Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 258

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

Chapter 258
“If those in the capital and the land beastkin scattered across the continent claim to be victims, who would rise up to listen?”
I thought of the land beastkin who were likely living peacefully, completely unaware of what had happened in Madrum.
“This horrific research was actually ordered by the Imperial Palace. The evidence has fallen into the Orca’s hands.”
The Imperial Palace wielded tremendous power, but in truth, beyond their own individual strength,
they maintained that power because noble families, practically landowners across this vast Empire, showed unwavering faith toward the Imperial Palace.
In fact, Bellus and Atlant, Loreille and Levai didn’t stop at rescuing people from the research facility—they also gathered various documents.
Materials that could serve as connections to the Imperial Palace or evidence of the horrific experiments.
‘Levai apparently made tremendous contributions among them.’
True to form for someone on our side who handles documents, he thoroughly searched and brought back only the important ones.
After Hauser, Levai was the next one I’d seen, and I’d worried whether he might have developed PTSD.
I remember feeling relieved that he seemed fine, though I also recall feeling somewhat deflated.
“Request support from Loreille’s side as well.”
The rescued beastkin were truly a diverse mix of animals, so rumors would spread even without my direct involvement.
‘But if I participate, the rumors will carry an influence that can never be dismissed as mere hearsay.’
“The second support unit is coming, right? Pass the word to them too.”
“…Yes.”
“Have copies of the documents made like you did for Loreille and send them to each territory.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea.”
Atlant and Bellus rose from their seats. Generally, cleanup after battle was more difficult than the battle itself.
Therefore, the two of them were currently busy filling in for my absence.
“Hey, Bellus and I are almost done, right?”
“You still won’t call me brother?”
“Who’s your brother?”
“You’ll get hit if you keep that up.”
I clicked my tongue. Atlant was about to bristle but subtly glanced at Bellus instead.
It seemed he sufficiently acknowledged him as his brother, but given how poorly they’d gotten along in both my past and present lives, he apparently found it difficult to actually call him that.
‘He has a somewhat endearing side, I suppose.’
“Hey, Matriarch.”
Atlant called out to me and then hesitated.
“What is it? You called me—why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Well…”
As Atlant scratched the back of his head repeatedly, Bellus stepped in, unable to watch any longer.
“When are you going to meet the Dragon Duke?”
“…”
“-That’s what he seems to want to ask.”
“Ah, yes! That’s right!”
Atlant nodded awkwardly. Normally, he would have disapproved of Bellus’s interference.
But he seemed quite curious.
“You—when did you stop clinging to him like that, and how come you haven’t called him once while dealing with everyone else?”
“….”
“That won’t do. Regardless, because of you, that city was blown to pieces….”
“Pfft, when did we become so close?”
“What?”
“No, I’m just amazed at how desperately you’re taking my side. I heard you, Hauser, and Eldest Brother worked hard to stop the rampage. Yet you’re still defending me.”
You must have suffered greatly.
“Because of you, that city was destroyed, and since you wouldn’t meet with me. Yes, it bothered me. Satisfied?”
“….”
“No matter what you say, you brought me here when I was just a shrimp and forced me to keep seeing you. It was annoying, but I heard all that nonsense about affection born from irritation. Why? Damn it, it’s all because of you!”
“…It wasn’t forced.”
At my words, Atlant turned his back with a huff, grumbling about how he shouldn’t have said anything.
I spoke to Atlant’s retreating figure.
“Call Ekion here on your way out.”
Atlant flinched and looked back.
His expression said ‘see?’, but he said nothing more and simply nodded before turning away again.
I hadn’t waited long in the room before the door burst open.
“Wait, don’t push….”
“What are you doing? Hurry up and get in.”
I heard Atlant’s voice. At the same time, there was a sound of a kick, and someone collapsed helplessly in front of the door….
Simultaneously, the door shut with a click.
“….”
The person who had collapsed helplessly on the floor was, of course, Ekion, and the foot that had kicked him visible through the door crack belonged to Atlant.
‘This crazy bastard….’
I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t speak. Where should I even start?
Ekion wasn’t the type to meekly accept being kicked by Atlant.
And since when did Atlant care for Ekion enough to kick him affectionately?
‘Did I actually pass out for about a year?’
I shook my head at the absurd thought.
“Ekion.”
I called to him cautiously and was startled.
His face was far too damaged. His complexion was gaunt, as if he hadn’t eaten anything.
Yet despite this, his beautiful features still shone brilliantly, though they seemed withered and faded—like a plant on the verge of death.
Alarmed, I tried to stand up abruptly but stumbled.
“Ugh….”
“Calypso!”
Ekion, who had been collapsed in front of the door moments before, was now holding me.
I lifted my head from his embrace.
Ah, he really has lost weight.
As far as I knew, I hadn’t been unconscious that long. Surely he didn’t skip every meal?
Since no one who visited my room mentioned anything like that, I couldn’t ask carelessly.
But there was something I needed to say first.
“I’m sorry.”
“….”
“Not calling you wasn’t because I disliked you.”
I wanted to speak more calmly, but the words tumbled out with a note of urgency.
Before I could say anything else, Ekion grasped my hand firmly.
“It’s fine. I wasn’t bothered.”
“Ekion.”
“…Because I believed you would call for me.”
“….”
Pushed forward by his strength, I fell into his embrace. My heart thundered wildly. His massive frame trembled faintly.
“What I fear most, Calypso, is never seeing you again.”
Ah.
I quickly wrapped my arms around him, so he could find solace and cry if needed.
My chest stirred with emotion.
“All this time, I’ve wished that no one else would remain by your side.”
Ekion did not weep. Instead, with a face twisted in anguish as though tears might spill at any moment, he spoke while restraining his breath.
“At times, I’ve suffered from an obsession—one where I would use my own strength to ensure nothing else remained around you, and I would be satisfied with that alone.”
Faced with such a weighty confession, I held my breath for a moment.
Ekion could, if he wished, bring about the world’s destruction through his rampage.
I was overwhelmed before the confession of someone who could make such a reality.
“I’ve realized it now. If you had died this time, even if you were reborn and lived again, you might not be the same person.”
Ekion’s words carried the same meaning as what I had told Levai and Hauser.
“Calypso, I was wrong. I won’t resent it anymore. It’s fine if you keep anyone by your side.”
In truth, it wasn’t anyone’s place to grant permission for who I kept near me.
“Even if you’re drawn to those from your past, it’s alright with me.”
Yet I listened quietly to Ekion’s words.
“Among those people, I just need to be kept by your side too. I’ll be satisfied with that….”
This wasn’t the first time I’d heard Ekion’s confession. Yet it sounded more poignant now than any confession you’d made to me before.
I love Ekion.
This was an undeniable truth.
But then Hauser appeared, and I learned Levai’s truth, and I gained even more subordinates….
On the other hand, I gradually came to understand. I was not someone capable of seeing only one person.
This isn’t to say I love multiple people romantically.
Just as Ekion sees only me, I could not regard Ekion alone as the goal of my life.
Too many things weighed upon my shoulders, and I was too greedy to abandon even a single one.
I understood it instinctively.
The moment I accepted this person, we would have no choice but to love with an imbalance that would last a lifetime.
I think I’d always believed Ekion couldn’t endure this. That it would be painful, that it would become poison to him.
“…I’ll let go of my obsession. So please, stay with me.”
“Don’t talk as if I abandoned you.”
“Y-yes….”
I leaned against Ekion’s chest and pulled his thin frame close to me.
Strangely, hearing him say he would abandon his obsession with me for my sake made me love him even more.
“You really won’t be greedy?”
“Yes.”
I laughed softly.
“A dragon who destroyed an entire city just from seeing me hurt is fond of me—it actually feels wonderful. Is that strange?”
I lifted my head slightly from Ekion’s embrace.
“You can be greedier if you want. Though erasing my family or my subordinates would be too much.”
“….”
“I want to be with you too.”
Ekion’s eyes widened slightly.
Despite his gaunt face, he looked endearing.
“When I see you first, I don’t think I’ll want to part. That’s why I did it.”
“….”
“So don’t feel hurt.”
Ekion seemed flustered, then lowered his head and rubbed his face against my cheek.
It was a childlike expression of affection, but it was enough for me.
“I’ve reflected on my actions.”
“Yes, Ekion.”
I wasn’t sure what exactly he was reflecting on, but I nodded along anyway.
It was a peaceful moment.
“Even if you take another husband….”
If only Ekion hadn’t said something so shocking.

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