Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 50

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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 50
‘I can’t make eye contact…!’
As break time began, Father’s gaze fixed intensely upon me, and I lacked the confidence to meet it.
Moreover, the gray-haired orca branch members beginning to linger nearby were also drawing my attention.
‘They look like they want to strike up a conversation.’
I’d seen that expression countless times in my previous life as Matriarch. It was a familiar sight to me.
What was strange was Illia’s behavior—she hadn’t returned to her seat.
‘Why is she lost in thought beside me?’
Her husband Roba merely smiled knowingly whenever our eyes met.
“Agenor.”
“Hm? Wow, little sister, look at that! That family, the ‘Quire’ House—they’re staring at us persistently. Looks like they want to talk. Ah, they’re among the branch families, but….”
“I know—they’re a fairly high-ranking family among the branches.”
“You know that too?”
Agenor’s eyes grew even brighter. Such obsession.
Ugh, why is this Third Brother becoming increasingly fixated with his eyes?
“But I’m curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“Where’s Atlant?”
I looked around during break time.
But Second Brother Atlant was nowhere to be found. Not in any seat where he should have been.
That’s strange.
Wouldn’t his absence be the same as falling out of Grandmother’s favor?
“Hm? Where else—he’s over there.”
Agenor innocently pointed to one location.
It was the third tier, far away.
There, a young boy was just waking from sleep, stretching groggily.
Black hair and white markings characteristic of a direct-line orca, standing out distinctly.
Beneath them, blinking red eyes. Those fierce eyes held drowsiness.
‘What? Why is he sitting there?’
“This doesn’t make sense…. Why is he there?”
Atlant was the most competitive among my three older brothers.
So he was also the one who devoted himself most passionately to competing for Matriarch.
And such a man is now sitting at that remote seat?
Based on what I knew, there was no way he’d be sitting there.
“Ah. His seat? It wasn’t there from the beginning. What good is ability? He fell out of Grandmother’s favor by dozing off during the meeting.”
…What? What kind of orca nonsense is this?
Though filled with questions, there was no time to ask further as the meeting resumed.
And I couldn’t focus on the meeting.
“Esteemed Matriarch. Before you begin the agenda, would it be permissible for this humble servant to speak a word?”
As the meeting restarted, Illia, who had been lost in thought until now, raised her hand from her seat.
It was the very moment the Orca Family Matriarch called for the meeting to begin.
“What is it?”
The Matriarch responded despite her visible displeasure.
…This is strange.
That old woman seems oddly lenient toward the White Whale Family Matriarch.
‘My instinct wasn’t wrong.’
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity you have granted, and I offer my apologies for any disruption to this meeting.”
“Spare me the pleasantries. Say what you came to say.”
“Yes, Matriarch.”
Illia bowed and turned her head.
Why is she looking at me?
“Long ago, Matriarch, you bestowed a great favor upon the White Whale Family that I lead, and you spoke these words.”
“….”
“That you would respect our choice—but only once.”
A choice?
I glanced at Agenor, but he shook his head.
Then I looked toward Father. A brief reprimand came back.
“Pay attention.”
“…Father, do you already know what she’s about to say?”
Then those blue eyes fixed upon me.
“The ‘choice’ a Matriarch grants to her successor. Does nothing come to mind?”
“Ah, surely not?”
Almost simultaneously with my shocked expression, Illia’s words reached my ears.
“We have chosen. The Beluga Family that I lead shall henceforth follow Noble Lady Calypso Aquasiadel, who stands there.”
In truth, being formally recognized as a direct branch in this Family Meeting naturally meant entering the succession race as well.
Of course, not everyone could become Matriarch, so only the top successors competed fiercely. The rest merely had their names listed.
As one descended the ranks, each would serve the successor of their choice as their lord.
Just as my older brothers had sworn their loyalty in the previous round.
“We support her as our successor.”
“….”
“As the leader of the White Whale Family, representing all dolphin clans, I declare once more. I shall support Calypso as our successor.”
In the third round, if I were to name my closest subordinate—
My strategist and right hand. Sometimes even my steward. I could only speak of one such person.
A dolphin-human.
I never thought I would hear those words from him again.
And this time, from the White Whale Family no less.
…It felt as though my life had shifted.
“Hoho, Illia. I have already spoken my piece, so I have no intention of questioning you further.”
The Matriarch stroked her chin.
Her wrinkled face broke into a faint smile.
“You’re truly saying you’ll follow an orca who just received recognition today, still wet behind the ears?”
Despite the smile on her face, her voice carried gravity.
“Will you have no regrets?”
It was a warning that this could not be undone.
Illia laughed brightly with a cute expression, much like Bellu.
“Since our family survives on intellect, surely we can manage one calculation, esteemed Matriarch.”
“Kha ha ha, quite right. I permit it.”
It was quite a magnificent sight—the Matriarch laughing heartily and granting her approval.
‘But the problem is!’
I was only three years old!
‘What on earth are they talking about?’
Rather than delighted, I was simply bewildered.
The reason for this awkward feeling was.
‘…I’m not going to be Matriarch, am I?’
They had seized stock that was scheduled to be discontinued.
* * *
The meeting had ended.
‘Insane, I don’t even remember how it ended.’
My mind could only replay the words spoken by Illia, the head of the White Whale Family.
I nearly tore at my hair before catching myself, conscious of the watching eyes.
“The meeting is adjourned.”
The Matriarch left without hesitation.
The orcas and Baian’s parents hurried after her.
It was quite a sight watching my Orca Family Older Brother scramble after them like a live fish shocked by electricity.
Of Baian’s family, only one small girl remained.
She seemed younger than Bellus, perhaps around Atlant’s age.
The pretty orca girl was the Eldest Uncle’s Second Daughter.
‘She was….’
The moment our eyes met, the girl turned her head and calmly followed her parents.
‘Someone treated as trash alongside me.’
I felt the gazes of my Uncle and Sorte, Uncle’s Son, but only briefly.
“Let’s go.”
If Father hadn’t spoken, I would have forgotten entirely.
Ah, if we leave like this, we’re going to Father’s quarters, aren’t we?
It was written all over Father’s face.
‘We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?’
“Will we be having a conversation?”
“Hm?”
“Over there.”
Father gestures with his eyes. I could see lingering branch family members and several retainers.
“That won’t work.”
“Why not? It could be helpful.”
I shook my head.
“None of the ones rushing over the moment this meeting ends are the real deal. They’re all chaff.”
“….”
“The real ones will just exchange pleasantries today and disappear.”
Even if they had targeted the Matriarch.
They wouldn’t have approached immediately after this meeting concluded.
‘There’s no substance to it.’
I habitually scanned through the branch family members, recalling their histories, when I found myself pausing without realizing it.
Wow, old habits die hard.
“Sometimes when I talk with you, I find myself thinking your head should reach up to my shoulder.”
I let out a small laugh.
“Even if I grow, I won’t reach that far.”
“Did I make you seem taller?”
“Yes. Probably.”
Father didn’t respond, apparently thinking it was a pointless joke.
“Then you intend to receive the greetings of these so-called real ones.”
“Why?”
“I’m prepared to drive away those annoying small fry for you.”
…Why is he being so kind?
His sudden compliance made me wary instead.
‘Is this one of those things where he leaves and then later says I tricked him, so he’s been holding back all this time to deal with me directly?’
Is that what this is?

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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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