Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 48
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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 48
My smile transformed in an instant, brimming with confidence.
“Inferior even to a three-year-old?”
Before my words could fully settle, the Orca Family Matriarch’s piercing, vicious gaze descended upon me.
In that same moment, her lips curved, and a sharp, crystalline laugh erupted forth.
“Ha, haha. Ahahahahaha!”
After her laughter filled the Grand Hall, the Matriarch’s blue-green eyes turned back toward me.
“How audacious.”
Within those blue-green irises dwelled only intrigue.
“Indeed, I’ve lost interest in one defeated and crushed by a mere three-year-old.”
“B-Matriarch!”
“Silence. Do you have anything worth saying now?”
“…!”
“If you wish to avoid expulsion, it would serve you well to seal that mouth of yours. Pathetic fish spawn.”
“….”
Done. A bell’s resonant chime echoed in my ears.
The sound of victory.
When one returns, this is the flavor one must savor. Wouldn’t you agree?
That exhilarating taste of triumph I’d felt in my previous cycle.
“Pierre, what are your thoughts?”
At this, Father briefly met my gaze before turning toward the Matriarch.
“She is my daughter.”
A conversation between two arrogant powerhouses.
“I do not make flawed judgments.”
“….”
“This child takes after me.”
Listening to him, my feelings grew complicated.
‘My ally.’
It felt as though Father had declared it thus.
Such a thing was unfamiliar to me.
So I grimaced.
I did not know how to process this in this world.
“I render my judgment.”
The atmosphere already made clear who the victor was.
“Baian Aquasiadel disregarded the command not to waste strength and inflicted fatal injury upon the child of a key vassal.”
Baian’s side bore the atmosphere of a funeral.
He trembled violently, while the Orca Family Older Brother wore an expression of dismay.
“Furthermore, he violated the grave rules between institutions. Rather than confess his crime, he uttered falsehoods and dared attempt to deceive the Matriarch.”
“….”
“Considering all circumstances….”
The Orca Family Matriarch, who had transformed the disciplinary committee into a grand courtroom, rendered her decision with solemn authority.
“Baian Aquasiadel is hereby expelled from the Intermediate Institution and placed under one year of house arrest. All external activities and social interactions are forbidden.”
“…!!”
“W-wait, Mother! Please reconsider!”
The Intermediate Institution was no mere school.
It became one’s network upon reaching adulthood.
The orcas proved their excellence by how brilliantly they completed their studies here.
Particularly for direct descendants, their rank was determined by the age at which they graduated.
For Baian, who had anticipated early graduation, this was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
Moreover, one year of house arrest with no activities permitted was tantamount to being stripped of succession rights.
‘Phew, better results than I expected.’
In the previous iteration, his punishment had not extended to expulsion.
‘One month of house arrest.’
It was a punishment inadequate as compensation for children who had nearly perished.
“Th-this cannot be! Mother, while Baian’s wrongdoing is undeniable, could you not reconsider given his conduct thus far?!”
“Is that your final argument on behalf of your son?”
The Orca Family Older Brother faltered.
Baian, trembling with rage, failed to notice the oddity and hastened to agree.
“Yes, that is correct, Grandmother!”
The Orca Family Matriarch turned her gaze toward me.
“Calypso Aquasiadel, what is your opinion?”
How strange.
She used my full name?
“I have no objection to the Matriarch’s judgment.”
That wretch will now lose his position as successor. Then the weaker children can finally rest easy without being tormented.
I observed the situation carefully before continuing.
“However.”
Good grief, watch how this old woman’s demeanor turns icy the moment I dare offer the slightest counterpoint.
“Should we not also hear from Agenor, the other party involved, and from the White Whale Family, the victims?”
“….”
“After all, you stated that Baian’s wrongdoing was in ‘abusing his strength recklessly’ when he committed violence against a guest.”
The Orca Family Matriarch nodded slowly.
“There is merit to that.”
As the Matriarch nodded, Agenor quickly responded.
“I have no objection. I-I agree with Calypso!”
“…I, too, have no objection, Matriarch.”
After hearing even Illia’s words, the Orca Family Matriarch rose from her seat.
“Let those who object to the punishment raise their hands and state their views.”
The disciplinary committee fundamentally functioned such that the nobles participating as spectators also served as jurors.
‘But.’
Where was I? This place was no longer a disciplinary committee or a trial.
It was a space where the Matriarch’s power was absolute.
‘If Grandmother says to do it, I do it. The game’s already over.’
As I felt a surge of satisfaction, the Matriarch stomped her foot with a heavy thud.
The Grand Hall trembled at the impact.
A chill ran through me.
‘…This is Grandmother’s true power.’
I wasn’t afraid. My blood was boiling.
If I—who had become the strongest in the third playthrough and eventually the Matriarch—had fought her, how would that battle have ended?
“Father, this power is insane. Right?”
“….”
“If the two of them fought, who would win?”
I felt Father’s gaze fixed on me, but I was too busy staring intently at Grandmother.
“As there are no objections from the jury, the punishment remains unchanged: Baian Aquasiadel is hereby expelled from the Intermediate Institution and placed under confinement for one year.”
The same verdict was pronounced once more.
‘Declaring it twice to make absolutely sure he’s finished? This is like chugging an entire bottle of satisfaction.’
In truth, if that bastard were truly capable, he’d manage a comeback even with such punishment.
If he were even more capable, he could find a way to catch Grandmother’s eye during the confinement period and have the punishment lifted.
After all, imposing and lifting punishments were entirely up to Grandmother’s discretion.
But that wretch didn’t earn his position through his own abilities.
He was simply the eldest son, blessed with good bloodline, and favored by fortune.
I shifted my gaze to one particular person.
My Eldest Brother, Bellus—who had remained silent and watchful ever since speaking to Grandmother earlier.
“….”
Bellus seemed to sense my gaze and turned his head toward me.
‘That one will make sure Baian never returns.’
The current succession structure was a one-strong, two-middle system: Baian at the top, followed by Sorte and Bellus in the middle tier.
Baian had been monopolizing power based on the faction inherited from the Orca Family Older Brother, but that would change starting today.
And Bellus was not one to miss an opportunity. I knew how both weak and formidable my quietly waiting Eldest Brother truly was.
‘But why is Bellus alone?’
I turned my head this way and that.
I hadn’t paid attention to it until just now, but there should have been another person near Bellus.
My second older brother, Atlant.
‘He couldn’t have skipped this.’
He must have entered the succession race. He would have already earned Grandmother’s recognition.
Yet he was nowhere to be seen.
“And one more thing.”
At the Matriarch’s voice, the retainers who had been murmuring moments before quickly straightened their postures and composed themselves.
“From this moment forward, I officially recognize ‘Calypso Aquasiadel’ present here as a direct member of the White Whale Family.”
My eyes widened.
‘Done!’
The ultimate purpose I’d wanted to achieve by attending this Family Meeting.
It was none other than being introduced to the retainers!
From this moment forward, the direct line of the White Whale Family would be recognized as a complete direct descendant capable of taking action.
However….
‘I never expected such a spectacular debut?’
I’d only hoped to be able to attend the Family Meeting itself.
I hadn’t anticipated becoming the protagonist of such a magnificent finale.
Well, it’s not bad.
Being the protagonist is always exhilarating.
‘This is how I felt when I became the Matriarch in the third playthrough.’
I laughed, recalling that moment.
Be confident.
I deserve to savor these gazes.
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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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