Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 4

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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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Chapter 4
Calypso was startled by the voice that resonated like an echo through a cavern.
‘Oh, a voice that doesn’t match his face at all.’
His eyes drooped slightly, and dark circles gave him an air of sensitivity, yet his voice conveyed nothing of the sort.
Not that it mattered to Calypso herself.
‘He’s the type who wouldn’t even glance at me if I showed up claiming to be his daughter from the start and bothered him.’
Though I hadn’t seen Pierre often, I had grasped his nature.
To be precise, it was from what I’d heard from the servants of the previous cycle.
“The late Pierre? Oh, he truly despised anything bothersome or annoying. Especially children, I’d say? That’s why he wouldn’t even look at his own heir!”
“You thoughtless fool, is that something to prattle about so cheerfully in front of the family head? Honestly, you flatfish types have no brains, just meat. Ah, speaking of the family head, I heard he was extremely particular about cleanliness despite his poor health.”
Surprisingly, the servants held considerable interest in Pierre.
‘The fact that they remember him so well even after my father had already passed speaks volumes.’
In a family that revered strength and physicality, he might have been the strongest in generations, yet with a frail body, he was certainly an enigma.
In any case, since he disliked children, I felt compelled to speak even more carefully than I did with the Orca Family Matriarch.
“It’s the complete opposite.”
“Hmm, which direction?”
“Quite a distance away.”
“Is that so? That’s troublesome.”
Calypso brought her tiny hand to her chin and groaned thoughtfully.
The sight was admittedly endearing and lovely, yet Pierre merely gazed at it as if observing an inanimate object.
“I really need to go there. How about you take me?”
Her tone was sharp. Pierre stared at Calypso for a moment, then tilted his head ever so slightly.
“I’d rather not.”
Profound annoyance flickered across his face.
‘Just as expected—he really does hate anything bothersome.’
That expression was unmistakably saying ‘Why should I?’
“Is that so? Then there’s nothing to be done.”
Calypso shrugged without hesitation, stretched her arm toward the side of the Fountain, and grunted as she climbed up and settled herself on its edge.
“The Educational Institution is closed anyway, so I might as well eat.”
Pierre watched silently as Calypso found her seat.
Regardless of whether Pierre was looking or not, Calypso opened the pouch she’d brought with her.
From the worn dolphin-shaped bag, she carefully pulled out dried fruit.
It was something she’d been collecting steadily since she could walk.
‘I gathered provisions since I didn’t know how the situation would unfold.’
The building where Calypso lived housed only infants who had to survive alone for one to two years, so meals were meager.
As soon as Calypso turned two, she began stockpiling things that could be stored for long periods.
Calypso turned her head while eating contentedly.
“What are you staring at, mister?”
Pierre offered no response to Calypso’s blunt question.
Did he only have one expression?
“If you have nothing to say, stop staring at me. You’ll scare away my luck.”
“….”
As if you’re the only one who can be difficult. I’m difficult too, old man.
Calypso grumbled inwardly and continued chewing the dried fruit.
Then she scratched her cheek because it itched.
Calypso didn’t realize it, but when she’d struggled to climb up the Fountain, soot from the grimy structure had smudged onto her hand and then rubbed directly across her cheek.
Unaware that a black mark now decorated her face like a tattoo, Calypso ate with enthusiasm.
‘When every meal comes out under the name of baby food—nothing but wretched slop—this sweetness is absolutely heavenly.’
Somewhere along the way, she’d forgotten her original purpose for visiting her father and was lost in admiration of the taste.
“Sir, why do you keep looking at me? Are you hungry?”
“….”
“Want one?”
Calypso held out her pocket as if bestowing charity.
She suddenly remembered her purpose and felt a twinge of regret.
“….”
But receiving no answer, she had to go back and fetch more.
‘Hmm, he’s terribly taciturn.’
Calypso found herself recalling her own sociability, which she’d forgotten.
How could she make an impression without being annoying?
But finding no immediate answer, she stood up without hesitation.
“Thank you for showing me the way, sir. This place is incredibly quiet. Do you always play alone here?”
“….”
“Are you an outcast too? Does no one pay attention to you like they don’t to me?”
Pierre lived in one of the Dilapidated Buildings on the West End.
Though sickly, he wasn’t completely cast out, so there was no real need for him to live in such a remote, shabby place—yet he did.
This was something that puzzled Calypso as well.
‘Did he give up on life early?’
His resigned demeanor somehow suggested this might be the answer.
If that were the case, he was someone Calypso—whose attachment to life was extraordinarily strong—could never understand.
Calypso tilted her head.
“If that’s true, then you must be lonely like me.”
Though she wasn’t particularly lonely, Calypso deliberately spoke like a child.
It wasn’t an inaccurate assessment.
In the building where Calypso lived were only mute Orca Family members or those who died young, and young whale-human hybrid children.
Plus nannies and servants who showed no interest in the children.
‘Even a passing ant wouldn’t be treated this way.’
Seeing his face show no reaction no matter what she said, she felt anger rising and clicked her tongue inwardly.
It seems he has absolutely no interest in me.
So much for that.
Calypso decided to abandon her efforts and leave.
‘Anyway, the servants’ words from the previous cycle about how he frequents this place seem to be accurate.’
“Well, I should head home. Goodbye, mister.”
Calypso knew when to enter and when to leave.
Now was the time to retreat.
“See you again.”
Since she seemed unlikely to even pretend to hear this parting, Calypso didn’t even glance back.
Her strong attachment to life had made her accustomed to looking only forward.
“….”
Thus, Calypso remained unaware of the intense gaze fixed upon her retreating form.
After Calypso departed, Pierre stood motionless like a statue for a long moment before suddenly extending his hand.
Black soot clung to the hand that had touched the space where Calypso had been.
Water droplets bubbled up and swiftly cleansed Pierre’s hand.
‘It seems….’
He engaged in thought for the first time in ages.
‘That one appears to be my daughter.’
Pierre gazed at his hand, now containing only clear water, and slowly licked it with his tongue.
Simultaneously, he languidly ran his hand through his hair.
“Mm.”
A drowsy voice cut through the empty air. His thought was brief.
‘The little one doesn’t seem to know I’m her father.’
* * *
…As if I would be thinking such things?
I thought while hurrying along.
‘There’s no way that’s true.’
Seeing my father Pierre, I thought to myself. There’s no way that man wouldn’t recognize me.
The Orca Family divides into direct and collateral lines.
The “power of water” they possess manifests almost exclusively in the direct line, though very occasionally those of the collateral line also awaken this power.
In such cases, collateral members finally gain the qualification to enter the succession contest for family head.
‘I am of the direct line, so I have the qualification to enter the succession contest through bloodline alone.’
But why would I enter for anyone’s sake? In this life, I’ll grow stronger and then make a spectacular appearance.
Anyway, returning to the main point—the appearances of direct and collateral lines differ slightly.
The direct line possesses hair mixed with black and white, as if wearing the actual skin of an orca.
The collateral line has gray hair.
‘Besides, even among the direct line, the current ones are all much of a muchness, so it would be difficult not to recognize me.’
Seeing a little one with the exact same personality as himself, what would he think?
If he didn’t know, he’d be an idiot. Since he doesn’t seem to be an idiot, he must certainly be pretending not to know.
‘Since he said he dislikes troublesome and bothersome things, he must dislike children too.’
I’ll need to think more carefully about how to approach him going forward.
‘Anyway, before moving and attending the Educational Institution, I should establish at least some familiarity with my father.’
The Educational Institution attended from age three. This applies to all whale-type humanoids and is housed in a building within this vast Orca Family Estate.
In terms of education, it’s comparable to kindergarten…
In reality, it’s a merciless place where young whales are thrown in and left to survive on their own.
Especially among the aggressive Orca Family members, whether direct or collateral descendants, those who fail to distinguish themselves in this Educational Institution across three domains—intellect, physique, and command of water—are thoroughly abandoned.
‘Other whales can’t bear to let go of their own offspring, yet this cursed family does it without hesitation.’
From the moment I enter the Educational Institution, things will become quite intense.
Because I must demonstrate performance that satisfies that old woman, or I’ll be banished to the Frozen Valley.
If I’m banished to the Frozen Valley, just like my previous life, I’ll be sold off to another family—that route is certain.
‘If that happens, I can’t become the Dragon’s Bride as I’ve planned.’
There’s no choice. I must reveal this body’s genius by any means necessary.
Fortunately, I was confident.

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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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