Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 123

“What brings you here? It’s a surprise to see you wanting to meet me.”

The next day, during lunch.

I usually eat the lunch brought by the servants or the lunch that Luga Ruba insists on providing.

But today, I made a special effort to shake off Agenor, who follows me around like goldfish poop, and the twins.

Atlan was standing in front of me.

This intermediate institution had a space prepared for outdoor lunch on a nice day like today.

The place where we were sitting also had parasols and pretty tables.

‘However, everyone around us is avoiding us like the plague,’ I thought.

No matter how much the rumor spread that Atlan had become my doormat, even more so than being under my thumb.

Perhaps Atlan’s reputation was still fearsome; the intermediate institution kids were packing up their things in a hurry to avoid us.

‘It’s a good thing in a way,’ I mused.

That’s because I wanted to talk to this guy quietly.

“You talk as if it’s been ages since we met? You used to come and find me without me even asking.”

“Well, that’s…….”

Atlan awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

Considering his age, he was quite large, so the gesture seemed a bit out of place.

“I thought you wouldn’t see me if I didn’t do that…….”

Seeing this clumsy behavior naturally blending in, I was reminded that he and I were facing each other in our younger forms.

I gave a bitter smile as I faced the guy who was watching my mood.

“Why are you so hesitant? You’re usually so clueless.”

“What? It’s not like I can’t be aware of things, you know?”

“Yes, well done.”

“……It sounds like a compliment, but why do I feel bad?”

Of course, it’s not a compliment, is it?

I lowered my head and laughed, then raised it again.

I had already removed the smile from my face.

“Second, can you block sound with your water power? Block it.”

“Huh? Uh, uh.”

Soon, a transparent barrier spread around us.

Atlan’s water power had a darker color even among the Orcas.

I stared at the pretty water color, which was different from Dad’s, then turned my head.

“Hey, but you, like the rumors say…… you really didn’t awaken [gain magical abilities]?”

“Oh, that’s right. But I can still knock you down without a problem.”

“Well, that’s obvious. Don’t raise your fist.”

“Wanna try? Should I show you?”

“……I won’t mess around, so put your fist down.”

Atlan raised both hands. Laughter came out on its own.

“Seeing you reminds me of my old, aggressive self.”

“…….”

I muttered cheerfully, and Atlan made a strange expression.

“Why do you look different from before? No, you’re the same, but also different.”

“Isn’t it obvious since I’m living a different life?”

“…….”

Then Atlan made an even more incomprehensible expression.

I was going to meet this guy to talk about this anyway today.

“You didn’t have any friends in your past life either. Now you have a friend named Levin. It’s the same as that.”

“……Are you saying that you living in Pierre Aquasidel’s place is the same as me making a friend?”

“Yeah.”

“And it’s the same as you being with those Belugas you’re seeing for the first time and that blue-haired guy?”

“That’s right.”

Even if I regressed [reincarnated or traveled back in time], life doesn’t flow the same way.

“Then you’re not going to find your subordinates?”

I shook my head.

“That’s not true. But I wonder if there’s a need to bring all of them.”

The things I’ve changed have spread like a butterfly effect, changing some things for the better.

And some things may have gone wrong.

For example, like avoiding the future where Baiyan died early and the Belugas almost disappeared.

Or someone might have experienced different things from the past due to the butterfly effect caused by Baiyan’s death.

“There are some guys who would be better off not meeting me in this life.”

In fact, many of my subordinates were those who were harmed by Baiyan’s group and the collateral relatives who followed him.

There were also many whose families were almost wiped out.

“You’re not going to ab…….”

“It’s not abandoning. Many of my subordinates used to move based on resentment. I was the same. But this time it could be different.”

“……I don’t understand. How is that different from abandoning?”

“Isn’t it the difference between having memories like you or not?”

Because there might be guys who don’t have a grudge against Baiyan’s side now.

“…….”

I folded my hands together.

I slowly erased the smile and stared with a serious gaze.

“How much do you remember? You said it wasn’t complete before.”

Atlan nodded.

“That’s right. It’s clear sometimes, but not at other times.”

“Yeah.”

Atlan said that it had been like that all this time.

Some days, everything came to mind as vividly as yesterday, but on other days, these memories faded like recalling memories from 10 years ago.

“But it felt the clearest when I faced you at the family meeting.”

“And after that?”

“The funeral. I realized it when I saw it become clearer when I bumped into you at Baiyan’s funeral. I thought, now I have to go find you, right?”

“…….”

“And it seems to fade again when I’m away from you. It’s driving me crazy.”

“What’s driving you crazy.”

It becomes clearer when I get closer to you?

Tus’s words came to mind. Did he call me someone who endured time?

What Atlan remembers might be related to my regression.

‘This round is different in many ways,’ I thought.

I rubbed my chin.

“Okay, that’s enough talk.”

“Hey, but are you really not going to find your subordinates? They followed you with utmost devotion, you know?”

“Would they even remember now?”

“Still…… that prickly dolphin guy, and what was it. That guy with terrible affection deficiency. Aren’t you going to miss them if you don’t have them?”

“You remember well. You’re the one who always mixed up people’s faces.”

Then Atlan rubbed his face.

“Yeah, maybe something has changed in me as you said. My personality wouldn’t have accepted those narwhal bastards.”

“It’s a good change, Atlan.”

“…….”

“I think like this. I thought about it about 5 years ago…… the meaning given to me in this life is.”

“…….”

“To make this family more virtuous and peaceful.”

I shrugged.

When I returned to the family after becoming stronger in the 3rd round, many of the weak and virtuous had already died.

“I’ve decided. The human who interferes with this the most is the current head of the family. And I won’t hesitate to overthrow the head of the family for the sake of my goal.”

“You’re going to get your hands dirty with blood?”

“If necessary?”

“……I did come back to you saying I wanted to be your weapon again, but.”

Atlan frowned and sighed. It was a sigh that didn’t suit his size.

“Still, maybe I wanted to see you, my sister, live peacefully at least once.”

“…….”

“It’s your fault for making me say such things.”

“Really? I thought it was commendable.”

I smiled with my chin resting on my hand.

“I’m at peace now. I have Dad in this life, and people I saved……. And now I have comrades who remember the past like me, so I’m not lonely.”

“…….”

“As you said, I want to bring all my subordinates. I’ll find at least a few. However, I won’t just drag them in. If they’re living peacefully now, I’ll just leave them alone.”

How are you guys living?

You who wished for my happiness until you died…….

“Atlan, I don’t think I’ve abandoned this. Rather, it’s strange to force guys who don’t even remember to come.”

“……You’ve always.”

“Yeah?”

“Never mind.”

Atlan crossed his legs. He had a dissatisfied expression.

“Ah, but I’m sorry, but I’m definitely bringing that dolphin guy you mentioned.”

“Your goldfish poop?”

“Oh, you know he hated that the most, right?”

“Who cares? Do you know where he is?”

“That’s the problem.”

I tapped the table.

“All the dolphins packed up and went back to their hometown.”

“They ran away to their hometown?”

“Why does it sound like that? Anyway, that’s what happened.”

“Any guesses?”

“Well……. I have some. But I can’t be sure.”

I nodded.

Looking back, that dolphin guy definitely gave me a hint.

‘I didn’t expect Baiyan’s early death to have such an impact on this guy,’ I thought.

Atlan thought for a while, then grinned, showing his fangs.

It was a spiteful face.

“If you think about it, isn’t it because that dolphin guy remembers you and ran away so he wouldn’t be exploited again?”

“……What?”

I was startled.

How can you say such a thing? Then he seriously hardened his face.

“……Is that so?”

“……Crazy. I’m kidding.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

Yeah, it’s a joke, but for a moment I thought it could be true.

Because my conscience was pricked by the memories of suffering together with that guy.

I’m sorry. Forgive your lord for going to find you in this life too.

“Anyway, everyone has left except for one, and I’m going to meet that one, do you want to come with me?”

“Me too?”

“Yeah. I think you’ll meet someone you know well too.”

I smiled.

“As fate would have it. Do you know who the only remaining dolphin is?”

“What? Don’t tell me it’s that guy?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

The only dolphin left here.

Unfortunately, he was left here to resolve matters related to leaving the intermediate institution.

But that was just the publicly known situation.

As I said before, it seems that guy was harmed by Baiyan’s early death, unlike in the previous round.

……I didn’t intend it, but I have to take responsibility.

“It seems like he’s having a hard time because of me, so I think I should go catch him.”

“Hunting after a long time.”

Atlan swung his shoulders around.

“Just you and me?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

Atlan’s smile deepened even more. He said it reminded him of the old days.

“Shall we try a dolphin rescue operation?”

* * *

Back alley in Aquasidel Territory.

This vast territory, bordering a river and facing the sea, allows you to feel the smell of water or the sea everywhere.

However, the boy who hid in the hallway was busy trying to cover up the smell of blood instead of the smell of water.

“Wow, I smell blood somewhere?”

“It’s a fresh smell.”

The guys chasing the boy were those who were good at smelling blood, no less than the Orcas among the aquatic beastmen of this land.

The boy unwound the bandage around his arm.

Soon, two fierce-looking adults appeared where the boy had been.

“What, it’s just a bandage?”

“He wouldn’t have gone far. Catch him.”

“Okay.”

The men swung their shoulders around.

“Let’s take the dolphin guy to our boss this time.”