Chapter 47

"......I permit it."

It was strange. Grandma was the type of person who usually ignored those who weren't strong.

'That old lady doesn't usually acknowledge intelligence without power.'

And at least the Beluga family wasn't that powerful.

If they were known for being smart, it would be different.

'The father of the twins was said to be a talent that even Grandma took notice of. Is that why?'

While pondering, the leader of the Belugas, who had been granted permission to speak, walked forward.

Rugaruba's father, Roba, was with him.

"Since it seems you don't know me, I'll introduce myself. I am Ilya Beluga, the leader of the Beluga family and the mother of the children you saved."

Up close, Rugaruba and Ilya didn't look entirely different, but they did seem to take more after their father.

Ilya then greeted Pierre and Agenor as well.

'She greeted me first. How interesting.'

It felt strange.

Ilya found a seat like the previous witnesses and began to speak.

"I will now testify as a guardian, having heard in detail the story of my children, Rugaruba, who were the victims. For your reference, one of my children suffered severe external and internal injuries from tofu and was on the brink of death, regaining consciousness only this morning."

I was surprised and looked at Roba.

What? I was told that Rugaruba's life wasn't in danger. Was it a lie?

"My child was on the brink of death due to Mr. Bayyan's punch."

Noticing my gaze, Roba covered his mouth and whispered, 'It's a lie,' only for me to see.

Can witnesses lie? They can.

'Since they did it, why can't we?'

I hid my smile. I like the white whales.

This is a statement to sway the hearts of the general retainers present.

"I greatly respect the orcas' spirit and bravery. I firmly swear to follow them as a leader. I believe their battles are sacred and a magnificent act of distinguishing the strong from the strong."

"......"

"Why did my child have to be on the brink of death?"

Orcas do sometimes bully other aquatic animal humans.

They even kill them from time to time.

"This act cannot be overlooked, even from the perspective of representing all retainers. If there are those who bully weak retainers who do no wrong, it is a behavior that harms the respected orcas, is it not?"

I moved within limits that wouldn't cause too much trouble.

Because the leaders, knowing that excessive oppression would not benefit the orcas, have always maintained a minimum standard.

'That's why Bayyan acted violently in places where Grandma couldn't see.'

But now, the issue has officially been raised in the presence of the family head. It can no longer be covered up as before.

"Sir, please take this as a serious matter."

Ilya's statement ended with a strong assertion.

Bayyan looked like he wanted to stand up immediately.

Good. The white whale family's direct involvement has left the other side flustered and created a favorable atmosphere for us.

I took this opportunity to raise my hand.

"Grandma, although Agenor is one of the participants in the fight, he can at least prove that his classmates, the white whale twins, Rugaruba, were present at the scene!"

"Y-Yes, that's right."

Agenor quickly chimed in. Nice.

Then, without stopping there, Roba stepped forward as the next witness.

I realized he had gone with Ilya to be a witness himself.

Roba clearly described the situation when the fight was about to subside and mentioned that he had tried to stop it.

"I am the one who informed the head of the junior institution of the situation. There were several attendants with me, so they can all be called as witnesses."

As Roba's testimony ended, the atmosphere completely changed.

"Respected Grandma, I would like to conclude my statement by confirming one more thing. May I call someone to seek advice instead of a witness?"

With permission granted, I turned to the person who had been sitting quietly.

"Laila."

Laila was in the front row, so I didn't need to call out loudly.

"I want to re-prove what I said during the preliminary investigation. At that time, I clearly asked this question."

"I am listening."

"There is a rule that must never be broken between the junior and senior institutions."

Time to bring out the final weapon. I smiled confidently.

"A senior institution student must never harm a junior institution student under any circumstances."

"That's correct."

"This is a rule proclaimed by the orca family head, who is on par with Grandma."

"......That's correct."

I turned my head. I subtly hid my sweaty hands behind my back.

What I'm about to say might go against Grandma's wishes.

"Grandma, did you hear that? This rule, which is the minimum to prevent chaos, has been so brutally ignored."

Grandma's eyebrows twitched.

"A rule that Grandma herself created and emphasized."

It was a story we of this generation didn't know.

It was when Bayyan, not knowing the rule, caused a commotion and was punished.

"How do you, a kid, know about this?"

As expected, with a sharp, cold voice, I took a deep breath and pointed to my father.

"How could I not know? Dad always tells me a lot about Grandma!"

I smiled brightly.

In such situations, it's best to laugh it off.

My father's gaze, now the one who had brought up Grandma, fixed on me, but I pretended not to notice.

Why not? You've pretended not to notice a lot today.

Let this one slide too.

"Respected Grandma, Bayyan's greatest sin is breaking the rule that Grandma herself established and hitting a poor child. This is a case of rule violation, isn't it?"

"Grandma! Objection! He's spouting nonsense!"

I smiled inwardly.

'Ah, I knew you'd say that.'

But what can you do?

"Nonsense?"

"Yes! What kind of rule is that in this world of the strong preying on the weak? Isn't it just a matter of being strong and crushing the weak?"

"......So, you hit the white whale child to the brink of death."

"That, that's true, but it was unavoidable......!"

I shook my head and interjected.

"Grandma, Bayyan just testified that he lied in this sacred meeting. How dare he do such a thing in front of Grandma......!"

"......!!"

Bayyan's face showed a look of defeat.

Only then did the uncle next to him hurriedly cover Bayyan's mouth.

Tsk. Too late. Stupid.

I know you, Bayyan. Why?

Because in the previous meetings...... your dull, stupid, and violent nature ultimately led to your downfall.

It's just a bit faster this time.

"As you can see, he dared to break the rule set by Grandma."

Unlike my previous strong statements, I maintained a calm demeanor.

"Really, what's the big deal about a fight? Kids fight as they grow up."

"......"

Right. I saw Grandma's eyebrows twitch.

"But this wasn't a fight between orcas; it was a weak white whale child who was involved, and the despicable act of completely ignoring Grandma's strict rule and trying to pass it off as an 'accident'! Did you see that?"

I pointed at Bayyan and smiled prettily.

"Grandma, how can such a despicable person be a worthy successor to the strong and great Grandma?"

My smile quickly turned confident.

"Someone who is so much worse than me?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Grandma's sharp, menacing gaze fell on me.

At the same time, her lips moved, and a sharp, mocking laugh followed.

"Haha. Ahahaha!"

After a loud laugh that filled the hall, Grandma's dark blue gaze returned to me.

"You're a bold one."

There was no cold voice or sharp gaze.

Her dark blue eyes held only unexpected interest.

"True, I have no interest in someone who was beaten by a mere three-year-old."

"Grandma!"

"Shut up. Do you have something to say now? If you don't want to be kicked out of your position, it's best to keep your mouth shut. Pathetic fish."

"......"

That's it. The sound of victory rang in my ears.