"Let's be frank," Milady said, looking at the Huiqi Clan Leader. "Without me in the picture, you have two choices: either give the badge to Maiya, or don't. Correct? And if I'm not mistaken, neither option is particularly appealing to you, is it?"
The Huiqi Clan Leader sighed.
"You might not be aware," he said, folding his hands, "but we clan leaders looked into the Wind Horn Family's situation before the competition. Their numbers are dwindling, and their circumstances are dire. The entire Wind Horn Family consists of just a grandmother and that girl, Maiya. Even if she gets the badge and becomes Clan Leader, what's the use? She won't be able to handle what the Judgement Family allocates to her. If I give her my badge, it's just a pointless act of charity—a ticket to observe one session in the Sea Wave Concerto's council hall."
Milady nodded slowly.
