Actually, in some situations, Lance really needs to talk to Grendel...

Grendel was sitting among the tables and chairs set up at the porch, enjoying morning tea amidst the flowers and grass of the courtyard. A pot of flower tea, some berries, snacks on the table, and a book in her hands that she was flipping through.

It must be said, she has already adapted to life in Hamlet. If she were to return to the mountains now, she might not feel at home.

At Lance's arrival, she simply glanced up before returning her focus to the book, casually greeting him.

"Back already?"

"Don't mention it, I spent the whole night at the sanatorium."

Lance didn't mind, directly sitting down on the chair next to her and pouring himself a cup of flower tea.

It must be said, the aroma of the flower tea Grendel concocted was unique. Not overwhelming, but rather had a lingering scent.

"The sanatorium? Did Miss Paracelsus discover something new?" Grendel was a bit puzzled, as she had waited quite a while for his return last night, but she was used to his frequent disappearances.

"Not just a new discovery, it's a super discovery. If it's true, it could completely propel the medical progress of Hamlet."

Lance was also a bit excited as he gave Grendel a brief overview. Secrecy depends on the person after all. Further research likely would still require Grendel's assistance.

Since she also needs to assist with leprosy treatment, it's just the two of them in town involved in medical matters.

If they really expect Paracelsus to handle everything alone, it'd be like wishing her an early death. Even horses and cows aren't used like that.

Upon hearing this, Grendel's expression also became more serious. If it's true, no wonder Lance stayed up all night and was so excited.

"But the key to solving this issue is obtaining the material needed, which is the Flesh Devourer."

"Need my help?" Grendel gave Lance a sidelong glance, knowing that his seeking her out wasn't that simple.

"That's right, killing a Flesh Devourer is easy, but controlling it is hard. I need a substance that can calm it down," Lance admitted, "and capturing it is just the beginning. We then face the challenges of breeding and more."

The general approach might be to hunt the Flesh Devourer for materials, but Lance was definitely thinking of domestication to obtain stable and controllable materials.

This was a mindset from his past life, leveraging human strength and wisdom. If I can farm it, why rely on wild ones?

"I'll get on it right away," Grendel promised. This was not the time to deal with anything else when such a significant matter was at hand.

"What did you want from me last night?"

"Here's your Maiden's Dream product test report." Grendel casually tossed him a report. Hamlet is great in many ways, except for the hassle of report writing.

"Hehe~ You're the best, unlike those guys who just give me trouble all day," Lance glanced through it, recognizing the effort Grendel put into it, and couldn't help but sigh, "You really are my Maiden's Dream."

"Alright," Grendel raised her hand, taking a slow sip of the flower tea, giving Lance a playful glare, but soon turning serious as she pointed out a situation.

"That Gina has issues."

But Lance looked puzzled.

"Who's Gina?"

"The woman with Margaret. Her real name might not even be Gina, and she's definitely not an ordinary woman."

Grendel pointed out some doubts. Her appearance and physical details aside, her unintentional aura was not simple, and her speech carried the style of the nobility.

"Hahaha~ She's just used by merchants to please the nobility, no doubt meticulously trained. Otherwise, how could an average woman blend into nobility?"

"Such an elegant demeanor can't be cultivated by a merchant."

"Alright, she has issues. What do you plan to do about it?" Lance asked with a smile, casually popping a berry into his mouth.

Grendel fell silent at his words.

"I know you're worried that this person might cause trouble for Hamlet, but Hamlet is bound to open up, and many people will come and go eventually.

Hiding identities is nothing, everyone has their stories. If she wants to share, I'll listen. If not, it's not my place to pry.

The key thing is ensuring she's not a Heretic. As long as she follows the rules of Hamlet, she can do whatever she wants. Should she cause trouble, there will naturally be someone to handle it."

Does Lance not know what Grendel is wary about?

Of course, he does, but it doesn't matter. Like he said, everyone has stories. Unless she accesses secrets, who cares about her?

The most important thing is that Lance is confident in his ability to handle any situation.

Whoever dares to make trouble will face his iron fist.

Saying this, Lance couldn't help but reach out, grasp Grendel's hand, and lightly pat it, "With me here, relax."

"Alright, let's just call her Gina then." Understanding something, Grendel couldn't help but smile. Perhaps she was being too sensitive, lacking Lance's assured demeanor.

With her mind eased, she began teasing Lance, "Gina is quite attractive. Haven't you, Hamlet's nobleman, had any thoughts?"

"What does her beauty matter to me? Besides, she isn't as pretty as you."

"Really?" Grendel's face bore a mischievous smile, letting Lance caress her hand.

"Genuine as pearls."

"Then why are you messing with Boudica?"

At her words, Lance immediately froze, his expression turning awkward as he tried to withdraw his hand, only for Grendel to catch it.

Ugh! Boudica and her big mouth, was that really something to blab about?

"Look at you," Grendel chuckled, seeing Lance flustered, and released his hand.

"Wherever you are, strong men never lack women, and it's not surprising for women to rely on men. Offspring born this way are stronger, and there's nothing embarrassing about it. It's merely humanity's way of surviving better."

Grendel wasn't bothered by it. She couldn't handle Lance anyway, which was a bit embarrassing. But knowing that even a trained person like Boudica couldn't handle it balanced her mindset.

Lance listened as Grendel recounted stories of the mountains, where strong men from large tribes often had numerous women because they could afford it.

The makeup of these women was complex, from their own tribes, captured from others, as well as from the Empire. Many of these instances involved coercion.

Some scenarios were even more outrageous, with different tribes interbreeding with each other, and the strong being more popular.

This wasn't limited to men. In the mountains, powerful women were similar. In some female-dominant tribes, a female chief having more than a dozen men wasn't surprising. The men they captured didn't fare much better, sometimes experiencing even more primitive conditions where few could endure their ways.

"Of course, this is only part of the story. Some tribes are more peaceful, without immense survival pressures, so they're not as crazed and savage."

Grendel highlighted a key reason, the survival pressure that led to such twisted situations. On close examination, the reproductive mindset of the Barbarian Tribes was always about survival.

"I still have to criticize it. It's just too barbaric. These matters should be consensual, how can they act so recklessly?"

Lance understood why these people were known as Barbarian Tribes, not only because of their belief in the wild Spirit of the Wilderness and bloody rituals, but also due to their chaotic and unspeakable relationships.

"But speaking of matriarchal tribes," Lance curiously ventured.

"I think you just want to explore those matriarchal tribes," Grendel ribbed him.

"Ahem~ You know I study archaeology, researching cultural inheritance is a worthy topic."

Lance solemnly made up stories, drawing laughter from Grendel, who then teased him.

"Who's your next target? I think Amanda is a good choice. It can't be Junia, right~"

"Hey, hey, hey! Now that's just wrong. Am I that kind of person? Don't slander me."