Just as Iri was still pondering how to solve this problem, she noticed that the Big Cat's ear, which was under her foot, twitched.
Hmm?
Iri stepped down harder, intentionally shifting the point of pressure to her heel and twisting it firmly.
She saw the Big Cat's claws, as he lay on the ground, gripping the earth tightly. Was this Big Cat feigning unconsciousness?
Uh… it seems he's losing face by being stepped on like this in front of his subordinates? So he's just pretending to be unconscious and know nothing, is that it?
This… this Big Cat is truly adorable. Since you're pretending to be unconscious, then I don't need to be lenient with your subordinates… no, under my feet.
"It's only been a few years, and if we just let this Big Cat go back like this, who can guarantee he won't make a comeback in a few years?" Iri said, while forcefully stepping on the Big Cat.
Hearing Iri say this, the soldiers and Adventurers all breathed a sigh of relief, probably thinking that Iri was still on their side.
"Lion King is a man of his word! I guarantee this with my warrior's honor!" the Middle Cat said.
You've traded your life for the Big Cat, and you're already a dead cat, so what honor can you guarantee with? These Beastmen are really something. Iri complained in her heart.
"We cannot simply let him go back like this!" Draudillon spoke up. When the soldiers saw their Queen speak, they naturally felt more hopeful.
"Whether he goes or not is not up to you, Your Majesty. If I remember correctly, your commission was to assist you in repelling the Beastmen army's attack, wasn't it? Now that the Beastmen forces have retreated, our commission should be considered complete, right? Therefore, the disposition of this Big Cat is not something you get to decide," Iri turned her head and said coldly.
"Are you defying Her Majesty's orders?!" the general who had led Iri earlier roared.
"Orders? I said… the commission ended when the Beastmen forces retreated. I have no further connection with your Queen, and furthermore, even within the commission… regarding matters unrelated to the task of repelling the Beastmen forces, your Queen has no right to order me, you know!" Although Iri was smiling as she spoke to the general, her eyes were not smiling. Instantly… the temperature on site seemed to drop several degrees, and everyone present felt a chill.
Of course… the crowd control effect of Despair Aura combined with Ice Aura was still quite formidable. The general and all those soldiers shrank back.
…Draudillon herself also cowered, silently watching Iri.
"Well then, let's hear your reason, Middle Cat. What reason makes you sacrifice your life for this Big Cat's life? Have you never thought of replacing him? Aren't you the Supreme Commander? If this Big Cat dies, don't you have a chance to become the leader of the Beast Kingdom?" Iri turned her head and continued to question the Middle Cat, her foot still forcefully pressing on the Big Cat's head.
"Ugh…" The Middle Cat seemed unwilling to speak, the veins on his forehead clearly visible. His raised hands also dropped, clenching into fists, looking like he was desperately enduring something. Oh! Oh! I just love that look of yours, where you dare not speak your anger, Iri thought.
"Bell, please help me find a dull knife. I want to bleed my prey first. This lion skin should fetch a good price, and this big head is quite comfortable to step on. Cutting it off to use as a footrest wouldn't be bad either," Iri said deliberately to Bell behind her, seeing that the Middle Cat refused to speak.
"Yes! Yes! But Clementine, adult? Um… isn't a sharper knife more convenient for bleeding?" Bell responded with confusion, while others who heard Iri was going to act against the Lion King felt relieved.
"A duller knife will make it more painful to cut! We can't let this Big Cat die so easily," Iri said.
"Oh! I'll go right away!" Bell immediately scurried back to the city.
"I'll tell you! I'll tell you! If the Lion King dies here! Then the Beast Kingdom will be plunged into tribal wars, losing its king and reverting to its former struggle for the throne! In that case! The Beast Kingdom will be torn apart again!" the Middle Cat said anxiously after seeing Iri's attitude.
But upon hearing the Middle Cat's words, before Iri could even react, the group of people behind her became agitated again… almost unanimously agreeing that this Big Cat could not be let go.
You Beastmen are truly too straightforward. Lying at a time like this would be better than telling the truth! Just make up any lie! Why not bring up loyalty or something like that! Why reveal this? Iri didn't know how to help the Middle Cat smooth things over.
If the Big Cat were to die here, the various tribes of the Beast Kingdom would fall into internal strife over the struggle for the throne.
If you're all in internal strife, how would you have time to invade the Dragon Kingdom? Even if you had time, a single tribe wouldn't have enough troops for an invasion, right? If you say that, how could these people from the Dragon Kingdom let this Big Cat go… Really, you're just creating problems for me. If I still show favoritism to this Big Cat without any reason here, it really wouldn't make sense.
At this moment, the Dragon Queen silently retreated two steps. The maid behind her said something to her, and the Dragon Queen shook her head with a solemn expression, then waved her hand at the general from before.
The general decisively stood in front of the Dragon Queen. The soldiers and Adventurers also brandished their weapons, forming a line facing Iri. Although they didn't directly attack, they clearly still feared Iri's strength.
It's clear that the Dragon Kingdom is also very desperate. Even knowing how strong I am, they are willing to draw swords against me for the Big Cat's life?
Alright, alright… it's time to test my persuasive power, Iri complained in her heart, while turning back and glaring fiercely at the Middle Cat.
"What are you trying to do? Are you trying to snatch my prey just because there are many of you?" Iri asked.
"We cannot let that dangerous fellow go back! As long as he returns! The Beastmen will definitely make a comeback!" Although the general was standing at the very front, he clearly had no confidence in his conversation with Iri.
"Hey! Middle Cat, will you make a comeback?" Iri turned her head and asked.
"Yes!" The Middle Cat, completely oblivious to the atmosphere, answered instantly and very straightforwardly. This was basically within Iri's expectations.
"Why?" Iri continued to ask.
"Food," the Middle Cat replied, still without any pretense.
As expected, after all, this world is a world where the strong prey on the weak. Humans are probably delicious food in the eyes of their Beastmen. Alright… since that's the case, Iri also had a way to make things up.
"For food… that's understandable. In your Beastmen's eyes, humans are no different from livestock, right?" Iri said, nodding with a feigned expression of agreement.
"How can that be understandable! You're also human! Can you bear to watch your compatriots being devoured by these beasts?!" the captain said, pointing at Iri with righteous indignation.
Good, they took the bait… Iri revealed a cunning smile.
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