Chapter 47
“…Granted.”
It was strange. Grandmother was someone for whom ignoring those who were not strong was habitual.
‘That old woman is not someone who acknowledges intelligence without power.’
And at the very least, the Beluga family was not a family that strong in terms of power.
Unless they were famous for being intelligent.
‘It was said that the twins’ father was a talent that caught Grandmother’s eye. Is that why?’
While I was thinking, the head of the Beluga family, who had been granted permission to speak, walked forward.
Roba, the father of Luga and Luba, was with her.
“It seems the young lady does not know me, so let me introduce myself. I am Ilia Beluga, the head of the Beluga family. I am also the mother of the children whom the young lady saved.”
Looking closely, it wasn’t that she did not resemble Luga and Luba at all, but it seemed they took more after their father.
Ilia then greeted Pierre and Agenor as well.
‘She greeted me first. How curious.’
It felt strange.
Ilia, just like the previous witnesses, found her place and then began to speak.
“I inform you that what I am about to say is testimony delivered exactly as heard in detail from my children, Luga and Luba, who were victims, as their guardian. For reference, one of my children suffered severe external and internal head injuries and was on the verge of death, only barely regaining consciousness this morning.”
At those words, I was startled and stared at Roba.
What? I was told that Luga’s life was not in danger. Was that a lie?
“My child was struck by Lord Bayan’s fist and thus hovered on the brink of death.”
Perhaps sensing my gaze, Roba met my eyes, then slightly covered his mouth so only I could see and mouthed “shh,” whispering that it was a lie.
Can a witness lie? They can.
‘They did it too, so why can’t we?’
I suppressed a smile. I like these belugas?
This was something that would shake the hearts of the ordinary retainers present here.
“I deeply respect the fighting spirit and bravery of the orcas. I firmly vow to continue following them as a leader. I believe their battles are sacred and a splendid act that distinguishes the strong from other strong beings.”
“……”
“Then why did my child have to hover on the brink of death?”
It is not as if orcas never bully other underwater animal beastmen.
There are even cases where they kill them quite often.
“This act, even from the position of representing all retainers, cannot be overlooked. If there are those who torment weak retainers who have committed no crime, is that not an act that harms the honorable orcas who respect us?”
They acted only within limits so as not to make it an excessively large issue.
Because the leaders knew that excessive oppression would not benefit the orcas either, so they ensured that a minimum line was maintained for generations.
‘That is why Bayan acted violently in places where Grandmother would not notice.’
Nevertheless, the reason it became an official issue at this moment was because it was brought up in front of the head of the family. It could no longer be covered up like before.
“Head, I ask that you please take this as a serious issue.”
Ilia’s words concluded with a strong assertion.
Bayan looked as if he wanted to jump up at any moment.
Good. With the Beluga family stepping forward directly, the other side became flustered, and at the same time, a favorable atmosphere formed on our side.
I seized this opportunity and raised my hand high.
“Grandmother, although Brother Agenor participated in this fight, he is at least a witness who can prove that my classmate, the beluga twins Luga and Luba, were present at the scene!”
“Th…that’s right, it is so.”
Agenor quickly agreed and responded. Nice.
Then, not stopping there, Roba stepped forward as the next witness.
I had wondered why he came out together with Ilia; it was because he intended to stand as a witness himself.
Roba clearly described the situation when he appeared as the fight was subsiding and even mentioned that he personally tried to stop the fight.
“I am the one who directly informed the head of the beginner institution of the situation. There were several attendants who went with me, so all of them can be summoned as witnesses.”
When Roba’s testimony concluded, the atmosphere completely reversed.
“Respected Grandmother, I would like to conclude my statement by confirming just one more thing. May I call someone here not as a witness but to seek advice?”
When permission was granted, I turned toward the person who had been sitting quietly until now.
“Laila.”
Since Laila was sitting in the very front row, there was no need to call out loudly.
“I want to have what I said in the prior investigation before the disciplinary committee confirmed again. At that time, I clearly asked this.”
“I am listening.”
“Between this beginner institution and the intermediate institution, there is a rule that must never be broken.”
It was time to bring out the final weapon. I smiled brightly.
“A student of the intermediate institution must not harm a student of the beginner institution under any circumstances.”
“That is correct.”
“This is a rule proclaimed under the name of the orca head of the family, equal to our Grandmother here.”
“…That is correct.”
I turned my head. I slightly hid my sweating hands behind me.
Because what I was about to say might go against that formidable Grandmother’s temper.
“Grandmother, you heard that, right? The minimum rule established to prevent chaos and confusion has been ruthlessly ignored like this.”
Grandmother’s eyebrow twitched.
“The rule that Grandmother herself created and emphasized.”
It was something our generation could not possibly know.
Because when it was becoming nominal, Bayan caused a mess without knowing it properly and was punished.
“How does a little brat like you know that?”
As expected, at the sharp and chilling voice, I swallowed slightly and pointed at Father.
“How could I not know? Father always told me many stories about Grandmother!”
I laughed innocently.
At times like this, it is best to brush it off with a smile.
Father’s gaze, who suddenly became the one who talked about Grandmother, landed on me, but I pretended not to notice.
Ah, why. You overlooked a lot today.
Just let this slide too.
“Respected Grandmother, Bayan’s greatest crime is that he dared to break the rule you established and beat a pitiful child. It falls under violation of rules.”
“Grandmother! I object. She is spouting nonsense right now!”
I smiled inwardly.
‘Ah, I knew you would say that.’
But what will you do?
“Nonsense?”
“Yes! What kind of rule is that? In this world of the law of the jungle! If you are strong, you can simply trample others, isn’t that enough.”
“…So, you beat a beluga child until he hovered on the brink of death.”
“Th-that is true, but it was unavoidable…!”
I shook my head and subtly cut in.
“Oh my, Grandmother, Bayan has just testified himself that… he lied in this sacred council. Oh dear. How could he dare to do such a thing in front of Grandmother…!”
“…!!”
A look of panic appeared on Bayan’s face.
Only then did the elder uncle beside him hurriedly cover Bayan’s mouth, but.
Tsk. It’s already too late. Fools.
Bayan, I know you well. Why?
Because in the previous timelines as well… your foolish, stupid nature that only pursued violence ultimately led to your own downfall.
It just came a little sooner.
“As you saw, he dared to break the rule set by Grandmother.”
Unlike before when I spoke forcefully, I maintained calmness.
“In truth, what is a fight? Children fight as they grow.”
“……”
There it is. I saw Grandmother’s brow twitch.
“However, it was not a fight between orcas, but a weak beluga child got involved, and while completely ignoring the strict rule set by Grandmother, they tried to disguise it as an ‘accident’! You saw that, didn’t you?”
I pointed at Bayan and smiled prettily.
“Grandmother, how can he possibly be a strong and admirable successor who will follow in your footsteps?”
My smile instantly turned confident.
“He’s ridiculously inferior to me.”
As soon as my words ended, Grandmother’s sharp and fierce gaze struck down.
At the same time, the corner of Grandmother’s mouth moved, and soon a sharp burst of laughter rang out.
“Ha, hahaha. Ahahahahaha!”
After the loud laughter that seemed to fill the hall, Grandmother’s dark bluish gaze turned to me again.
“You are quite audacious.”
There was no harsh voice, nor a sharp gaze.
What resided in those dark bluish eyes was only keen interest.
“Very well, I have no interest in a fool who lost to a mere three-year-old and collapsed.”
“Gr-Grandmother!”
“Be silent. Do you have anything to say right now? If you do not wish to be expelled even from that position, you would do well to shut your mouth. Pathetic fish brat.”
“……”
It was done. I could hear the clear ringing of a bell of victory by my ears.
☆▪︎▪︎☆
