Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 172

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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 172
As I watched the castle crumble, a memory surfaced in my mind.
A deep rumbling echoed from behind, the destruction still ongoing.
“Father, now that I think about it, didn’t you say something like this five years ago?”
Five years ago, on the day I rescued Ekion alongside Father, and Tus remained in his place instead.
Father had left me and Ekion at the residence and stepped out again, saying something then.
“I have some matters to attend to. I’ll be back shortly.”
He returned much later. No matter how much I asked what he’d been doing, he never told me.
“Well… if things go as expected, it should take about two weeks, or a week if we’re lucky, but I doubt it’ll be quick.”
That matter suddenly came back to me.
“Father, you definitely went out alone five years ago and came back saying exactly that. Don’t you remember?”
“I don’t recall.”
I slightly furrowed my brow and stared at him intently.
By now, I could distinguish between when Father was joking and when he wasn’t.
“You’re lying. Your expression shows you remember.”
I could tell he was remembering while pretending not to.
“Can you read my mind now too?”
Father chuckled softly.
“Yes, I remember.”
With another tremendous crash, another section of the castle collapsed.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to see the castle crumble?”
“…What?”
I turned my head at his unexpected words.
“What I did five years ago was for that purpose.”
“What do you mean?”
Father spoke in a casual tone.
He had loosened several pillars with the power of water five years ago.
He’d originally planned to destroy them upon his return, but his mind changed.
“Why did you change your mind?”
“Because it seemed you would visit this place again. So I decided to keep it intact until then.”
“…”
“Wasn’t it that you wanted to escape from Aquasiadel? Then I should just leave it be.”
“…”
“After all, it’s the castle of the city where you and I will live.”
He explained that the traces of power he’d left behind remained intact, and the Tortoises’ assault had made it collapse even more easily.
I wasn’t sure whether I should be amazed that Father’s power was still manifesting even now, five years later.
Or whether I should be amazed that he’d sensed everything in my heart back then, without me saying a word.
I simply laughed.
“Well then, I suppose I’ll continue living as Father’s daughter.”
At my passing remark, Father seemed to be staring at me intently.
I didn’t lift my head, but I could tell.
“…That’s quite a happy thing to say.”
Noticing how our speech patterns had grown similar without my realizing it, we shared a moment of quiet laughter.
‘I never expected the Tortoises to go this far for us.’
I gazed anew at the castle.
During the previous war, the Beastkin of the Dragon’s city had not participated.
So I hadn’t fully understood their true capabilities.
“Thanks to them drawing attention, our escape became much easier.”
With everyone rushing out, the outer districts of the city were completely empty. We were racing through this gap to make our return.
Atlant, watching the scenery outside the moving carriage, let out an exclamation.
“Wow, this is incredibly smooth?”
“Don’t let your guard down. We’re not safe until we completely pass through the castle gates.”
We were all riding together in the same carriage.
“Tch, I know that.”
Even though the city was empty, we’d decided it was better to manage one carriage than two, so we’d all climbed in together.
‘I’d already smuggled out the Herring Maids and Misa at dawn.’
Now it was our turn.
Once we passed through those massive castle gates ahead, there would be no problem racing all the way to Aquasiade.
In other words, this was our final obstacle.
“Tsk. Since we’ve split up the Knights, if anyone tries to stop us here, we’ll be caught immediately.”
My words seemed to jinx us.
Our carriage soon came to a halt at the castle gates.
Peeking through the curtain, I could see the Orca Knight conversing with the gate guards.
Most of the Dragon’s castle Knights had rushed off, but a few had apparently remained at this checkpoint.
The Dragon’s castle Knight tilted his head, then made a dismissive gesture.
It seemed he understood—that since the Dragon’s Bride would now remain here, unnecessary personnel could return.
That was the moment the Orca Knight turned to leave.
“Wait, stop right there!”
A commotion erupted, and murmuring voices drifted through the window.
‘Predators.’
Were there still forces left to block the castle gates?
A Black Panther house Knight and a Knight from some unknown house. Their numbers weren’t that many.
Looking back, tension was etched across Drex’s face.
‘We can’t fight.’
We had to disappear without leaving any trace.
The Orca Knight gave the same explanation, but apparently it didn’t convince them, as the Black Panther Knight approached our carriage.
“Please stop and step out for a moment.”
At the voice calling from outside, I glanced at my Father.
There’s no choice. Once we’ve come this far, it’s either combat or knocking them unconscious.
“Father, Second Brother. Wait just a moment.”
I stopped the two of them before they could conjure water jets at each other.
In that tense moment, a familiar voice reached my ears.
“What’s going on?”
Lili, who had been nestled peacefully in Levai’s arms, lifted her head sharply.
The ears atop Lili’s head twitched with interest.
“Oh, Second Brother…!”
“I asked what’s happening.”
“Well, we were just verifying that the Dragon’s Bride’s party was departing. The Dragon Duke instructed us to thoroughly inspect the gates just in case.”
“Is that so? I’ll handle it.”
“Yes? But my lord, surely you wouldn’t—”
“Never mind. I’m trying to earn some points with Father too. I can’t keep chasing after pretty young ladies forever, can I? Right? Oh, that’s right.”
Palaya’s voice was languid and leisurely.
“I heard there are some suspicious fellows trying desperately to escape near the north gate. The center is busy dealing with those worthless ones right now, aren’t they?”
“We shall go check it out.”
The Knights who had gathered soon departed from their positions.
Moments later, the door opened.
When Palaya’s eyes met mine, he hesitated, but then his expression changed as he saw Lili.
‘Well, would you look at that?’
His face melted like whipped cream.
Lili opened her mouth in delight, but Levai’s hand held her back.
“…All clear. You may depart.”
“Yes.”
“But since they’re fish folk, I can’t let my guard down completely. I’ll keep watch until you’re beyond the city walls.”
Soon the gate closed and our carriage passed through it, accompanied by Palaya on horseback beside us.
He rode alongside our carriage.
How far had we traveled?
Knock, knock. The door opened again with a rap.
“Please step out? It’s time to change carriages.”
As we exited, two splendid carriages stood waiting.
And before them, the Herring Maids and Misa, who had been shifting their feet eagerly, came scurrying over with delighted faces.
I waved to them, then looked at Palaya.
“You really did it exactly as promised?”
“I even swore an oath. What else could I do?”
His words were formal, yet somehow carried the tone of a carefree rogue. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“As agreed, you’ll give us time to say goodbye?”
“Go. But I can’t give you much time.”
Despite his roguish tone, his face was nothing but anxious.
I watched from afar as Palaya and Lili reunited.
Ekion and Tus were still floating above the ground, suspended by Father’s power.
Completely wrapped in their robes.
“Father, can you keep me suspended in the air like this for about three more days?”
“Even to Aquasiade is possible.”
I let out a small laugh.
‘Ah, so that’s what I’ve learned this time.’
How wonderful it would be if I could also wield the power of water.
Having experienced it once in Poseidum, I found myself regretting it all the more.
When I return, I must find a way somehow.
It would be good to seek out the master who had taught me the power of water in my previous cycle.
While I was thinking this, the brief farewell between the Black Panther and the squirrel came to an end.
“…I will definitely come to retrieve him within three months.”
Palaya, who had approached me again, had red-rimmed eyes as if he had been crying.
“Do as you wish.”
I turned away with a dismissive reply.
“Ah, please keep him safe. W-well, food too, and if he can’t eat, please give him cake! Cake especially!”
“….”
“He likes quilts. If possible, a goose-down quilt, or rather, I’ll send one from my maternal home!”
“….”
“And if, perhaps, he c-cries, he would like it if you held him just once….”
I turned back slightly.
“If you’re going to be that sentimental, come back sooner than three months.”
At my cold words, Palaya bit his lip firmly and slowly nodded.
I turned away as it was.
‘For whatever reason… it seems in this cycle, Lili’s only family is that bastard Palaya.’
Thus we boarded the carriage and departed.
A sound of something crashing echoed from that city.
We set out for Aquasiade once more, leaving the fierce struggle behind.
Our homeland.
Blue flags rippled like waves of victory.
No, it was a signal announcing our triumph.
* * *
The journey back was smooth.
“I’ll tell the Black Panther’s side that there’s no reason for us to remain now that the Dragon Duke has disappeared, and we’ll depart.”
“I see.”
“And if we add that the Dragon’s Bride is unwell and we’re returning, there will be no apparent problems on the surface.”
Father let out a small chuckle.
“I’m worried about where my daughter is ailing.”
“…What are you saying.”
Tap, tap, tap. We sat before a crackling campfire.
Evening had fallen, and we were camping in a suitable location.
I sat properly on a log, and on both my thighs, two young boys slept side by side in colorful dreams.
One was Tus and the other was Ekion. I smiled softly as I observed the Young Boys, who looked identical yet possessed subtly different builds.
‘Like dolls, truly.’
They seemed like brothers.
While I stroked Ekion’s soft hair, Father gazed down at me with a displeased expression.
“Can I throw her into the lake?”
“…No.”
Soon after, the Orca Knight found Father, and he departed while casting a cold glance at Ekion.
It was a peaceful moment.
As I gazed quietly at the campfire, I sensed a faint presence.
When I turned my head, there was a small squirrel. Perhaps it was time for her to return.
With a soft pop, a Young Boy stood before my eyes.
Lili seemed reluctant to meet my gaze and slowly lifted her head.
She appeared to be gauging my reaction.
Rather than ask why, I simply stared at her for a moment before speaking.
“You’ve come at just the right time, Lili.”
Lili had been acting this way ever since meeting Palaya.
“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
The Young Boy flinched but did not retreat, though her expression grew troubled.
“May I ask you something?”
“…Yes, big sister.”
Lili nodded slowly.
I spoke without hesitation.
“Why do you keep following me?”
I simply hadn’t found the right moment to ask until now.
I’d been curious about this since the castle.
Why did Lili follow me?

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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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