Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 54

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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 54
“Of course.”
I was startled by how readily the answer came flowing out in response to my boldly thrown question.
But I soon broke into a wide smile.
“I’ll listen, so don’t you forget either.”
Father gave my hand a gentle tug.
“When those four are freed and I gain recognition, you’ll need to stop using that title.”
For a moment, his eyes seemed to have taken on a peculiar glint.
‘…It was similar to Agenor’s.’
Just for an instant, I thought that Father was also a killer whale after all.
* * *
“The Dragon’s Festival—could you take me there?”
Calypso didn’t realize it, but the moment those words left her lips.
Her eyes shone more brilliantly than they had in any moment Pierre had ever witnessed.
In that instant, Pierre understood.
For the first time, this small daughter of his had revealed an expectation she had never shown before.
A gaze sparkling with hope like the morning star.
Could eyes shine this brightly?
Ironically, Pierre could only acknowledge one truth.
‘She has never once held any expectation of me until now.’
Now Pierre too was gradually coming to understand and accept it.
Could a three-year-old really be like this?
His own childhood had been far from ordinary either.
‘It’s no easy feat for a killer whale to win a brawl against an opponent of the same kind who is older.’
Remarkable talent and the audacity displayed before the Matriarch, a composure unbecoming of a child.
A born fighter at that.
Possessing diverse interests yet showing no arrogance, not even a shred of expectation.
Sometimes she seemed similar to himself, who had resigned from everything, or even more so.
The more he observed the child, the more her balance seemed off.
And what of today, when he appeared before the Supreme Disciplinary Committee?
She had worn the face of someone who’d seen a ghost.
As if she harbored not even a single percent of expectation.
Pierre remembered that moment.
“Father!!”
The way she came rushing from the disciplinary committee chair and collapsed into his arms.
The way she trusted without a doubt that he would catch her, even though she would certainly be hurt if he dodged.
The truly small size that fit against his chest, the weight as light as down feathers.
“Teacher, couldn’t you just repeat one thing after me?”
“What is it?”
“Say it after me. I was worried about you, Calypso.”
In that moment, Pierre finally admitted it to himself.
This fascination he held for his daughter would not end as a fleeting thing.
Among orcas, he had always been uniquely indifferent—lacking both obsession and curiosity about life itself.
Yet now, recognizing his interest in Calypso, he understood that he too was an orca after all.
The moment something small slipped through the fence, he locked the gate behind it.
So this is my daughter.
Small, yet strong.
In need of protection.
“Even if it’s a lie, I wish you would say such things to me, Teacher.”
My concern for you was no lie.
When you limped forward declaring “But I still won the fight!”, I felt an inexplicable rage surge through me.
Tearing apart whoever the opponent was would not be difficult.
To bite and shred something that isn’t even prey, playing with it until death—that is an orca’s instinct.
Shadows pooled beneath Pierre’s eyes as a dark gleam flickered across them, creating an air both decadent and precarious.
“Teacher, Teacher.”
Pierre watched his daughter tugging insistently at his hand.
“I have one more thing I’m curious about.”
Now that he thought about it, why had his daughter said she wanted to go to the Dragon’s Festival?
It was the main point he had momentarily forgotten upon seeing Calypso’s expression for the first time.
“Teacher, then… do you love me as your daughter?”
As he continued to stare, lost in thought, the child asked her question without hesitation.
For something spoken of love, and especially coming from a child, her face and expression were remarkably dry.
Rather than answer immediately, he gazed intently at Calypso, lifting her weightlessly into the air with a stream of water.
“I don’t know what answer you expected. I don’t know what love is.”
“I see.”
Calypso nodded.
Her expression made it clear she hadn’t really expected anything.
“I thought as much.”
Pierre was born an extraordinary prodigy from the start.
His two older brothers envied his formidable talents, yet he existed in a place their envy could not reach.
His mother was satisfied, having birthed something not inferior.
Yet Pierre himself grew increasingly numb because of his tremendous talent and power.
What came too easily taught him ennui and negligence before joy and fulfillment.
“Did you hear? It seems Lord Pierre has contracted an incurable disease.”
“They say he has a terminal diagnosis? My goodness… what misfortune for the Matriarch.”
And when it became known that he was terminally ill.
Those who had harbored expectations turned away, mocking and condemning him.
As if they had been waiting for it.
Their mockery left no marks upon him, yet he missed another chance to know love.
“Perhaps if you had said you understood love here, this time I would have demanded you prove it true by the oath of the sea…”
“I didn’t do that.”
“I’m joking, just joking.”
Calypso laughed comfortably as she spoke.
“Don’t worry. I’m not expecting it either.”
Her small hand patted Pierre’s broad shoulder gently.
“I don’t expect you to love me. But I’ll make sure our relationship becomes beneficial to Teacher as well….”
Her large eyes gazed intently at Pierre.
“Just protect me when I need it, and worry about me when I’m hurting. That’s enough.”
“….”
“We’ll be good partners, Teacher.”
The father and daughter didn’t know it, but their faces when speaking of love were remarkably alike.
Pierre almost said that his decision to act as a father was never made with the thought of gaining something in return.
But he stopped when he saw Calypso’s expression.
‘…Yes, I can show her gradually.’
If only Pierre had known what Calypso was thinking at that moment.
He would never have let this moment pass so easily.
* * *
A week had passed since the Family Meeting.
Time really did fly.
‘Good heavens.’
And I still hadn’t escaped the lingering feelings from that day a week ago.
For good reason.
‘I’m going to the Dragon’s Festival!’
I had received an unexpected reward because of the Family Meeting!
To be honest, I was more delighted about being able to attend the Dragon’s Festival than about becoming the center of attention at the Family Meeting.
“Your attendance at the Dragon’s Festival has been approved.”
Moreover, two days ago, Father told me this.
It was essentially confirmation, with the schedule stamped and sealed.
So how could I not be thrilled?
‘I’ll go meet the Dragon Duke and figure out what kind of person he is.’
If the opportunity arose, I could deepen our connection, or better yet, become close.
Best of all would be if I could stay there permanently!
‘The Dragon Duke definitely has the power to open dimensions.’
I saw it clearly with my own eyes.
The problem was, I didn’t know how the Dragon Duke opened it.
I couldn’t just go and bluntly say, ‘Hey, open a dimensional gate for me!’ ….
‘And I can’t go berserk trying to open a dimension myself… so I thought I’d meet him and figure it out.’
Once I see his face, I’ll know what to do next.
But my movements weren’t free, and I thought I’d have to wait until I was at least ten years old to see him.
‘Father, you’re quite useful!’
After casually throwing out a suggestion to Father, I unexpectedly gained a stroke of fortune.
Thanks to that, my mood these days felt like drifting through clouds.
This was partly because there was currently nothing around me that could displease me.
First, Caron, who had been in my class, withdrew from the academy.
‘He must have feared future retribution.’
After the Family Meeting, my standing had changed so dramatically, after all.
However, from what I’ve heard… there are also rumors that he disappeared entirely.
With so many rumors spreading around, I suspect it’s just baseless gossip.
‘He’s probably just holed up at home out of fear, and the story got twisted.’
In any case, with Caron completely gone, our class became even more peaceful.
The cadet branches of the orcas were busy watching their steps nervously, and the whale children avoided contact with me to keep from displeasing me.
Thanks to that, only the remaining whale children thrived.
Not a bad situation at all.

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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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