Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 88

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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 88
If the Dragon Duke had discovered that I was leaving this place, as Father said.
Or if there existed a way for him to know that an intruder was present.
‘What matters is whether the Dragon Duke learned that he was outside, or merely that an intruder existed.’
If they simply suspected that an intruder had been here, that would be far more manageable.
“Teacher, instead of fleeing immediately, let’s wait a moment.”
I spoke my thoughts aloud quickly.
Father listened, then nodded shortly after.
“…Very well.”
Soon, the thin veil of water I had seen in the restaurant surrounded us.
The difference this time was that this upgraded version concealed not just sound, but presence as well.
In truth, unless there were apex predators like lions or Black Panthers, the Hyena Beastkin who had rushed here possessed no ability to detect us.
Soon, the Hyena Beastkin and Chameleon Beastkin I had seen moments before appeared in front of the building.
Whether he had carried her directly, the Hyena Beastkin stood there holding the Chameleon Beastkin’s waist aloft.
“What? There’s no one here. Are you sure you sensed it correctly?”
The Hyena Beastkin dropped the Chameleon Beastkin unceremoniously.
“Ugh, yes, yes I did…! The trap I set was triggered. There was definitely movement!”
“A wild beast then? Ah, no, that can’t be right. They wouldn’t linger after catching the scent of a predator….”
The Hyena Beastkin sniffed the air.
“Indeed, there’s no one around. I don’t sense any unfamiliar scents either.”
She smoothed her nose.
“How strange. Even if nothing happens, something feels off….”
“M-Madam Haira… Phew, at least, it’s possible my trap was disturbed by something like a strong wind….”
“What? Why are you saying that now?! You got startled and just bolted without thinking!”
The Chameleon Beastkin seemed to have felt nauseous from the Hyena Beastkin’s speed, retching several times.
After examining the surroundings repeatedly, the Hyena Beastkin took the Chameleon Beastkin, who had gotten up, and suggested they search the area.
Soon, they moved away again.
“Teacher, let’s depart now.”
Observing the enemies’ movements, fortunately, there seemed to be no way for them to discover that the Dragon Duke was leaving.
‘It’s more careless than I expected. The reason is….’
I glanced at the Dragon Duke.
Probably, this Dragon Duke couldn’t possibly understand the concept of ‘escape.’
Moreover, what mad beastkin would take away the Dragon Duke like I am doing?
It would be something they couldn’t even imagine.
‘It’s better to leave quietly from here.’
Even if, by some one-in-a-million chance, Tus being fake was exposed and the Dragon Duke’s disappearance became known, they still wouldn’t be able to narrow down suspects.
Even if suspicion fell upon the guests, the hall that had been filled during the afternoon visit for the Dragon’s Festival had been crowded with so many visitors.
Moreover, unlike the terrestrial animal beastkin nobles who had shown the Dragon Duke immense interest, Aquasiadel, who had shown no particular personal interest, would be far removed from suspicion.
Father moved silently.
Cradled in Father’s arms, I glanced back to see the Dragon Duke gazing quietly at the receding building.
“…Tus.”
A small voice. Though it carried no discernible emotion, I found myself thinking that he was longing for something.
* * *
By the time we returned to our lodging, contrary to my expectation that dawn would have broken, the sky remained dark and the surroundings were silent.
It was because Father had moved with such speed that we had saved considerable time.
‘I had even considered the possibility of colliding with beastkin or sentries…. It’s fortunate that nothing happened.’
It was actually a relief that my contingency plans proved unnecessary.
“Calypso.”
Father set me and the Dragon Duke down in my chamber, then stood upon the railing once more.
He looked as though he might depart again at any moment, which made me furrow my brow in confusion.
“Teacher, where are you going?”
“I have something to attend to. I’ll return shortly.”
“Wait…. Just wait!”
I hurried after him and barely managed to catch hold of Father.
“You’re not planning to cause some kind of incident, are you?”
“You’re treating me as though I’m less capable than a three-year-old.”
“There are three-year-olds like me in this world, so that’s just prejudice.”
“Are you not a special three-year-old?”
“….”
He certainly knows how to respond. I spoke firmly despite my sullen expression.
No incidents.
“There’s nothing to worry about. It won’t be the kind of incident you’re imagining.”
“That’s exactly what makes me more anxious!”
“Why is that?”
“What if something goes wrong?”
“I have no reason to ruin your plans.”
“….”
That’s true enough.
“Throughout this journey, I have never refused what you desired. That remains unchanged now.”
“I understand. You must have your reasons, but nothing can be discovered, right?”
Regardless of his reasons, it seemed Father had spotted some flaw in this operation.
I could hear the details after he returned.
We would be together in the carriage for the entire journey back anyway.
Father chuckled softly beneath the blue moonlight.
Moreover, that expression of his—brimming with confidence, bordering on arrogance—suggested he saw no reason for failure.
“Who do you think I am?”
With that, he deliberately ruffled my hair once more before leaping over the railing again.
Though he vanished from sight the moment he jumped, I stared into the darkness for a long while before turning my head away.
“….”
The Dragon Duke, standing in my chamber.
Though the scenery seemed somehow unreal, this was the reality I inhabited.
‘Pull yourself together. The operation isn’t over yet.’
Only when the Dragon Duke set foot on Aquasiadel’s soil would this operation and plan truly conclude without complications.
“Aren’t you tired? Dragon Duke, would you like to sit for a moment?”
“….”
I’d offered the courtesy of speaking first, though I hadn’t expected him to understand.
I took the Dragon Duke’s hand and guided him to sit on the bed.
I removed his bag first and set it aside.
Throughout my actions, the Dragon Duke simply gazed at me intently.
“You must be overwhelmed—so much has happened in such a short time.”
The Dragon Duke offered no response. I hadn’t expected one anyway, so it didn’t matter.
“We’ll depart at first light. I’ve already informed the Castle’s Retainer of our departure time, so no one will find it suspicious.”
“….”
“Come to think of it, is this the first time you’ve left the place where you lived? Have you lived there since birth?”
Perhaps he had spent his entire life there.
Or perhaps he was born in that grand, magnificent castle but was cast out.
Either way, I had nothing to do but sleep at the moment, yet I didn’t want to.
Sleep wouldn’t come anyway.
I opened the bag beside the Dragon Duke and retrieved a notebook.
The moment I turned past the cover, I saw beautiful, rounded handwriting.
「The newly born Dragon Duke requires education.
This includes not only knowledge but also the basic emotions humans naturally possess.
Dragons first mimic the emotions of humans with whom they form bonds.
Therefore, learning is absolutely, utterly essential. Very much so.」
I flipped through the notebook before looking up.
So emotions were something that had to be learned directly, not merely acquired through lack of instruction.
“That’s why you didn’t wipe away Tus’s tears.”
“….”
“It’s strange though—I could still feel that you care for Tus deeply.”
The way you held Tus gently in your hand despite your arm aching, remaining perfectly still.
That image had left a deep impression on my mind.
“Dragon Duke.”
「Our Dragon Duke’s name is ‘Ekion Pontus’.
But no one knows except me. No one calls him by it.」
“What’s your name?”
“….”
“Your name is Ekion, according to what Tus says?”
“….”
“Ekion.”
I felt his gaze and smiled softly.
“It’s a name similar to the City of Dragons. It suits you well.”
The first Dragon’s name was Ekina.
It was a name like a parent and child’s.
“…Ekion?”
“Yes. Ekion. That’s your name. Ekion.”
I wished this city had been as kind to you as its similar name suggested.
“Come with me.”
I wasn’t repeating words I’d already spoken in the Dragon Duke’s Chamber because I’d forgotten them.
“I know it’s difficult for you to understand right now, and making decisions isn’t easy. But I hope you won’t forget that the reason you can be here at this moment is because of a sacrifice made by someone who loved you dearly.”
“…Calypso.”
“Yes, that’s right. My name is Calypso. And Ekion.”
“….”
“You have to say this with your own mouth.”
I grasped Ekion’s hands firmly with both of mine.
“Someday you’ll understand everything I’ve said to you today. Your life is yours to save.”
“Save….”
The child, understanding nothing of the meaning, repeated my words like a parrot.
For now, even this was enough.
“Yes. When the day comes that you understand everything I’ve said to you now, I hope you’ll grant me one request.”
Send me home. Please.

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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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