Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 17

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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 17
I tilted my head slightly and spoke.
“What kind of investigation?”
The Retainer bowed his head a little.
“I will conduct a deeper investigation into the previous caretaker.”
“I see. Really? But… an investigation needs witnesses too, doesn’t it? As it happens, only I can testify. I’ve been the only one using this building for quite a long time.”
The young boy from the Orca Family’s branch line who had stayed here briefly was soon taken away by his parents in secret.
Since such things did happen, I had been left alone.
Of course, the reason I brought this up was simple.
‘Since I’m the only witness, if they don’t call me to testify, they’ll just bury the whole thing.’
I had no intention of actually investigating—I just needed to answer well right now.
“Y-yes. Later, there may be times when we need to request your assistance, Calypso…”
“Sure, I’m fine with it. Other children might have been hurt too, after all.”
That maid had been here for a very long time, even before I arrived at this place.
If so, there might have been something more.
‘Anyone who hits children should never be left alone.’
Caron suddenly flashed through my mind, but I quickly brushed aside thoughts of that self-inflicted wretch.
I glanced at the Retainer and gently grabbed the hem of Misa’s garment.
I had wanted to hold her hand, but I couldn’t reach it with my height.
“And as I said, this person will be the caretaker. I just need to tell them that, right?”
“…Yes.”
“I’m glad the Home Territory will conduct the investigation. I should tell Father about this too!”
“…”
The Retainer turned and left with his shoulders drooping.
‘Monitoring this place is also your responsibility. You’ll have to answer for your own negligence.’
* * *
Misa looked at the small Calypso holding the hem of her garment with a bewildered expression.
Though she was clearly of the Orca Family with slightly upturned eyes, her face was so large and round, yet completely devoid of any sharp atmosphere—an innocent countenance.
Moreover, it was such an exceptionally lovely appearance that one might wonder if they’d ever see another child like her in their lifetime.
Yet her speech was remarkably eloquent…
‘They did say she was a genius.’
On the first day, how shocked I was to see this small Noble Lady speaking so clearly and precisely.
The child was now gazing at her.
“Since things have turned out this way, I’m counting on you, Misa.”
“…”
Strangely, as Misa looked at Calypso smiling up at her, she felt as though this Noble Lady was acting as if she had known her from long before.
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
‘It must be my imagination.’
How could someone who is only three years old have met her somewhere?
Misa shook her head inwardly.
“Yes, Noble Lady. I will serve you with all my dedication.”
What mattered was that this small Noble Lady had chosen me.
Misa decided to focus on this one thing alone.
Since she had been sent to this Building, her role was to care for the young whale-kin, but unfortunately, there was only Calypso in this Building right now.
Moreover, Misa herself didn’t want to miss the opportunity to become the nursemaid of such an adorable baby Noble Lady.
‘Hmm, she’s quite perceptive after all.’
Calypso judged that Misa was not the type to be kind yet lacking in perceptiveness.
After all, those lacking in perceptiveness find it difficult to survive war.
Given that her direct unit from her previous life, though not directly under her command, had survived for a long time, one could say her instincts and worldly wisdom were quite decent.
Calypso had no intention of becoming a family head like in the previous round, but meeting the Orca Twins today changed her mind.
‘I remember now. If I had received support from the White Whale Family in the previous round, things would have been easier.’
Among whale-kin, the White Whale-kin, along with dolphin-kin, were particularly intelligent.
However, most of the White Whale-kin had died in some incident before Calypso returned to her family.
The culprit was Baian, the son of her great uncle.
Because of this, all the surviving White Whale-kin had left this land.
‘At least I don’t need to gather talent for the family or war like in the previous round.’
Until I leave this place before turning ten, I felt the need to keep talented people by my side.
‘But there’s one thing I’m worried about.’
The handmaidens the Retainer left behind today. They were people from the Home Territory.
What if they showed territorial behavior toward Misa?
In fact, that’s why I designated Misa as a nursemaid—in other words, a superior.
However, Calypso’s worry became meaningless three minutes later.
“Oh my, Calypso, you’re so adorable!”
“Wow, your eyes are really big.”
“I’ve already heard stories about you while working. They said you were really smart, but how do you speak so well…!”
“I…”
“Oh my, your voice is cute too.”
“Look at those precious little hands.”
All of them, with their soft silver hair, showed no sign of stopping their chatter.
Because of this, Calypso had to push aside her thoughts of ‘they’ll definitely be picky’ and ‘territorial behavior.’
These two concerns were cast to the back of her mind.
‘…What is this? I’m sure I left school, but it feels like I’ve come back to my class again?’
Moreover, this was treatment she had never received in her previous life, so she felt bewildered.
After the endless admiration finally subsided, Calypso was able to learn their identities and names.
“Herring?”
“Yes! We are herring-kin.”
“This child and I are sisters.”
“I’m a childhood friend from the same clan.”
I thought their hair colors were similar, but they were all herring-kin.
They were one of the most common types among aquatic animal-kin and the most frequently seen species.
Those who traveled in groups were generally diligent, docile, and kind-hearted.
‘If this is genuine… I shouldn’t worry about Misa struggling to get along.’
Though I had just become the subject of rumors and drawn attention, the reality was that I held no actual influence.
Yet the fact that they smiled so brightly—didn’t that mean they were genuinely delighted to see me?
“You said you came from the Home Territory?”
Their names were Eiya, Biyo, and Dede respectively.
Eiya and Biyo were sisters. Dede was their neighborhood friend.
The handmaidens marveled anew.
“Wow, Noble Lady, you really do speak so well!”
“Are you truly a genius?”
“Say, how far has the rumor spread?”
At that, the handmaidens exchanged glances with one another.
“They say you’re an extraordinary genius.”
“That’s right. For us beastfolk, it was truly astounding news. This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone speak like this at three years old.”
“Right, right. Even Bellus and Atlan weren’t at this level, were they?”
“That’s true, that’s true!”
Sensing another conversation was about to begin, I moved to calm them down.
“Now then, as I mentioned earlier, this is Misa. She’s my nursemaid.”
“Yes, Noble Lady! You worked here before, didn’t you? Pleased to meet you. I’m Eiya.”
“I’m Biyo!”
“I’m Dede.”
“Ah… I’m Misa.”
“You’re a nursemaid, so please speak comfortably!”
“Oh, I was a handmaid myself once…”
The herring sisters were so affable that in less than a minute, Misa and the handmaidens had already learned about each other’s family relationships.
‘And now they’re even discussing what fish she ate during her first birthday celebration…’
Considering it took less than two minutes for them to drop formalities, it was truly remarkable social aptitude.
Calypso felt a refreshing sensation.
Such handmaidens in this desolate Orca Family.
Even if they were hired through special social recruitment, it was an ability worth trusting.
“Then you all stay here. Oh, Misa can show these three people their rooms and the building if you’d like.”
“Huh, Noble Lady, where are you going?”
“Should we come with you?”
“No.”
Calypso shook her head firmly.
“I’m going to see Father.”
At that, the handmaidens exchanged glances and widened their eyes in surprise.
My goodness, so the rumors about speaking with Pierre were true after all!
Was this rumor real too?
Calypso found it absurd that she had managed to read the expressions on their faces in such a short time.
“Everyone, come back and see.”
…Still, the thought that my return would become a bit more lively didn’t make me feel bad.
* * *
A few days later.
After finishing at the Educational Institution and returning home, I found myself seriously reflecting on recent times.
No, my life lately hasn’t been bad.
Really, it hasn’t been bad at all.
But….
‘Is it okay to live like this?’
I stood quietly, gazing at the mountain of clothes piled before my eyes.
My daily routine these days was quite simple.
First, I attend the Educational Institution. After all classes end, I leave for home.
I stop by the house briefly to eat the snacks the Handmaidens prepared, then head to Pierre’s place for work(?).
This daily cycle repeated itself.
Good, it’s more peaceful than any other cycle! Tranquil! Plus, I’m the top of my class!
I was satisfied with absolutely everything about this.
“Teacher.”
If only one thing were different.
“Wait, didn’t you say you lived alone in this Building?”
“And?”
My face scrunched up slightly.
I couldn’t understand it at all. And for good reason.
“No, but where did all these clothes come from?”
“There’s a standard allocation of Maids and Retainers assigned to each Building.”
“Those are the allocation?”
When Pierre gave no answer, it generally meant affirmation.
They all seemed to have the same familiar form and were black, or so I’d heard.
“Do I really have to wash all of these?”
…No answer again, which meant affirmation.
‘Is it just my imagination, or does the training look increasingly insane as time goes on?’

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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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