Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 261

261

And, as if the inevitable moment had arrived, Dad subtly inquired.

Watching his eyes, which had sharpened before I even noticed, I gave an awkward laugh. “Ahahaha.”

Knowing how wary Dad had always been of the men around me, I could easily predict his reaction.

‘Eckion, are you about to get blasted with a water cannon?’

The thought flitted through my mind, but in reality, I’d be lucky if it only ended with a water cannon.

“Um, Dad,” I began.

“I’m listening,” he replied.

“Well, haha, things just… happened.”

Dad rested his chin on his hand and tilted his head slightly.

“That doesn’t quite answer the question of when you two became… *like that*.”

Oh dear, excuses were clearly useless. He was telling me to explain myself.

I cleanly surrendered, raising both hands in the air. “It hasn’t been long.”

“How long are we talking?”

In the end, I recounted everything that had happened with Eckion, one detail at a time.

Dad didn’t say a word, but I could feel him listening more intently than ever.

“…Anyway, that’s how it happened.”

Dad nodded slowly.

I scratched my cheek and glanced at him cautiously. “Dad, I have a favor to ask… please don’t hurt Eckion.”

“Are you suggesting we settle this with a fair duel?”

“Why a duel? Besides, doesn’t that usually end with someone dying?”

“There are people in this world I cannot coexist with.”

“Is Eckion one of them?”

“No.” Dad took his hand off his chin and declared confidently, “Your husband.”

“…You’re giving me a very unique reason not to get married, Dad.” I laughed.

“You’re going to bury someone at this rate.”

Of course, even with that look on his face, rational and cold-headed Dad wouldn’t actually get rid of someone, would he?

“If it’s okay even if the burying place is in the deep sea…”

…Was he really being rational?

I made sure to say, “Don’t put Eckion in the sea,” with a suspicious look, and Dad chuckled.

“Just the Dragon Duke [Eckion’s title]?”

“Huh?”

“When you think about it, there are quite a few guys who should go into the deep sea.”

From Dad’s mouth came stories of dolphins, sperm whales, and eventually even Hauser.

“The Aquasiadel cemetery is quite large, so even if several people go in, it won’t be noticeable.”

“Don’t say things like that with a serious face. It sounds real.”

“……”

“Don’t be silent either.”

After facing Dad’s intensity, we suddenly burst into laughter, as if the tension had never existed.

Dad’s expression softened, as if he had never looked stern at all.

“Actually, if I hadn’t met your mother again, I might have really done something to someone without you knowing.”

A tender hand came up to rest on my head, accompanied by his blunt voice.

I suddenly became curious about what Dad meant by ‘something,’ but I brushed it off, focusing on his face. “Caesar, no, what did Mom say to Dad?”

“She didn’t say anything special.”

That’s a lie. But instead of pressing him, I waited for Dad to continue.

“I just realized that the feeling of accepting life changes simply comes from knowing that such a being is alive.”

From Dad’s tone, which was slightly higher and more emotional than usual, I could somewhat understand the feeling of knowing that someone you thought was dead was alive.

“If you have someone like that too, then there’s nothing more your father can do.”

“…Then why did you bring up the deep sea and whether or not to ask?”

“Reason and emotion are different.”

I don’t think I can rest assured even after leaving this room.

If Eckion, Levain, Hauser, or Whale suddenly disappear one day, shouldn’t I suspect Dad?

“Your mother said this.”

“……”

“Thank you for being alive.”

Dad’s stroking hand paused for a moment. Then, he soon waved his hand in the air.

For the first time in a long time, I was lifted by Dad’s water stream and hugged tightly in his arms.

“I could only hear those words because you were here.”

“……”

“It’s all thanks to you that the family can be together.”

A cozy and warm embrace. An embrace that I will never lose now.

With Dad in front of me, I don’t have to worry that he will forget me because he has a daughter born directly to him, or fear that he will have a child other than me someday.

Old worries brushed through my mind and disappeared.

Facing a great battle, perhaps the last one, this was the most peaceful and warm embrace.

“…It’s a little embarrassing to do this at my age.”

“What does it matter? No one’s watching.”

Dad whispered quietly while holding me.

“And to me, you’re always a small and young daughter.”

Why, it felt like I heard someone’s voice from far away.

“Our Sieun, you must always be happy.”

The kind and tender voice of Dad from another world. It must have been a mistake. It was probably just a natural sound because I had remembered it after so long. I can now comfortably let go of this voice.

I chuckled and slowly closed my eyes.

“Okay, then let’s stay like this for a little while, Dad.”

* * *

“There’s someone I want to introduce you to.”

Dad announced.

Not long after hearing these words, I found myself in a large conference room, face to face with the guests Dad had mentioned.

They were a woman and a man with imposing builds. Each had light gray hair and very dark, charcoal gray hair.

Describing them like that might make them sound like siblings, but in reality, they looked completely different.

The man, whose lips looked twice as thick and large as others, spoke first. “Is this the head of the Orca family?”

His voice was casual.

It felt rude and rough, but strangely, it seemed to suit him well, so I didn’t find it unpleasant.

“I am Ampilla Hippones from the Hippo family. I am here to cooperate with you on behalf of the head of the family.”

The man, who had unusually small ears compared to his large mouth, introduced himself as the second-in-command of the Hippo family.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar face.

It was just a little strange to see an opponent who had been troublesome in the previous rounds like this.

I reached out my hand. “Nice to meet you. As you said, I’m the boss here.”

Ampilla raised his eyebrows slightly at my casual reply, then chuckled and took my hand.

Soon, his face turned pale.

‘Hippo always like to show off.’

At the same time, the hierarchy was clear.

It meant that as long as someone showed that they were superior, they would quickly bow their heads.

Soon, Ampilla cleared his throat and straightened his posture.

It was a much more humble posture.

As an animal that is very sensitive to hierarchy, as evidenced by the fact that in nature, they not only chase away or kill males who lose in competition, but also kill all the offspring of the defeated male, the revenge was certain.

“Is it my turn now?”

The woman, who had been standing calmly next to him, opened her mouth.

Her face was calm and gentle.

She looked docile at first glance, but I had already recognized who this woman was.

“I was impressed by your skill in subduing these arrogant Hippo folks with one hand.”

Unlike the Hippo beastman, she bowed politely.

It was neither too much nor too light a greeting.

“I’m Dana Lephant, the leader of the Elephant beastmen.”

Like Ampilla, she was an Elephant beastman who I had seen as an enemy in the 3rd round.

To join hands with the protagonists of the field zone battle, which was one of the most difficult battles.

It was still a strange feeling.

“Calypso Aquasiadel. As I said, I’m the leader of the Orca beastmen.”

“And also the leader of the aquatic animals. I know it well.”

Because they reached out their hands directly for cooperation first.

I looked at the leader of the Elephants with a slightly bewildered expression.

“I didn’t expect the leader to come in person.”

“How could I not come?”

Dana covered her mouth and smiled slightly. The Elephants all had gentle and friendly impressions, but.

“You were the first to help us. We’ve come to repay the favor.”

Once they enter a battle, they are a race that goes wild like crazy.

Moreover, they had a good resistance as much as Camula, so even the Orcas, who were good at close combat, had a really hard time.

“Thank you for safely returning our clan who were captured by Madrum.”

Dana bowed her head as politely as never before.

Ampilla, who saw this, was surprised and hurriedly bowed his head together.

“Ahem, I, on behalf of the Hippo beastmen, sincerely thank you.”

I thought I would laugh at the suddenly polite voice, but I held it back.

“I received enough greetings in the letters. Does your coming mean you are willing to participate directly?”

“Our clan will pursue revenge to the end of the earth for those who have harmed our clan.”

Dana nodded and said calmly. She would join us on the way to the Imperial Palace.

Ampilla also said the same thing.

The Hippo and Elephant beastmen were among the beastmen who were completely unaware of what had happened in Madrum.

Along with the herbivorous beastmen, quite a few beastmen were sacrificed.

They sent several letters of protest to the Imperial Palace, but they did not receive satisfactory answers, and what came back were the terrible evidence of experiments we sent.

They finally decided to take revenge directly.

Blood for blood.

“My younger brother was also among the sacrificed beastmen. He was a curious diplomat, but also the head of a family.”

“……”

When I expressed my condolences, Dana smiled slightly, saying no. I could see determination on her face.

“By the way, Calypso, have you heard?”

“About what?”

“Ah, hasn’t it been delivered here yet? Your father knew about it.”

I naturally stared at Dad, who was with us. What is it?

“The Imperial Palace has issued a massive summons order to us.”

Dana twisted her lips and smiled.

“They told us to come in person and hear the whole story.”