Our Family Has Fallen
Chapter 84: Bandits Attack_1

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Bandits Attack_1

It had to be said that her words resonated with everyone present.

Those seated had all suffered at the hands of bandits, the only difference being the severity of their injuries. However, they also saw renewed hope in life with the arrival of My Lord.

"We must believe that My Lord will defeat those damned bandits," someone said.

"My Lord will surely be victorious; he will protect us," another chimed in.

"..."

Susan’s words had effectively ignited their hatred for the bandits and their unconditional admiration and trust in My Lord.

Following Susan’s lead, others began to share their experiences. As voices filled the hall, the atmosphere finally grew less oppressive.

The Captain sat in a corner, observing everyone. From their conversations, he discerned how their lives had crumbled with the bandits’ incursion and how they had been revitalized with My Lord’s arrival.

"I will avenge my parents!"

A somewhat juvenile voice caught the Captain’s attention. He looked to the side and saw a teenager filled with indignation, seemingly eager to confront the bandits head-on.

"TSK! What can a kid like you do? You’d wet your pants at the sight of bandits!" a middle-aged man teased upon hearing the child’s words.

He had long ago passed the age of fervor. Time had etched signs of age on his face, and hardship had accompanied much of his life. With his wife and son killed by bandits, he was dead too—just not yet buried.

"My Lord once told me that everyone can do something within their power. I can forge weapons for My Lord," the child retorted firmly.

The Captain’s dim eyes gleamed with a flicker of light upon hearing this.

What should I do?

***

The bandit Allied Army neared Hamlet. Their faces showed no fatigue from the march; on the contrary, they were all very excited.

"Hurry up! The town is right ahead."

"Women! I want women!"

"HAHAHA! Fall before my axe."

"..."

Greed had made them lose the last of their rationality. Most bandits stepping into this land had fallen into total madness, becoming uncontrollable and eager to unleash their intense desires without restraint.

"They’re here! Go back and report quickly."

The few men disguised as mercenaries, who had been loitering in town, noticed the bandits rushing in and fled without a backward glance.

This scene only incited further brutality in the bandits, who immediately stormed into the town, letting out twisted, maniacal laughter.

"HAHAHAHA!"

But among this madness, there were still those who managed to keep their sanity.

The third-ranked leader, looking at the town ahead, couldn’t help but ponder. He reminded the other two leaders, "Something feels off. The town is too quiet."

The last time they attacked a town, it had been chaos; mercenaries and militiamen had held them at bay outside for a long time. But this time, the mercenaries at the town gates fled the moment they appeared.

This ease of entering the town felt too simple and raised his guard.

The other two, however, cared nothing for the third leader’s warning. Their alliance, formed to deal with the mercenaries, had fractured the moment they entered the town.

They distrusted each other, each uncertain of the other’s thoughts, yet all too aware of what the others were likely thinking.

Because they were certain that their thoughts aligned with his own—to see if there was an opportunity to eliminate their rivals and seize the town for themselves.

The third leader also realized something was amiss but didn’t bring it up again. The three exchanged glances and slowly distanced themselves from each other.

Originally, the plan was to use the scattered bandits to wear down the mercenaries. But now, with the mercenaries fleeing in disarray, the bandits who had been held back by their leaders saw this. Fearing they would lose all the loot, they ignored any orders and rushed forward.

What had been clearly differentiated groups began to mix, and everyone charged toward the houses.

But Lance had long anticipated this day. His first phase of construction wasn’t even on this side; he had intentionally relocated the people to the north of the town.

Under his scorched-earth tactics, the southern part of the town was left with only ruins, previously ravaged and wrecked by bandits. Not a soul, a coin, or even a grain of rice could be found there.

The bandits burst in, tearing down several doors, only to find emptiness. For a moment, they didn’t understand.

"Quick! Seize the square! Everything’s there!"

It wasn’t clear who shouted it. One of the leaders noticed the situation, but he didn’t care at all. He simply assumed the previous slaughter had been too severe and the town hadn’t yet recovered.

But that shout had reminded him: if there was one place in town still dripping with wealth, it was definitely the central square.

The last time, they hadn’t fully fought their way in before being driven back by the Church’s Knights. Now that the two strongest factions had withdrawn, it was their turn to feast.

But he was not the only one who thought this way. The other two leaders had the same idea. Even the third leader, now blinded by greed, led his men to rush forward and grab a share.

"Kill!"

"Charge!"

"Get lost! That’s mine!"

Once they shared a common goal, all the bandits converged, advancing toward the square.

"My Lord, they’re approaching! A huge swarm of them—looks like at least a hundred!"

The new recruits, who had been disguised as mercenaries, returned to report to Lance, their faces unconsciously showing panic.

Lance didn’t seem too concerned. He gestured for them to fall in line before turning to face the new recruits.

"Are you scared?"

The new recruits, who had previously been brimming with spirit, now seemed somewhat silent.

To say they weren’t scared would be a lie. They had all survived the bandits’ butcher knives and harbored an innate fear of them.

Not to mention, when they heard there were over a hundred bandits, they couldn’t suppress their panic. With a threefold discrepancy in numbers, how could they possibly withstand so many?

A feeling of helplessness washed over them, and some of their legs even began to tremble.

"So what if they’re bandits? Aren’t they human? Stab them, and they’ll die just the same."

Lance appeared quite relaxed, showing no sign of taking the bandits seriously.

"You are not unarmed commoners. You’ve been through rigorous training, and you have weapons in your hands.

When you face those bandits, you will not be alone. You are a team. You have comrades you can trust, and I will stand beside you.

All you need to do is form your spear formation as you did in training, hold your weapons tight, follow my commands, and thrust your spears at those bandits."

Lance’s calm words seemed to possess a strange power. They felt their fear being cleansed, as a warm current spread throughout their bodies, bringing courage and strength.

"I will drive out every last bandit!" Andrew declared, gripping his spear tightly. His face showed no trace of fear; instead, his hatred imbued him with strength.