Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 21

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 21
The Festival of Dragons.
“Right, that’s true. It must be held in the City of Dragons, right?”
I munched on my sausage with relish while listening to their conversation.
The topic they’d brought up was about the Empire’s festival held once a year.
It was also a ceremony to honor dragons and the Dragon Duke.
‘So it’s being held this year too.’
To be precise, it was a festival commemorating the Empire’s guardian deity, and also a way to prevent the Dragon Duke from overstepping the Imperial Court.
It was also an occasion for the Imperial Court to solidify its surveillance.
‘Right, in the previous chapter, I completely destroyed the entire Empire.’
And at the festival… the Dragon Duke I needed to meet would naturally be there too. It was an intriguing prospect.
“How could beastfolk like us ever go there? They’ll probably only invite land animal beastfolk again this year, I suppose.”
This world was rife with discrimination.
Because land animals were considered superior, only land animal beastfolk could generally enter the Dragon Festival unless they received a special invitation.
“What a shame. I really wanted to see it once.”
Tell me about it. I wanted to see this festival too.
Was there any way to make it happen?
‘Before I go as a bride, I’d like to see the Dragon Duke at least once.’
“It’s unfortunate, but… there’s nothing we can do about it. Oh! Did everyone hear? They say the Matriarch will be returning soon!”
I temporarily set aside thoughts of the Dragon Festival and blinked my eyes wide.
“She’s returning?”
“Kyaaah, how adorable, so adorable.”
“Did the Noble Lady just wink?”
“Not exactly, but I’ll do it once more, so tell me the details.”
“Kyaaah!”
After a commotion ensued, Eiya opened her mouth.
“The Matriarch stepped away briefly and is returning after three months. I heard she’s holding a family meeting as soon as she arrives.”
“The servants are going to be very busy.”
Hmm, I’d thought something seemed a bit noisy, yet the Matriarch hadn’t shown any reaction.
So she’d just stepped away for a while?
I looked at the handmaidens anew.
‘They’re well-informed about Home Territory, aren’t they?’
Even though they’re currently living with me in this shabby building.
“You’re quite well-informed.”
“Yes. We herring sisters are everywhere, after all.”
“Even in the Home Territory!”
That made sense. I thought they brought back more useful information than I’d expected.
‘A family meeting.’
The Orca Family’s leader was determined by whoever wielded the “power of water” to lead the aquatic beastfolk.
Naturally, the family’s retainers were, to put it mildly, mostly aquatic animals.
The First Vassal was from the whale families excluding the Orca Family, and from the Second Vassal onward, they were aquatic creatures.
‘The Orca Family Matriarch didn’t acknowledge them as vassals, so she’d call them fish market brats whenever things went wrong.’
It was called a meeting, but something was always breaking or people were flying through the air depending on the Orca Family Matriarch’s mood.
Some kind of incident always happened at these meetings.
“Wouldn’t it be good to introduce Calypso to everyone at the meeting?”
“That’s right, that’s right!”
Well, the Orca Family Matriarch didn’t chase me out to a different building like she did in other meetings.
No, wait. No, wait.
‘I climbed to the highest class at age three—could I actually have some expectations?’
Being introduced at the meeting was essentially a place to boast about having remarkable talent as a direct member of the Orca Family.
‘And I even became the top of the highest class.’
It was an achievement that absolutely couldn’t be ignored.
‘How do I even boast about this?’
My lips itched with anticipation.
Sigh, what a happy problem. I really want to see that old woman’s face wrinkle up.
‘Now there’s no way to skip grades anymore, so what can I do to grab attention?’
But it was only brief. Before I could even sink into thought, a spoon was suddenly thrust toward me. I could see orange.
“Calypso, say ah!”
This is…!
“Next is carrot!”
“…Ugh.”
Even after living roughly sixty years total across multiple cycles, there are some things you never get used to.
I spoke with dignity.
“I do not eat carrots.”
When I refused, Dede, who was also in charge of cooking, made a sad face.
“Is it because I made it taste bad? I’m sorry…!”
“Huh? No, that’s not it…!”
While I hesitated, Dede quickly covered her face after dropping the fork from her hand.
“I’m sorry! Someone like me shouldn’t be cooking!”
“No, no, no.”
…I am kind to those weaker than me!
Therefore, I opened my mouth while holding back tears.
“Just this once…!”
“Yes, of course, of course!”
But I, Dede, and all the other handmaidens here knew.
That tomorrow, another carrot dish would appear…
I chewed the carrot as if it were an enemy, burning with fighting spirit.
Age three.
‘So the family meeting is going to be held?’
An unexpected goal suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Is there any way to get my name on the Orca Family’s agenda?
‘It would be best if I could get an introduction.’
For now, I can’t immediately attend a mid-tier institution.
From there, I absolutely need physical abilities to back me up.
It’s not a place where mediocrites like Caron would belong.
‘Even if I go to Father and ask for more training, I won’t awaken overnight.’
An awakening that hasn’t happened until now won’t suddenly occur.
So in this situation, what could I actually accomplish if I tried harder…?
‘Do I need to meet my older brothers?’
In the Aquasiadel Family, I have three older brothers above me.
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
But didn’t I say my version is a hopeless child-rearing story?
Unfortunately, there were no doting older brothers here.
What existed instead was…
Only those savage Orca Family members who knelt only after being trampled by my strength.
“Hahaha, you’ve beaten me! I’ll follow you as the family head!”
“You’ve won, trample over me.”
“…”
In the third round, my older brothers who had been trampled by me even generously offered their backs for me to step on.
“You’re truly an unparalleled crazy Orca of our family!”
“The pride of our Orca Family!”
“I’ve never seen anyone crazier than you!”
There was no warm gaze of an affectionate older brother looking at a beloved younger sister.
Only awe as if watching a mad genius, and such a thick camaraderie that I could even mistake them for seeing me as a younger brother…
That’s all there was.
That didn’t mean my family’s older brothers had normal personalities, though.
‘Among these three lunatics in this house, who should I see first?’
Currently, if the Orca Family Matriarch has returned, all the family news would have reached her ears by now.
I’d stake my fins on it.
‘If I were thinking of becoming the family head, I would have already started cultivating talented people from now on, but…’
This world is heavily influenced by bloodline, whether among land-dwelling beastfolk or aquatic beastfolk.
Even within aquatic creatures, there were differences depending on what animal served as the maternal species.
I knew well the talented individuals who went unnoticed, hidden by such discrimination.
‘Because I gathered those outsiders and conquered the family.’
But now I have no intention of gathering them again.
‘It’s a hassle. Why bother when I’m leaving anyway…?’
Why does time pass so slowly?
Just as today’s lesson was ending, the children came scurrying toward me.
“Protagonist!”
“Protagonist!!”
They were the Beluga Twins. But there were more than just the two of them—between them stood a young boy who lowered his head shyly.
It was Nero, a Narwhal beastkin. Though his build was quite large, his expression was docile.
“Again tomorrow too!”
“Again tomorrow!”
“Protagonist! I want to get stronger too!”
“Protagonist, tomorrow can we eat fish for dinner?”
“Sure, sure. See you tomorrow. And you’ll eat by yourself.”
I couldn’t let them see me disliking carrots.
When I refused, the young Narwhal’s expression drooped, but the moment I stroked his head with my hand, he brightened up and lifted his head with a sparkle.
Of course, I was only able to stroke him because this young Narwhal had bent his knees one step below me.
In the meantime, Ruga and Ruba, who had stepped closer, grasped my hand.
I faced the twins without hesitation.
“You didn’t forget what I asked you today, right?”
“Of course not! I’ll ask Father right away!”
“Yeah yeah! I’ll ask him.”
“Good.”
I rose on my tiptoes and stroked the twins’ heads as well.
This too was only possible because the twins had bent their knees one step below me, just like Nero.
Though I’ll admit, the fact that I still had to rise on my tiptoes stung my pride just a little.
“Don’t forget.”
“Yes!”
“But Protagonist!”
Even after our farewells, the twins didn’t leave immediately and lingered around me.
I tilted my head in confusion as I tried to hurry down the stairs.
The twins exchanged a glance, then approached hesitantly and each grabbed one of my hands, lifting me up with a whoosh.
It was the palanquin carry I’d experienced before.
“You two…!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————