such things wouldn’t have provoked much of a reaction from him, but now, an unexpected anger surged within him.

But Dismas remained calm. He knew he couldn’t possibly save them in the current situation. He could only lower his head slightly to hide the fury in his eyes.

The deeper he went into the camp, the more sophisticated the bandits’ equipment became. The proportion of those wearing armor increased significantly, and their gear was more uniform, unlike the gaudy, mismatched Wan Guo Brand items worn by the grunts nearer the perimeter.

Following the Lord’s instructions, Dismas kept searching for the cannons’ location. Unfortunately, they were nowhere in sight, and he had no idea where they might be hidden.

With two bandits flanking him, it was impossible for him to stray from the path.

Soon, Dismas was brought before the bandit leader. The meeting took place not in the open, but inside a room.

Inside, Dismas’s gaze was immediately drawn to a woman seated in the center. Her appearance made his heart tremble; he had never seen anyone so bewitchingly beautiful...

"Who is he?!"

A shout snapped Dismas back to his senses. He looked to either side, where two dissimilarly dressed men were seated. Their attire clearly indicated high status. He quickly said, "Bosses, I’m one of Brother Billy’s men."

"Spit it out, then. What’s the matter?"

None of them seemed to pay Dismas much heed, their attitude somewhat dismissive.