Our Family Has Fallen-Chapter 697 - 412: Action Begins_2
If you can't even fill your belly, who's going to discuss moral standards with you on an empty stomach?
Under such circumstances, the Romani clearly panicked when they found several intersections blocked. These Romani were inexplicably self-centered; they saw themselves as the center of the world and showed strong aggression when they realized they couldn't escape.
"Damn it! What do they want to do?"
"Are they going to fight? I'm not afraid of them!"
"Let's fight our way out!"
But Lance's attitude was even more uncompromising than theirs.
"William, tell them we are apprehending criminals and it doesn't concern others. However, if anyone dares to resist law enforcement, force can be used after a warning proves ineffective," Lance said, then gestured to Boudica. "Boudica, you go up. If anyone dares to make the first move, you hit them. Just make sure they don't die."
"Alright, Boss!" Boudica immediately grew excited. She handed the Axe Spear to Lance, then, clenching her fists and seething, headed towards the Romani.
William, leading Fergus, also stepped forward to announce to the Romani that they were there to apprehend criminals.
Lance still didn't want to step forward himself. He needed his subordinates to be capable enough to control the situation; after all, he couldn't always be present.
Originally, others had thought a conflict was inevitable. But after William, accompanied by the sheriffs, shouted a few times to explain the reasons, the Romani actually backed down.
This left Boudica somewhat dissatisfied. In her view, these people had cowered too quickly. Just moments ago they were shouting so loudly, yet after she had eagerly prepared for a fight, not a single one resisted, not even giving her a chance to act.
Lance wasn't surprised by this sight; he knew the Romani's tendency for bluster with nothing to back it up all too well.
Now, with the sheriffs' numbers and equipment clearly superior, a mere show of dominance was enough for them to quiet down, as they knew resistance would not end well.
But this didn't mean they were subservient. On the contrary, they were like wolves with lowered heads, ready to look up and bite at any moment.
With so many people, the screening of the Romani was completed quickly, and several individuals with criminal records were identified and pulled out.
Following Lance's orders, William immediately released the Romani who had committed no crimes.
When the Romani witnessed this, the situation became even more complex. Honestly, they hadn't expected to be released so easily. They had mostly assumed these men wanted to extort money from them.
They had encountered many similar situations where the city defense force or police would often demand money from them, detaining them if they refused to pay.
But unexpectedly, only a few were actually arrested, and the reasons for their arrests—petty theft, fraud, and the like—were stated on the spot.
As for the Romani who were caught, no amount of denial or pleading worked; they were taken away directly.
Boudica returned, huffing and puffing, and complained to Lance, looking somewhat aggrieved.
"These black Sprouts are more cowardly than rats! I didn't even get to throw a punch!"
"You think this is over? The operation has just begun. There'll be plenty of fighting for you," Lance said dismissively, then told William the next phase of the operation.
"Conduct a town-wide search for the Romani. Arrest everyone on the list."
"My Lord, we should raid their camp first," William, who was quite observant, suggested. "Otherwise, if these people go back and warn the others, things might not be so simple." He had noticed that the first thing the released Romani did was head back towards their camp.
If they tipped off their people, the sheriffs' operation might suffer a setback, especially since over three hundred Romani were gathered there.
"I want to drive them all back to their gathering place. I want everyone to know that we are taking action against the Romani. Anyone who dares to violate Hamlet's laws and break the rules will pay the price." Lance was eager to escalate the situation.
As for the Romani causing trouble? Did they really think he didn't exist? Did they really think Hamlet's army was a sham?
William had no major objections and immediately sprang into action. Squads dispersed instantly, specifically going after the Romani.
In town, they held the absolute initiative. Eyes and ears were everywhere, as the local residents were also very annoyed with the Romani. Seeing the sheriffs take action, they were overjoyed and discreetly provided them with information, saying things like:
"They're over there."
"They ran this way."
"They're hiding here."
Arresting those who needed to be arrested and releasing those who should be released, the entire 'Great Sweep' operation in Hamlet Town proceeded smoothly, maintaining public order.
Of course, once divided into smaller squads, their deterrent effect on the Romani was diminished. Some tried to flee or resist. Lance didn't waste words; he simply unleashed Boudica.
Boudica was as agile as a jungle leopard, easily chasing down fleeing Romani and pummeling them with a few punches.
When faced with those who tried to draw knives, she disarmed them effortlessly and delivered a few more punches.
None that Boudica targeted could escape. In this pursuit, which felt as easy as a game, Boudica vented her frustrations, sometimes even letting out excited roars.
"Boss, I've caught another one!" Boudica dragged a Romani back, limp as a dead dog, and threw him to the sheriffs.
"Very good~" Lance smiled casually from the side, offering a word of approval.
He no longer needed to get involved himself. Not all the Romani were members of a trained organization. While they might possess some aggression, most were just ordinary hooligans.
But the real trouble was about to begin. The camp housed at least five Transcendents and many genuinely trained Romani Guards.
With the home-field advantage in town, the Romani there were thoroughly swept, with everyone being registered and checked, whether they had caused trouble or not.
Finally, the sheriffs regrouped and headed towards the camp on the outskirts.
During the recent operation, most of them had bolstered their confidence against the Romani. As a result, they felt no great pressure about the looming encounter.
Previously, due to Lance's policy of restraint, they hadn't taken forceful measures against the Romani. This had placed them at a disadvantage when facing Romani provocations.
But law enforcement officers cannot show weakness to criminals. Their confidence had to be re-established, which was why Lance insisted on stirring things up first.
The sheriffs sharpened their blades on the disorganized Romani, reasserting their authority.
Without this, these men would have faced psychological issues when encountering Romani resistance.
But looking at them now, they seemed free from such pressures.
Even Boudica's excited energy was infectious, and William's unwavering leadership was self-evident.
As they neared the camp, they indeed found that the released Romani had all regrouped there.
Normally, their various groups kept separate, but now they were united, their stance of resistance clear.
Lance could vaguely sense the presence of Supernatural Power—this was why he had come as well.
Meanwhile, several Romani leaders had also gathered, discussing the sudden turn of events. They looked utterly perplexed.
After all, Hamlet had been quite peaceful towards them previously. No one had anticipated such a sudden development. Thus, their prevailing attitude was one of confusion, though certainly mixed with outrage.
"Those madmen! What are they trying to do?"
"Don't they know that we Romani are friends of their Lord?"
"Is this how they treat guests?"
"Enough! Do you really not know why?" The incessant chatter among a few women drew the ire of one among them.
The woman in the seat of honor was the one from Totnes who had previously clashed with Amanda.
At this moment, displeasure was clearly written on her face.
