Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 291

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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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Side Story Episode 16
“Didn’t I tell you to come at this hour?”
Levai tilted his head as he watched Calypso’s bewildered expression. Calypso clicked her tongue.
Soon after, her face broke into an amused smile.
“Me? Yes, I did say that. But I could change my mind and hope you don’t show up, couldn’t I?”
“You’re bored, aren’t you? Just review the documents.”
Calypso accepted the documents.
Levai observed the child sleeping in Calypso’s arms. The child always took a nap at this hour.
‘Quite regular.’
That wasn’t all. Though she seemed to act recklessly on a whim, her mannerisms betrayed her refined upbringing.
An orca—technically nobility, but….
“Ah, speaking of which, Calypso. About the operation we planned yesterday….”
“Yeah. It’s about time we moved, isn’t it?”
Levai nodded.
“Will you take her with you?”
The child slept soundly. He asked without hesitation.
“Yeah. We don’t have anyone suitable to send to the Dolphin territory right now.”
“That may be true, but….”
“Can’t be helped. We don’t even know who the child’s parents are.”
“Isn’t that you, Calypso?”
“I’d rather die. This is getting boring now.”
Calypso snapped her fingers. Levai wiped away the water that splashed onto his cheek.
“Then who will guard her during the battle?”
“Good question.”
Battle was their daily routine. Fight and lull, fight again and lull. The objective of “conquering Aquasiadel” wasn’t far off, but it wasn’t finished yet.
‘Now that even Bellus has submitted… there shouldn’t be any major problems.’
Sorte is the issue. And that’s not all. Lirivel, who suddenly came to mind, is also a problem.
Well, they’re all weaker than me anyway.
Calypso stared intently at Levai. He felt a familiar unease from that gaze.
“Oh, come to think of it, I have someone among our people who would make an excellent nanny.”
“….”
Calypso snapped her fingers again. This time the stream of water gently caressed Levai. Surely not.
“I’m counting on you, Nanny.”
“Don’t say such ridiculous things. I’m busy!”
“But you withdraw to the rear during battles anyway, don’t you?”
“That’s what we call guarding the rear.”
“Right, right. Now guard her along with me. Her name is Cali.”
“You’re doing this again so arbitrarily…!”
“Aw, you’re embarrassing me with that intense stare.”
As Calypso teased Levai with a mischievous grin, he cleanly gave up on retorting.
I’ll accept it as an order disguised as a joke. That way, my mind is at ease.
“Since you understand… bring the child here.”
“Were you perhaps discussing the child’s treatment?”
A new voice interjected into the conversation between the two.
“Hm?”
I wasn’t startled by the familiar voice. I was only surprised by how he suddenly opened the door and entered.
“Hauser? What brings you here?”
Calypso tilted her head and quickly sensed something off. It seemed similar to usual, but… subtly different.
‘Did something happen to him?’
He was originally a reckless subordinate, but not so uncouth as to skip knocking.
Most of the people below equipped themselves with courtesy because they didn’t want to be hit.
Had an urgent matter arisen?
“Right, you must have something urgent enough to forget knocking. Speak.”
“My apologies, I forgot.”
“Well, it seems someone attacked and just happened to die on their own.”
“Something like that.”
At the two’s contextless conversation, Levai stared in bewilderment and shook his head.
“I demand an apology to my ears for having to listen to such foolish banter.”
“Oh, my bad. Right ear, I apologize.”
“I’ll apologize to my left ear.”
Insane people. Levai clicked his tongue.
“Right, Hauser. If it’s not urgent, knock properly next time. It’s embarrassing. What if I were doing something secretive?”
“Yes, my apologies. There won’t be such an incident in the future, but if anything unbecoming occurs, I will take full responsibility. Or you may enter my lodging without knocking. Preferably at night as well.”
“You’re insane.”
How could he take it that way? Calypso turned her gaze away from his eyes burning with quiet fervor.
Where did he come from fighting? His eyes are wild.
“So, is there anything else you have to say?”
“It seemed you were discussing the child’s treatment.”
There was nothing to hide, so I confirmed it.
“Please entrust the role of the child’s nursemaid to me. Including all manner of service.”
“Rejected.”
“…Why is that?”
“You don’t know how to care for children.”
Calypso nodded toward Levai.
“He’s a specialist in childcare. Do you know how many children he’s raised?”
Levai sighed briefly and answered.
“One. And typically, one doesn’t hear such things after raising one child…”
“You did hear it? That composure.”
“This is troublesome… I can’t exactly bring the child here and raise him right now.”
“Instead of wasting time on such thoughts, why don’t you accomplish at least one task.”
Calypso clapped her hands to stop the two of them. She could see a fight brewing.
Fighting broke out nearly every day and was welcome, but not in the barracks right now.
The child might wake up. That’s why she stopped clapping quickly.
“That’s enough. Levai has taken responsibility for this. Don’t argue anymore.”
The orca and the dolphin sealed their lips shut. A flicker of discontent crossed one’s damp eyes, but that was all.
“Actually, I didn’t come for nothing. I have something to report, to… no, Commander.”
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Calypso gestured with her hand. Cali, gently wrapped in a stream of water, floated up into the air.
Levai carefully took the child that had flown toward me, making sure she wouldn’t wake.
“I’ll give you the report a little later.”
“Mm.”
Would I understand the nature of the discomfort I felt earlier only after speaking privately?
Calypso waved her hand. Levai left with the child, and only the two of them remained.
“So what’s the matter?”
At Calypso’s question, Hauser’s expression turned grave.
* * *
Mmm, so sleepy… I want to sleep more. A familiar, comforting scent.
I slowly opened my eyes. Just as I thought, I saw the face I loved.
“Levai Father!”
I heard giggling from beside me.
“Oh, so the strategist became a nanny, and you got hired as a father?”
“You haven’t seen it before? She’s been calling the dolphin father this whole time.”
“Oh, so you and the Commander are a couple?”
I peeked around with half curiosity and half wariness. A few days had passed and I’d grown somewhat accustomed.
But the group with unfamiliar faces mixed in still felt strange. If it weren’t for the occasional familiar uncles and aunts I could see, it would have been difficult.
I fidgeted with my fingers. Not satisfied with that, I kept gripping Father’s clothes tightly.
“Are the stares uncomfortable?”
“Mm.”
“We should move somewhere else.”
Levai Father moved while holding me. After walking a bit, a quiet place appeared.
I glanced at the wildflowers blooming on the ground.
Then Father bent down for a moment and placed a flower in my hand.
“Mm?”
“You seemed to want it.”
I blinked my eyes.
…It’s strange every time I hear Levai Father speak casually. I can’t get used to it.
But I like this too!
“You seem to like this. It’s a gift.”
Levai Father always gave me gifts of things I liked.
Levai Father sat down with me at the base of a tree.
“This is behind the Commander’s barracks, so people don’t come here often. The Commander sometimes trains here too.”
“Hmm, so your mother’s in the barracks? I see.”
Levai Father, who had been staring at me intently, spoke.
“You know you’re far more intelligent than ordinary children.”
“Huh?”
“Your manner of speech is unbelievable for a three-year-old, and your mind works quickly—your way of thinking, your vocabulary, all of it is exceptional.”
“….”
Levai Father tapped my forehead lightly.
“I was the same way. That’s how I know.”
“….”
“You understand the situation you’re in, don’t you?”

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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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