Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 1097: Chapter 608: Your Money, My Business

"To be able to serve you, my Lord, is my honor."

"I won’t treat you poorly. You can take whatever amount from the ransom that was promised." With that, Lance suddenly took out a potion and handed it over. "Take it."

Francis was clearly surprised by the situation, hesitantly took the potion, and looked at the clear water-like substance inside, feeling puzzled as he glanced toward Lance.

"My Lord, what is this...?"

"Drink it." Lance had no intention of explaining, just tossed this sentence with a smile.

In response, Francis awkwardly pursed his lips, inwardly wishing he could slap himself twice.

Why couldn’t I just keep my mouth shut and pocket it quietly? I just had to ask...

Transcendents are very wary of such unknown and seemingly ineffective things because the path of transcendence is treacherous—one wrong move could lead to a dead end.

Is it because of the ransom money?

Smart people tend to overthink, and once their mind starts racing, all sorts of chaotic thoughts just rush in. Frightened, he kneeled before Lance on the spot; his hefty body was surprisingly agile, and he started crying out loud.

"My Lord! Everything I told you is true! All that money belongs to you, I haven’t touched a single copper coin!"

His exaggerated actions startled the she-wolves lying by Lance’s side; they jumped up, fur bristling, baring their teeth at Francis. If Lance weren’t there, they might have wanted a taste of fat meat.

"Alright, alright, what’s all this fuss?" Lance smiled and looked at him, asking strangely, "Do you occasionally experience symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, chest pain? Moreover, does your heart start to beat violently with slight exertion, making it hard to breathe?"

These words made Francis freeze for a moment; this was something only he knew, not even the Earl was aware of, how...

"My Lord, how do you know?"

Faced with Francis’s doubt, Lance smiled, remaining silent.

Flesh bears no secrets before him.

Moreover, is it strange that a fatty has heart disease?

"Then just drink it."

Francis found no reason to refuse, so he had to brace himself and drink it carefully.

No taste, why does it feel just like clear water?

But, at this moment, an unusual sensation arose within his body, that feeble heart was somehow gradually restoring to a steady rhythm, its strong and powerful pumps made him feel blood flowing, as if reborn anew.

Some things are only cherished after losing them, a healthy heart is too important to him.

"You should know this potion is worth more than your life, many people in this world desire but cannot obtain it, if I wanted to harm you, I wouldn’t need this."

Lance rose, patting Francis’s shoulder, "Help me with my tasks, and I’ll remember. If there’s any trouble, I’ll assist, and what’s yours won’t be less."

After saying this, he directly took the she-wolves back to their den, vanishing from there.

Only then did Francis react, now understanding why people were so fervent—the Lord was truly not exaggerating, when needed, he’d step up!

Serving the Earl in Bastia day after day like a dog yielded nothing, just consuming void hyperbole, becoming a fatty—it truly made the Earl seem negligible in comparison.

Loyalty!

He hurriedly rose, tidied up a bit, and quickly returned. He needed to resolve matters swiftly so he could return to Bastia.

Francis wished he could kill the Earl right now, directly, so he could walk grandly over Hamlet sooner.

Old man, you’re blocking the road!

What does enthusiasm mean?

It’s damn well called enthusiasm.

......

Bastia.

The Earl was in the castle receiving a special guest. If acquaintances were present, they might find it hard to imagine how Vick managed to appear before the Earl.

Indeed, it was Vick standing before the Earl, though he now went by the name Mike—a name so ordinary that shouting it on the street might get a dozen people to turn around.

His identity was that of a merchant who escaped Ovando, which is why he could meet the Earl.

Because these days, he intentionally spread stories about Ovando, a city, even if not large in scale, where the noble ruler was overturned, and instead a merchant took power.

Such circumstances, even in today’s chaotic world, would still alert those of nobility.

Don’t they know what they’ve done?

They fear the same could happen, needing to understand clearly, whether for prevention or preemptive suppression.

The news reached the Earl’s ears, naturally, he’d want to meet the main figure.

Vick explained succinctly, explaining how high grain prices fueled the refugee revolt, and eventually, the grain merchant controlling food took over Ovando City.

Since Walter came to power, monopolized the grain, small merchants like them were either swallowed by Walter or struggling to survive, forcing him to seek new channels here.

His perspective painted himself as an oppressed merchant, with an understandably poor attitude toward Walter.

This spiel was surely meticulously prepared, with no noticeable flaws, at least for the Earl who doesn’t know the real situation.

After hearing Vick’s explanation, the Earl felt a bit speechless; are Ovando City’s nobles all fools?

There’s an ancient saying in the Empire, a starved rat bites, let alone humans.

Boosting grain prices like this, deserved to earn a living but can’t spend it alive.

Yet this is his opportunity!

The Earl seemed to have thought of something and questioned Vick.

"Where did those nobles go? Are any still alive?"