Black Orca Baby Lord (105)
No. 105
Atlan’s large frame looked overwhelmingly bigger compared to other orcas of the same age.
Come to think of it, I was standing near the entrance.
It was a path that one had to pass to get inside.
However.
‘The path is so disgustingly wide… why right in front of me?’
Anyone could see this was picking a fight.
If I turned my gaze slightly, as expected.
Agenor was obsessively sparkling his eyes. Excessively so.
‘Destroy him! Destroy him!’
…Ah, I feel like I can hear that guy’s inner voice.
Destroy him or whatever, has he forgotten this is a funeral?
I spoke as if I would fight with the side branches who were looking at me disapprovingly with Dad earlier, but.
I had no intention of actually fighting.
I know basic etiquette too. Of course, I will fight if necessary.
‘For example… if that guy throws the first punch?’
Then even if Grandma appears later, I can shift the blame by saying, ‘That bastard hit me first!’
‘If I had faced this gaze in the previous timeline, I would have fixed that personality with my fists, etiquette be damned.’
Is it because of the change in environment?
The current me is more tolerant than in the 3rd timeline.
I faced Atlan with a sulky gaze.
More than anything, to be honest…
‘The blueprint I’m drawing right now doesn’t necessarily need this Atlan.’
I feel sorry for my second older brother, but.
No, is it not something to be sorry about?
“Why would I move aside?”
Ah, of course, responding to provocation is a different matter.
In the last timeline, I had to break that guy because I needed him.
“Did I tell you to kill your temper or not, Second?”
I even gave him expensive personality education while keeping him under my command, but.
“Did you rent this road? Everyone else is going fine, why are you the only one making a fuss? If you have legs that can’t walk this wide road, then crawl.”
In this life, I don’t have the time or leeway to do that.
Let’s see…
“What can I do when I get annoyed just by staying still? I don’t like those guys.”
“Then just hit a rock.”
“Why hit a rock?!”
“Then do you want to be hit by me?”
“…How many times do I have to hit it?”
Thinking about it, there are such affectionate memories too, but.
I was busy taking responsibility for our Yongyong Duke and gathering the scattered subordinates.
If I had to prioritize, this guy is a lower priority?
“If you have poor cognitive abilities, then don’t come to this gathering.”
“……”
Atlan’s eyes became even more fierce.
A face suppressing anger.
I smirked as I watched Atlan clench his fist.
Go ahead.
“For reference, throwing that is up to you, but.”
Even if entering is up to you.
“Don’t regret whatever the outcome is the moment you throw it?”
Because leaving will never be.
The moment the fighting spirit flared up, I saw a terribly missed punch.
‘What is it?’
He wasn’t trying to hit me.
‘Did he avoid the fight because Grandma might come?’
No, was that guy the type to think that far ahead before starting something?
Absolutely not.
However, when I turned my head, I only saw Atlan’s back.
He left without fighting.
I felt a strange feeling.
…What the heck?
It seemed like I wasn’t the only one who felt something strange.
“Younger sister, did I see that right?”
Agenor looked so dumbfounded that he looked like he had seen a lion.
Is this the face you make when you see something you ‘extremely hate’ and suddenly get hit in the back of the head?
“I’m watching too. No… Atlan, did he take something? Why isn’t he attacking?”
“I know, right… He’s not the type to consider the time and situation?”
“Princess, are you okay?”
“Uh, uh. Yeah. Of course, I’m okay.”
However, our conversation did not continue.
Because Grandma soon entered.
* * *
Atlan is… like ‘Lu Bu’ in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms [a famous warrior known for his strength but lack of strategic thinking].
A great warrior in the story, but hot-tempered, incredibly strong but lacking application skills and brains.
Innate strength, especially physical ability, was among the best in the direct line of orcas.
‘His durability is so terrible that I experienced my hand hurting for the first time when hitting him.’
I clenched and opened my hand, staring blankly ahead.
‘I’m still concerned about Atlan’s attitude…’
Since I’ve changed big things, life will naturally not flow as it did in the 3rd timeline.
But there are events that happen no matter what in the world, and there are things that don’t change like the baseline of the world.
‘That was the second’s temper, huh?’
Avoiding a fight.
I wouldn’t have been this surprised even if Belus had declared that he was starting vegetarianism.
“I solemnly declare.”
I raised my head at the dignified voice.
“What are you so lost in thought about?”
“Ah. Something strange happened.”
Dad, who was sitting next to me, turned his head and spoke, wondering if I was constantly thinking about other things.
I answered without looking.
“Do you need help?”
“No. It’s okay. For now.”
Currently, only the three of us, including Agenor, were sitting on the long chair.
Baiyan’s family was seated on the long chair on the left.
Lilibel is also there.
And Grandma was standing at the very front, where the coffin was.
When Grandma finishes speaking, they will bury the coffin.
‘Okay, let’s forget about Atlan for now.’
I stared at Grandma.
Aquatic animal beastkins do not have a specific god they believe in.
If there is anything they believe in, it is the ‘sea,’ the source of life.
Therefore, at funerals, they recite a dirge that includes the name of the sea.
Just like Grandma is saying now.
‘Usually, this kind of funeral is held for a normal death, that is, when someone dies in a duel.’
I crossed my arms and tapped my arm with my index finger.
“…Therefore, I commend Orca Baiyan Aquasiadel, who will be eternally buried in the water at this place.”
When Grandma finished speaking, a beastkin next to her sang a song.
The calm voice suited it perfectly.
‘Is it a humpback whale?’
Looking at the spotted pattern on its head, it seemed right.
It was a beautiful funeral song, befitting a whale whose hobby and specialty is singing.
When this song ends, the funeral will officially end.
I raised my hand as soon as the song was about to end.
No, I got up from my seat.
“Respected Grandma.”
Grandma slowly turned her head. A face as if to say, what do you want to say?
If it were me 5 years ago, I might have been displeased with the intrusion in such a solemn gathering, let alone at a family meeting.
Grandma only slightly raised her eyebrows and said nothing.
“I have something I want to say.”
I felt countless gazes focused on me, but I didn’t care.
Among these gazes, there are definitely gazes from Baiyan’s forces that are glaring at me as if to kill me, but.
“Hey pebble, I’ll listen to what you have to say, considering my mood. But if it’s nonsense, you’ll have to take the appropriate responsibility.”
“Of course, Grandma. I’m sorry for the sudden intrusion in such a solemn place. But I really wanted to say it.”
Grandma chuckled at my continued words.
If I were to find something that has changed from the past, it would be that even when she laughed before, her eyes never laughed at all.
But now, there is a slight hint of laughter in those dark blue eyes.
“It’s similar to when you first appeared at the family meeting 5 years ago, pebble.”
“……”
“As I said, it better not be nonsense.”
“Of course, Grandma.”
Would I ever disappoint you, you old hag?
Rather, you’ll like me more and more, right?
It wasn’t a ‘like’ in the sweet sense. After all, the style that old hag likes is.
A successor who is strong, pursues power, and has the same way of thinking as her.
Look forward to it.
Until I beat you, I intend to become a successor who suits your taste.
“Grandma, today’s dignified and solemn funeral is usually held when an orca beastkin has lived out their lifespan or has met an honorable death. I know it as these two things.”
I said, maintaining a correct posture.
“Here, an honorable death includes dying in battle while fighting in war, dying in a fair and just battle. Finally, I know that it includes admitting defeat here and taking one’s own life.”
Baiyan’s cause of death is suicide.
It’s hushed up, but it’s a fact that everyone participating here knows.
The rumors have already spread widely.
Lilibel and White-hair [referring to Heila] must have spread the rumors.
“But if Baiyan didn’t commit suicide, wouldn’t the meaning of this funeral be tarnished?”