Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 139

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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 139
Despite the Orca Family Matriarch’s playful tone, the atmosphere in the Study was anything but lighthearted.
It was only natural.
For over a decade since becoming Matriarch, she had reigned as the strongest in the household—no one had ever dared approach her in such a manner.
‘Besides, the guards protecting the Study saw us. They’ve definitely reported this.’
Oddly enough, she was someone who preferred keeping time with military precision.
‘Though I’m just as punctual, so I suppose it’s fair.’
It was a rather incongruous trait compared to her tyrannical image of maintaining order through sheer force.
I’d noticed it back when I decorated the entire Study in black.
After all, every Orca had at least one obsession, and none of them were particularly normal.
“Greetings, Grandmother.”
I smiled wryly as I faced her.
‘She’s absolutely furious.’
Sure enough, the Orca Family Matriarch raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
Her voice rang out—leisurely yet laden with warning, making it clear this wasn’t over.
“Ha, greetings? You dare greet me?”
I offered a respectful bow and continued speaking.
“Since becoming Matriarch, how many times have you actually waited for someone? I’d count them on one hand.”
“….”
“How does this novel experience feel?”
My provocative remark intensified the oppressive weight pressing down on the room.
‘Well, at least life feels more bearable than before.’
Of course, I hadn’t spoken without thought. There was simply a small part of me that felt—come what may.
‘The reassurance that Father has my back, that he’ll handle whatever comes?’
It was almost amusing.
This sense of security from relying on someone.
Had I felt this in my previous life, I would have been wary of growing weak.
‘But Father is different.’
As the Orca Family Matriarch’s power swelled to fill the Study, my body lifted effortlessly as if waiting for this moment. The instant I was cradled in Father’s embrace, my breathing became calm and easy.
It was far too comfortable. Dangerously so.
‘Hmm, I’m sensing a warning sign. I shouldn’t become too accustomed to this.’
Father held me in his arms as he offered his greeting.
“I pay my respects to you, Mother.”
“Ha, and who might this be?”
The Orca Family Matriarch made no effort to hide her displeasure toward Father.
“The one I’ve called for ten times without ever seeing a single fin.”
“If you permit my daughter an audience, you shall see me.”
“…Is that boasting?”
“….”
The Orca Family Matriarch’s gaze carried both contempt and the unspoken question: ‘How did he end up like this?’
“No matter how many times I see it, it’s astonishing. A creature who once had no interest in the world whatsoever…”
The oppressive force that had filled the room vanished in an instant.
“Sit.”
The Orca Family Matriarch nodded her head.
As I took my seat, I tilted my head inwardly in confusion.
‘What is this?’
The Matriarch seemed more subdued than before.
It was strange.
Surely she should have been more savage, saying that I’d dared to waste the time she held precious, but this was different?
“So, what business did you say you wanted to discuss with me?”
Yet the savage undertone in her voice, not entirely suppressed, came as a warning.
“Let me be clear—if what you have to say proves uninteresting, it will certainly not be to your benefit either. Pebble.”
…Indeed, it was strange that instead of threats about breaking something or turning me to pulp, she offered this gentler warning.
‘Is it because Father came with me?’
I glanced sideways at Father.
Well, regardless, this was good. It made stating my business easier.
‘Neither of us benefits from prolonging this.’
I straightened my posture with dignity.
“First, I sincerely apologize for arriving later than the time you permitted.”
I hadn’t intended to be difficult from the start. It was simply necessary.
This Matriarch was capricious and possessed a temperament as twisted as they come.
‘She doesn’t favor those who are unconditionally obedient either.’
There was a reason I’d found Bellus somewhat endearing.
No matter how much Uncle Rodesen and his son Baian moved their tongues like a tongue in a mouth, she subtly showed interest in Bellus, who was strong and knew how to push back.
“Tsk, the Eldest seems to have lost his flavor… You, at least, still seem normal.”
Of course, my Eldest Brother was strange in some way now. But that wasn’t something to discuss at the moment.
“So that short tongue of yours can even apologize.”
It was clearly a jab, but I simply bowed my head respectfully.
“I apologize once more.”
Then I lifted my head and smiled softly. As if to say I wouldn’t be difficult anymore.
Yet the words that spilled out were anything but ordinary.
“But the business I’ve brought today will certainly interest you, Grandmother.”
“Hmm?”
The Matriarch crossed her legs arrogantly.
“Can you guarantee that?”
Instead of answering, I nodded. With confidence.
“Very well. I hope the saying about empty vessels making the most noise doesn’t apply here. My mood is still unsettled.”
As soon as the Matriarch gave her permission, I opened my mouth.
“I am the Dragon’s Bride.”
The words that came out were ones even this Matriarch had not anticipated.
For just a moment, I saw the Orca Family Matriarch’s slack-jawed expression for the first time.
“…What?”
How fascinating. I never knew she could make such a face.
Above all, I felt a surge of satisfaction knowing that I was the one who’d put that expression on her face.
Of course, since it lasted only a moment, her expression vanished faster than it had appeared.
‘She’d forgotten, it seems.’
Though truthfully, she wasn’t the only one who’d forgotten.
Currently, I was an undeniably powerful successor candidate.
A candidate who drew attention, gazes, and rumors wherever I went.
How could the Matriarch not concern herself with that?
Yet I didn’t stop there, speaking with a bright, cheerful smile.
“Then please send me to the City of Dragons. I am the Bride, after all.”
The Dragon’s Bride.
As I mentioned before, in this Empire it was virtually another name for a death sentence.
The Bride is a sacrifice to suppress the Dragon’s rampage.
Everyone in the Noble House knew this fact.
“A piranha claiming it can eat a shark—how pathetic.”
The Matriarch furrowed her brow as if she’d heard the most absurd thing in the world.
She looked deeply displeased.
“Do you understand what that means?”
Yes, by normal standards, I’ve just said I’m going to my death.
But there’s something you don’t know.
I will never die so easily.
“I wish to return to the City of Dragons. Will you permit it?”
I stated my position clearly once more.
The Matriarch’s dark blue eyes gleamed with warning.
“Are you asking me to send with my own hands a direct descendant of the Noble House that I’ve acknowledged?”
This was an obsession with promising young sprouts—in other words, with strength.
Truly, the mindset of an orca matriarch.
But.
I tilted my head, as if confused.
“Yet it was you who chose me as the Dragon’s Bride.”
You damned woman chose me.
Over three lifetimes, even if you didn’t send me to the City of Dragons, you eventually forced me elsewhere anyway.
“I’m simply choosing to go a bit sooner than I must eventually go anyway.”
“….”
Even now, I understand why the Matriarch won’t revoke her command—why she won’t take back her decision to make me the Dragon’s Bride.
‘Pride.’
The hesitation over reversing her own orders.
I call this petty pride.
After living three lifetimes, I finally understood.
You are certainly a formidable powerhouse.
But you’re not suited to be a Matriarch.
“So you’re saying you’ll abandon your claim to the position of Matriarch?”
The Orca Family Matriarch tilted her head, still resting it against her crossed legs, and asked with a crooked smile.
‘When did I ever directly say I was aiming for the Matriarch position?’
Though it’s true I am aiming for it.
It was almost laughable. She spoke as if she’d ever properly treated me as a legitimate successor.
“Your position is one that any direct descendant of the Orca Family would desire.”
“Hah, and you’re included in ‘any’?”
“….”
To become the apex of strength.
Born as an Orca, with boiling blood—the thing we desire most.
Come to think of it, Father is the unusual case. It’s what all direct descendants of the Orca Family would wish for.
“Grandmother, what if you looked at it this way?”
I spoke calmly without hesitation.
“I’d appreciate it if you could reconsider my journey to the City of Dragons.”
“What sophistry are you spouting now, you pebble?”
“Yes, regarding what you call a pebble, I think of it this way.”
“….”
“You know all too well how land-dwelling beastfolk universally look down upon aquatic beastfolk.”
The contempt and scorn from land-dwelling beastfolk had accumulated over long ages, becoming a form of hatred as commonplace as sport.
Yet toward powerhouses like us Orcas among aquatic beastfolk, they dare not utter a word.
They seized every opportunity to mock and oppress us.
“And?”
“I will go and orchestrate something grand.”
My previous journey to the City of Dragons was a quiet expedition bound solely by the wish to reach Earth.
Meeting the Dragon Duke was my greatest objective, and I remained faithful to that goal.
If I were to journey to the City of Dragons once more, it would be nothing like before.
I had thought it through.
Gathering materials.
Since there would be more than one or two materials, it would certainly draw attention.
Moreover, bringing Tus along.
If Tus, wearing the Dragon Duke’s form, were to disappear.
‘Unlike last time, this time suspicion would be unavoidable.’
…If that’s the case.
I smiled wickedly.
I had decided to charge straight ahead.
“After this incident, aquatic beastfolk will never be easily dismissed again.”
Do you know what the best method is for concealing something?
Right then.
‘Playing for much higher stakes.’

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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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