Marianne looked at her team mates thoughtfully before facing Henrik. "Yes, you are right, Sir Quille, let us introduce ourselves formally." All four of them stood up.
"I am Marianne, the Moon Saint of Auglarus, this is Alistair Alaric, Crown Prince of Auglarus, Yurian Omkara from Bylonia and Sylvester, as you know him.
"Per the instructions of the king of Auglarus, we have come to Clomodor to seek your help in locating the Demon Spirit, codenamed Persephone. As my tracing power requires a satellite network for it to be effective, we would like for you to bring us into your Magic Tower to conduct a magic search over your land and cooperation with us would be much appreciated."
Henrik was not impressed as he played with his wine glass. "Why me?"
"Because according to Sylvester, you hold the most power beneath the King and Duke of Clomodor and entering the Magic Tower secretly would require someone of your authority and strength. Sylvester recommended that you could guarantee this for us."
"You could have asked Sylvester. Didn't you know he is the third prince of this country?"
"Yes…but we all know why that wouldn't be feasible."
"Well, it seems like a one-sided demand for now, young child. What can you give me in return for bringing you into the Magic Tower?"
"Auglarus…will greatly appreciate the help. The Demon Spirit escaped from the confines of the Palace and caused great harm. It will continue to harm everyone if we do not recapture it. If you don't want Clomodor to be harmed—"
"Oh…so this is how you are going to play, missus?" Henrik's eyes narrowed even further and the pressure in the room increased. Marianne froze. "I haven't even asked why Auglarus is holding a Demon Spirit within its Palace compounds. Rest assured that Clomodor will send a message of inquiry on this issue. And from your expression, it seems that the spirit is no longer in Auglarus but in Clomodor, and you have the nerve to demand help from us, as if it is a given, when you messed up first? And to threaten us with war if we refuse?"
"Ah, no, that's not what I meant—"
"Why should we, as Clomodorians, help a country which has steadily oppressed us? And to send a bunch of kids into this land for such a mission of negotiation, for which they are not trained for! I am deeply disappointed, disgusted, flamboyantly outraged at the nerve! And for this girl to make these preposterous demands and threats as if she stood above me, a soon-to-be-Duke…
"Young Moon Saint Marianne, have you lost your mind?"