"Father, isn’t it a bit too much to assign this kind of important task to Ray?" Jake quickly stood up and wanted to object to the decision.

The others also nodded their heads in agreement.

"Moonrock town might not be that big in size, but its transit point is a crucial landmark. One mishap and we could lose a lot on the trade routes." Skylar chimed in and commented.

She was against Ray mainly because she had received the most scolding from Skyler, becoming his lackey.

<How could you let your brother become his lackey? What the hell have you been doing? I’m beyond disappointed in you!>

Those were the harsh words that her mother, Yerena, had said to her last night.

’It’s my brother’s own fault, so why must I bear the blame?’ Skylar cursed silently. She was aggrieved and frustrated at this world’s society in which men were treated as superior to women.

And just when everyone thought Ray might argue and defend himself from their accusation.

"As expected of my siblings. They all knew me so well." Ray cried out in tears of joy.

"Father, the two of them made absolute sense. Moonrock Town is such an important landmark to be assigned to me to handle. I have only just arrived here and barely know much."

"Hah, how dare you try to defend—" Jake wanted to press on, but suddenly felt something was amiss.

"Wait a second. You’re agreeing with us?" He raised an eyebrow in confusion. Surely, he couldn’t have misheard something like that, right?

Even Skylar paused for a moment and wondered if Ray lacked listening comprehension.

Did he not hear what they said about him?

They had basically called him useless and untrustworthy in a roundabout manner!

"What are you two acting surprised for?" Ray tilted his head.

"Didn’t you wish for this? I’m now agreeing with you all, and you’re looking at me like I did something wrong. It can’t be that the two of you are experiencing some bipolar personality, right?"

Sure enough, both Jake and Skylar became stunned by the unexpected response that left them utterly speechless.

"Enough, this matter is decided." Robert suddenly said. His stern tone effectively shut down any form of complaints.

"You will be assigned a few guards alongside Albert and your personal maid with you on the journey."

Ray understood this wasn’t up for a debate or discussion. The Marquis had made up his mind already.

"What about my lackey?" He pointed at Skyler and asked. "It would be weird to not bring my lackey to experience the world, right?"

As soon as Ray brought up Skyler’s name, Yerena’s eyes lit up very subtly.

How could she not be pleased that her son would get an opportunity to make a good impression with the Lord?

"I also want to go and check out the monster tide." Amidst the conversation, someone else raised their hand and volunteered.

Her request quickly took many by surprise, and not because they thought they were being ridiculous. Instead, they were surprised that they were willing to take the initiative for something supposedly trivial in their eyes.

"Hmm, you’re interested in it, Chloe?" Robert raised an eyebrow and mused.

Indeed, the speaker was none other than his most proud and eldest daughter, Chloe Carrion. Or if someone wanted to sound fancy, Chloe Von Carrion.

Don’t ask where the Von came from because nobody really quite knows, aside from the fact that you appeared more noble and graceful. Of course, that was also a perspective view.

"Yes, Father." Chloe nodded, her eyes suddenly shifting to Ray. "Since he’s your adopted son, it wouldn’t be right to send him all alone alongside the not-so-bright Skyler. Outsiders might think Ray’s status isn’t that good unless I join in."

"Good point." Robert rubbed his chin softly.

’Good point? Are you brain dead?’ Ray cursed silently. ’Can’t you see those gazes of hers weren’t looking like a supporter but a murderer?’

Without a doubt, Chloe wanted to tag along because she wanted to spar with him or worse, make his life miserable.

"I object!" Ray raised his hand and exclaimed.

"I object to your objection!" Chloe sneered.

"Then I object to the objection that you object to me on!"

"Overruled!"

THUD!

Instantly, Ray went to his knees and stared at Chloe in disbelief.

That was cheating...

She went from a lawyer to a judge!

How was a lawyer supposed to win against a judge?

"I demand a re-trial!" He requested.

"Sure, the retrial date and time are set after the assignment is completed at Moonrock Town." Chloe smiled sweetly.

Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnnnnnnn!

Ray lay on the ground with an ashen white face. He had lost the argument... spectacularly at that too!

While their banter clearly ended with Ray’s defeat, Robert simply cleared his throat.

"Looks like it’s decided. Ray, Skyler, and Chloe will head to Moonrock Town to deal with the situation." He stood up and glanced at the others, most notably his wives.

They were usually the ones who incite the children to compete for a chance to gain his approval, so surely they might have some dissatisfaction.

"I have no objection to the arrangement, Lord." Yerena was the first to give her input.

Why would she object to her son finally being given a proper chance?

Even though the ’lackey’ term still irked her quite a bit, she decided to be magnanimous and let it go for now.

"I also have no objection, my Lord." Paula also chimed in and approved the outcome. Her eldest daughter was finally willing to contribute something that the Lord wanted and not those sweaty soldiers at some cold defense border.

’You bitches!’ Michelle cursed at their traitorous and slimy personality silently.

Both of their children managed to gain a slot for this assignment, whereas hers received none.

She glared at her useless son and daughter for not speaking up at all.

No, it was more correct to say that Jake should have kept his mouth shut while her daughter, Jeanette, should have been the one speaking up to gain a slot for her brother.