Julie stepped forward, her posture rigid with purpose, her voice clear and commanding. “It’s a matter of utmost importance, Cassius.” She began, her tone measured but heavy with the weight of her words. “A threat has emerged that endangers the safety and welfare of the entire Holyfield estate.”

“We need your explicit permission to allocate and transport a significant portion of the Holy Guard’s knights for a critical mission to address it.”

Cassius nodded, his brow furrowing slightly as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.

“I see.” He said, his voice thoughtful. “But let me ask you something, Julie. The Holy Guard operates with a fair degree of freedom, always has. I’ve never minded that, as I’ve told you from the start.”

“You do an exceptional job maintaining the estate’s security, handling threats, keeping everything running smoothly without needing to report every detail to me…I trust you to do what’s necessary.”

He paused, his gaze narrowing as he studied her.

“So why now? Why come to me for permission to move troops? Why not handle this allocation yourself, as you usually do?”

“You’re right, Cassius.” Julie’s lips curved into a wry smile, her voice steady. “Under normal circumstances, we’d allocate a small number, five, maybe ten knights, for routine missions. Those are standard, part of our established protocols, and they don’t disrupt the estate’s defenses. But this…”

She paused, her smile fading as her tone grew grave.

“This mission is different. Its scale and severity require far more manpower than we’ve ever deployed before…We need approximately half of the Holy Guard’s knights to ensure its success.”

Cassius’s eyes widened, his fingers stilling on the desk as he leaned forward, disbelief flickering across his face.

“Half the Guard?” He repeated, his voice sharp with surprise. “You mean, more then three hundred knights? Three hundred of the best of the best, trained specifically to protect this estate and its people”

“…You’re telling me you need that many for a single mission?”

He studied her closely, his gaze probing as he searched for answers.

“Is the enemy that strong? Or do they just outnumber us so badly that you need such a force?”

Julie shook her head, her expression grim.

“It’s both.” She said, her voice low and resolute. “The enemy we’re facing has numbers, significant numbers, and each individual is extraordinarily dangerous.”

“They’re not common bandits or rogue mercenaries. Their strength and coordination suggest something far more organized, far more lethal…Without a substantial force, we can’t guarantee the mission’s success, and failure isn’t an option here.”

Cassius tapped his fingers against the desk again, the sound filling the quiet room as he processed her words. “I understand the need for a strong response.” He said, his tone measured but tinged with concern. “But if I send three hundred knights, half our defenses, away from the estate, we’re left vulnerable. The Holyfield estate is a prime target, and stripping away that many troops compromises our security. You know that as well as I do.”

Julie nodded, her expression mirroring his concern.

“Exactly.” She said, her voice firm. “That’s precisely why I’m here, seeking your approval. This isn’t a decision I can make unilaterally, it’s too significant, with too many risks. I’ve already reached out to allied forces in neighboring regions, hoping for reinforcements, but…” She paused, her lips pressing into a thin line. “They’ve confirmed they can’t spare any troops, nor can they arrive on time.”

“I’ve even informed the Blood and Iron unit monitoring the Holyfield mines and my older sister commanding there, but unfortunately they are going through their own issues at the moment and won’t be able to join us.”

“…We’re basically on our own at the moment, and we’re on a tight timeline. Delay isn’t an option.”

Cassius’s gaze sharpened, his fingers stilling as he leaned forward. “Is this mission that critical?” He asked, his tone carrying a hint of skepticism. “Is it worth risking the estate’s defenses, pulling half our knights for something that might leave us exposed? I need to know, Julie, what makes this worth such a gamble?”

Before Julie could respond, Aisha stepped forward, her usual fiery demeanor replaced by a grave, almost haunted expression. Her tail was still, her voice low and trembling with suppressed emotion.

“It’s not just critical, Cassius.” She said, her words heavy with conviction. “It’s essential. This force we’re facing, they need to be eradicated, wiped from the face of this world.” Her hands clenched at her sides, her voice taking on a fierce edge, as if she bore a personal vendetta. “They’re not just a threat to the estate. They’re a threat to…to the children.”

“So many kids have already been lost, taken, killed, worse by their hands. I’ve seen the reports, the aftermath and knowing about what’s going on, I won’t let any more die. That’s why we’re so insistent on this mission.”

The room fell silent, Aisha’s words landing like a hammer. Cassius’s expression also softened, his gaze lingering on her, noting the rare solemnity in her face, the pain in her eyes.

“Children…” He repeated, his voice quiet, almost as if it were a really delicate topic. “I see. That…changes things.” He leaned back, his fingers resuming their tapping as he processed the weight of her words. “I understand why you’re pushing so hard, Aisha. But I need more more details. What exactly are we dealing with? Numbers, tactics, locations, give me the full picture.”

Aisha nodded, her expression resolute as she stepped forward, holding out the leather, bound book she’d been clutching.

“It’s all here.” She said, her voice steady despite the emotion still lingering in her tone. “Every report, every scout’s account, every piece of evidence we’ve gathered.”

“Read through it, Cassius. It’ll show you what we’re up against the scale, the brutality, the urgency. We’re not exaggerating when we say this is a fight we can’t afford to lose.”

Aisha’s face lit with a hopeful expression as Cassius took the leather, bound report from her hands, her tail giving a subtle twitch as she prayed he’d see the gravity of the situation and greenlight the troop deployment.

Julie shared her hope, her mind racing with confidence that the meticulously crafted report, brimming with evidence of the threat, would sway him.

And both women watched as Cassius opened the book, expecting him to dive into its pages, to absorb the harrowing details they’d painstakingly compiled.

But to their utter astonishment, Cassius didn’t read it, not in the way they expected.

Instead, he flicked through the pages with a casual, almost dismissive air, his fingers skimming the paper like a bored patron browsing a bookstore’s shelves.

Within moments, he closed the book with a soft thud, set it aside on the desk, and leaned back in his chair, his gaze settling on Julie with a calm intensity.

“I’ve gone through it.” He said, his voice smooth and matter, of, fact. “And now, I understand the situation a bit better now, but I’d rather hear it from you, Julie. Give me your perspective, walk me through it.”

Julie’s lips parted, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face as she stared at the report, now discarded so carelessly. Aisha’s reaction was even more visceral, her tail froze, her teeth gritting not in anger but in a deep, aching frustration.

That report was her labor of love, forged through countless sleepless nights, pieced together with scout testimonies, maps, and evidence gathered at great cost. She’d poured her heart into it, proud to present it to Cassius, hoping he’d see her effort, her dedication.

Why she wanted Cassius of all people to take notice it?

Well, the thing was deep down, Aisha didn’t really care for others’ approval, she was fiercely independent, her work its own reward.

But for Cassius, this infuriating young master, she’d wanted to prove herself, to earn his nod, to feel the weight of his recognition for some reason or another.

So, right now, his casual dismissal felt like a slap, and the hurt stung more than she’d admit. Her claws tightened her voice silent but her expression a storm of indignation and sadness.

Julie, catching Aisha’s pained look, felt a pang of sympathy for her little sister. She turned to Cassius, her voice steady but laced with a quiet plea.

“Cassius…” She said, her tone diplomatic but firm. “I can explain the situation myself, but I’d urge you to take a closer look at the report.”

“Aisha put in tremendous effort to compile it, every detail, every piece of evidence, she gathered it herself…It’s a comprehensive case, and it’d mean a lot if you could go through it, for her sake, especially since everything you need to understand the threat is there, laid out clearly.”

Skadi, sensing Aisha’s distress, stepped forward as she tilted her head, her voice earnest.

“Yeah, Master, you should read it!” She said, her eyes wide with sincerity. “Aisha was up all night workin’ on that thing, I saw her, scribblin’ away, barely sleepin’, just to make it perfect for today. She worked real hard! Can’t you just take a peek, for her?” Her plea was innocent, her admiration for Aisha shining through.

Hearing both of the plea for her sake, Aisha’s cheeks flushed, her voice sharp as she cut in.

“Stop it, Skadi!” She snapped, her eyes darting away from Cassius. “There’s no need for him to read it. I didn’t do it for his sake, alright? It’s just a report, not some…some masterpiece epic I made!”

Her words were brusque, her tone haughty, but deep inside, the sting of Cassius’s dismissal cut deep. She’d wanted him to see her work, to acknowledge her effort, and his flippant treatment left a hollow ache in her chest.

And just as Julie opened her mouth to press again, determined to advocate for Aisha, Cassius leaned forward, his smile widening into something mischievous.

“What are you all talking about?” He asked, his tone light but laced slight confusion. “Why’re you acting like I didn’t read the report? I’ve already gone through it, every page, every detail. That’s why I put it down.”

“…You’re making it sound like I tossed it aside without a glance!”

Hearing this,.Julie’s eyes widened, her voice tinged with dismay as she stared at him. “You…read it?” She asked, her tone skeptical. “Cassius, you barely looked at it. You flicked through the pages in seconds, how could you possibly have read the entire thing?” Her gaze flicked to the report, then back to Cassius, searching for a hint of jest in his expression.

Aisha, her frustration boiling over, stepped forward, her tail lashing as her voice rose with indignation. “Just admit you don’t want to read it, Cassius!” She snapped, her cheeks flushed with hurt. “You don’t need to make up excuses or pretend you read it. I don’t care if you think it’s a waste of time just say it!”

But Cassius’s smile didn’t waver, as he dropped another bombshell.

“228 children missing.” He said, his words precise, each one landing like a stone in still water. “Covenant of the Bleeding Moon…Eight advanced mages, thirty, four intermediate mages…A sacrificial ceremony planned in one week under the blood moon…Progenitor races.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over the trio, taking in their stunned expressions. “Sound familiar?”

The room froze, the weight of his words crashing over them.

Julie’s breath caught, her eyes darting to the report, then back to Cassius, her mind reeling. Aisha’s tail stilled, her jaw dropping as she stepped closer to the desk, her voice full of shock and suspicion.

“How…How do you know that?” She demanded. “Those details, they’re buried in the report, scattered across pages. You’d have to read it cover to cover to know all that. Were you…investigating this yourself? Is that how you know?”

Cassius chuckled, shaking his head as he pointed at the report, his smile sly but genuine. “No investigation, Aisha.” He said, his voice warm. “I read it, just like I said. Right here, in those ‘glances’ you’re so upset about. That’s all it took.”

Aisha’s eyes widened, her voice a stunned whisper.

“But…you didn’t even look at it properly!” She protested, her tail puffing out as she gestured wildly at the book. “You flipped through it like it was nothing! How could you read all that in seconds?”

Cassius chuckled, his smile turning smug as he shrugged. “What can I say?” He said, his tone teasing. “I’m a fast reader. Things just…stick, you know? I can’t help it if I process things a bit quicker than most.” He winked, his playfulness easing the tension, though his words left them reeling.

While the other two were in shock,.Skadi, her tail wagging furiously, clapped her hands, her voice brimming with admiration.

“That’s so cool, Master!” She exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “Readin’ all that in seconds? I can barely get through a kids’ storybook without fallin’ asleep! That’s, like, super impressive!”

Cassius’s gaze softened then as he turned to Aisha, his voice warm and sincere.

“And Aisha, that report of yours? I got to say, that it’s quite impressive.” He said with a proud look on his face. “You put together something complex, hundreds of details, scout reports, timelines, and made it clear, easy to follow. That’s not a small feat.”

“I’m genuinely impressed by your organizational skills, the way you laid it all out. It’s good work, and you should keep it up.” His smile was genuine, his praise unguarded, and he held her gaze, letting her feel the weight of his approval.

Aisha’s face flushed a deep crimson, her tail twitching as she took a step back, her eyes wide with disbelief. She hadn’t expected this, not from Cassius, the infuriating Cassius who seemed to revel in teasing her.

His praise hit like a warm wave, filling the hollow ache in her chest with a quiet joy she didn’t want to show.

“Hmph, it’s…i-it’s not a big deal.” She folded her arms, her voice haughty as she tossed her head, her cheeks still tinted. “Just a report, nothing special. I didn’t do it for you or anything, so don’t get all smug about it.”

Her words were dismissive, but deep inside, her heart soared, the validation she’d craved sparking a warmth she couldn’t fully hide…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep