The next day.

  As the captain had predicted, Hulim was indeed summoned by the Elder Council.

  When she arrived at the royal castle’s audience hall,

  a heated argument was already underway.

  "......What do we do now? Without those three, who are we going to send to the tournament!"

  "What else can we do?! They’ve already left!"

  "Then go get them back!"

  "Get them back? Are you talking nonsense? They left from the royal castle—rumors are already spreading outside! How could we possibly get them back?! "

  "But what about the tournament?! "

  "Then find someone else!"

  "Where are we going to find someone el......"

  Amidst the chaos, Hulim walked in.

  The arguing stopped abruptly.

  All eyes in the audience hall turned to her.

  "Hey, human! Why are you meddling in the internal affairs of our White Cat Clan?"

  Someone immediately questioned Hulim—undoubtedly one of those dissatisfied with James and the others’ sudden departure.

  "What kind of attitude is that? When did our White Cat Clan have such a rude person?"

  "What did you say——"

  "Young lady, don’t worry. We won’t let these guys bully you."

  Right away, those who approved of Hulim driving the three away voiced their support for her.

  "What are you talking about? Bullying? I’m just asking a legitimate question!"

  "That’s your idea of a legitimate question?!"

  "What did you say?! "

  In an instant, the audience hall erupted in arguments again.

  "Alright, everyone be quiet!"

  From the throne, Bars spoke up to stop the commotion.

  "Elders, we’re here today to reach a decision on this matter—not to quarrel."

  The elders looked at each other and fell silent.

  "Speak one by one. And...... I hope you elders will note this! She is not only a noble from the Pasara Empire, but also a child!"

  After speaking, Bars glanced around the audience hall with a scrutinizing look—his meaning clear. Finally, he silently gave Hulim a reassuring look.

  Then the elders began to speak one after another.

  "Hulim Hayelar, tell us your motives. Why did you do this?"

  The first to ask was someone who objected to Hulim’s actions.

  "Regarding that......"

  Hulim had just started to explain when—

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  "Wait a minute——!"

  A figure suddenly burst in.

  "What are you doing?! Why are you interrogating Hulim! She didn’t do anything wrong!"

  Seeing the figure rushing in and making a fuss, the elders were stunned.

  "Miko, what are you doing!?! Is this the place for you to cause a disturbance? Get out of here at once!"

  Bars shouted angrily.

  "Father——! It’s you who’s in the wrong! What are you doing? Why aren’t you helping Hulim! "

  Miko shouted back at Bars, forgetting all formalities.

  Bars’ face darkened instantly.

  Not helping? Isn’t it you who’s messing things up!?! What could have been easily smoothed over—you just had to complicate it, didn’t you?

  "Miko, stop fooling around here. Get out immediately!"

  "I’m not leaving! If anyone leaves, it’ll be Hulim and me together!"

  Miko stood her ground angrily, showing no sign of leaving.

  "You, you——"

  "Everyone stop arguing!"

  At that moment, another voice cut through.

  "Look at all of you. What a mess."

  When they saw who it was, everyone in the audience hall fell silent.

  "Mother, why are you here?"

  Bars quickly stood up from his throne.

  "Lady Eperu!"

  The other elders also stood up hastily.

  "Grandma~!"

  Miko immediately felt like she’d found her backbone, throwing herself into Eperu’s arms with a wronged look.

  "There, there, my good granddaughter~. With me here, no one can bully you two!"

  Eperu patted Miko’s head gently, then looked up at Bars.

  "I’m not so old that I can’t walk. Why—am I not allowed to come?"

  "N-No, Mother, of course you’re allowed. It’s just a trivial matter—there’s no need to trouble you......"

  "So you do know it’s a trivial matter."

  Eperu glanced around the entire audience hall.

  "Making such a fuss over something trivial. Since when has our Elder Council meddled in so many things?"

  "N-No......"

  The elders hung their heads in embarrassment, not daring to meet Eperu’s gaze.

  "I don’t care what legitimate reasons you have—none of them justify picking on a child."

  "Y-Yes."

  "If you understand, then the meeting is adjourned."

  "Uh, but......"

  "Do any of you have anything else to say?"

  "No! Nothing!"

  The elders shook their heads hastily.

  "That——"

  Just then, a voice suddenly rang out among them.

  "May I say something?"

  Hulim—who was clearly the protagonist of the meeting but had been repeatedly interrupted from the start, not even getting a chance to speak before being forgotten—finally spoke up.

  As all eyes turned back to her, Hulim finally finished what she’d been trying to say earlier.

  "I can represent the White Cat Clan in the tournament."

  The entire audience hall froze, falling eerily silent.

  "Wait...... Do you know what you’re saying? Aren’t you a noble from the Pasara Empire? You want to represent us in the tournament?! "

  One elder said in shock.

  "Why not?"

  Hulim countered.

  "Is there a rule that prohibits nobles from other countries from serving as external aid?"

  "W-Well...... There isn’t, but......"

  "If there’s no such rule, then why can’t I?"

  "T-This...... Y-You’re really willing?!"

  Hulim nodded.

  In an instant, all the elders’ eyes lit up.

  "This is great! This is perfect!"

  "Then this matter is easily resolved!"

  "......"

  The elders grew excited.

  Hulim’s combat record was solid—James and the other two were no match for her.

  The reason for this interrogation was that they had never considered Hulim as a potential external aid from the start.

  As one of the four great powers, nobles each had their own allegiances. Unless they belonged to the same faction, it was unheard of for a noble to represent another clan.

  They had assumed Hulim would hold the same stance.

  They never expected her to take the initiative to offer. Since she didn’t care about such allegiances, how could they object?

  "Hulim, you’re really willing?!"

  Miko stared at Hulim in surprise.

  "Mm."

  Hulim nodded.

  "Child, don’t force yourself. With me here, no one can pressure you."

  "Thank you, Grandma Eperu. This isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision."

  Upon hearing this, Eperu suddenly realized.

  "......So when you asked me that question earlier, you already had this plan in mind."

  Though your way of going about it is just as straightforward as your question.

  Eperu recalled the question Hulim had asked her and smiled.

  "Yes."

  Hulim replied.

  "Huh? Huh??"

  Miko looked back and forth between Eperu and Hulim, her eyes filled with confusion.

  What are they talking about? I don’t understand......

  "Ahem, quiet down!"

  Bars sat back down on his throne.

  He looked at Hulim solemnly.

  "Hulim, have you made up your mind?"

  "Yes, King Bars. I’ve made up my mind."

  "In that case——"

  Bars glanced around at everyone and said:

  "I intend to gift Hulim Hayelar one of our treasured magic tools that protect the will as payment. Do any of you have objections?"

  "No objections!"

  "That magic tool...... Well, the tournament is also important......"

  "......No objections."

  "N-No......"

  Though some hesitated, the Elder Council ultimately did not oppose the proposal.

  Hulim: "......"

  It seemed she wouldn’t need to specifically ask for payment.

  "Lady Hulim Hayelar."

  Bars said again, with great solemnity:

  "Are you willing to accept this magic tool as payment?"

  "I accept."

  And just like that—after dealing with the men who had bullied Miko—Hulim also resolved the issue of entering the Hekadiza Mountains......

  "The Royal Martial Arts Festival...... I’ll go participate then......"

  ......