To Hulim’s surprise, the second most popular shops after food stores were actually various weapon and armor shops—even the blacksmith shops were crowded with people.

  Not only that, Hulim noticed that a considerable number of passersby were also carrying weapons and wearing armor.

  Logically speaking, even if beastmen revered strength, it shouldn’t be to this extent......

  But soon, Hulim got the answer from the conversations of passersby.

  "......The Royal Martial Arts Festival is finally starting! I’ve been waiting for this day for years!"

  "You’re waiting too? Are you planning to participate?"

  "Oh? You’re joining too? Then let’s go together then!"

  "Sure! I can’t wait to show off my skills!"

  "Hey hey~, are you two serious?! You won’t even qualify for the preliminary round, right?"

  "What are you talking about! Last time was a mistake—I’m not the same as I was a few years ago! This time I’ll definitely get into the preliminaries! I have a feeling this is my chance to make a name for myself!"

  "Right! I have the same feeling!"

  "......While it’s good that you’re confident, I remember you’re both over twenty-four, right? You can’t sign up for the Youth Division anymore—if you want to participate, you’ll have to join the Supreme Strength Tournament......"

  "Huh——?!"

  "Huh——?!"

  "???"

  "Could it be...... you two forgot about that?"

  "......M-My chance to make a name for myself——!!!"

  "It’s a lie! How could such a tragic thing happen! Ahhh——!!!"

  The two beastmen collapsed onto the middle of the street, wailing and pounding the ground.

  They caused a traffic jam and attracted a crowd of onlookers—unintentionally becoming famous in another way.

  Thanks to their mournful wails, Hulim finally understood why so many people were armed.

  "The Royal Martial Arts Festival...... If I remember correctly, it’s indeed a grand event held by the beastmen every four years. They say it attracts people from all over the world. No wonder—so it’s that time again."

  But this had nothing to do with Hulim. She had her own business to take care of and had no intention of participating in the festival. Of course, if she had time, it wouldn’t hurt to watch......

  Before long, Hulim arrived at the royal castle of the White Cat Royal Clan.

  Seeing Hulim approaching, the guards at the castle gate immediately blocked her path with their spears.

  "Who goes there? This is the royal castle—no entry!"

  Hulim stopped and said politely:

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  "Hello. I’m from Manacos Magic Academy. My name is Hulim Hayelar, and I’m a friend of Miko Kedar. I’m here to see her—could you please pass on the message?"

  As she spoke, she showed her Manacos academy badge.

  "You want to see Princess Miko?"

  The two guards exchanged glances.

  "Alright, wait here. I’ll go inform her."

  One guard said, then walked into the castle.

  "Thank you!"

  Hulim waited patiently outside.

  From the guards’ reaction, it seemed her trip hadn’t been in vain—Miko was indeed here.

  After some time,

  a familiar white-haired catgirl ran out.

  "Hulim! It really is you——!"

  Seeing Hulim in front of her, Miko was overjoyed and surprised.

  "I thought I misheard! Why are you here?"

  "Well, it’s a long story. I mainly came to ask you about something today."

  "Ask me about something?"

  Miko looked confused.

  She glanced around, then said:

  "This isn’t the right place to talk. Come with me, Hulim."

  Hulim followed Miko into the White Cat Royal Clan’s castle. Unlike its imposing exterior, the living quarters of the White Cat Royal Clan were actually extremely simple and purely functional—all single-story buildings, completely lacking the luxury and grandeur of imperial nobles.

  In the end, Miko led Hulim to a courtyard with a pool and landscape plants.

  "Even though I knew it before...... seeing it in person, I really feel that Miko is truly a princess."

  "Haha, a princess and all that...... I’m not that great......"

  Miko said softly.

  "?"

  Hulim noticed that Miko seemed a little downcast.

  "Miko, are you in trouble?"

  "No......"

  Miko shook her head.

  "Let’s talk about your business first, Hulim. What do you want to know? And why did you come here anyway?"

  "......"

  Hulim stared at Miko for a moment, then slowly said:

  "I’m here for my study tour project. There’s something I need to investigate thoroughly in the Hekadiza Mountains."

  "But when I went there earlier, I was told it’s now a forbidden area—no one is allowed to enter. But I don’t know the specific reason. I had no choice but to come ask you, Miko."

  "Hekadiza Mountains? Hmm......"

  Miko fell into deep thought.

  "I think there is such a forbidden area...... Was it ten years ago, or fifteen? Anyway, more than ten years ago, something happened there, and it was put under control. In recent years, it’s been directly designated as a forbidden area."

  "Yes, that’s it! Does Miko know the specific reason?"

  "Uh......"

  Miko looked embarrassed.

  "Sorry, Hulim...... I don’t know the details. I was only eight years old when the mountains were sealed off......"

  "I see......"

  "Ah——! But I can take you to ask Grandma Eperu!"

  "Grandma Eperu?"

  "Mm, that’s right! Grandma is the most respected person in our family, and also the most knowledgeable. She must know all about this!"

  With that, Miko stood up immediately, ready to take Hulim to meet Eperu.

  "Is that okay? Going to see her directly?"

  Someone Miko called the "most respected person in the family" must hold an extremely high position in the White Cat Royal Clan......

  "It’s fine! Grandma Eperu is very kind—she’ll definitely see you!"

  "......"

  Is that the key issue here......

  In any case, Hulim ended up following Miko to meet Eperu.

  ......

  "Bars, I don’t mind you finding people from outside, but at the very least, choose those with reliable character!"

  "But Mother, we can’t afford to gamble now. Miko is still too young—her strength is far from enough...... We can’t wait for her to grow up, and we absolutely can’t lose again this year."

  "......"

  "You know what will happen if we lose this time—our White Cat Royal Clan’s upper seat in the council will be......"

  "At that time, it won’t just affect us—countless cat beastman compatriots will be in trouble because of it."

  The room fell into a short silence.

  "Sigh......"

  A sigh sounded.

  "Bars, even so, we can’t use those people. They won’t bring us victory; they’ll only get us into worse trouble!"

  "But Mother...... the final selection is tomorrow, and the spots are already confirmed. If we kick them out now, the White Cat Royal Clan’s reputation will be severely damaged......"

  "How could you make such a hasty decision!?! Sigh...... Fine, fine......"

  Bang——!!!

  At that moment, the door to the room was suddenly thrown open, and a loud and unrestrained voice came in:

  "Grandma Eperu, I’m here to see you!"

  "......"

  The middle-aged white cat beastman sitting in the room twitched at the corner of his mouth, and veins popped on his forehead.

  "I’ve told you so many times——!!! Don’t burst in without permission! Don’t burst in without permission! What kind of behavior is this!!?"

  "Huh?!"

  Miko, who had just stepped one foot into the room and was about to lift the other, froze in place.

  "F-Father, y-you’re here......"

  Ps：Thanks to the support from my new friend Korbinian Mayer, I have added an extra chapter.