Hajin spread out the municipal testimony document, pointing to the five rating fields where he wrote 'Invalid' instead of numerical scores for the Underworld commanders.
Didi drew the document toward her side of the consultation table and read each refusal before Hajin explained the council's demand.
Across the table, Didi sat with her bandaged hands clasped over the carved head of her runic staff, her expression resolute and uncompromising.
"The council clerk wanted a number between one and ten for the entity that spoke through the rift," Hajin explained quietly.
"I wrote 'Invalid' across every single line, and I refuse to change a solitary letter for tomorrow's public assembly!"
"Good!" the frost princess agreed, slamming her palm against the timber edge of the table with fierce conviction.
"When you put a number on a monster from the deep pits, you pretend you calculated something you actually understand!"
