Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 128

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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 128
When I heard about the power of healing, I imagined someone like a “Healer” or “Cleric” from games or fantasy novels.
You know, the kind who chants incantations like magicians, and light bursts forth to heal everything perfectly.
And the reason I could only think this way was because the heroine’s power seemed to work exactly like that!
“You see? It’s not as simple as it sounds.”
“…What exactly did I just witness?”
As I muttered in bewilderment, Levai nodded as if he understood.
“Yes, that kind of reaction is understandable. I felt the same way at first.”
Levai gently stroked Whale’s head. The haziness that had clouded Whale’s eyes moments ago was gone, replaced by the sharp, alert gaze I’d seen initially.
Yet the way Whale looked at Levai was filled with trust.
“Whale’s power is indeed a healing power, but to be precise, it’s ‘a power that can heal through equivalent exchange.'”
“So… just as you showed me now, some kind of price is required?”
“Yes. Depending on the wound or illness, Whale will tell you what price is needed. Healing only occurs once the exact materials are prepared.”
My mouth fell open involuntarily.
‘What? Why does it have to be so complicated?’
I felt a bit cheated.
If the heroine’s power was simply waving a magic wand and saying “Be healed!” then this was…
‘Bring me bricks from the start? I’ll finish building the house for you.’
…That’s what it felt like!
Suddenly, anger surged within me.
What is this? Are we discriminating against aquatic animal-humans again? Why do only my children have such powers?
Abruptly, anger toward an invisible deity welled up inside me.
“…Are you upset? I, I do plan to cooperate with the treatment, though.”
“No, no, it’s fine.”
I quickly suppressed my anger, but Levai had already perceptively noticed my frustration.
“I should mention beforehand—the price is not a human life or anything like that. As you can see, he only requires things that exist in nature, excluding humans.”
“…I never even considered human sacrifice, so it’s a relief to hear that. But how much have you thought this through?”
“I believed it necessary to warn in advance if the power could be dangerous.”
“You did well with that.”
True to his intelligence, he seemed to have already conducted extensive research on Whale’s power.
Thanks to that, it’s fortunate we can use it conveniently.
‘According to what he said, the more severe the wound or illness, the rarer the required materials become.’
Since this is equivalent exchange, as Levai put it.
“It means that healing wounds on the brink of death or serious illnesses requires a proportional price.”
Judging from how Whale’s eyes had grown hazy moments ago, these words didn’t seem to come from his own will.
I let out a small groan internally.
‘Honestly, I didn’t expect there to be no price, but I never imagined it would be like this…’
I blinked, lost in thought.
“Then how can we treat my Father?”
“First, this child must go and make a ‘diagnosis.'”
“Like when I held your hand?”
“Yes.”
It meant Father and Whale needed to meet. I nodded slowly.
Beside me, Atlant wore an expression of utter bewilderment at what I could possibly have witnessed.
“Why so shocked? You’ve already seen all sorts of extraordinary abilities from aquatic beastfolk.”
“No, that’s true, but… Damn it, even after that brainwashing by those cursed anglerfish bastards, I’ve never been this startled before.”
“Why curse? You’ll frighten the child.”
“Frighten them? They haven’t even blinked once.”
Even as we exchanged these words, my mind was working furiously.
‘Father’s illness is officially known as an incurable disease.’
What price would truly be required to cure it?
Great power always demands a price.
I was someone who understood this principle all too well.
‘The more I think about it, the more irritating it becomes. Father didn’t choose to be sick.’
Why must the cost of treatment be so steep?
As I pondered this, someone knocked on our room door.
Levai swiftly pulled a robe hood over Whale’s head and donned one himself.
“No need to be so cautious. They must be a guest I invited.”
“A guest, you say?”
I rose from my seat with a slight smile.
However, I didn’t tell Levai and Whale to remove their robes.
“You’ll see when you look.”
I went out and opened the door myself, revealing the hotel manager.
“The guest you mentioned has arrived.”
“Ah, yes.”
He bowed deeply, then turned and disappeared, as if to say he would involve himself no further.
As I turned away from the elderly manager, a familiar and welcome face came into view.
“Greetings, Noble Lady.”
I smiled warmly.
“Yes, welcome.”
I stepped aside to greet her.
“Come in, Illia.”
It was Illia, the leader of Beluga.
“Did you come alone?”
“No, Roba and the children are downstairs. We thought it best to appear as if we were simply enjoying some family time together.”
“Yes, that’s the perfect excuse.”
I smiled and gestured toward the interior of the room.
“I was just spending some intimate time with my own family as well.”
We exchanged pretexts that would serve as public cover, and I guided Illia inside.
“You must have been surprised to receive such an urgent message. Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“No, my lord. If you wished it, wouldn’t it be my duty to run to the northern reaches of the Empire itself?”
“…But I’m telling you now—I won’t give such an order.”
Illia stepped inside and flinched slightly. She seemed momentarily startled upon seeing Atlant with his arms crossed.
“…Ah, so your family was Atlant. You two certainly are spending an intimate time together as siblings.”
“I doubt he’d call it intimate either.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“But the one I’d like you to look after is over there.”
I pointed toward Levai.
Levai was still wearing the robe pulled over his head.
“Are you going to stay like that the whole time?”
At my words, Levai glanced at Illia and slowly removed his hat.
Illia was slightly surprised.
“My goodness. Levai?”
“Hello, Illia. It’s been a while.”
“Indeed. When Calypso suddenly summoned me to this place, I had my suspicions, but it really was you.”
“Is that so?”
“There were many dolphins living in this neighborhood, after all.”
“…”
Levai didn’t seem to fully trust Illia.
“Illia, since time is short, let me get straight to the point—I’d like Beluga to protect Levai and his family.”
“…Family, you say?”
Illia’s eyes turned toward Whale, who hadn’t yet revealed himself.
Instead of explaining, I shrugged my shoulders.
“Go ahead, Levai. Tell her yourself. I’ll give you some time.”
The room I’d rented was spacious, so there were other rooms besides the living room where we currently were.
I gestured toward one of the rooms.
I was leaving it to Levai’s choice whether to reveal Whale or not.
“You’re not taking us to Aquasiadel because it would draw too much attention, correct?”
“Exactly. You don’t want to become a whale on display in an exhibition, do you?”
“…”
“…So you truly meant it when you said you’d protect us.”
“Well, what good is a Vow of the Sea if it’s just some herring’s name?”
Levai’s expression became slightly unfamiliar.
“Even with a Vow of the Sea, one can exploit loopholes in words and resort to tricks.”
“I know you’re clever, so I won’t bother with such schemes.”
I could, but why would I?
“Just talk between yourselves. You’d probably be more comfortable with Beluga anyway.”
“…”
Levai didn’t deny it. He gestured to Illia, and she nodded in response.
“Go to that room.”
Levai seemed somewhat anxious about leaving Whale alone, but upon glancing at me, he rose from his seat.
I gestured to Atlant as well.
“You go too.”
Atlant grumbled with a dissatisfied expression, then reluctantly followed the two of them out.
And so, only Whale and I remained in the living room.
“You can take off the hat now. Isn’t it suffocating?”
Whale slowly removed his hat.
“That fool Levai will tell Illia everything anyway.”
“…How did you know?”
“Why wouldn’t I? He’s the type who would bind Illia with an oath to the sea just to make her his ally.”
“…”
That’s the level of scheming I’d expect from my strategist.
I observed Whale with my chin resting on my hand. Like the twins, he was a figure who didn’t exist in my third playthrough.
A family-like existence that Levai clung to until the very end.
“I’m counting on you going forward.”
“For what?”
“If you’re someone precious to that fool Levai, then you’re someone I need to protect as well.”
I smiled wryly.
It was probably incomprehensible, but I didn’t mind.
“Besides, I wanted to talk with you.”
That’s why I sent that fool Atlant away, though it was surprising that he seemed to catch on and moved accordingly.
Or perhaps he simply went because it was an order.
“Is your ability something all beluga whales possess?”
“…Yes.”
Whale nodded with a somewhat prickly expression. It was certainly different from when Levai was present.
His eyes were full of wariness.
Perhaps he wouldn’t say anything. That was fine. Trust could be built gradually.
It was at this very moment.
“But there’s one thing Levai doesn’t know.”

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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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