The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 15

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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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Episode 15
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The Astropel Family held elder council meetings every week.
Kaid lowered his gaze as he looked around at the elders, who as always were bickering over tedious matters.
What was she doing now, he wondered. Probably bouncing around somewhere in the estate, making a fuss about something.
Kaid, who received regular reports on Airin, let out a quiet laugh.
The sight of that small creature wandering fearlessly through a mansion teeming with Black Mamba was rather endearing.
No one in the family was unaware that Airin was growing up as the youngest member, so it mattered little where she roamed—yet part of him remained uneasy.
What if that little thing asked to see places beyond the Territory?
Perhaps he should sweep clean any place worth visiting before she thought to ask.
Kaid stroked his chin thoughtfully.
What regions were known as travel destinations?
It seemed best to have Baon compile a list in the coming days.
As Kaid openly let his attention drift elsewhere, the bickering elders fell silent.
Their eyes all turned toward the family head at once.
‘Just who are we pouring our arguments into?’
The retainers, who had exchanged glances in perfect unison, wore expressions of displeasure.
“Family head.”
At last, Jeras, seated closest to Kaid, called out softly with a measured cough.
Kaid, drawn from his reverie, turned to face him.
“What is it?”
“We are currently in an important meeting.”
“Do you think I’m unaware of that?”
“Perhaps you might focus on the discussion?”
“I’m listening. Continue with what you were saying.”
Kaid gestured for them to proceed. Baon, watching the situation unfold, shook his head faintly.
Some of the retainers seemed startled by this side of Kaid they’d never witnessed before, but Baon, who had observed him like this several times in the Office already, found the scene familiar.
If they learned that a colorful snake figurine was coiled on one corner of the office sofa, they might very well faint.
‘She truly is remarkably cute.’
The fact that she could soften even the icy Kaid into such a gentle mood was no small feat at all.
Beyond her simple cuteness, Airin possessed something indefinable.
She seemed sharp-witted at times, yet at others displayed the unguarded innocence of a child her age, keeping the adults wrapped around her little finger.
Baon smiled faintly, then quickly straightened his expression as his eyes met Jeras’s directly.
And he brazenly feigned innocence.
“We are discussing a matter of considerable importance, family head. Perhaps we might set aside thoughts of Airin and focus instead?”
“I see. Small creatures are swarming around the Territory boundaries?”
Hyenas, the lot of them. Kaid clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Every quarter, personnel dispatched to patrol the Territory borders were reshuffled, and such scavengers often tried to slip through those gaps.
Especially the Eastern Territory—there was never a moment of peace there, and it was becoming increasingly troublesome.
By now, it was time for word of another clash to arrive.
“Perhaps we might leave it be. After all, they are cowards at heart.”
“If we turn a blind eye, they will keep pushing the line.”
“This is an opportunity to make an example of them. It will also quell any discontent among the clans living nearby.”
The elders representing each region added their voices one by one, offering their opinions.
Kaid turned his gaze toward the window, his expression indifferent.
“Handle it as you see fit.”
This was precisely the answer the elders had been waiting for.
The Black Mamba welcomed battlefields rather than shunned them.
Until now they had held back to maintain good relations with neighboring clans, but there was no need for such restraint with upstart fools who didn’t know their place.
The moment Kaid granted them leave to run wild as they pleased, the corners of the retainers’ mouths twitched upward.
“Then might we expand the Territory as a show of force?”
“Yes. If we’re doing this anyway, expand toward somewhere with good water and clean air.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
The retainer tilted his head, uncertain whether he’d heard correctly.
“The Western Territory would be ideal.”
Now that he thought of it, he seemed to recall receiving a letter offering a certain island in exchange for mines where Pheromone Ore was extracted. He remembered hearing that the beaches there were beautiful. Where had he filed that letter?
Mines were plentiful enough that losing a few wouldn’t even be noticeable.
Kaid began thinking seriously.
If not an island, perhaps he should scout out a suitable region.
A place with warmer winters would be nice as well.
A few villas would round out the estate nicely.
Kaid rose from his seat.
“If we’ve covered everything, let’s conclude the meeting here.”
The elders began gathering their things, preparing to leave one by one.
As the gathering dissolved, Kaid paused in the doorway of the Council Chamber, sensing an unstable presence drawing steadily closer.
“Hmm? That feels like Rozaria’s aura, if I’m not mistaken.”
Baon murmured uncertainly from beside him.
Some of the elders seemed to have already detected it as well.
Rozaria appeared moments later.
Her expression was uncharacteristically anxious—a stark departure from her usual composure—and all eyes turned toward her.
“My lord!”
“What is it, Rozaria?”
“Airin has—”
Kaid’s eyes widened.
* * *
When they reached Airin’s room, the corridor was saturated with Pheromone.
It hung in the air sweet and fluffy as spun sugar.
The cloying scent vibrated through everything; those nearby were all entranced.
A faint presence stirred within the room. Baon was the first to react.
“It seems the Humanization is complete.”
“Appears so.”
Kaid composed himself and grasped the door handle, turning it.
The moment he stepped inside, he drew in a sharp breath.
“Rozaria—”
“Airin!”
The child was impossibly small.
When she spotted Rozaria, her anxious expression dissolved into a radiant smile of relief.
The girl with shimmering silver hair clutched a pillow to herself, burrowed beneath the blankets.
Despite her pretense of calm, fear had clearly taken hold.
“Are you cold?”
“No. Not cold.”
“Let me get you dressed right away.”
Rozaria retrieved the Sky Blue One-piece Dress from the wardrobe and quickly dressed the child.
Emerging from beneath the blankets, the girl was entirely pallid—save for her flushed cheeks brimming with vitality and her pale crimson eyes.
Kaid could not tear his gaze from Airin.
He approached the child carefully, and at last his lips parted.
“Airin.”
“Yes…?”
“Airin Astropel.”
Though it was an awakening of the most common sort, emotion swelled within him—a sensation unfamiliar and overwhelming.
Was it because the child he had thought dead in her shell had somehow survived, completing her Humanization without incident?
This moment felt singular. Kaid knelt down.
“My lord?!”
Baon called out in alarm.
Meeting the child’s gaze, her pale crimson eyes went wide.
Kaid’s lips, which had been soft and open, suddenly curved up in playful amusement.
“You’re still so small.”
“…”
“At this height, you won’t be able to hunt alone.”
Oh, my lord.
Baon pressed his palm to his forehead as Airin’s expression crumpled on the verge of tears.
Clinging to Rozaria’s leg, the tiny girl cowered behind her, her small lips trembling.
“No.”
“No, what.”
“No!”
Tears brimmed at the edges of her eyes—she was genuinely upset.
“I can hunt good too!”
“Of course you can, Airin. You’ll be perfectly capable of catching prey whenever you wish!”
Rozaria tried to soothe her, though she herself seemed at a loss. Her bewilderment was plain.
She had heard it from Hestia beforehand, but knowing and witnessing were entirely different matters.
Kaid had expected Airin to be small, but this…….
“She looks to be about three or four years old.”
“Doesn’t the Humanization usually begin around ten years old?”
“……Uu.”
The child whimpered. Rozaria, who had finally snapped out of her shock, hurried to cut off the conversation.
“No, that’s not it! Starting at ten years old is actually the unusual case. Airin isn’t small at all. Right?”
Everyone agreed. Rozaria’s violet eyes flashed with an intimidating gleam. Baon, overwhelmed by her intensity, quietly turned his head away.
He had never once seen anyone spend their childhood as young as Airin was now.
Especially not a Top Predator. And so…….
‘How curious.’
Something so small moving about. Three pairs of eyes fixed upon Airin without wavering.
Kaid regarded the child still hiding behind Rozaria with displeasure.
“Airin.”
“Uu…….”
“Come here.”
“No! I’m tiny.”
Her plump cheeks were already puffed out with stubbornness.
Even seeing her so thoroughly sulking, Kaid had to fight to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising.
He knew that if he were to laugh now, it would become impossible to salvage the situation.
Kaid decided to try soothing Airin. It was something he had never done before, and his attempt was awkward enough to unsettle even those watching.
“You’re not small.”
“……Really?”
“Yes.”
At those words alone, Airin’s sullen expression softened.
Her face brightened, and she smiled radiantly as she stepped forward.
Her gait was unsteady, as though walking on two legs still didn’t come easily, but Kaid waited until the child reached him.
At last, when she reached out her hands, Kaid gently lifted her into his arms.
The tiny hands wrapped tightly around him and her small frame felt strange and unfamiliar.
So light she seemed as though a breath would carry her away.
Small and light. And fragile.
Kaid slowly loosened the arm he had tensed and, as though he had done so countless times, gave her cheek a gentle poke.
Her cheek was soft as sticky rice cake.
Her eyes rolled about in his arms, and the hand gripping his collar tightened with surprising strength.
“So this is what it feels like.”
“It’s rather an odd sensation, I must say.”
Rozaria’s face shone with emotion as she witnessed Airin’s Humanization, which she had long awaited.
Baon wore a peculiar expression as well.
Having tended to the egg for three months, the feeling seemed to be different now.
Perhaps because everyone stood watching in silence.
Airin nestled close against him, seeking shelter. The corners of Kaid’s lips curved upward beautifully.
“Congratulations on successfully completing your Humanization, Airin.”

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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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