Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 169

169

Even as I listened to the Chieftain’s words, I couldn’t take my eyes off his massive frame.

‘Anything associated with an elephant is generally huge.’

Just as the old man had calmly answered me without panicking, I, too, met his gaze with an equally composed expression.

Looking up at him, I figured my neck would be quite sore.

“The bride of the Great Dragon, who recently made a name for herself in Peseum as a bride.”

Unlike the alligator-turtle beastman who had guided me earlier, the Chieftain already knew about me.

“We never expected you to seek us out.”

“Actually, it’s your role. When a guest arrives, the chief steward should welcome them.”

“…….”

The old man chuckled softly.

“It’s just past glory.”

“Do you really think so? That it’s past?”

“…….”

“Not taken away?”

I know they haven’t been cooped up at home.

“……Surely, a distinguished guest hasn’t come to provoke us.”

The old man’s eyes were brown.

However, they sometimes appeared golden-brown depending on the angle, as he sat in the sunlit area.

They were deep, profound eyes, somewhat similar in color to Ekion’s.

“What brings you here, the one who orchestrated such a grand scheme that shook the entire Dragon City?”

A scheme, huh?

I smiled innocently.

“Before we get into such matters, I’d like to have a proper seat and show some courtesy, but I’m short on time. Can we get straight to the point?”

“Certainly. As it happens, we also have something we’ve been wanting to ask you.”

Good. Let’s cut to the chase. I crossed my arms.

“I’ve come to make you an offer.”

A tiny child standing arrogantly before a giant old man.

Anyone watching might have found it ridiculous, but the atmosphere was utterly serious.

I grinned.

“Did you happen to see me screw over the higher-ups who put you in this state? I heard you all watched. How does it feel?”

“……Is that the main point?”

“Yep.”

For the first time, a hint of embarrassment flickered across the old man’s face.

“That thing I did. You could screw over those land beasts once more with your own hands. How about it?”

The old man didn’t answer right away.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Then, I would like to ask our question.”

“Go ahead.”

The old man answered calmly, as if he hadn’t lived a long life for nothing.

“……Is Duke Dragon safe?”

But he wouldn’t know.

That no matter how long he had lived, it would be similar to or less than my own lifespan.

Thus, I noticed the worry and concern in the old man’s voice, which he tried so hard to hide.

Here, I had to choose one of several options.

Should I probe him gently to reveal his true feelings?

Should I proceed directly?

Or should I provoke him?

Soon, I answered nonchalantly.

“Can you swear an oath to the land?”

I have confidence in my judgment of people. The worry I saw in the old man’s eyes.

“On your life.”

For the first time, I had met someone here who was worried about Ekion.

“If you keep everything I’m about to say a secret until you die, I’ll tell you.”

“I will.”

The oath of the land, which serves the same role as the oath of water. Only after this oath was completed did I inform the old man.

“Duke Dragon is under our protection.”

At that moment, tears streamed down the old man’s face.

I paused.

Soon, the old man collapsed to the floor as if falling, and knelt down with difficulty.

It wouldn’t have been easy for the legless old man to assume a proper posture.

However, the old man eventually greeted me, sweating profusely.

Most respectfully.

“……As the representative of all the guardian deities, I greet the city’s benefactor.”

It was a strange feeling.

“Thank you…… Thank you so much……. For taking our Duke Dragon out of their grasp…….”

Drip, drip. Perhaps because of his large size, even his tears were thick.

In my past life, was this how my subordinates felt when they thought of me?

I’ve never been a subordinate, so I wouldn’t know.

‘I should offer him a towel, not a handkerchief.’

I knew it was an absurd thought to have at this moment, but I couldn’t help it. I’m awkward at offering comfort.

On the one hand, I was pondering. He seems to know about the Imperial Family’s affairs.

‘How much does he know?’

While focusing on my sharply honed senses, a strange feeling lingered in one corner of my heart.

Ekion, I thought you were a lonely person ostracized in that castle.

It seems my past thoughts were wrong.

And I’m glad.

The old man, even kneeling, was almost at eye level with me.

I stared at him intently, then suddenly asked a question. An uncalculated question.

“If I were to return Duke Dragon, would protection be possible in this city from now on?”

The old man’s eyes wavered for a moment, but only briefly. As if the years were merely traces.

Returning to his deep gaze, he replied.

“No. We cannot protect him.”

I once had a debate.

Where does strength come from?

My subordinates argued over strong bodies, strong mental fortitude, or great special abilities like the power of water or teleportation.

My thought was this.

“You have to admit you’re weak first.”

Thinking you can beat anyone and win any fight is arrogance and hubris.

Strong people distinguish between what they can and cannot do.

“I see why you land turtle beastmen haven’t fallen.”

“…….”

“You’ve been cowering in the darkness, haven’t you?”

“Do you think so? We are merely those who have been defeated and retreated.”

“In nature, a turtle’s shell is the driving force that withstands any hardship and environment.”

“…….”

“You’ve been sharpening that giant shield of yours so it doesn’t rust, haven’t you? Secretly.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I believe it’s safer for me to protect Duke Dragon. Calculating means you haven’t given up yet.”

“…….”

The old man stared at me, then let out a dumbfounded, hearty laugh.

“……Indeed. I’m confused as to whether I’m talking to the head of a family or a small princess before my eyes.”

“I’m both.”

“…….”

“Oh, I’ll be the head of the family soon. Should I say it’s a near-future event?”

I held out my hand to the old man.

“So, what’s your answer to my proposal?”

“……What exactly do you want from us?”

“Turtles are said to be wise in fairy tales. Haven’t you noticed yet?”

“Haha, is there such a fairy tale?”

I watched the old man return to his chair as if he had never knelt. He seemed accustomed to returning alone.

“I’m going to take Duke Dragon to a safe place.”

“That’s a good idea.”

The old man listened to my explanation for a long time, then nodded slowly.

“Very well. We will participate. However, there is a condition.”

“……What condition?”

This time, it was the old man’s turn to smile kindly.

“Please swear an oath to protect Duke Dragon’s safety.”

* * *

Ekion needs to go somewhere else to live properly.

The Chieftain of the land turtles accepted my claim too easily. As if he had always been thinking that way.

Having been pushed back for eight years, he may have felt it desperately.

That he cannot protect him in the midst of land beasts.

‘To think he’d return it after making me swear the oath of water.’

Well, it wasn’t unexpected. But when I was offered it as a condition, it was quite amusing.

“I will take responsibility for the aftermath.”

He said he would gather those who had been expelled but were still deeply loyal to Duke Dragon, besides themselves.

I handed something to the land turtle, who was making a firm promise.

“What is this?”

“A letter from Duke Dragon. I’m also a messenger.”

“…….”

The old man received the letter I gave him with trembling hands, as if he had never been a strong Chieftain.

I thought that crumbling face was not for me to see, so I went outside.

“Did it go well?”

“Yeah. Very much.”

We were on our way back, escorted by the alligator-turtle beastman who had guarded the door.

“But why that expression?”

“What about me.”

“You have a 찝찝해하는 [a Korean word meaning ‘unpleasant’ or ‘uneasy’] expression. You.”

“…….”

I ran a hand over my face.

“Yeah, a little. The plan I’ve set up is, well……. There will be sacrifices.”

“What does it matter.”

I turned my head slightly.

The Atlan guy had a nonchalant expression.

“Didn’t those guys accept it knowing that much?”

“That’s right.”

“Then just think about it that far. You’re cold-hearted, but sometimes you get disgustingly sentimental.”

Although it was a brusque tone, I could feel he was trying to offer clumsy comfort.

I chuckled.

“……That’s what they call a good leader, Second.”

I said this and brushed off the image of the land turtle Chieftain.

I shared the plan and conveyed Ekion’s message, so it was up to them how they thought about it and accepted it afterwards.

‘Besides, it’s not over yet.’

I moved my neck from side to side.

“Geez, going back is damn hard again.”

I laughed at Atlan’s grumbling.

“Did you think going back would be easy? Originally, it’s harder to go down a mountain.”

“Don’t act like an adult. I think sometimes, do you know it doesn’t suit that body at all?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m glad my little sister looks so cute.”

“Who!!”

The Dragon’s Castle we were returning to came into view. Thanks to the Atlan guy being next to me, I easily returned to my room without being noticed.

‘Well, now that I’ve met the victims of malice and offered goodwill.’

What’s next?

I grinned as I looked at a boy tied up tightly in the room.

‘Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve seen that XX’s face.’

Now it was time to become a vicious villain.