Chapter 48

"Right, this is the taste."

When I regress, this is the kind of taste that should be there, right?

It was the thrilling taste of victory I felt in the previous episode.

Grandma laughed for a while as if it were funny, then she looked at someone.

"Pierre, what do you think?"

In response to Grandma's question, I looked at Dad.

Dad met my eyes for a moment, then turned to Grandma.

"She is my daughter."

A low and firm voice.

"I do not make wrong judgments."

"……"

It was a conversation between two proud and strong individuals.

"This child takes after me."

As I listened to this, I felt a strange sensation.

'My side.'

It felt as if Dad had declared this.

The feeling of my heart fluttering was unfamiliar.

So I scowled.

"All the stories of the parties involved have ended."

I didn't know how to process this in this world.

I took a deep breath and exhaled.

"I will render a judgment."

The atmosphere was already clear without needing to hear it.

Bajan's side had the atmosphere of a funeral.

"Bajan Aquasidell ignored the order not to waste power and inflicted a fatal injury on the child of a major vassal."

Bajan's hands were trembling, and Uncle's face was filled with a great defeat.

"Furthermore, he violated the strict rules between the junior and senior institutions that must be absolutely upheld. Not only that, instead of confessing his sins, he lied in this sacred council and dared to deceive the head of the family."

"……"

"Considering all of this..."

The fact that the disciplinary committee, which was not originally a trial, was turned into a grand courtroom was no different from showing the power of the head of the family.

"Bajan Aquasidell is ordered to be expelled from the senior institution for three years and placed under house arrest for one year. All external activities, meetings with people, and everything else are prohibited."

"……!!"

"Mother! Please wait!"

The senior institution was not just a place where whales received education.

Whales formed social circles here, which would become their network when they became adults.

Whales proved their excellence based on how well they graduated from here.

Especially for direct descendants, the age at which they graduated proved their special status.

For Bajan, who might have skipped a grade or expected to graduate early, this was like a bolt from the blue.

Moreover, a year of house arrest was like having his limbs cut off.

'Phew, this is better than I expected.'

From what I remember, in the previous episode, when that guy beat up the junior institution kids under the pretense of a hunting game, his punishment didn't go as far as expulsion.

'About six months of house arrest.'

Even this was an unfavorable punishment for a potential successor, but it was far from enough to compensate for the children who almost died that day.

"This cannot be, Mother. Bajan did make a mistake, but considering his past performance, can't you reconsider just once?"

"Is that your final plea, Bajan?"

Grandma listened to Uncle and then turned to Bajan.

His face, trembling with anger and now filled with despair, nodded quickly.

"Yes, that's right. Grandma!"

Grandma turned her gaze to me.

I thought she would speak to Dad again, but the question came to me.

"Calypso Aquasidell, what is your opinion?"

Oh my. What's this? She even said my full name.

I hid my smile and calmed my expression.

"I have no objection to the head of the family's punishment."

I glanced at Grandma and continued.

"But."

Oh, that old lady, look how she gets cold as soon as I try to add my opinion.

No matter how many episodes it takes, she's a tyrant.

"This incident didn't involve just me. Shouldn't we also hear the opinions of my brother Agenor and the beluga twins, Lugrubar, who suffered the most, and their guardian, Ilya Beluga?"

Agenor's eyes were bright when I took care of him.

Ilya, who had been standing quietly, looked quite surprised.

"Grandma, you said that Bajan's violence against the Lugrubar brothers was also a misuse of power, right?"

As if she had heard something she hadn't thought of.

"That's a good point."

Grandma nodded, and Agenor quickly responded.

"I have no objection. I agree with Calypso!"

Of course, he was surprised when he corrected himself from "little sister" to "Calypso."

"……I also have no objection. Head of the family."

After hearing Ilya's words, Grandma stood up, indicating she wouldn't listen to any more.

Now it was the turn of the many collateral relatives and vassals who had been sitting like spectators.

"Those who have objections to the punishment, raise your hands and speak."

The disciplinary committee is basically attended by nobles who act as jurors.

After the chairman of the disciplinary committee decides the level of punishment, the jurors would debate whether it was right, or if it should be reduced or increased.

'But.'

Where are we? This is no longer a disciplinary committee or a trial.

A place where the head of the family's word is absolute.

'The game is over once Grandma decides to punish.'

I felt a sense of satisfaction as Grandma stomped her foot.

The massive hall shook.

A chill ran down my spine.

'……This is Grandma's real power.'

Fear? Terror? No, a competitive spirit arose.

If I, who became the strongest in the third episode and even became the head of the family, had fought her, how would the outcome have been?

My blood was boiling.

"Dad, this power is amazing, isn't it?"

"……"

I could feel that Dad was staring at me, but I ignored it and looked at Grandma with bright eyes.

"Since there are no objections from the jurors, I render the judgment."

"……"

"The punishment remains unchanged. Bajan Aquasidell is ordered to be expelled from the senior institution for three years and placed under house arrest for one year. All external activities, meetings with people, and everything else are prohibited."

The same verdict was pronounced again.

If one time was shocking enough to rattle the brain, two times must be even more so.

'This is like drinking a whole bottle of soda in one go.'

Actually, if he were really that guy, he would still manage to return even with such a punishment.

Or, if he were even more cunning, he might find a way to get Grandma to stop the punishment during the period.

Since the decision to punish and to revoke it is all up to Grandma.

But will there even be a place for him to return to?

He wasn't in that position by his own ability.

He just happened to be the eldest, with good blood and a bit of luck.

I shifted my gaze to one spot.

The boy who had been quietly observing after speaking to Grandma earlier.

My eldest brother, Belus, came into view at the end of my gaze.

"……"

Belus also turned his head, seemingly sensing my gaze.

'Belus will make sure Bajan doesn't return.'

I know.

I know how strong and capable my eldest brother is, who has been quietly waiting.

The current succession structure is a one-strong, two-mid system, with Bajan leading, followed by Sorthe and Belus.

Bajan has been dominating based on the power his father has accumulated, but that will change from today.

And Belus is not one to miss an opportunity.

'Grandma knows this.'

Ultimately, even if it looks like just an expulsion and house arrest, it's a decision that will determine whether Bajan will jump off the cliff or not.

'But why is Belus alone?'

I looked around.

Until a moment ago, the situation was so urgent that I didn't notice.

Originally, there should have been one more person near Belus.

'He must have entered the succession competition. Even if not, he must have already been recognized by Grandma.'

My second brother, Atlan.

'There's no way he wouldn't be here.'

But I couldn't see him anywhere.

"And one more thing."

During this time, Grandma, who had almost ruined Bajan's career and sent him to the abyss, continued calmly.

The vassals, who thought the matter was over, quickly straightened their backs or adjusted their postures.

"From this moment on, 'Calypso Aquasidell' is officially recognized as a direct descendant of the whale family."

I opened my eyes wide.

I was certainly celebrating inwardly.

'Done!'

The ultimate goal of my participation in this family meeting.

It was to be introduced to the vassals.

Being recognized as a direct descendant means I am now fully acknowledged as a direct descendant.

However...

'I didn't expect such a grand debut.'

I only intended to attend the family meeting and let Grandma know that such a person exists, not to have such a grand finale.

'The plan was to just let it be known that I exist. That's all.'

It wasn't bad.

Being the protagonist is always thrilling.

'This is how I felt when I became the head of the family in the third episode.'

I smiled, recalling that time. There's no need to be nervous here.

Be confident.

I deserve to enjoy this attention.