Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 357

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

Additional Side Story: Episode 21
“Psst….”
I glanced around and extended my hand.
“Here, boy.”
Ah, wasn’t that the sound you made when calling a puppy?
I’d never actually tried calling a snake before.
It wasn’t as if I knew any snakes personally. Suddenly, Palaya came to mind.
Though he had a snake beastkin as his mother, we’d never discussed snakes, had we?
With no other options, I deployed every method I knew—whistling softly, gesturing, waving my arms—but nothing worked.
It was useless.
‘Huh, it’s running away.’
Instead, it backed away, regarding me as if I were some strange person. It was as if it found me utterly bizarre.
Eventually, I gave up cleanly and headed toward the manor.
‘Well, I don’t know what connection this snake has to the Dragon Duke, but I might find out once I locate the egg.’
It was far better than forcing myself to capture the snake and accidentally getting caught by a patrolling sentinel.
I meticulously examined the old building.
‘No matter how I look at it, this place hasn’t been maintained at all.’
I happened to spot a loosened window and felt a twinge of regret.
‘If only I could manipulate water freely, I could levitate myself through the air and slip right in.’
Or if an orca who wielded water well were with me, they could throw me up there.
Well, where would someone like that be in my life? It doesn’t seem like I’ll have one in the future either, so I neatly set aside my regrets.
Finding a hole was fortunate enough.
Fortunately, I didn’t encounter any sentinels while infiltrating the interior.
‘There’s not a complete absence of presence, though.’
The sense of perception Edric had cultivated in me proved useful at times like this. Though they were quite far away, there were definitely beastkin present.
‘I’ve gotten inside, but how do I search….’
Of course, I hadn’t entered without a plan. I’d already grasped the rough layout and map of this manor through the Otter Family, and I had my own thoughts on the matter.
Where would important items typically be kept?
‘Generally speaking, it would be here.’
First: a warehouse.
Second: a safe.
‘But this is an abandoned building.’
There was no way a proper warehouse existed here.
A safe was possible, but it wouldn’t typically be kept in the matriarch’s study or bedroom like a normal family safe would be.
‘Then it must be underground.’
My decision came quickly.
‘Alright, I’ll trust my instincts and head underground.’
I walked down the corridor. As I walked, I spotted what looked like a warehouse building through the windows.
I definitely didn’t see any beastkin standing guard around it.
As I walked down the corridor, I nearly crossed paths with several beastkin, but I avoided them by hiding appropriately in rooms.
‘There really aren’t many people around.’
Perhaps it was because the Dragon Duke knew about this, so there was no risk of escape. Moreover, it seemed he had judged there were no forces threatening enough to warrant concern.
That worked in my favor.
Finally, I spotted the staircase leading down to the basement at the end of the corridor and moved toward it.
Thump!
‘Damn.’
I heard footsteps from behind.
My pace quickened slightly.
I had been trying to head toward the stairs going up.
“So anyway, what I’m saying is….”
Hell, there’s someone on this side too!
I had no choice but to try passing the staircase leading to the basement and continuing straight.
Whether it was bad luck or this happened to be a patrol intersection, I sensed a presence ahead as well.
‘This is the worst….’
Without thinking, I looked up at the ceiling.
Was there a structure I could hang from?
No.
Of all things, there wasn’t even a chandelier.
‘I have no choice. I’ll have to quickly take down one of them….’
I was just assuming a combat stance and biting my lip.
Click!
The sound of something opening.
-Over here!
When I came to my senses, I found myself crouched down, blinking.
Creak. Thump thump.
The sound of someone walking beyond the thin wall.
“Hey. Nothing unusual?”
“Nope. Thanks for the work.”
The guards exchanged greetings and their voices faded away.
“They tell us to patrol this place most diligently, but how are we supposed to know what we’re even supposed to be watching?”
“Shh, only the captain-rank officers know.”
“That’s exactly why I’m complaining. How many nights of overtime is this now?”
“Keep quiet.”
Their voices grew distant. Fortunately, the conversation included information I had been hoping to hear.
I slowly raised my gaze.
My held breath released.
Before me was a familiar form.
A Baby Snake.
It was the Baby Snake I had seen in the garden earlier. The one I suspected was connected to the Dragon Duke.
Sensing the guards’ presence had faded, I quietly opened my mouth.
“…Did you just say that?”
The moment I braced myself for combat, what I’d thought was merely decorative paneling slid open smoothly.
It was a storage cabinet designed to resemble a wall.
Fortunately, it was empty enough that my body fit inside without issue, and the Baby Snake closed the door from the other side.
-Ung Tus spoke!
I wondered if I was dreaming, but it was real.
“You… could speak?”
Wait, is that really what matters right now?
“Why did you help me?”
Just moments ago, he’d fled even when I extended my hand. The Baby Snake tilted his head slightly, as if understanding the nuance of my question.
-I was worried you might be a bad person!
“Usually people don’t suspect someone as young as me…”
-Are all young ones good?
At the innocent question, I fell silent. No, that’s not true. There are trash like Assel out there.
“So why did you help me?”
-I felt something similar!
“Similar? What’s similar…? No, never mind.”
I realized this snake was someone special, but there was no time.
“Let’s focus—I have one question. Do you happen to know where the Dragon Duke is?”
-Yes! Tus knows! Tus serves the Dragon Duke.
“…!!”
As I suspected.
“Then will you guide me? I want to see him.”
The golden eyes stared directly at me. I couldn’t predict what reaction would come.
-Why?
“Because I want to help him.”
Honestly, the moment I heard myself say it, I felt absurd. Even if he’s in egg form, how could such a noble being be kept in this squalid place?
Damn them all.
‘So this most esteemed person is being whisked away to the Orca Family Estate? Absolutely not a kidnapping. Right, not at all.’
-Tus knows what lies are!
“Ah, you’re clever. You seem special. But I’m being sincere.”
Though I’ll admit I joked about kidnapping for a moment.
Separately, my desire to help the Dragon Duke was genuine. Seeing the state of this manor made it feel urgent.
Was it right to bring someone meant to live in the City of Dragons to this place?
It didn’t feel like someone else’s problem.
…It felt like my own situation—forced here against my will.
-…I like you.
After a moment, I slipped out of the storage cabinet. The Baby Snake guided me down a different path instead of the obviously visible stairs.
-Tus knows all the paths here!
That was fortunate.
Thanks to the unexpectedly capable navigation (?), I arrived at the underground space without difficulty.
‘I didn’t know there was a secret passage.’
It seemed to be created by the manor’s owner, and judging by the fact that I hadn’t encountered any Beastkin on the way, it appeared the watchers hadn’t discovered it yet.
-The Dragon Duke was moved not long ago!
“Is that so? I arrived in time then.”
This must have been a temporary shelter.
If they’d moved the egg to a more thoroughly prepared location, taking it would have been far more difficult than this.
I reached a locked iron door, but passing through it wasn’t difficult either.
It was because Tus knew about a ventilation shaft passage that even a young boy could fit through.
And so.
I opened my mouth slightly in awe.
“Wow….”
Before my eyes, placed in a massive basket, was truly an egg.
A colossal egg.
‘Insane.’
I was amazed yet flustered.
‘…I found it, but how do I take it?’
It’s huge, absurdly huge!
With my increased strength, I could certainly lift it if asked, but that wasn’t the problem.
‘I won’t be able to get through the passage!’
Was that all?
If I’m carrying it, I can’t use both hands. If I happen to encounter a guard, I’ll be captured without any proper defense!
-Dragon Duke, Tus is here!
Tus was nuzzling his head against the egg, but how did he interpret my panic?
That’s when it happened.
Tus looked at me and then.
-Whimper….
“Huh? Hey, hey, why are you crying…?”
Thick tears were dropping from his bead-like eyes. He was crying so pitifully.
‘Why have I been comforting babies so often lately?’
I quickly reached out my hand. Tus wrapped his tail around my hand and burst into sobs.
-Help me! Don’t go, help me! Don’t turn away…. Sniff, Dragon Duke, help!
When I rescued him, he seemed dignified, but as he cried, his pronunciation crumbled, his words simplified—it revealed how young he still was.
I glanced at the egg.
“I’m not going. I’ll help.”
If the lady boss threw a punch, I’d have to knock out the guards too.
She never said she was giving up.

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