Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 205

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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 205
While I was lost in thought, a voice pulled me from my reverie.
“By the way, where did that little runt go?”
I turned to see Atlant frowning, tilting his head in confusion.
I answered curtly.
“Why are you asking?”
“What? Well… that thing that follows you around like goldfish droppings isn’t here, so I’m asking.”
Calling a person goldfish droppings—what nonsense. I gave him a cold stare and shook my head.
“He’s sleeping.”
Until just moments ago, he’d been nodding off with his head on my lap, so I sent him to bed in the next room.
As my birthday drew closer, he’d been sleeping more and more, as if preparing for hibernation.
Since I wasn’t seeing him as often as before, I felt a slight pang of longing. But what could I do?
‘The problem is my separation anxiety is severe. I get anxious when I can’t see him—this is ridiculous.’
I fidgeted with my restless hands, tapping the armrest before lifting my eyes.
“Why does he seem less attached as time goes on? When I tried to push him away before, there wasn’t even a hint of him leaving.”
“Quiet.”
That was something I knew all too well.
Ekion certainly followed me and gazed at me with blind devotion, both in the past and now.
Yet I sensed something subtly different.
I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had changed.
But my instincts tingled with unease.
“You didn’t come here just to talk nonsense. What’s your business?”
“No, I came because you’re back. Do I need a specific reason to visit?”
“So you’ve finished everything I asked you to do last time?”
“…”
Atlant clamped his mouth shut like a clam. His evasive expression made it clear he hadn’t completed the task.
I clicked my tongue and rose from my seat.
As I brushed past Atlant, he looked flustered and followed me like a baby whale chasing its mother.
“What? Why are you leaving without saying anything?”
“I have nothing to say to someone who couldn’t finish their work.”
“How cold.”
“That’s right. It’s my charm.”
When I laughed softly, Atlant’s brow furrowed deeply. How petty of me, he seemed to think.
‘That’s what he gets for not finishing the job.’
I’d entrusted Atlant with tracking Lineius. I’d given the same task to Agenor as well.
But Atlant seemed less confident than the other, suggesting Agenor had discovered something.
“Third Brother seems to have found something.”
“Bingo, Sister. Shall we go to another room and talk? Without Second Brother, that is.”
At Third Brother’s casual remark, Second Brother raised one eyebrow.
“Hey, your manners are getting pretty loose, aren’t they?”
“Our rankings are determined by competence, aren’t they? I’ve accomplished what my sister asked of me. Haven’t you?”
“….”
“The difference is clear.”
“Fine. Stop pestering me. Follow me to the training grounds today.”
“Hmm, you think I’d be scared of talk like that, Second Brother?”
“Want to die? Why aren’t you calling me older brother?”
Somehow, Second Brother—despite being on his second life—seemed to be growing less mature as time went on.
There were moments when Third Brother appeared more grown-up than him.
‘I’ll hear the details a bit later.’
From the bickering, it seemed they’d head to the training grounds shortly.
Since this happened often, I naturally stopped my steps at the doorway.
A large shadow fell over me.
After waking from my long sleep and spending three more years, now approaching eighteen, my greatest complaint was that my completed growth in height displeased me.
‘Everyone around me has to look up quite a bit to see me. How annoying.’
It was the same this time.
As I slowly lifted my head, a small face appeared about a head above mine.
“Calypso, you were here.”
A voice so low it would be close to baritone or bass on Earth—it pierced my ears with an eerie depth.
Every time I heard it, my ears itched so much I wanted to scratch them raw.
I wasn’t the strange one here.
A pristine white face was etched on my retinas. Silver-white hair—or rather, gray hair—fluttered slightly.
Gray eyes were endlessly expressionless.
The shadow cast over me belonged to Whale, who had grown so much.
“Don’t call me so affectionately. It hurts my ears.”
“…Is that so?”
Whale nodded matter-of-factly.
“I’ll try.”
Even knowing it was an unnecessary remark, I nodded, realizing just how much he’d grown.
He no longer seemed flustered or at a loss when faced with my blunt, teasing manner.
Instead, he smiled with a touch of warmth.
And maturely.
‘As they say, other people’s children grow up so fast.’
Among my three older brothers, Atlant was the tallest. Whale was similar to him or perhaps even taller.
After all, by species, he was the largest among marine creatures—a white whale.
‘It’s a good thing his name isn’t “Great Whale.”‘
I reached out to gauge the height difference between Whale and myself but gave up.
Whale seemed to understand, gently lowering his head toward me.
“What are you doing?”
“Hm? Weren’t you trying to pat my head?”
“Huh? Weren’t you trying to pat my head?”
“That’s not it.”
“I see.”
He nodded obediently, but why wouldn’t he lift his head?
“But I like it.”
“….”
“When you pet me.”
Instead of petting him, I lowered my hand.
“Do something good first, then come back.”
As I shook my head with a laugh, Whale finally lifted his upper body.
Sure enough, Second Brother and Third Brother seemed determined to settle things once and for all, heading toward the training grounds.
‘Even so, they won’t be able to defeat Atlant, who bought a second round.’
Agenor’s pride was formidable too. Then again, he’d always been that way.
Moreover, my brothers were now entering their youth, that age when they couldn’t hide their vigorous spirits.
I gave up on hearing Agenor’s report and headed elsewhere.
Whale naturally followed at my side.
“Where are you going?”
“I came to see you, Calypso.”
“Well, you’ve seen me.”
“There’s still business left. I need to examine you.”
Ever since I started venturing directly into the Wasteland, Whale would conduct an examination whenever I returned.
Just in case I might be ill.
‘It’s really fortunate that the noble house has a healer.’
I gazed at Whale intently.
He had a truly handsome face.
Sharp jawline, straight nose. The firm body connected to those broad shoulders.
Whale had grown into someone any beastkin lady would be mesmerized gazing upon.
Especially with that gentle expression contrary to his stoic face—his kind nature was unparalleled, or so they said.
The handmaidens around me kept saying so.
Everyone believed that once I came of age, we would soon hold our betrothal ceremony.
“Whale, I’ve told you—you don’t need to be so kind to me anymore.”
But Whale and I knew the truth.
I had found a way in the Time Rift to return Whale’s lifespan.
I was so overjoyed at being able to restore those ten years of life that had always weighed on my mind.
Moreover, this method could also undo the ‘companion’ ceremony between Whale and me—a ritual exclusive to White Whales.
In other words, I could make it as if it never happened.
“I’m always genuinely grateful to you.”
Not long after I opened my eyes, I told Whale this truth.
“I’ll repay this debt for the rest of my life.”
In truth, three years passed in the Time Rift, then another three years in deep slumber.
During those six years, I never thought he would continue to care for me like this.
Think about it.
More than twice as much time has passed since I first met her.
Is it possible to develop feelings during that span of time?
Some say people live their entire lives on a single fleeting memory.
But for someone like me, who has lived through countless repetitions of long years, that didn’t seem particularly appealing.
A moment should remain just a moment.
‘Well, it’s just a childish infatuation. It’ll fade eventually.’
I came to realize that was my mistake.
The more I grew, the more I understood.
“Don’t spend your life with someone who doesn’t love you.”
I care for her deeply, but it’s not love.
It doesn’t seem like it will become love.
Keeping her by my side knowing this would be selfish.
“I came to understand this too, as I grew to care for you more. If I truly wish for your happiness, I can’t leave things as they are.”
So I told Whale everything. That I would set him free.
And this was exactly the third time I’d said it.
“I know. You said it last time too.”
“Right. So you don’t need to diagnose me every time. It’s a waste of your energy. If I get hurt, I’ll tell you right away. Should I swear an oath?”
“I understand what you’re trying to say.”
Whale nodded. Even his nod was gentle, as if utterly composed.
Eyes that seemed to comprehend everything.
It was a feeling I always had—if you were to turn a white whale into a human, this is exactly what it would be like.
That’s why I felt I couldn’t keep him by my side in this kind of relationship.
When Whale first heard this, he didn’t blame me for being resolute.
He simply nodded, as if to say, “I see.”
Whale glanced around, turning his head left and right for a moment, then took a step closer.
He stared intently, and when I didn’t retreat and met his gaze, he smiled softly before slowly bending his upper body forward.
A voice so low it sent shivers down my spine pierced through.
“But, Calypso. There’s still a grace period, isn’t there?”
That was true.
I had discovered a way to nullify both Whale’s ten-year lifespan and the bonding ritual.
The problem was that this method….
“Until then, you permitted me to make the effort to turn your heart toward me.”
….
“And I intend to use that permission to the fullest.”
It required me to use the ‘power of water.’
Whale laughed.
“Hmm? My prospective bonded.”
With a face that had clearly matured into adulthood.

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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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