Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 214

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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 214
The Wasteland.
An odd word to describe a place near the sea. Yet the land in this region was so barren, and the sea breeze so fierce, that it could be called nothing else.
It was a space that could only be described this way.
‘I’ve been here countless times before.’
I gazed at the parched earth and let out a deep sigh.
Once I had eliminated all the Shark Beastkin strongholds, I planned to relocate the people living here to the Aquasiadel territory.
Since I’d done the same in my third cycle, doing it once more wouldn’t be difficult.
The reason I hadn’t done it until now was because I knew that if I relocated them, Shark Beastkin who had infiltrated their ranks would cause chaos within the territory.
‘Well, it works out.’
For the sake of those struggling to survive, this was something I needed to handle quickly.
People often asked why Agenor, despite being the Matriarch, insisted on wandering alone.
In truth, having traveled through this place, I found it far more convenient this way.
Bringing an army against enemies waging guerrilla warfare would only increase the number of people I needed to protect.
‘Besides, without access to water’s power right now, there are physical limits to protecting large numbers.’
I clenched and unclenched my fist.
I hoped that at the stronghold we were heading to, I could finally eliminate that commander who supposedly possessed Lineius.
“Hey, Matriarch.”
When I turned my head, I saw Atlant standing at an awkward angle. He wore the same comfortable travel clothes as I did.
“I understand bringing along that Dolphin Retainer who’s weak as anything, but….”
“Who’s weak?”
Atlant spoke, ignoring Levai’s complaint.
“Why did you bring him along anyway?”
Our group was supposed to be three people total.
Myself, Second Brother, and Levai.
That was how it was supposed to be, but the Dragon Duke stood quietly beside me, also dressed in travel clothes.
“Should I have left him in an empty house?”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
Atlant circled around the Dragon Duke with a suspicious expression.
“Is this guy really the one who lost his memories? Or is he just pretending?”
“What are you talking about? Instead of wasting time on pointless chatter, why don’t you study the map more?”
However, I couldn’t withstand Second Brother’s gaze fixed upon me, so I lowered the map I’d been holding.
“This guy… except for a few things, he seems exactly the same as before.”
What was he trying to say anyway?
I tried to ignore him, but I lifted my head and spoke flatly.
“The reason I didn’t reveal Ekion’s existence to the outside world for such a long time had many reasons. But the biggest one was that Ekion himself lacked the ability to protect himself.”
No matter how powerful the guards I placed around him, gaps would inevitably appear.
I said Ekion would be different once he grew, and my thoughts were similar.
“Now he’s grown, and while unstable, he knows how to use his power.”
The truth is, it’s unstable and difficult to separate from me.
“Besides, you said you can’t be apart from me.”
A fragment of the First Dragon currently inhabiting Ekion’s body whispers to the Male Protagonist about going to the City of Dragons whenever an opportunity arises.
“I need to be by your side so you don’t hear that ghostly voice. What else can I do?”
….
“We even made a vow.”
At my words questioning what more he could possibly want, Atlant finally backed down slightly.
It was less about accepting it and more about avoiding me as I seemed ready to throw another punch.
“You’re sure you’re fine with walking for long stretches? Tell me if anything feels wrong with your body, even a little.”
Nod.
The Male Protagonist nodded slowly.
Then, after hesitating for a moment, he asked.
“Will you keep calling me that?”
“What?”
I played innocent without a second thought.
In the meantime, a quiet voice cut through the space between us.
“May we proceed with the briefing again now?”
“…Fine.”
Atlant ground his teeth and summoned the power of water, lifting a massive map that floated in the air.
“The city we’re heading to is about three days’ journey from here. You all know the name well enough, but still.”
Levai pointed to various locations on the map, marking the shortcuts and the places where we would rest briefly along the way.
After Levai’s briefing ended, we packed our things and set out again.
About a day passed like that.
While examining which village to stop at along the way, Second Brother called out to me.
“There’s a person collapsed?”
“Yeah.”
When we went to check, sure enough, some ragged figure was lying there.
Covered in filthy dust, it was clear they had wandered this Wasteland for quite some time.
“A vagrant?”
“They could be nomads settled in the Wasteland.”
“Are there even nomads in this land? They’re probably just humans fleeing from the Sharks.”
As each of us spoke, the collapsed figure stirred slightly.
Then their eyes slowly opened.
In that instant, I froze.
‘Golden eyes?’
But when I blinked again, instead of golden, they were ordinary green eyes.
Why did I feel like I’d seen such a distinctly golden color?
My senses as an adult are already at their peak, and I shouldn’t be prone to such illusions.
Yet from this person who had just opened their eyes, I felt no ominous presence whatsoever.
“W-who are you…?”
I glanced at Second Brother and let out a short laugh.
“Well, Second Brother. It’s been a long time since someone asked me about my hair like that. Right?”
“What….”
Even the weakest Beastkin living in the Wasteland could recognize an Orca at a glance.
After all, we possess distinctly conspicuous hair.
The man who had been lying down needed a moment to regain his senses before he suddenly scrambled to his feet.
“O, O, Orca….”
But someone stepped on the man as he tried to rise. Surprisingly, it was Levai.
“Master, this is one of those guys.”
Levai tapped his own neck lightly. I frowned slightly.
“Why do you use that form of address?”
“Then what should I call you?”
I couldn’t call myself Matriarch, and I was reluctant to reveal my name. Still, “master” felt somewhat….
“Ah, is it a preference of yours?”
“Why, if it’s a preference, I’ll call you that for life?”
“….”
I chuckled and looked at the man pinned beneath Levai’s foot.
Our delicate(?) strategist’s foot pressed down on the trembling man, and sure enough.
Three lines like tattoos were visible along his neck.
The distinctive mark of all Shark Beastkin.
“So this is what a lone shark pup wandering around looks like?”
“Kill him?”
“W, w, wait a moment!”
I raised my hand to stop Second Brother. Then I signaled the Dragon Duke to step back before turning to face the Shark Beastkin again.
“Any last words before you die?”
“W, wait, wait. I, I have something to say.”
“Fine, fine. I can spare about three minutes to hear your excuses.”
Any shark wandering around this place was definitely part of the group that tormented weak Beastkin.
“I, I was on my way to turn myself in…!”
“Hmm?”
“I, I’m serious.”
The Shark Beastkin’s story went like this.
He had witnessed something truly horrific at his base, and unable to endure it any longer, he fled only to be caught, beaten severely, and abandoned.
Indeed, he was covered in wounds everywhere.
‘Why is it, I just can’t trust this…?’
“I, I can even swear by the oath of the sea!”
But when the Shark Beastkin said this, Second Brother’s expression, which had been equally fierce, softened slightly.
It was an absolute oath for aquatic animal Beastkin.
After all, no one wanted to break such a vow and lose their life in vain.
And so the Shark Beastkin finished his oath and began to recount the circumstances.
“T-the Sharks have gone mad. No, everyone in my faction has lost their minds…!”
“What is it? Just tell me the main point, the main point.”
“The Sharks… have joined hands with the land animal Beastkin!”
The moment I heard those words, we stared at each other.
‘What?’
Had something like this happened in the previous cycle? No, it hadn’t.
Since I’d changed so many things, I wasn’t sure if this too was an altered future.
But entering without knowing was far worse.
‘It’s certainly useful information, though….’
Why did it feel so unsettling? He’d sworn the Oath of the Sea, so I should trust him.
At my signal, Levai lifted his foot.
Second Brother, quick to catch on, grabbed the Shark Beastkin by the collar and lifted him up.
“Hyieek…!”
“Right, if what you say is true. You can guide us, can’t you?”
“Y-yes?”
“Do it. Guide us.”
To your residence.
The Shark Beastkin went pale at my words, but ultimately couldn’t refuse.
As if he thought this was better than death.
After entrusting the Shark Beastkin to Atlant for the time being, I turned and walked away.
A man quietly approached my side. I lifted my head, then paused for a moment.
Eyes harboring a strange yearning.
The Dragon Duke stared at me intently, then lowered his head and whispered near my ear.
“…Don’t trust him.”
Was he saying the Shark Beastkin was suspicious? That was exactly what I was feeling.
“I know. But he’s staked his life on the oath. For now, I’ll keep watching.”
“No, don’t trust even that.”
“What are you trying to say?”
For aquatic Beastkin, the Oath of the Sea is absolute.
But the Dragon Duke, as if trying to explain something inexplicable, moved his lips for a moment before frowning.
Watching him like this, something came to mind.
The ‘golden eyes’ I’d seen when the Shark Beastkin opened his eyes.
“Did you perhaps see it too? When that man opened his eyes. Those golden eyes.”
There are different shades of gold.
And the disturbingly thick, murky gold I’d seen, along with that gold tinged slightly with orange—I’d only ever seen them in one species.
Lions.
The Imperial Palace bastards.

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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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