Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 123

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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 123
“What’s this about? You’re asking to see me?”
The next day at lunch.
Normally I’d eat the lunch the retainers brought, or the lunch Lugaru insisted on preparing for me.
But today I’d managed to shake off Agenor, who followed me around like a goldfish, and the twins.
Standing before me was Atlant.
This Intermediate Institution had outdoor dining spaces for pleasant days like today.
The spot where we sat had a parasol and a lovely table.
‘Though everyone around us is keeping their distance.’
No matter how the rumors spread that Atlant had become my subordinate, or rather my doormat(?).
The children at the Intermediate Institution still seemed afraid of Atlant’s reputation, hurriedly packing up and leaving our vicinity.
‘Actually, that works out well.’
I’d wanted to have a quiet conversation with him anyway.
“You speak as if we haven’t seen each other in ages? You kept showing up uninvited even without me asking to see you.”
“Well, that’s….”
Atlant awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
Even accounting for his age, his large frame made such a gesture seem out of place.
“If I didn’t do that, it felt like you wouldn’t see me….”
Watching him be so cautious, I realized anew that we were facing each other in our younger forms.
I gave a bitter smile as I faced this hesitant boy.
“Why are you being so cautious with your words? You’re the type who doesn’t know how to read the room.”
“What? I can read the room just fine.”
“Sure, impressive.”
“…That sounds like praise, so why does it feel bad?”
Of course it wasn’t praise.
I lowered my head with a laugh, then lifted it again.
The smile had already faded from my expression.
“Second Brother, you can block sound with your water power, right? Block it for me.”
“Huh? Oh, okay.”
Soon a transparent barrier spread around us.
Atlant’s water power had a particularly deep color even among orcas.
I looked at it for a moment, remembering Father’s beautiful water color, then turned my gaze away.
“Hey, so according to the rumors… you really haven’t awakened?”
“Yeah, that’s right. But I could still take you down without any problem.”
“Well, obviously. Don’t throw a punch, alright?”
“Come at me? Want me to show you?”
“…Don’t mess around. Lower your fists.”
Atlant raised both his hands. A laugh escaped me.
“Seeing you makes me remember the old me—how aggressive I used to be.”
“….”
I hummed cheerfully, and Atlant’s expression grew peculiar.
“Why do you seem different from before? No, you’re the same yet different.”
“Isn’t it natural when I’m living a different life?”
“….”
Atlant’s expression became even more inscrutable.
Anyway, I’d met with him today specifically to discuss this.
“You didn’t have a single friend in your past life either. Now you have a friend named Levin. It’s exactly the same.”
“…Are you saying that you practically living at Pierre Aquasiadel’s residence is the same as me making a friend?”
“Yeah.”
“And being with those Bellu creatures and the blue-haired guy you’re seeing for the first time is also the same?”
“That’s right.”
Just because I’ve regressed doesn’t mean my life flows identically.
“Then you’re not going to seek out your retainers?”
I shook my head.
“That’s not it. But I’m wondering if I really need to bring all of them together.”
The changes I’ve made spread like a butterfly effect, improving some situations while potentially worsening others.
Some things may have turned out differently.
For instance, like how I avoided the future where Baian died early and the Bellu creatures nearly vanished.
But someone else might have experienced different circumstances due to the butterfly effect caused by Baian’s death.
“In this life, there are those for whom it would be better not to meet me.”
In fact, among my retainers were those who suffered at the hands of Baian’s faction and the branch family members who followed him.
Many of them had their families nearly wiped out.
“You don’t mean to aban….”
“I’m not abandoning them. In my past life, many of my retainers moved based on resentment. I was the same. But this time could be different.”
“…I don’t quite understand. What’s the difference between that and abandoning them?”
“Isn’t it the difference between having memories like you do and not having them?”
Right now, there are those who don’t have a resentment-based relationship with Baian’s faction.
“….”
I clasped both my hands together.
I slowly wiped away my smile and gazed at him with a serious expression.
“How much do you remember? You said before it wasn’t complete.”
Atlant nodded.
“That’s right. Sometimes it’s vivid, but other times it’s not.”
“I see.”
Atlant said it had been like that throughout the entire time.
Some days everything came back as vividly as yesterday’s events, but other days these memories faded like recollections from ten years ago.
“But it seemed clearest the moment I faced you at the Family Meeting.”
“After that?”
“The funeral. When I collided with you at that bastard Baian’s funeral, it became even clearer. That’s when I realized I had no choice but to seek you out.”
“….”
“And when you distance yourself from me, it becomes hazy again. It’s driving me mad.”
“There’s no need to go that far.”
When I draw near, it becomes clear?
I recalled what Tus had said. That I was one who endured time.
Perhaps what Atlant remembers is connected to my regression.
‘This cycle really is different in so many ways.’
I rubbed my chin.
“Alright, that’s enough talk about this.”
“Hey, but are you really not going to search for your retainers? They followed you with such devotion.”
“Would they even remember me in their current state?”
“Still… that prickly Dolphin Retainer, and what was it. That one with such severe emotional deprivation. Don’t you miss them too?”
“You remember them well. That one who was always confusing people’s faces.”
At that, Atlant rubbed his face.
“Yeah, maybe I’ve changed too, like you said. With my personality, I wouldn’t have accepted those narwhal brats.”
“It’s a good change, Atlant.”
“…”
“I’ve thought about this. About five years ago, I decided… what the meaning of this life given to me is.”
“…”
“To make this family more virtuous and peaceful.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
In the third cycle, when I returned to the family after growing stronger, many of the weak and virtuous were already dead.
“I’ve made my resolve. The person who most obstructs this goal is the current Matriarch. For the sake of my objective, I won’t hesitate to bring her down.”
“You’d stain your hands with blood?”
“If necessary?”
“…I did come back seeking to become your weapon.”
Atlant furrowed his brow and sighed—a sigh that didn’t match his massive frame.
“Still, I wanted to see you, my sister, live peacefully at least once.”
“…”
“It’s your fault for making me say such things.”
“Is that so? I thought it was admirable.”
I laughed, resting my chin in my hand.
“I’m at peace now. In this life, I have Father, people I’ve saved… and now I have a comrade who remembers the past like me, so I’m no longer alone.”
“…”
“My desire to bring all your retainers here is as deep as a chimney. Even if I can’t get them all, I’ll find at least some. But I won’t force them here. If they’re living peacefully now, I’ll leave them be.”
How are you all living now?
You who prayed for my happiness until death…
“Atlant, I don’t think I’ve abandoned this. Rather, it would be strange to forcibly bring in people who don’t even remember me.”
“…You’ve always been…”
“Hmm?”
“Never mind.”
Atlant crossed his legs, his expression tinged with dissatisfaction.
“Well, I’m sorry to say this, but I’m definitely going to bring that Dolphin Retainer you mentioned.”
“Your goldfish droppings?”
“Oh, you know he hated that nickname the most, right?”
“How would I know? Do you even know where he is?”
“That’s the problem.”
I tapped the table rhythmically.
“The Dolphin Retainers all packed their things and returned to their homeland.”
“They fled back to their homeland?”
“Why are you phrasing it like that? Anyway, that’s what happened.”
“Do you have any suspicions?”
“Well… I’m not without ideas. But I can’t say for certain.”
I nodded.
Recalling my memories, that Dolphin Retainer had indeed given me hints.
‘I never thought the effects of Baian’s early death would manifest in this guy.’
Atlant pondered for a moment, then grinned wickedly, showing his canines.
His expression was mischievous.
“Come to think of it, maybe that Dolphin Retainer remembers you and fled so he wouldn’t be exploited again?”
“…What?”
I was startled.
How could he say such a thing? Then my expression grew serious.
“…Is that so?”
“…Crazy. I was joking.”
“Yeah. I was joking too.”
Yes, it was a joke, but for a moment I thought it might actually be possible.
My conscience pricked me because I had so many memories of crawling through caves with him.
I’m sorry. Forgive your lord who seeks you out even in this life.
“Anyway, all but one have already left, and I’m going to meet that one remaining guy. Want to come with me?”
“Me too?”
“Yeah. I think you know him well too.”
I laughed softly.
“Is it fate? Do you know who the one Dolphin Retainer left is?”
“What? Don’t tell me it’s him?”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
The one Dolphin Retainer who remained in this place.
He had unfortunately stayed here to handle matters related to his discharge from the Intermediate Institution.
But that was merely the publicly known reason.
As I mentioned earlier, he seems to have suffered because Baian died earlier in this cycle than in the previous one.
…I didn’t intend it, but I have to take responsibility.
“Since he seems to be struggling because of me, I should probably go catch him.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve gone hunting.”
Atlant rolled his shoulders in circles.
“Just you and me?”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
Atlant’s smile deepened. He said it reminded him of old times.
“Want to try a dolphin rescue operation?”
* * *
A back alley within the Aquasiadel Territories.
This vast domain, bordered by a river and facing the sea, carried the scent of water or the ocean breeze throughout its many corners.
Yet the young boy hiding in the corridor was too busy masking the stench of blood with anything he could find.
“Ugh, there’s a blood smell coming from somewhere?”
“Fresh scent.”
The ones chasing the boy were among the aquatic beastkin of this land—creatures who could track blood scents as keenly as killer whales.
The young boy unwound the bandages that had been wrapped around his arm.
Soon after, two fierce-looking adults appeared where the boy had been hiding.
“What, just bandages?”
“He couldn’t have gone far. Grab him.”
“Got it.”
The men rolled their shoulders in circles.
“This time, let’s drag that dolphin bastard to our captain.”

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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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