Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 128

The Black Orca Baby (128)

No. 128

When I heard about the power of healing, I imagined someone like a ‘healer’ or ‘priest’ from games or fantasy stories.

You know, someone who casts a spell like a wizard, and with a ‘poof,’ a light appears to heal everything perfectly.

Besides, the reason I thought this way was that the heroine’s power was closer to that ideal!

“Did you see that? It’s not as simple as it sounds.”

“…What exactly did I just see?”

As I mumbled, dazed, Levi nodded as if he understood.

“Yes, you might feel that way. I felt the same way at first.”

Levi stroked Whale’s head. Whale’s dazed look had disappeared, and his eyes were clear and bright, just like when I first saw him.

However, Whale’s eyes, when he looked at Levi, were full of trust.

“Whale’s power is healing, but to be precise, it’s ‘the power to heal through equivalent exchange.'”

“Like what you just showed me… a price is needed?”

“Yes. Depending on the injury or illness, Whale tells you the price he needs. Healing is only possible when the exact materials are prepared.”

I felt my mouth drop open.

‘What? Why is it so complicated?’

I felt a little wronged.

If the heroine had the power to heal by holding a magic wand and saying ‘Heal!’, this one is…

‘Bring bricks to build a house? I’ll complete it for you.’

…That’s how it felt!

Suddenly, anger surged.

What is this? Are you discriminating against aquatic animal shapeshifters again? Why are you only giving our kids this kind of power?

Suddenly, anger towards an invisible god surged.

“…Are you angry? I mean, I’m going to cooperate with the healing, but.”

“No, it’s not that.”

I quickly calmed my anger, but Levi had already noticed it with his keen eyes.

“I’ll tell you in advance, the price isn’t human lives or anything like that. As you can see, it requires things that exist in nature, excluding humans.”

“…I wasn’t even thinking about human sacrifice, so it’s a relief that it’s not. More than that, how far ahead did you think about this?”

“I thought it was necessary to be aware of the potential dangers of powers in advance.”

“That’s good.”

As expected of a smart guy, he seemed to have done a lot of research on Whale’s power.

Thanks to that, it’s a relief that I can relax a little.

‘According to that, the more severe the injury or illness, the rarer the required items become.’

Like Levi said, this is an equivalent exchange.

“Healing near-death injuries and serious illnesses requires a corresponding price.”

Judging from Whale’s dazed look a little while ago, it didn’t seem like he was saying it of his own will.

I groaned inwardly.

‘Honestly, I didn’t think there would be no price, but I never expected this kind of price?’

I blinked, hesitating.

“Then how can you heal my dad?”

“First, this child needs to go and make a ‘diagnosis.'”

“Like when he held your hand?”

“Yes.”

That meant Dad and Whale had to meet. I slowly nodded.

Atlan next to me had a look on his face that said, ‘What the heck did I just see?’

“What are you so surprised about? You’ve seen all sorts of special abilities of aquatic animal shapeshifters.”

“No, that’s true, but… Damn it, it’s the first time I’ve been this surprised since those damn anglerfish brainwashed me.”

“Why are you cursing? You’re scaring the kid.”

“Scaring him? He’s not even flinching.”

Even as we were talking, my mind was working hard.

‘Dad’s illness is officially known as an incurable disease.’

What price will be required to cure this disease?

Great power comes with a price.

I was someone who knew the meaning of these words very well.

‘The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get? It’s not like Dad wanted to be sick.’

Why is the price for healing so high?

As I was thinking, someone knocked on our room door.

Levi quickly put the robe’s hood on Whale and put on his own hood.

“You don’t have to be so wary; it’s probably the guest I invited.”

“A guest?”

I smiled and got up from my seat.

However, I didn’t tell Levi and Whale to take off their robes.

“You’ll know when you see them.”

Then, I went out and opened the door, and the hotel manager was there.

“Guest, the guest you mentioned has arrived.”

“Ah, okay.”

He bowed deeply and turned away, as if he wouldn’t be involved any further.

Turning away from the old manager, I saw a familiar and welcome face.

“Greetings, Princess.”

I smiled brightly.

“Yeah, come on in.”

I stepped aside and welcomed her.

“Come in, Illia.”

It was Illia, the leader of the Belugas.

“Did you come alone?”

“No, Loba and the children are downstairs. I wanted it to look like a peaceful time with family… as an excuse.”

“Yeah, that’s a good excuse.”

I smiled and gestured towards the inside of the house.

“I was also having a cozy time with my family.”

Exchanging reasons for the sake of appearances, I guided Illia inside.

“I was surprised to receive your urgent call, but thank you for coming so quickly.”

“It’s nothing. If my lord wishes, I would run to the northern end of the empire.”

“…I’m telling you in advance, I won’t give such orders.”

Illia flinched as she entered. She seemed surprised for a moment when she saw Atlan with his arms crossed.

“…Um, so Atlan is your family. You were certainly having a cozy time between siblings.”

“I wonder if he thinks it’s cozy too?”

I shrugged.

“More than that, I want you to take a look at him.”

I pointed to Levi.

Levi was still wearing his robe.

“Are you going to keep wearing that?”

At my words, Levi checked Illia and slowly took off his hood.

Illia was slightly surprised.

“Oh my. Levi?”

“Hello, Illia. It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. When Calypso suddenly called me here, I wondered if it was you, and it was.”

“Is that so?”

“There are many dolphins living in this neighborhood, after all.”

“…”

Levi didn’t seem to completely trust Illia.

“Illia, let’s get to the point since we don’t have much time. I want the Beluga to protect Levi and Levi’s family.”

“…Family, you say?”

Illia’s eyes turned to Whale, who was still hidden.

Instead of explaining, I shrugged.

“Okay, Levi. Tell her yourself. I’ll give you some time alone.”

The room I booked was large, so there were other rooms besides the living room we were in.

I gestured towards the room.

As if to leave it up to Levi’s choice whether to reveal Whale or not.

“The reason you’re not taking him to Aquasia Dello [likely a marine-themed resort or city] is because it would be more noticeable?”

“You know it well. You don’t want to be a whale in a display case, do you?”

“…”

“…So you were serious about protecting me.”

“Of course, what else would the Oath of the Sea [a sacred promise or pact] be?”

Levi looked a little unfamiliar.

“Even with the Oath of the Sea, you can always exploit loopholes in the words.”

“I know you’re smart, so I won’t do such tricks.”

I could, but why bother.

“You two talk. You’ll be more comfortable with the Beluga anyway.”

“…”

Levi didn’t deny it. He gestured to Illia, and she nodded.

“Go to that room.”

Levi seemed a little uneasy about leaving Whale alone, but he looked at me once and got up from his seat.

I gestured to Atlan as well.

“You go too.”

Atlan grumbled with a dissatisfied expression, but he followed the two of them.

That left Whale and me in the living room.

“You can take off your hood now. Isn’t it stuffy?”

Then Whale slowly took off his hood.

“Anyway, Levi will tell Illia the truth.”

“…How do you know?”

“Why wouldn’t I know? He’ll make her his ally even if he has to make her swear the Oath of the Sea.”

“…”

That’s what my strategist should do.

I propped my chin and observed Whale. Like the twins, he was a person who didn’t exist in my 3rd playthrough.

A family-like existence that Levi had lingering feelings for until the end.

“Please take care of me in the future.”

“What?”

“If you’re a precious existence to Levi, then you’re also someone I have to protect.”

I smiled.

It might be hard to understand, but it didn’t matter. Trust can be built up gradually.

It was at this moment that I thought this.

“But there’s one thing Levi doesn’t know.”