Chapter 2 We Need Your Help

“You're Lucius Cedrone?” Whitney asked, her gaze fixed on the young man. Truthfully, seeing Lucius in person left her disappointed. From him, she couldn't sense the resolute, iron-blooded spirit that a soldier should possess. Instead, there was a languid indifference, as if he had resigned himself to fate. It was hard to associate such a lackadaisical prisoner with any greatness. “Heh, what a surprise. We have a major general visit?” Lucius casually glanced around, his eyes barely lingering on Whitney, whose stunning beauty could easily score a nine out of ten in his eyes. Then, as if he owned the place, he made his way to Gerald's office chair and sat down. After grabbing a cigarette from the desk, he lit it and began smoking leisurely. By regulation, all prisoners in the facility were required to wear handcuffs and leg irons. Yet, Lucius was an exception. He never had to wear those restraints, as everyone knew they were useless against him. They were mere decorations. If Lucius truly had ulterior motives, no prison in the world could hold him. “Let's get to the point,” Marcel said, standing up and cutting straight to the chase. “Lucius, we're facing a critical and urgent situation, and we need your help.” Lucius exhaled a smoke ring, his gaze briefly drifting over Whitney's graceful figure. Finally, he replied nonchalantly, “A major general asking for my help? Did I hear that right? Aren't I a prisoner? If you're here for this matter, you can leave. I'm not interested, and I don't have the time.” Marcel remained undeterred, staring at Lucius intently. “This matter is of utmost importance. Only you can accomplish this near-impossible mission.” After a pause, Marcel leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk, and spoke deliberately, “Foreign mercenaries have infiltrated our country's territory. After committing acts of terror, they plan to escape. You were once a soldier—a top soldier. Has a mere year in prison dulled your soldier's blood and spirit?” “Foreign invaders?” Lucius raised an eyebrow. “That's easy. Just deploy overwhelming firepower and blow them to pieces.” “If it were that simple, we wouldn't have come to you.” Marcel sighed. Pointing to Whitney, he continued, “This is Whitney Stewart, the only daughter of Wayne Stewart, chairman of Green Energy Group. The mercenaries infiltrated our borders to capture him. Wayne holds critical commercial secrets and technology. We cannot allow him to be taken abroad and let foreign forces succeed.” “Right now, Wayne is already in the hands of the mercenary team. They are at the Southwestern Border and could cross over at any moment. If that happens, the loss won't just be of valuable commercial secrets—it will be a humiliation for our nation!” Marcel declared with a heavy tone. Hearing this, Lucius nodded in realization. “So, it's about killing the enemies while also rescuing the hostage. That's a tricky combo. No wonder you came to me.” “The opponent must be formidable, right?” Lucius asked. Marcel nodded solemnly and pulled a few photos from his briefcase. Lucius glanced at them and chuckled. His gaze shifted back to Whitney as he said, “Hah, seems like your family has made some powerful enemies. Even the Blood Wolves, ranked thirteenth in the world, got involved. These guys wouldn't step foot in our country for anything less than ten million in Azanian currency. Quite the investment.” Whitney frowned deeply, clearly disgusted by Lucius's schadenfreude. She snapped coldly, “Can you do it or not? If not, don't waste our time!” Ignoring her, Lucius said, “Let's talk terms.” “If you complete this mission, we'll grant you freedom,” Marcel said solemnly. Lucius paused, then turned to Gerald with a smile. “Gerald, return the stuff I handed over when I entered prison. Looks like I'm getting my freedom back.” “Sure.” Gerald grinned and immediately instructed someone to retrieve Lucius's belongings. From start to finish, he didn't say much. Lucius's possessions were simple: a set of plain clothes and a crescent-shaped, peculiar blade. “Aren't you worried I'll betray you? Don't you fear I'm lying?” Marcel asked curiously. Lucius smirked faintly. “You wouldn't dare. Unless the old men in the Northyard Military District aren't afraid of me dismantling their precious planes and cannons.” “What support or weapons do you need? Whatever you ask for, we'll provide,” Marcel offered. Waving his hand dismissively, Lucius weighed the crescent blade in his hand and grinned. “No need. It's just a few pups from the Blood Wolves. If they don't wet their pants at the sight of me, I'd say they've grown some guts.” As Lucius drove off and disappeared from view, Whitney couldn't suppress her unease. “Can he... can he really do it?” “Whitney, the Nation's Pillar isn't a title given lightly. Trust him,” Marcel replied, though even he felt uncertain deep down.