Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 222

‘I wasn’t mistaken.’

I definitely hadn’t paid this much attention to Duke Yong in my previous life.

Maybe he had been hiding it all along, never revealing it.

Didn’t the Imperial Family, who used to hide their true feelings, become obsessed with Duke Yong in this life?

‘So obsessively and relentlessly.’

Enough to imprison Duke Yong and place their observers throughout the Dragon’s Castle.

‘If that’s to solve what happened to that Crown Prince.’

It makes sense.

It felt like all the pieces were falling into place.

Because even while steadily progressing with the work of the aquatic beastmen, the Imperial Family’s eerie silence was strange.

“Yong, how can you possibly set the Crown Prince free?”

“I don’t know exactly… but he mentioned ‘time’ and ‘destruction.’”

My mouth felt bitter.

Because it reminded me of the destruction in the 3rd timeline.

‘No, I absolutely won’t let this life end like that.’

I’ve decided to make this life my last. Really, even if I were to repeat time again…

I will end this tiresome resentment.

My goal for this life is to die of old age.

“So, the Imperial Family wanted Duke Yong.”

But when I went to the Dragon’s Castle, Ekion was just imprisoned.

There were signs of abuse, but no traces of forcibly exploiting Ekion’s power.

‘Could it be that those bastards were also waiting for something while keeping Ekion locked up?’

Whatever is afflicting the Crown Prince, if it’s still the same, he shouldn’t be able to break free easily.

Some preparation was needed, or…

If they had to wait for ‘something.’

Here, that something is…

‘They must have been waiting for Ekion to grow.’

That’s right. Tus and Ekion both said that their power stabilizes as they grow, and they can use it fully.

I crookedly raised my lips.

‘Looks like you guys didn’t want to experience another rampage, huh?’

Tus said that thanks to me, he was stable, but young Ekion always had a high chance of going berserk.

But the opponents are lion cubs.

‘I can’t rule out the possibility that if things go wrong, they’ll cause a rampage and aim for destruction, wanting us all to die together again.’

I didn’t regret revealing Duke Yong’s existence to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince seemed to have already noticed that Duke Yong was here, and it was only a matter of time before he was discovered.

If the enemy’s goal is clear, then a strategy to counter it becomes simple without being too complicated.

‘Those guys will only target Duke Yong, who is their top priority.’

On the one hand, my mood plummeted rapidly.

I know it. And I accepted it, but this feeling of using Duke Yong as bait felt unpleasant.

In the past, you made the innocent Duke Yong a scapegoat, and you haven’t changed a bit in this life.

“……”

I felt a gaze staring at me. By the time I slowly turned my head, the unpleasantness had long vanished from my face.

Instead, there was an emotion that filled the gap.

I became inwardly complicated.

‘Just what are you….’

How much did you suffer to get all this information?

Even hearing it once, it wasn’t ordinary information.

In order to dig up this much information, you must have suffered countless hardships.

“It wouldn’t have been easy to figure all this out alone.”

“I’d like to take all the credit, but unfortunately, I didn’t do it entirely alone.”

“Then?”

“I received help from ‘Akpus.’”

The name I heard after a long time was the name of the octopus beastman who fervently followed me in the 3rd timeline.

He is a beastman with the special ability to perfectly change his appearance as well as the appearance of others.

“What, don’t tell me you remember him too?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Hauser made a thoughtful expression, then gave a slightly sly smile.

“Ah. It’s nice that only I remember. Thanks to that, I get all the attention.”

“……”

I pressed hard on my forehead.

When I smoothed out all the wrinkles, my hand patted his shoulder twice.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“……”

And…….

“Thank you for not dying.”

Hauser looked at me and suddenly said.

“Is this the moment I should cry?”

“……Isn’t that something you should say while shedding tears?”

“I can’t do that.”

“…….”

“Even for a single moment, I can’t bear to have anything obscure Master’s face.”

“……You’re really dedicated.”

I gave a bitter smile. Looking at this guy, I couldn’t help but think of Levi.

Really, those guys who were like my two arms hadn’t changed from the 3rd timeline, as if it were a lie.

At least Levi doesn’t have his memories. This guy…….

“You must be tired, so rest. Thanks for telling me all this.”

Instead of holding onto someone who had just gotten out of bed, I decided to plan for the future.

I decided to give him a break.

However, as soon as I turned around, Hauser came back in front of me and knelt on both knees.

“What are you doing?”

“I would like you to call my name.”

“What… Hauser. Is that okay?”

“Yes. I am Master’s subordinate. Do you remember? I swore allegiance with my life.”

“…….”

The darkly sunken eyes stared at me as if they would pierce through me.

“Please take my whole life in this life as well, just like in the past life.”

A blissful smile spread across Hauser’s thin lips.

“My body, my heart, and my soul. They are yours.”

“……Didn’t I tell you not to say such crazy things anywhere else?”

As the number one contributor who made me wonder why only crazy people gathered around me in the past, I let out a sigh like a laugh at the sight of his gleaming eyes.

“I don’t accept human sacrifices.”

I pressed down on his forehead and turned around to open the door.

* * *

Hauser’s appearance and the information he brought brought a huge change to our camp.

“It seems the place we went to wasn’t the final base. The place Dad and Velos went to must be the base. The leader who leads the shark faction must be there.”

“That seems likely.”

Levi nodded in agreement. Agenor, who was sitting in the conference room, raised his hand.

“Master, no, Sister, can’t I go with you this time? Huh? Huh?”

I shook my head slightly at the third guy.

The third guy has the best mobility. In case of an emergency, someone with good mobility had to stay here.

“Amazing. To think they were obsessed with Duke Yong because of the Crown Prince’s circumstances……”

Levi muttered softly and tilted his head.

That’s an expression that suggests he has some idea?

However, Levi’s mouth did not open. I figured he would speak when his thoughts were organized, so I moved on.

“Okay. I wanted to settle things quickly, but they’re kindly knocking on our door?”

The territory of aquatic animals is soon the territory of Aquasieldel. That dirty lion bastard has set foot on my land.

I felt very dirty and unpleasant.

“Then are you going directly to where Velos-nim went?”

“That’s right.”

Levi nodded slightly and headed towards one place. His expression became a little strange.

It was a face full of confusion and, on the one hand, bewilderment.

“By the way, Master. I didn’t say anything because you didn’t say anything, but……”

Levi gestured to one side.

“Why is that human sitting there?”

Hauser was sitting where Levi was pointing.

Everyone except the second guy, who was sitting with a calm expression, had a face that said they had a lot to say.

It was clear that they had just accepted it because I had passed over it without explanation.

“It’s fortunate that the important agenda is over, but I’m cautiously asking a personal question.”

Levi spoke gently on behalf of them, with cold, sharpened eyes under his glasses.

“There are rumors that you brought a lover. Is it true?”

“Bring.”

“Yes?”

“Bring only one of the guys who spread that rumor most actively. Should I beat him as an example?”

“……I guess not.”

Levi nodded.

“You flinched. Why, did you also play a part in spreading the rumors?”

“I hate false rumors.”

“Why, you’re good at killing people with your silver tongue. Didn’t Atlan die every time?”

“When did I!”

I ignored the second guy’s complaints.

Soon, I introduced Hauser. As a key intelligence officer who came under us this time.

Everyone had suspicious eyes, but they softened slightly at the mention of the Sea Oath [a sacred vow among aquatic beastmen].

“Hauser, if you have anything to say, say it.”

“I didn’t expect you to be alive.”

“Hmm? What? No, who?”

“You were so weak that I was sure you would have collapsed somewhere……”

Hauser’s gaze was directed at Levi.

‘Ah.’

I naturally remembered. These guys, their relationship wasn’t very good, right?

‘Well, except for a few of my subordinates, they were so belligerent that fighting each other was a daily occurrence.’

Levi didn’t seem to recognize who Hauser was, but he instinctively narrowed his brow slightly as if he felt a deep sense of displeasure towards him.

“Master, what is that seaweed head babbling about?”

“…….”

“With that all-bloated seaweed hair……. Rudeness aside, I hope he is clean. I hope there are only clean things in this conference room.”

“…….”

Oh, it’s childish but a sure provocation.

I rested my chin on my hand and chuckled, stifling my laughter.

Well, that’s okay. Kids grow up fighting. They’re not kids anymore, though.

I guess that’s what their inner selves are like.

“Then, now that it’s settled, we’ll depart for Velos today.”

* * *

At Calypso’s voice declaring the adjournment of the meeting, everyone got up from their seats one by one.

Hauser remained motionless, lost in thought.

‘When should I give ‘that’?’

On the day he reported everything yesterday, Hauser was so caught up in his emotions that he forgot one of the most important things.

He had a treasure to deliver to Calypso.

‘When we’re alone…….’

Until this morning, there was hardly any time for just the two of them.

Because Calypso was busy.

Hauser wanted to give it in a cozy time, at a moment when he could celebrate his hard work to the fullest.

He endured the pain, anticipating the moment when only he would fill those beautiful and noble eyes.

He deserved to enjoy it.

‘That being said…….’

His shaded gaze quietly stared at one place.

Persistently.

Surprisingly, instead of looking at Master Calypso, whom he had always dreamed of, his gaze was at the dolphin beastman. It was Levi.

Hauser thought.

‘That bastard.’

His pale face tilted loosely.

‘Why is he acting like he doesn’t remember?’