Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 292

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

Side Story: Episode 17
Instead of answering, I had to stare intently at Levi Father.
‘Hmm, what should I say?’
Cali had certainly wondered from the moment she opened her eyes whether this place was a dream….
Even after meeting Mother, she wasn’t disappointed when Mother didn’t recognize Cali. She understood right away that it was because this was a dream!
I was a little happy that Levi Father recognized me. No, very happy!
Most of all, when I opened my eyes just now, I was in my own room.
‘Finally, I’ve woken up from the dream!’ I was delighted. I could see Mother and Father huddled together beside the bed.
“Listen carefully, my daughter. When you fall asleep, you’ll go back to that place again.”
Mother explained while telling me not to be surprised.
“My beloved daughter. Our daughter is so smart that you can understand what Mother says, right? You are taking a journey right now. A very special journey. Mother will teach you a few things so you can enjoy it. You need to listen carefully, okay?”
Not long after I opened my eyes, I grew drowsy again. Mother said it was fine to fall asleep.
She said there was nothing for Cali to worry about. Mother and Father would take care of everything.
They would come running anytime.
But then….
“Who are you?”
I rubbed my eyes and saw Levi Father. His face and tone of voice are indeed different from the Levi Father I know.
But his eyes looking at Cali are so tender. That’s why I like Father.
“Whatever choice Cali makes there, our daughter is free. Do whatever you want.”
“And perhaps….”
“Are you really my daughter?”
“Levi there, your father, will surely say this. Because you’re so smart.”
Mother said this and chuckled.
“At that moment, whether you tell the truth or not. Do whatever you want, daughter.”
Mother said I could tell him everything I know.
“Asking for help is also your choice, daughter. But from what Mother knows, Levi there will be a great help.”
I clenched my tiny fists tightly.
Then I will!
* * *
Levai sighed softly.
In truth, he wondered what he was even saying to this tiny child.
He generally made sound judgments. But this time, even he couldn’t be certain.
And no wonder—a baby from the future? Did that even make sense?
“If you say she resembles me… then that mind makes sense too.”
Levai carefully stroked the child. Cali felt his touch was tender.
‘…Perhaps I’m seeing what I want to project.’
Humans see what they wish to see.
Even he, who prided himself on being intelligent, knew he could sometimes be trapped in foolishness.
In truth, the child resembled Calypso perfectly—there were no other features from which he could deduce the child’s father.
In truth, that captain seemed like she would have been extraordinary even in childhood. So then.
‘My assumption might be completely wrong.’
Perhaps there was someone among the Orca Beastkin who resembled Calypso, and this child was born from such a union.
The bright-eyed boy tugged at the ornament on Levai’s clothing.
“Dad, Cali is hungry….”
Grrrrowl.
A sound that somehow felt endearing echoed between them.
Levai lowered his head and smiled slightly. It was the sound of tension melting away.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
It was a clever child’s answer. He decided not to press further.
Though it was just a feeling, his master—equally clever and possessed of an uncannily sharp intuition—seemed likely to figure out the truth anyway.
He was merely here to support. As always.
“Do you have any favorite foods?”
“Meat! And fish!”
“…What a coincidence. My master is also obsessed with both.”
It was the moment Levai muttered this.
CRASH!
A tremendous sound, something tearing, then a heavy thud as something fell.
Levai instinctively stepped back and pulled the child into his arms.
When he looked up, smoke filled the air.
“Don’t move. It’s dangerous.”
“Mm! Cali is used to this, don’t worry!”
Cali grasped Levai’s garment and smiled brightly. Levai was taken aback.
“Used to what, exactly?”
“Fighting, of course!”
The smoke cleared, and coughing sounds could be heard.
In Calypso’s makeshift training ground, beneath a large tree, a figure sat leaning against it, coughing.
Surprisingly, it was Hauser.
And the back of Calypso’s Barracks was completely blown open. Hauser had crashed through it.
“What am I obsessed with?”
Calypso walked out from the Barracks, holding her neck and moving it side to side.
“We were discussing your favorite foods.”
“I see.”
“However….”
Levai’s gaze glanced toward the fallen Hauser.
“What happened?”
“Mom!”
Cali, upon seeing Calypso, eagerly waved her tiny hands.
“You won? You won!”
“Yeah, I won, you little rascal.”
Calypso poked Cali’s chubby cheeks playfully. Even if she was an Orca, she showed no surprise at seeing a person sent flying?
Is she really my daughter?
Calypso answered Levai while entertaining such a frivolous thought.
“She was saying something strange, so I hit her to get her head straight.”
“What sort of thing was she saying?”
“I don’t know. She suddenly started spouting some sappy nonsense.”
Calypso’s eyes turned cold as she rubbed her neck.
“It was as if she had become a completely different person.”
The abilities of aquatic Beastkin were diverse. Among them were those like the anglerfish who could “brainwash” people.
There were also Beastkin with the ability to transform and mimic the appearance of others.
Even among her subordinates, the Octopus Beastkin named Ackfus possessed a mimicry ability that allowed him to blend into his surroundings like a Chameleon.
Now was the time when Calypso’s faction drew the most attention.
In a situation where she couldn’t predict what moves her enemies might make, all possibilities remained open.
‘She threw that punch without hesitation.’
Regardless of what she had actually said, Calypso seemed to have judged that this was an enemy wearing Hauser’s face.
“So should I have this one arrested?”
“That’s what I was thinking, but…”
Calypso trailed off. The answer came from the direction of the tree.
“Cough, cough. That’s too much.”
Hauser had somehow gotten to his feet.
“Looking at that durability, it seems like you’re the real deal?”
Few could withstand Calypso’s sincere punch.
Moreover, when they sparred, his fighting style was identical.
Calypso tilted her head in confusion.
“…No, actually your skills have improved dramatically. It felt like you knew my movements well too.”
“Yes?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Calypso’s expression turned cold. She couldn’t be certain yet. Her gaze turned icy as it fixed on Hauser.
And for good reason.
She recalled the moment just before when they had been alone together.
“Tell me. You went through all that trouble to meet privately—what is it you needed to say? Is someone really going to attack?”
“Yes.”
Calypso’s expression grew serious. Someone’s going to attack? Who this time?
She waited for his answer, slightly on edge.
“It feels as though someone is stepping on my heart, Matriarch.”
Strange words spilled from Hauser’s mouth. Setting aside the content of what he said.
…Matriarch? Has he lost his mind?
Just as Calypso was about to frown.
Hauser approached her in a few quick strides, took her hand, and dropped to one knee. Then he let out a low sigh.
“…It’s really you.”
“Huh?”
“Calypso.”
Hauser’s expression was utterly grave, stiff enough to make Calypso tense involuntarily.
He was the type to hint without fully revealing. Even with those obsessive eyes, she had been certain he would never speak of it.
“There is something I deeply regretted not being able to say in this lifetime.”
Hauser lifted his head.
His serious face held a power that sealed Calypso’s lips shut. Beneath his taut expression and trembling eyes, tears soon gathered.
Drip.
A single tear streamed down his face.
What could she call this expression? Calypso couldn’t find the right words.
Regret, love and hate, hatred, affection, and….
Remorse.
“Will you marry me?”
Words that raced ahead even of liking, even of love itself.
The Orca froze in place.
“…Did you take medicine, you crazy bastard?”
Calypso barely managed to open her mouth. No—her fist was faster than her words!
She threw it without hesitation.

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