Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 356

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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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Additional Side Story: Act 20
…Did I mishear that?
I couldn’t help but be startled. Yet Palaya’s expression was unexpectedly serious.
Whatever whim this was, I nodded in agreement. Thus I accepted on the condition of swearing a water oath that I would absolutely return.
To be honest, I still felt bewildered even now.
“One last question—are you really going?”
“What? If you’re changing your mind now, say so. I’ll just go to my room on my own.”
“Who said anything about changing their mind? You’re being petty.”
I crossed my arms.
“…Fine. So when you come back, whether your father the Dragon Duke locks you up or beats you, I won’t hold it against you.”
“That’s not it!”
Palaya bristled.
“And who beat you up? Have you been getting hit this whole time?”
Your older brother did. And you did too.
I recalled the first loop, when I was misunderstood for pushing Lili, and he said he’d do the same to me and shoved me.
Well, what’s the point of arguing with someone who doesn’t remember?
“Your household servants. Whenever they feel bored, they prick you with needles under the pretense of changing your clothes, trip your feet. Isn’t that violence?”
…
I laughed softly.
“Both master and servant alike. How dreadful.”
Servants watch their master’s mood.
After all, the disrespectful treatment toward me ultimately stemmed from the master, so there was nothing particularly surprising about it.
…Or so I thought, but Palaya was biting his lip.
“Tell me their names.”
“? Why should I? And what would you do with the names anyway? Isn’t all the violence directed at me simply following your father’s orders?”
…
“That’s enough. Be satisfied that I can go out today.”
I tapped my chest.
“I swore a water oath, so you know I’ll return. Even if I died, my corpse would probably be summoned back here.”
“…Are you saying you’d commit suicide?”
“…?? Why would I?”
He’s spouting nonsense.
For whose benefit?
Perhaps because I looked so absurdly bewildered, Palaya rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed expression.
…From now on at least.
“Huh?”
“…From now on… if you…
“What are you saying? Speak up.”
No.
“There’s no time. Guide me quickly.”
“…You don’t even understand the mood?”
“Why would I care about the mood with you?”
“….”
I wondered if he might give up now that he was in a foul mood, but he grumbled and began to guide me anyway.
“It’s a hole I dug out back when I secretly went to meet another noble lady.”
“….”
“What, that look on your face?”
Here he was, barely any age difference between us, and he’d already scaled the walls to sneak out.
Truly befitting a philanderer.
“I was just thinking you’re impressive. So I can get out through here?”
What he showed me was a dog hole. Exiting through here would connect to the outside, and he’d done special work on it so the guards didn’t even know about it.
“Remember this. The time I can cover for you is only until 4 AM.”
“Understood.”
I was about to crouch down when I stared at him intently.
“What’s with that expression?”
“It’s nothing….”
I nodded slightly.
“Thank you.”
“…What?”
“Either way, from your position this would be an order you couldn’t understand or accept. I’m grateful you did it anyway.”
After saying this, I crouched down. I felt him flinch. I deliberately didn’t look at his face.
But the last face I’d seen seemed to have turned slightly red.
“Though I’m not sure if it’s right to say thank you to a slave?”
“What?”
“I’ll be back.”
I was about to enter the hole when I let out a soft laugh.
“Guard the home well. House cat.”
“…!!”
I could hear what sounded like muffled protest from behind, but I pretended not to notice.
‘I really got out.’
The streets were silent.
I stared at the night sky and the distant mountains for just a moment.
…If I cross those mountains, I should be able to return to the Orca Family Estate.
I soon shook my head.
It’s not happening today anyway. And just return like this? That makes no sense.
I have something more important to do today.
How far had I walked?
I arrived at a private residence, and as I opened the door and stepped inside, I soon came face to face with a familiar figure.
“…You really did escape. How on earth did you manage it?”
It was Esther, her cloak pulled deep over her head. I smiled faintly.
“There had to be a way. Would I have asked if there wasn’t?”
The Otter Family had only agreed to bring me to the cursed Manor. My escape from the Black Panther’s Manor was something I would handle myself.
This was also to ensure they wouldn’t be implicated if something went wrong.
‘If it weren’t for Palaya, I really might have made a clean escape.’
It would have been far too dangerous.
“…This way.”
I followed Esther as we moved. Several people accompanied her, and judging by their builds and the glimpses of hair color, they were not Otter Beastkin.
One person in particular had their head completely wrapped so their hair wasn’t visible at all, and they were exceptionally large.
Esther said they were outsourced personnel she called upon for covert operations.
‘Hmm… so there is a foundation to work with.’
I walked calmly, recalling the contract I’d made with the Otter Family.
After boarding a carriage and traveling for thirty minutes, we arrived at our destination.
“Since time is limited, I’ll explain as we go.”
I’d heard some explanation during the carriage ride, but she said this was important enough to repeat.
“We oversee the Capital’s sewers. So we’ll use the waterways to get you into the cursed Manor, and you can exit the same way. We’ll be waiting.”
“Got it. And I just hold my breath going through the sewers, right?”
“Yes, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Neither she nor I mentioned it explicitly, but we were thinking the same thing.
With my command over water, I would never suffocate underwater.
“How’s the evidence gathering coming along?”
As I glanced obliquely at the people around Esther while speaking indirectly, she smiled slightly.
“Fortunately, it’s progressing smoothly.”
The Otter Family massacre incident—I’d already provided a clue to unravel it, and it seemed to be resolving well.
Finally, we arrived at some sort of opening.
One of the people Esther brought lifted what looked like a manhole cover.
“You can go through here. You’ve memorized the route, yes?”
“Yeah. Thanks for the map.”
“Don’t mention it. Then… I wish you luck.”
Inside the opening was a ladder, and as I climbed down, I saw water rippling below.
I didn’t hesitate.
Splash!
I dove under.
According to Esther, the cursed Manor wasn’t as complex a labyrinth as the Imperial Palace’s sewers.
Being a noble’s residence, they hadn’t been particularly concerned about aquatic infiltration.
So navigating through the current and finding my way wasn’t particularly difficult.
“Phew….”
When I finally surfaced, the edge of the Manor came into view, exactly as planned.
I climbed out of the water and wrung out my clothes. They were among the few garments I’d brought from my domain, and they were quite water-resistant, so the water didn’t drip.
After checking thoroughly, I moved forward.
‘There will be surveillance, but how do I get in?’
That was when it happened.
A faint rustle.
Sensing the sudden presence, I quickly turned my head.
‘A Beastkin?’
No, it wasn’t.
I tilted my head in confusion. I had definitely felt something….
What stood before me when I turned around was unexpected.
“…A Snake?”
It was a tiny Baby Snake.
One with a mystical blue hue.
I narrowed my eyes.
‘In this place where the Dragon Duke’s egg lies, a Snake bearing the very blue color of the Dragon Duke’s hair….’
Could this truly be coincidence?
I lifted the corners of my mouth into a smile.
‘There’s no way this is mere chance.’
From the very beginning, fortune smiles upon me?

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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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