'Hoh, as expected of Marquis Drexford, a true warrior of Norvaegard. This pressure has a hint of killing intent. I guess he truly doesn't like the ducal houses.'

"Marquis Drexford, I simply wish to seek the help of your daughter."

Marquis Drexford's eyes sharpened as the pressure in the room seemed to become heavier.

"My daughter is not a tool that can be borrowed simply because the heir of House Thornehart has decided he has use for her," Marquis Drexford said in a flat voice.

Ryan, who was standing behind Lucen, was also affected by the pressure despite not being targeted, but he ignored it as he was quite interested in the conversation between Lucen and Marquis Drexford.

"I'm not treating her as a tool. I simply came to ask for help if she wants to do it or not, is her decision to make, is it not?"

Marquis Drexford's eyes did not leave Lucen for even a moment. "You have quite the silver tongue, young Thornehart. What do you even need my daughter for? Surely you, who have gained fame as the ever-victorious, won't need her help?"

Lucen did not answer immediately. He met Marquis Drexford's sharp gaze without lowering his own, his posture straight and his expression calm. He had already expected that this wouldn't be easy.

"If I could handle this alone, I would not be here. This time, your daughter's ability is exactly what I need to complete this task." Lucen lied, sprinkled with a bit of truth.

Marquis Drexford frowned a little, but then he closed his eyes and breathed out before speaking.

"As you may surely know. I have no love for the ducal houses. Standing above others, strengthening their own power and showing little to no respect to royal power."

Marquis Drexford opened his eyes again and looked directly at Lucen.

"In my eyes, most of the ducal houses have forgotten what their authority is meant to be for. They speak of duty, yet far too often, that duty begins and ends with their own lands, their own name, their own pride, and whimsies. They do whatever it is they want to do. Your father is a little bit better than the other, but not so much. So tell me, Thornehart heir, why should I allow my daughter to involve herself in anything that you do?"

Despite the situation looking unfavorable, Lucen did not look even a tiny bit troubled as he responded.

"You may think what you wish, Marquis Drexford. I will not defend what the ducal houses are doing using words; open your eyes and look clearly and witness their actions instead, but that is besides the point. As I said, I simply came here to ask your daughter's help, this is for the good of Norvaegard and its people."

"For the good of Norvaegard and its people?" he repeated, his tone even, though the faint killing intent in the room had not vanished. "Those are convenient words, used by many to convince others of righteousness while they are truly wicked."

Lucen gave a small nod. "Then allow me to be as candid as possible. Right now, there is a dangerous substance spreading through the lower district of Caelhart. It's being sold as a pill that momentarily boosts one's abilities. It is highly addictive, and for now, it is causing chaos in the lower district. But that's not even the biggest problem at the moment."

Marquis Drexford's gaze sharpened slightly. Lucen's voice remained calm and steady.

"People have begun disappearing. The number has increased recently, and according to the information I received, children are among the missing."

This was the first time anyone in the room heard the real reason Lucen was looking for help. Even Ryan, who was unperturbed by many things, felt the heaviness of the situation.

Marquis Drexford's expression changed for the first time. There was now a hint of worry in his face. Seeing this reaction, Lucen was smiling in his mind.

'He took the bait. Now is the time to reel this in.'

"Are you certain of this?" Marquis Drexford asked.

"I am certain. A trustworthy person, I know, told me about the missing people."

Marquis Drexford's gaze did not soften, but the sharpness in it shifted. The hostility he had shown toward Lucen as the heir of House Thornehart was still there, yet it was no longer the only thing in his eyes.

"Instead of asking my daughter for help, you should ask the guards to find those missing people. With your standing, not only the regular guards but even the royal guards would make a move if you asked. In fact, there is no need for that. Why don't you use that group of yours, Thornefang, to deal with this problem? Why bother with my daughter and even that young man from House Veros?"

"The guards, the royal guards, and even my Thornefang, are too well known now; even I fall under this category. The second, either I or they enter the lower districts snooping around, those rats will start burrowing and hiding, making it even more difficult to find the missing people." Lucen replied immediately; he had already anticipated the Marquis would ask such a question.

"I need a small group that is not that noticeable, that would seem harmless on the outside, but can defend themselves if needed. Young people who have not yet entered the Academy do not draw the same attention as knights, guards, or known retainers. Most would underestimate them, and that is exactly what I need."

Marquis Drexford's expression remained stern, though the pressure in the room shifted slightly.

"So you wish to use children to catch those who are taking children," he said flatly.

"Those who join the Royal Academy are expected to give their lives for Norvaegard and their people. Is that not true? Also, unlike the missing children from the lower districts, I don't think your daughter, who's already a proper adult in the standards of a warrior. Surely, you, Marquis Drexford, who honors our heritage as warriors, will not deny that."

Marquis Drexford's eyes narrowed the second Lucen said those words. Even Ryan gulped dryly at those words that sounded like a challenge.

"You speak quite boldly, hmph, as expected of a Thornehart. Still, do not use my own beliefs against me. Even if all you say is true, why should I allow my daughter to do such a task?"

"As I said, Marquis, isn't that a decision your daughter must make herself. So what do you think, young lady Drexford, will you help me?"

The second Lucen asked that question, someone entered the conference room, it was, of course, none other than Nina Drexford. The servants standing behind her seemed to have tried and failed to stop her from entering.

Nina walked in with steady steps, her posture straight and her gaze clear. There was not the slightest trace of hesitation on her face, as though she had already heard enough from outside to understand that this was not some trivial matter.

"Father," Nina said first, giving Marquis Drexford a respectful bow before turning her eyes toward Lucen. "Sir Lucen."

"Who told you that you can enter?" Marquis Drexford's words were stern but with a hint of gentleness.

Instead of answering him, Nina said something entirely unexpected.

"Father, please excuse my rudeness, but... Didn't you say that it is a noble's duty to protect the weak, to hold our honor dear, and to never deny a call for help?" Her tone was soft at first, but as she continued speaking, it became firmer.

"Right now, there is no one protecting the weak as they disappear, and there is someone seeking help. If I do not respond to the call, how can I keep my honor?"

Marquis Drexford did not answer immediately. The room fell silent after Nina's words, and even the servants behind her lowered their heads as if they could feel the weight of what she had just said.

The Marquis looked at his beloved daughter with a cold, stern expression, but Nina did not back down, and her gaze remained steadfast. She remained standing there with her back straight and her hands at her sides.

Marquis Drexford studied her for several long moments before he sighed and spoke. "It would seem that you have already made your choice."

Nina nodded her head in acknowledgement. "I have, Father."

Ryan, who had been quietly watching the exchange from the side, could not help but look between Nina and her father with open curiosity. On the other hand, Lucen already knew how this would end.

"I see... As your Father, I would wish to protect you from any danger, but as a warrior, as a noble of Norvaegard, I respect your choice."

Marquis Drexford then shifted his attention back to Lucen. "Hmph, it would seem that you would get what you want, young Thornehart. My daughter will help in this mission of yours to save the missing people, but be warned, if anything happens to her."

Marquis Drexford then unleashed a suffocating killing intent directly at Lucen, but it was not as effective as he imagined, as Lucen was not that affected by it.

"I will not hesitate to declare war against you and your house."

"I understand, Marquis."

Marquis Drexford gave a final nod, and Nina stepped forward until she stood beside Lucen, her expression calm and resolute.

As Lucen turned to leave with Ryan and Nina following behind him, a small smile appeared on his face for a second.

'Now the difficult part is done, it's time to get the other members.'