Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 157

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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 157
The first thing I did was take Atlant back to my room.
Of course, Assel and the black panther knights remained bound tightly where they were.
It should be fine for a while.
But time was not on our side, so I needed to move quickly.
The moment we entered the room, Levai and Drex came rushing from the adjacent chamber.
Behind the door, I could see Whale, Ekion, and a baby squirrel perched on Ekion’s shoulder.
“Noble Lady? You’ve returned. What on earth happened outside?”
“Many things. The black panthers attacked me.”
“What?”
“They tried to abduct me.”
Levai’s eyes widened. But only for a moment—true to his nature as a strategist, his gaze quickly turned cold beneath his glasses.
“It seems they intended to use you as a hostage against Pierre.”
“Exactly. They must have thought I was just a helpless eight-year-old.”
“Helpless….”
Levai, who had been muttering softly, let out an amused chuckle.
“Carelessness is always the shortest path to defeat. In any case, the fact that you’ve returned safely means they discovered your strength. Did they flee?”
“No.”
“…What?”
“I left them bound downstairs.”
“Wha—?”
“Don’t be so shocked. Second Brother was with me. It wasn’t difficult.”
“That’s not the issue—it’s the witnesses!”
Ah, so that was the problem?
True to form, my strategist didn’t bat an eye at the news that the black panther cubs were restrained.
I felt a small swell of pride.
I heard Atlant mutter very quietly beside me, “Why does she not remember this, yet it’s exactly the same…?” but I ignored it.
“Levai, this situation favors us, and I intend to exploit it fully.”
“In what manner?”
As expected, he asks not how, but in what direction. It means he can handle anything.
An orca is an orca even as a cub. This one is no different.
“I’m going to act immediately. No need for caution anymore—we’re storming that building I mentioned.”
“You don’t mean to charge in blindly, surely? You’ll deal with the layered sentries?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I’ll make them withdraw on their own.”
I smiled wickedly.
“From now on, you all do exactly as I command.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, before that—Levai, do you have a good memory for directions?”
“My lord, my memory is quite sound.”
“Good. Then memorize all the building layouts I describe. Ten minutes should suffice, yes?”
“Pardon? You mean right now?”
“Yes. Read through it and map out the shortest route based on the layouts. Oh, and Drex and Atlant will brief you on the number of sentries in each sector.”
“…Noble Lady. Do you perhaps think I’m some fantastical fish that spouts wisdom whenever you tap me?”
“No? I see you as the type who just does what he’s told.”
“….”
Levai’s expression crumpled visibly.
“I’m telling you—you can do this.”
“…You certainly have a comfortable way of saying ‘just make it work somehow.'”
“See? You’re sharp after all.”
“This isn’t a matter of intelligence—it’s a matter of perception!”
Levai clutched his head, grimacing.
Regardless, I turned my gaze toward Drex, who had been listening silently.
“Drex, you heard that, right? I need you to assist Levai.”
I explained the plan as simply and concisely as possible.
As I spoke, the expressions of Atlant, Levai, and Drex shifted constantly.
They frowned, they looked startled, and at certain points they seemed lost in thought.
Actually, let me correct that—only Levai seemed lost in thought.
“You want me to participate too? I’m a support-type beastkin!”
“We don’t have enough people. How else would I give orders?”
“….”
After that brief explanation ended, I turned my head.
Toward Whale, Ekion, and Lili perched on Ekion’s shoulder in her squirrel form.
If three people would execute the plan, then three would remain here to hold the fort.
“Whale.”
“I’m listening.”
Whale seemed to anticipate what I was about to say.
Despite his taciturn and straightforward demeanor, he was surprisingly perceptive.
“You know as well as I do that among the three of you—Lili, Ekion, and yourself—you’re the eldest.”
“Hardly surprising.”
“Right? Though I have to say, asking you to watch the place makes me feel like I’m a mother entrusting the eldest with household duties.”
Which, truthfully, isn’t far from the mark.
“I’m counting on you. Just stay quietly in this room until everything is finished.”
“That’s all?”
“I’m sorry, but it’s not an easy task.”
I hardened my expression slightly. Whale flinched in response.
“Do you know how to play chess?”
“…Yes. Mother enjoyed it.”
“Right. In chess, what is the most important piece on the board?”
“…King.”
“Right. You all in this room are the kings of this operation.”
No matter how well I brought Tus here, if Ekion were captured, it would all be for nothing.
Moreover, Whale was an exceptionally valuable healer, and his abilities absolutely could not be revealed to anyone.
As for Lili, what more could I say?
She had become someone I could never return to the black panthers.
“You’re saying we’re really important.”
“…I understand.”
“Good. So I’m counting on you. Don’t leave this room under any circumstances.”
At least Father had taken precautions in this room with the power of water, and for that I was grateful.
However, all things have their contingencies.
I had informed Whale of one additional thing, just in case.
“…I don’t understand why you’re saying such things. But I understand. If that moment comes, I’ll do it.”
Whale nodded obediently. I wanted to smile and pat Whale’s head.
‘I can’t reach.’
I naturally moved my hand instead to tap his shoulder.
“Whale, this isn’t me trying to show off, but I don’t often say that I trust someone.”
I am stingy with my trust.
In the past, I endured succession struggles where betrayal happened nearly every day, again and again.
The truth was, there were far fewer subordinates I truly believed in than I expected. Only my closest confidants earned my trust.
“But I trust you.”
Perhaps it was because you were a beastkin of the white whale I loved most long ago on Earth.
Or perhaps it was because of the harmlessness of your abilities.
“Please. Ekion is truly important to me.”
My trust had been given.
“And the people here have tormented him terribly. If I hadn’t brought him here, I can’t imagine how much he would have suffered.”
“…I already understand, so stop.”
Whale turned his head away, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I understand perfectly well when you tell me to do something.”
“Ah, that’s only for Levai. You’re an exception. Alright?”
“…Levai is glaring at me.”
“Aha. It’s fine.”
I smiled brightly.
“Your tension eased, didn’t it?”
Whale flinched. Even looking like this, he was still a child.
I tapped his shoulder once more and tried to step outside.
If only it weren’t for the hand gripping mine so tightly.
“Ekion?”
The person holding my hand was none other than Ekion.
“Calypso.”
Ekion’s expression was oddly flushed, as if he were pleased.
It was curious to see his perpetually pale cheeks tinged with color.
So much so that I forgot the situation entirely and found myself staring.
“Do you need help?”
That’s why I understood a few seconds too late.
“Help? What kind of help?”
Perhaps Ekion intended to show me through action rather than words.
He grasped my hand firmly. That was the moment. Goosebumps erupted across my skin.
‘This sensation…!!’
A power flowing through my body like blood, and a force moving as naturally as a second pair of limbs.
When I came to my senses, water droplets hung suspended in the air between Ekion and me.
It was unmistakably the power of water.
“What, what, what…? Hey! You could use the power of water?”
Since I was not an orca, I could not understand this phenomenon, but only Atlant seemed to grasp everything, his eyes widening as he stammered.
Instead of answering Atlant, I gazed at Ekion calmly.
This was definitely the power of water.
And it was something Ekion had conveyed to me.
I swallowed hard.
Honestly, I couldn’t deny the temptation.
But hadn’t I already heard the price Ekion would pay in exchange for granting me the ability to use the power of water?
However, before I could say anything, Ekion spoke quickly.
“I grew taller…!”
Was he referring to how his eye level had risen above mine?
Ekion continued.
“So now, just a little, very little, but I can do this…”
I stared at Ekion and spoke.
“…Is this difficult for you?”
“No.”
“If I use this power as is, will you die?”
Ekion shook his head vigorously.
“No.”
“Are you certain? I despise it most when my people lie to me.”
Those who said they would see me alive all became cold corpses in death.
I never wanted to experience that sight again.
Ekion met my gaze steadily and nodded. His expression was resolute.
“No lie. What Calypso dislikes…I dislike it too.”
“…Very well.”
I turned my attention to the water droplets floating in the air.
I gauge the extent of the power.
The magnitude of usable power is not particularly great. Perhaps on the level of fledglings who have just awakened to the power of water.
“How long can I use this for? Time-wise, I mean.”
Ekion pondered for a moment, then held up five fingers.
I nodded.
“Understood. Five minutes then….”
I fell into brief contemplation. Soon, I nodded.
“That’s sufficient.”
The Dragon granted me wings.
Perhaps this was its way of telling me to land a punch on those arrogant fools from that world?
“Let’s move.”
We each departed in our designated directions.
I headed toward Peseum.

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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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