Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 75

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

Chapter 75
The Dragon Duke’s Castle was built long ago to match the size of a dragon, or so I’ve heard.
Perhaps because of this, everything I saw along every corridor was extraordinarily massive.
The ceilings were exceptionally high as well.
Moreover, the ceilings were adorned with ceiling frescoes depicting the dragon’s glorious deeds, and gazing up at them while being carried was quite the sight to behold.
“I really do want to see the festival.”
Though truthfully, my first priority was meeting the Dragon Duke.
Still, I wasn’t entirely without desire to enjoy the festival as a bonus.
I felt my Father glance sideways at me as he carried me.
“I promised to grant your wishes, but unfortunately, I cannot hold the festival for you.”
“Yes, I understand. Just hearing you say that is enough for me to be grateful.”
I laughed lightly, yet part of me couldn’t laugh with a clear conscience.
He said he would act as my father.
I could feel Pierre’s efforts throughout our journey were genuine.
I had already told Bellus that I had no intention of becoming the Matriarch and would not accompany them on the return journey.
There was no reason not to tell my Father as well.
‘I should tell him once we return, shouldn’t I?’
At least after visiting this restaurant.
And when we entered the restaurant, the atmosphere I had anticipated became palpable against my skin.
The moment we stepped inside, the entire restaurant fell silent at once.
“The Orca Aquasiadel Family’s Pierre Aquasiadel and his child!”
Whether the Retainer announced it knowingly or if it was simply his duty to proclaim it, I couldn’t say.
His voice rang out resonantly, reaching every corner of the restaurant and seeming to scrape along the walls as it faded.
‘What kind of restaurant announces names like this? It’s not even a banquet hall.’
I thought I was hearing animal cries.
Whatever species that Retainer was, he certainly possessed some special talent related to his voice.
‘Well, since all sorts of demi-human families gather here, an introduction upon entry must be customary.’
It would be useful for identifying one another when both aquatic and terrestrial demi-humans participated together.
But we were the only aquatic demi-humans here.
How could we possibly gather information about rumors this way?
‘I wonder if Father is thinking the same thing.’
I lifted my head.
“Father, can we learn anything about the rumors concerning us?”
“Don’t worry.”
“Hmm?”
“There is a way.”
At the mention of a way, something suddenly came to mind.
But Father, contrary to what I expected, neither destroyed anything nor sent the Retainer flying, nor did he beat anyone senseless.
‘Hmm, perhaps I was thinking too much in my own way.’
The me from previous chapters would have thrown the nearest person into a corner and started from there.
Then anyone would have spoken out of sheer terror.
Of course, this only applies when the other party picks a fight the moment they enter.
“What is this? There’s a fishy stench.”
Yes, exactly like that.
‘Why does it never deviate from my expectations, not even by a hair’s breadth?’
Well, I suppose it’s only natural.
It was one of the things that never changed, no matter how many times I regressed.
“You’ve got seawater on you from the Dragon’s Festival.”
“Well, it’s bound to taste salty, but what can we do? Those are the rules.”
“Ugh, it reeks.”
There were those who spoke with their mouths wide open.
Actually, the patrons in the restaurant divided into exactly three categories.
“I wish the law would change. Or at least separate them from us completely.”
“I really hope a law gets passed to keep them out.”
First, humans who chattered away incessantly.
Second, people who glanced nervously and broke into cold sweat, yet still regarded us with contemptuous eyes.
Third, those who watched us like a performance, their faces twisted in mockery and amusement.
The last group was probably close to apex predators among these land-dwelling beastfolk.
As expected, I spotted a familiar face among them.
‘A black bear.’
A man with an absurdly massive frame, bronzed skin, and dark brown hair.
“Man, these fish are really pale, aren’t they? Paler than a deer.”
“Hey, that’s an insult to the deer.”
“What? Why are you getting worked up? Oh right, your sibling married a deer, didn’t they?”
I surveyed the scene for a moment, then tugged at Father’s sleeve.
“Father.”
Since others were watching, I called him that, and Father seemed to focus even more intently.
“Father. If you’re going to throw a punch, do you see over there?”
“I see them.”
“Yes, the one with red hair. Hit them first.”
Father raised his eyebrows slightly.
Hmm, a questioning expression.
Because that one was about to—
“Rather than this, we should lodge a formal protest. We should ban those barbaric creatures who do nothing but dig for clams in Pearl from entering! Ah, or was it that the Orca Aquasiadel Family are savages who boast by balancing caught fish on their heads?”
“….”
“Before the stench of rotting salt grows any stronger, hurry—”
Thwack!! I nodded inwardly as I watched the red hair fly.
Yes, I knew that one would say the worst things.
That bright red hair belonged to a fox beastfolk.
Among them, the fox clan with the brightest red hair excelled at scheming and mockery.
As the red-haired fox flew away, everyone either glared or scrambled out of the way as if they’d been waiting for this moment.
They rose from their seats.
“Well, I’d say this counts as a formal challenge, wouldn’t it? Everything that happens from now on is fair game. Got it?”
“Fair game, I like that. Right, Father?”
What was the point of talking until my mouth hurt? It ended easily enough.
Moments later, the ones lying on the ground were mostly land-dwelling beastfolk from the other side.
‘Hmm, this is a bit…’
The level of these land creatures was far worse than in the previous round.
‘Perhaps the truly strong ones haven’t arrived here yet?’
I thought calmly as I watched more than half of this place’s beastfolk collapsed.
That’s when it happened.
“Tch, a mere water creature, a fish or something!”
I swiftly dodged the hand flying toward me.
It was one of the ones who’d been making the most noise just before.
Brown hair with black stripes across the head. Most likely a Raccoon or Tanuki.
These creatures are clever and quick-witted by nature.
Perhaps it was trying to seize me as a hostage.
“Father, don’t touch him.”
With those words, I caught the incoming hand and snapped it straight.
“Gaaaaaahhhhh!”
Without stopping, I sprang up and kicked his throat with the tip of my foot.
Since gaining superior physical abilities, jumping was the field I was most confident in.
‘This is the true power of five hundred rabbit hops done every single day, understand?’
It was an attack that seemed to cut short the lifespan of his vocal cords.
Watching the beastfolk writhe in pain, I casually stepped on his finger.
Though my body weight wasn’t particularly heavy, I pretended not to notice and applied force using all the training I’d accumulated, causing him to scream with startled eyes.
‘I really do hate these guys.’
Thinking this, I eased up slightly on the pressure.
“Answer just one question and I’ll let you go, sir. Your finger—you don’t want to lose it, do you? You seem smart, so make the right call.”
“Ugh, water… no, what… what is it!”
Thanks to Father beating them all evenly, only the herbivorous beastfolk who’d kept their distance from the start were standing unsteadily on their feet.
“When we arrived here, strange rumors started circulating. There’s talk that the Dragon’s Festival won’t be held. Do you know anything about it?”
“Th-that’s something you should ask the Retainer about!”
“Aw, why would I do that when I’ve got someone right in front of me who knows? But you seem like you’ll survive this, sir!”
As I smiled brightly and applied pressure again, the beastfolk’s face—whether Tanuki or whatever—turned pale.
Raccoon-type animals are quite cute, but once they become people, they resort to vicious schemes.
‘There was one among the Male Protagonist’s Retainers too. Was it a Raccoon?’
Ah, of course, that was limited to those targeting aquatic creatures.
Unable to endure the pain any longer, the man reluctantly spilled every bit of information he knew.
After pressing him a little more to extract various details, he finally confessed the most important thing.
“I don’t know, I’m telling you I don’t know! But, but the Dragon Duke doesn’t want the festival! Th-there are rumors spreading that he’s ill!”
At that moment, my pocket trembled.
More precisely, Tus, who had been quiet until now, writhed and cried out.
—That’s a lie!
A lie?
“The Dragon Duke simply wishes to reign in solitude, that’s all—he has no desire to see insignificant creatures like us! He must be luxuriating in his residence!”
—It’s a lie! A lie! The Duke… The Duke…
I turned my gaze away quietly as I listened to Tus’s voice.
‘He doesn’t seem to be lying.’
That man’s eyes are completely gripped by terror.
If that’s the case.
Either the rumors this man knows are false, or someone deliberately spread this rumor.
There are two possibilities to consider.
“Ha, hahahaha!”
That’s when it happened. A booming laugh suddenly echoed through the restaurant.
Turning my head, I saw that black bear from earlier—the one who had long since been knocked away by my Father—laughing loudly.
‘Oh, trampled under Father’s feet, yet still putting on airs.’
“So this year, a decent one came from among those sea creatures!”
There’s always one like that—losing yet still boasting.

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