"Hulim, I’m sorry...... If it were anything else, I could give it to you directly."

  "I understand, Mr. Bars. Thank you anyway. I’ll think of another way."

  After leaving the audience chamber,

  Hulim and Miko returned to the courtyard where Hulim was staying.

  "I’m sorry, Hulim. I couldn’t help you again......"

  Miko said with a guilty expression.

  "Miko, no need to apologize. It can’t be helped. Even if we can’t use that magic tool, there might be other ways."

  Hulim had no intention of giving up and going back.

  She wanted to stay a while longer and look around—maybe she’d find a way.

  ......

  The day passed quickly, and the next day arrived.

  Early in the morning, with nothing to do, Hulim planned to practice swordsmanship at the royal castle’s training ground.

  Although beastmen didn’t care much about their living quarters, they attached great importance to combat arenas and training grounds. These were built more meticulously and on a much larger scale than any other buildings.

  When she arrived at one of the training grounds,

  it was surprisingly packed with people—as if a competition was underway.

  Hulim found a nearby guard and asked for details.

  "Oh, they’re selecting contestants to represent the White Cat Royal Clan in the Royal Martial Arts Festival."

  "I see. Thank you for telling me."

  "You’re welcome."

  "May I ask one more question?"

  "Of course. What would you like to know?"

  Hulim looked at the guard, who seemed to have a hint of resentment on his face, and asked:

  "Why do you seem to dislike this competition? And it looks like you’re not the only one?"

  "About that—just look over there......"

  The guard pointed to a certain arena in the training ground.

  A match had just ended there.

  "What’s wrong? Are there only cowards here? Isn’t there anyone who can give me a good fight?!"

  On the arena, a burly Bear Beastman holding a large sword was shouting arrogantly.

  In front of him, a young man lay unconscious on the ground.

  Seeing no one respond, the man spat on the ground.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  "Bah! Useless bunch!"

  The Bear Beastman looked dissatisfied as he stepped down from the arena, completely ignoring the angry stares of the surrounding audience.

  "Hahaha, Rajas, you’re too harsh. If you keep this up, no one will dare to fight you!"

  "That’s right—look at those guys, their legs are shaking~!"

  Beside the arena, two men who looked slovenly said with grins.

  One was a human, and the other was a Wolf Beastman.

  "Hmph! Too harsh? It’s not my fault they’re so weak! I already held back as much as I could. If this were an official match, the opponent wouldn’t be as merciful as me!"

  "Hahaha, right, right! We’re all merciful—compared to executioners~!"

  With that, the three burst into laughter.

  Their arrogant behavior immediately angered the other contestants in the arena.

  "Bastards, don’t be so arrogant! Let me be your opponent!"

  "No, let me go! I’ve had enough of those three!"

  "Let me fight them—I’ll take them down today......"

  "Quiet! All of you, quiet!"

  The referee shouted to stop them.

  "Hmph! You losers—even if I let you use one hand, you still can’t beat me!"

  Rajas said arrogantly.

  "What did you say——?!"

  "Bastard, dare to fight me right now......"

  "All of you, be quiet——!!!"

  The referee roared, then shot a warning glance at Rajas and the other two.

  "Anyone who disturbs the order again will be disqualified immediately!"

  The surrounding area fell silent at once. As for Rajas and his companions, they looked completely unconcerned.

  "Alright, the match continues. Next group of contestants, please step forward."

  "Hey, Odo, I think it’s your turn. Don’t lose~!"

  James gestured to Odo with his eyes.

  "Don’t worry!" Odo cracked his joints and walked toward the arena. "These guys are still ten years too early to beat me!"

  After Odo stepped onto the arena, his opponent hadn’t appeared yet.

  "Hey, where’s the fool who wants to die? Hurry up and come up—I’m getting bored!"

  His arrogant attitude earned him a lot of angry looks again.

  "You guys are going too far with your reckless behavior!"

  At that moment, a small white figure stepped onto the arena.

  The audience and the referee were stunned when they saw who it was.

  "Wait, Princess Miko! What are you doing here?! "

  The referee quickly flipped through the list of contestants.

  When he saw the name "Miko Kedar," he fell into deep thought—was this name always on the list?

  "Yo! Isn’t this the esteemed Princess? Greetings to you!"

  Odo said without the slightest respect, his tone and expression full of provocation.

  "Since you’re standing here, that means you’re my opponent, right? This is tricky—what if I accidentally hurt you?"

  As he spoke, a grim smile spread across his face.

  "That’s right! I’m your opponent. Don’t hold back—attack with all you’ve got!"

  Miko held two short swords reversed in her hands, assuming an attacking stance.

  "Princess Miko, go get him——!"

  "Take that bastard down!"

  "Drive them out!"

  The onlookers cheered loudly for Miko.

  However, in the face of this overwhelming verbal assault, Odo picked his nose disdainfully and said slowly:

  "Well, if you insist...... then I’ll——"

  Whoosh!

  "——attack now!"

  Before he finished speaking, Odo launched his assault.

  His speed was extremely fast—only afterimages were left in the air.

  By the time Miko realized it, he was already in front of her.

  Miko quickly swung her short swords upward.

  But she swung at empty air.

  At that moment, a swift gust of wind sounded to her left.

  "Where are you looking, Princess~?!"

  A powerful blow came straight for Miko’s vital spot.

  Miko quickly leaned to the right, then rolled on the ground to dodge the attack.

  But immediately after, the sound of breaking wind came again.

  Like a bee drawn to honey, Odo chased after her relentlessly.

  Miko dodged left and right continuously, barely holding on under Odo’s intense offensive......

  "Oh my, oh my, what’s wrong, Princess? Can you only run away~?"

  As Odo kept attacking, he also used words to provoke Miko, trying to shake her resolve and create an opening.

  "Damn it......"

  Miko gritted her teeth, trying her best to ignore his trash talk.

  "Hahaha, Princess, you’re really tough~! I didn’t expect Odo to take so long to take you down. If this goes on, I might even lose!"

  "......"

  "Just kidding——!"

  Bang——!

  "What?!"

  Odo’s speed suddenly increased again. Miko didn’t anticipate the change and was kicked straight in the abdomen. She flew backward and landed heavily outside the arena.

  In an instant, the competition venue fell silent.

  The referee stared blankly at the scene, hesitating to announce the result.

  "Hey, referee, what are you waiting for? The match is over~!"

  Not far from the arena, James shouted with a laugh.

  The referee glared at him, then had no choice but to announce helplessly:

  ".....T-The match...... is over...... Odo wins......"