Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 1132: Chapter 625: Institute Achievements (2)

Lance remembered everyone he had met, and Richard was the son of a clockmaker. From a young age, he showed talent and passion for mechanics, but the war ravaged the city, forcing the family to flee to Hamlet.

Back then, his talent wasn’t discovered. During job allocation, his father was taken as a skilled worker into the institute’s affiliated workshop, and he followed in as a handyman.

One day, when a machine malfunctioned and everyone was at a loss, he fixed the problem and improved the structure, which caught Eugene’s attention.

After further testing, Eugene discovered Richard’s extraordinary talent, full of novel ideas in mechanical design, and immediately reported to the Lord to bring him into the institute.

This young man was also discovered by Lance. In just two months, he left Eugene, a Master in mechanics, with nothing left to teach. He devised a topic to hone his character, but didn’t expect results so soon. Is this the world of geniuses?

"Go and see."

The two returned to the workshop, where Lance saw the complex manuscripts. Before the final product emerged, there were countless drafts, but from them, one could track his step-by-step thought process.

Lance quickly grasped everything on the blueprints; he could see the revolver was far from simple, with a complex internal structure, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

"I only remember it was positioned using a ratchet, pulling the trigger to drive rotation. This kid actually connected the firing mechanism according to that idea, genius!"

Lance toyed with the handmade sample; although somewhat crude, and the closing mechanism was lacking, the basic structure was fine, though his face showed intense regret.

"What a pity, what a pity. Without the Stimulant Potion, bullets can’t be made. Without bullets, this is just a heap of scrap iron."

However, Lance didn’t dwell on those negative emotions. Since it’s crafted, it’s a good thing, regardless of usability.

The truly important thing wasn’t the revolver, but the person—a genius in mechanical aspects.

"Reward! Let him participate in those projects, offer him the best treatment."

Lance was never constrained in his employment approach; if you have ability, I provide opportunities.

"For young people, without settling down, lifting them so high all at once will lead to major losses in the future."

Eugene reminded him, having seen many geniuses in Totnes’ Gun and Cannon Academy.

But the greater the ability, the easier it is to get stuck in a rut; once trapped, the whole person is ruined.

"Then grant him access to my manuscripts, throw him in to hone himself, and see what he can still come up with."

"Are those manuscripts really okay? How did the Lord find them?"

Eugene knew exactly what the Lord was referring to. He had seen those things; they weren’t creations and design ideas from one era, instead having an inexplicable feeling.

"Archaeological discovery. This world holds many ancient and mysterious civilizations, but they have all fallen. We discover and try methods to restore them."

Those items were self-drawn; whether there were issues, he knew well. Whether they could be realized, he could see. To Lance, it was archaeological scientific research.

There wasn’t time for Lance to waste narrating; he took away those props.

......

"Captain, are we really retreating like this? We can’t complete the mission."

"Damn it! Might as well find a way to eliminate that Lord."

"Exactly, what’s to fear? We’re the association’s representatives, with so many mercenaries here."

The man addressed as captain only felt pressured by their incitement, his face turning cold as he rebuked them sharply.

"Shut up! Haven’t lost enough face yet? Shouting so loud now; why not speak up when held at gunpoint?"

The captain was also annoyed, recalling the incident at the tavern, where the tavern’s manager treated their association’s identity with indifference.

Losing the station was one thing, but the association’s tavern was gone too. They foolishly tried to reclaim it, but soon started arguing.

This situation attracted police, although these fools—using their identity as justification—dared to resist.

The police directly drew guns on them, forcing these veteran mercenaries facing gun barrels to forcibly calm down. One might be manageable, but so many, no one dared risk their lives.

Now they understand why weapons had to be checked at entry; they were played here.

They were directly arrested, released only after the captain met with the Lord.

Seeing everyone’s silence as a result, the captain’s reprimands didn’t end; he was belittled as a grandson before Lance, suffocated in anger.

"Hah! As if the guild matters. As soon as the Lord speaks, watch which of the mercenaries they’ll listen to."

Being mercenaries themselves, they knew what mercenaries did.

Taking money to do work—without incentives, those guys wouldn’t be moved, and neither would they.

"This mission can’t be completed; let’s give up." Gradually, the captain calmed down, shook his head, and made a decision.

If a fight starts, I’ll be the first to run.

They were a fairly well-known Mercenary Corps from Totnes, having taken a task from the association to reclaim a Hamlet stronghold, but that didn’t mean the captain was willing to die over Hamlet.

No point risking their lives for this money.

"Captain, with this, our ratings will drop..."

"If you want to make a living here, you can’t hang on to the association’s title."

The captain’s words unmistakably revealed their true intent; they wanted to profit from the ruins.

"For now, head back and deal with the matter; the association’s affairs don’t concern us."

The mercenary association’s reaction wasn’t important. What mattered was Baldwin had been handling Hamlet’s affairs for several days.

Born into the Royal Family as a noble, he ascended to king at a young age, thinking himself quite capable. But in truth, he still held a monarch’s mindset within the noble system.

Regarding these matters, he and the Lord had engaged in many policy discussions and studies. It was through these days of interacting with the Lord that he truly understood the Lord’s strength.

This world was truly desperate, yet he was the salvation...

"From now on, Hamlet is in your hands."

Lance’s words meant he was genuinely handing over Hamlet’s affairs, though Baldwin was only responsible for certain parts.

The army remained under Lance’s control, as did the treasury, sanatorium, and research institute—those secrets weren’t within Baldwin’s jurisdiction, but directly answered to Lance.

Baldwin had no objection, but he was worried about the Lord’s safety.

Hamlet could do without him, but not without the Lord.

"Why doesn’t the Lord stay in Hamlet? I can confront those foes; I have Secret Technique to dispose of corpses."

"The opportunity will come, but not now." Lance chuckled, shaking his head, then gazed northward. "This is my duty and the family’s fate; everything begins with Hamlet and will end with Hamlet..."

With that, Lance didn’t continue the topic, turning to depart.

This was a secret mission, revealing the Flesh Devourer breeding plan to fewer than five people, further reducing the number who knew it was a potion ingredient to only three. At times, it’s not about trust but unnecessary sharing.

So, this operation involved only them three; him, Paracelsus, and Grendel.

Lance took the role of driver, steering the carriage forward, swiftly passing the checkpoint, exiting the town.

The doctor wasn’t wearing a Beak Mask, and his bespectacled gaze appeared weary, showing a dispirited demeanor.

Conversely, Grendel seemed quite happy, opening the window to look outside.

Because Lance often ventured out, leaving for ten days or half a month, town affairs were left to her, effectively "binding" Grendel to those disliked trivial matters.

After being relieved of duties, she finally could leave town, re-enter the wilderness, causing her to sigh.

"Were it not for the Lord’s appointment, I might still be working in town. Although potion blending isn’t bad, nature offers far broader prospects for me."