Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 121

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 121
Ekion’s gaze and mine collided sharply in the empty air.
Why was that? It seemed as though blue waves rippled within Ekion’s eyes.
Was it an illusion?
Waves in a person’s eyes—such a thing.
Even aquatic beastfolk didn’t possess such a thing, yet our Young Boy did.
While I was lost in thought for a moment, Ekion’s words continued.
“I wanted to hold it.”
The pronunciation was deliberate and measured.
“So very much.”
“….”
“Only me.”
The weight of meaning compressed into those words startled me, and I found myself blinking in sync with Ekion. My mouth fell open involuntarily.
‘Is this attachment to a guardian?’
I’d discussed this with Father before, but the emotions this child held toward me resembled the imprinting effect—how a duckling follows the first person it sees upon hatching.
I was grateful that he cared for me and held me dear.
Yet considering his future role, his title, and his goals ahead, Young Boy’s social development was something I couldn’t afford to neglect.
‘Hmm, but he’s still so young—wouldn’t it be fine to leave things as they are for now?’
I wasn’t entirely sure.
Though “raising” might not be the right word, this was my first time doing it regardless.
Besides, the only love I remembered receiving was the boundless affection my adoptive parents poured upon me.
If I lavish that same love upon you, will you grow strong and healthy?
“I see. Do you still wish to hold hands right now?”
“Yes. Always.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Then let’s hold hands and test it out together.”
He always wanted to hold hands—that was good news.
If I attempt this while thinking the same thoughts as before and it fails, I’ll search for other variables.
“Now, holding hands like this….”
I interlaced my fingers with Ekion’s.
What was I thinking at that moment?
Ah, yes. In the previous instance, it seemed I had regretted the power I wielded….
Or was it a different thought?
But still, I wished my strength would grow even greater. Though my current power lacks nothing.
That assessment only held true when measured against children or ordinary adults.
‘…This won’t do.’
I furrowed my brow slightly.
Every time I witnessed the Orca Family Matriarch’s power, I thought the same thing. If my strength could return to what it was in the previous instance….
Could I lay her flat on her back? Would my rightful vengeance have ended that way?
“Calypso, a wish.”
“…What?”
“Wish for it earnestly.”
“Oh, you want me to wish for it earnestly?”
I glanced down at our interlocked hands.
“Yes. A little, at least.”
I wish I were stronger.
Stronger for the subordinates I’ll seek out ahead. For Atlant. For Agenor.
And for you.
I wish I could become strong enough to prevent death, to spare us all from a painful future.
I wish I could grow strong enough again to make that possible.
“You’re already strong, yet you keep wanting more?”
“….”
My serious expression crumbled, and I laughed awkwardly.
“Aha, I guess that’s not the right way to do it. The water that came out back then must have been for a different reason….”
It was at that very moment.
I stopped mid-sentence and opened my eyes wide.
Because I saw transparent droplets floating before my eyes.
‘Water… water droplets?’
It was definitely the power of water.
I tried to reach out my hand, but then realized I was still interlocking fingers with Ekion, so I stopped myself quickly.
“Ekion, goodness. Did you do that?”
“Yes.”
“You can use the power of water too?”
“Calypso’s power.”
“….”
“Time, the power of time. Only Calypso and I are unique.”
…Wait, I’m not misunderstanding this, am I?
Since Ekion only conversed with me, naturally only I could understand all of his words.
This child had a habit of speaking only the essential words in every sentence.
I didn’t know if all dragons were like that, or if Ekion was still young and didn’t feel the need to speak at length.
“Ekion.”
I held my breath.
“Did you perhaps… from mine.”
Did you draw power from my past or future?
My present self hasn’t awakened the power of water.
But what about my past self from previous cycles? And my future self from cycles ahead?
If that version of me could use the power of water, and Ekion could grant me that power.
Insane—isn’t this the greatest support in the world?
‘My goodness, heavens above. I must have lived a truly virtuous life.’
Or has my misfortune finally moved you to pity?
To think you’d bestow such a treasure of a young dragon upon me!
“Did I borrow power from my future or my past?”
“Yes. Borrow? Take it.”
I wasn’t sure if that phrasing was quite right.
Let me assume there exists water power that I used in the past, or that I could use in the future.
Ekion’s power is the ability to transcend space and time. If I could wield such power on a broad scale.
Wasn’t that saying he could lend me the strength of my third cycle?
‘It also means I could use the power from my third cycle’s prime in this form.’
…Now I understood why the Imperial Court had wanted to completely control Ekion.
Even planning to crush him so brutally in the process.
This was something that would make any person in power drool involuntarily.
‘But did they really understand Ekion’s nature?’
Since they wouldn’t know about previous cycles, perhaps they simply focused on the fact that he was a dragon and sought to seize such immense power.
“Ekion, if that’s the case, could I borrow power from a specific time period I choose?”
Ekion nodded eagerly.
“…Yes. Calypso, if you wish.”
“…Then it’s possible for me to take the power from when I was strongest?”
Ekion seemed to ponder at a question that would have made an ordinary person tilt their head in confusion, then slowly nodded.
And what came next struck me like a thunderbolt.
“I, can die?”
“What?”
“Grant Calypso’s wish.”
“What? No, no…! Hey! No, no! Don’t! No, it’s fine!”
He was saying he could die right now and lend me that power in exchange.
And….
‘The fact that it’s not a threat makes it even more terrifying!’
I was afraid because he seemed like he would actually do it.
“Wait, wait. Why are you being so extreme? Let’s calm down. Both of us.”
“Okay.”
Who would want to hold your life as collateral!
“You must never give your life to anyone, understand? You need to think about Tus, that little rabbit—no, that little minnow attached to you!”
“…Okay.”
“Phew, you scared me. Don’t ever say something like that again.”
After that, I repeated it several times. Each time, Ekion nodded earnestly.
Only then did I feel reassured and exhale.
Wow, that gave me quite a fright.
“Calypso. Then.”
“Yes?”
“Will you stay by Calypso’s side?”
Was he asking if I would stay with him until we met Tus?
“Always?”
I’m willing to stay with him both before and after meeting Tus.
“Of course.”
I pulled Ekion into a tight embrace and patted his back reassuringly.
“I’ll be right here. Don’t worry. You must have been terrified.”
“….”
“Though you might not even understand what fear is. Actually, you probably won’t understand it in the future either.”
Ekion learns emotions from me. I let out a quiet laugh.
“I’m not afraid of anything. So don’t worry—I’ll protect you.”
I won’t deny that I was moved by how readily he risked his life for me just moments ago.
Though I had no intention of accepting such a thing, that was separate from my feelings.
“I absolutely cannot let you fall into anyone else’s hands. Who knows what those Imperial Court bastards would do to you.”
Suddenly, I found myself wondering what they had done to the Young Boy before I arrived to meet him.
‘Just from the fragments I’ve learned about, they deserve to be beaten to death….’
I released Ekion and spoke carefully.
“We’re enemies with the same foes.”
The Imperial Court, and the land-dwellers.
The only thing is that becoming the Matriarch is the first priority we need to handle.
“Let’s forget everything you said today. I’ll awaken the power of water on my own. In the worst case… even without it, things will be fine. I don’t want to see you die.”
“…Okay.”
I squeezed Ekion’s hand once, then released it.
The sensation of using the power of water was still vivid, but I decided to let it go cleanly.
From now on, in this life, I don’t want to owe any life a debt.
It’s fine. I’m already strong enough.
“Well then, enough of this talk. Should we go watch Agenor’s training?”
As I thought this and cleanly brushed away my lingering attachment, Ekion gently tugged at my sleeve.
“Calypso.”
“Hmm?”
“…Don’t you want to see?”
“Huh? See what?”
Ekion tapped his own forehead lightly.
“Calypso said she wanted to see. Desperately.”
I froze solid as I realized what Ekion was saying.
“…Would it be possible for me to see my parents once?”
Five years ago, on the road from the City of Dragons back to Aquasiadel. The desperate wish this child had harbored.
The day his hope of returning home was shattered.
I stared at Ekion for a moment, then smiled gently.
“No, it’s fine.”
“….”
“I don’t want to see them anymore.”
* * *
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Oh.”
I lifted my head.
Before my eyes sat a teacup with wisps of steam rising from it, and Illia was seated across from me.
“Ah, the children I’m raising these days are all working so hard.”
Especially my Young Boy—he’s been studying his books with such dedication.
I couldn’t fathom why.
Father opened his mouth with a look that suggested I should already know the answer.
“Calypso. Didn’t you say before that you liked someone who was good at cooking?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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