Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 212

212

The atmosphere was light, filled with playful banter, yet no one was truly serious.

“Don’t worry. The groom will be properly ‘taken care of’ at the engagement ceremony.”

“Am I going to let that happen?”

I said it with an air of indifference.

“Dad, didn’t you say the same thing about Whale a few months ago? This isn’t the time for silly stories.”

“I’m more than willing to embrace my silly side from now on.”

“Don’t joke with such a serious face.”

I gave an awkward laugh, then sighed. “Levy, whether or not that man remembers is definitely relevant to our plan.”

“Query: What *isn’t* relevant, Master?”

The question came from Lilibel.

Lilibel tilted her head, a sulky expression on her face. “It’s surprising that Duke Yong lost his memory, but is this really something to be so serious about?”

“Honestly, my family and subordinates are so cold to each other. How can you say that about a colleague who’s trembling like a baby bird after losing his memory?”

“…Trembling like *what*? A baby bird, like a chick? Does he smell like bird poop?”

“Oh my.”

My kids are so negative when they think of land animals.

“Who’s the coldest one here?”

“Second, you shouldn’t talk to yourself like that.”

I waved my hand dismissively. As I did, the ornament I was holding flew towards Second.

“Ugh! What are you doing! And the upper stream must be clear for the lower stream to be clear too! [A Chinese proverb meaning leaders must be moral for their subordinates to be moral.] Master, how can you expect us to have good character when you act like this! Do you have any conscience!”

“That’s very true. Take another hit.”

Before anyone’s individual personality could become more prominent, I quickly raised my hand halfway, stopping the potential chaos.

Even amidst this, the man remained quietly alone.

‘He’s grown and become quieter.’

He was similar to Dad in this aspect, but also different. Dad had a detachment born from resignation…

This man sat dignified in the crowd, yet looked lonely, as if he were completely alone.

Why does he look like he’s been left alone in the world? Maybe it’s because Tus isn’t here, making him seem even more isolated.

“The dragon’s power is unstable.”

I knew this from what happened on the terrace earlier. Ekion, who had emerged from the crack in time, had never had issues with his unstable power, at least not even once.

But the man who had grown and lost his memory *did* have unstable power.

“Hey, I don’t get what’s so serious. Anyone want to explain it to me, human?”

Ajenor answered Lilibel’s petulant question with a displeased expression. “Don’t ask if you already know. If the dragon is unstable, the world could be destroyed.”

Those who had experienced that destruction, Atlan and Bellus, paused, their expressions turning somber.

I waved my hand as if to organize my thoughts. “Therefore, we must bring forward all our plans.”

“You’re bringing forward the plan instead of helping him regain his memory?”

“How are you going to help him regain his memory? Are we going on some kind of memory-finding quest to jog his memory?”

“…….”

“That won’t work. I know best.”

I know. The only unique existence that was most valuable in Ekion’s short life is me.

But he doesn’t even know my name.

So, simply reminiscing about memories like in Earth’s novels or dramas won’t bring him back.

This was also a feeling, an intuition.

“Seeing that he wants to go to the Dragon City, I think there might be a way to resolve things there.”

“But the Dragon City isn’t in a state where we can just go there now, is it?”

“That’s right.”

The Dragon City is now completely different from what it was when we visited it nine years ago.

The leader of the land turtles must have stopped some of the problems, but he alone couldn’t have stopped the imperial family’s schemes entirely.

There would have been a limit to his influence. It’s safe to say that every corner of the city is now a minefield.

A city full of traps.

There’s no need to knowingly walk into a trap, is there?

“We just need to make it safe to enter the Dragon City.”

What’s the best way to safely enter a city full of traps?

Simple.

Get rid of the guys who set the traps.

“We’re going to the capital earlier than planned.”

Everyone fell silent at my words.

Iliana, who hadn’t spoken until now, and the leader of the herrings, who had been observing, exchanged glances.

The families who had sworn allegiance to me quietly watched each other.

“Wow, isn’t this just tyranny? How come there isn’t a single person who objects?”

When I turned my gaze, Atlan grinned, revealing his fangs.

His words were rebellious, but his gaze suggested he would kill anyone who dared to raise an objection.

Now and then, I laughed at that excessive loyalty.

“We’ve already held out for a long time anyway.”

The imperial family was bound to come all the way here eventually. They only had a suspicion that the Dragon Duke was here, but they couldn’t find any concrete evidence.

It’s only a matter of time before they do.

We’ve held out for as long as we could.

I raised my head and looked around at everyone.

“The imperial family is in the capital.”

I stated the obvious, setting the stage for what I was about to say.

“Those musty bastards are cunning, meticulous, and possess overflowing patience.”

“…….”

“To deal with violent and meticulous people, we also have to be meticulous.”

That was the sub-goal I set after waking up from my long sleep.

“In order to strike the imperial family, we must strengthen our internal affairs. So, the first order given by the Master is to eliminate the most troublesome sharks.”

Levy quietly acknowledged the order.

Already, succession had been implicitly achieved among them.

To be exact, I was simply taking back the position that Dad had temporarily taken over.

“Yes. There are two remaining bases. I’ve decided. We’re going to attack both places simultaneously.”

“But what are you going to do about the aspects that are lacking compared to the prepared conditions?”

“Divide into two.”

The person who raised his hand at my words was Bellus, who had been silent until now.

“Master, as you know, there are still individuals within this family who harbor strange ideas. If we divide into two and go to war, there will be problems.”

“I know. You left them there on purpose, didn’t you?”

“So your intention remains unchanged?”

“That’s right.”

Bellus nodded. Soon, he respectfully bowed his head.

“Everything is as the Master wishes.”

* * *

The meeting ended and we had a party, but compared to my last birthday, it was short and sweet.

Most of them were disappointed, but they left, seemingly resigned to the order.

“The coming-of-age ceremony can be held properly later.”

“That’s right, Calypso!”

I was grateful and a little sorry to those who disappeared while promising to celebrate properly next time.

It seemed like they had high expectations. Should I throw a bigger party next time?

Just as Dad was about to leave, someone remained behind.

It was Second, who should have left the room while feeling apologetic. He’s the busiest guy in the family right now, except for Dad. He had an expression that suggested he had something to say.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Yes.”

The cold expression softened a little when he looked at me. But for some reason, his face was somewhat stiff.

“Why, are you now dissatisfied with my decision?”

“There’s no such thing. There won’t be in the future either. Besides, you made a reasonable decision. The imperial family is already sending spies into Aquasieldel.”

Although it hasn’t been officially announced, the imperial family has already dispatched people to this land they hated in order to chase the Dragon Duke.

To infiltrate, they’ve been assassinating our knights or key figures, then taking over their identities by disguising themselves with special abilities.

One of the reasons Dad took over the position of head of the family was this.

Although it was a low possibility, if the imperial family suddenly started a fight, Dad would deal with it as the head of the family, while I was planning to safely hide Ekion and strike the bastards from behind.

The reason why I don’t take the position of head of the family and command all of this is…

‘There’s someone around me who remembers the previous life besides me.’

I wonder if there is such a person among those black panthers and lion bastards?

I don’t know how they treated the Dragon Duke in the 3rd round, but the thought of them imprisoning young Ekion keeps bothering me.

If the black panthers had done this in the 1st and 2nd rounds, there’s no way I wouldn’t have known.

“Yes. If it’s not dissatisfaction with the decision, then what is it?”

I asked, carefully concealing my thoughts.