Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 258

258

“Who would stand up for us if we, and the scattered landlubbers, claimed to be the victims?”

I thought of the land animal shapeshifters, likely living peacefully, completely unaware of the horrors that had occurred in Madrum.

“This horrific research was actually ordered by the Imperial Family. The evidence has fallen into the hands of the Orcas.”

The Imperial Family wielded immense power, not just from their individual strength.

It was a power maintained by the unwavering faith the families, the landlords of this vast empire, held towards them.

Bellus, Atlan, Riribel, and Lebaie didn’t just rescue people from the lab; they also recovered crucial materials.

Materials that would serve as evidence linking the Imperial Family to the horrific experiments.

‘I heard Lebaie did an exceptional job.’

Despite being in charge of handling materials on our side, he meticulously searched every corner and only retrieved the most important items.

Lebaie was the next person I saw after Hauser, and I was worried he might have PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder].

I remember being relieved that he was alright, but also feeling utterly drained.

“Request assistance from Lorel as well.”

The rescued shapeshifters were a diverse group of various animals, so rumors would inevitably spread, even without my direct involvement.

‘However, if I participate, I’ll exert an influence that can’t be dismissed as mere gossip.’

“The second support unit is arriving soon, right? Inform them as well.”

“…Okay.”

“Make copies of the data, like the ones we gave to Lorel, and send them to each territory.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.”

Atlan and Bellus rose from their seats. The aftermath of a battle was always more challenging than the battle itself.

Therefore, the two were currently busy covering for my absence.

“Hey, are Bellus and I almost done?”

“You still don’t call me ‘hyung’ [older brother in Korean]?”

“Who’s ‘hyung’?”

“You’ll get hit if you keep that up.”

I clicked my tongue. Atlan tried to appear angry but subtly glanced at Bellus.

He seemed to fully acknowledge him as his brother, but their relationship hadn’t been good in either this life or the previous one, making it difficult for him to use that term.

‘He has an unexpectedly endearing side to him.’

“Hey, Master.”

Atlan called out to me and then hesitated.

“What is it? Why are you silent after calling me?”

“That….”

Bellus, unable to watch Atlan struggle, stepped forward.

“He wants to know when you’re going to meet the Dragon Duke.”

“……”

“—That’s what he wants to ask. That idiot.”

“Oh, yeah! That’s right!”

Atlan nodded vaguely. He usually wouldn’t have appreciated Bellus’s interference.

He seemed very curious.

“When were you so protective of him, and how come you haven’t called on him even once while everyone else is taking turns?”

“……”

“You shouldn’t do that. Anyway, because of you, that, what was it, a city was destroyed….”

“Pfft, since when have you been so close?”

“What?”

“No, I’m just surprised that you’re so desperately taking his side. I heard you, Hauser, and the first one worked hard to stop the rampage. But you’re still taking his side.”

You must have suffered.

“Because you destroyed that city, and you won’t meet him, yeah, I was worried. Happy now?”

“No matter what, I brought you when you were just a shrimp and forced you to keep seeing him. It’s annoying, but I’ve grown attached to you. Why? Damn it, it’s all your fault!”

“…Forced.”

At my words, Atlan turned his back, grumbling, ‘I shouldn’t have said anything.’

I spoke to Atlan’s back.

“Tell Ekion to come here on your way out.”

Atlan flinched and looked back.

‘Look at this?’ He looked like he wanted to say it, but he didn’t say anything more and just nodded before turning back again.

Not long after, the door burst open.

“Wait, don’t push….”

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get in.”

Atlan’s voice was heard. At the same time, there was the sound of someone being kicked, and someone fell weakly in front of the door….

At the same time, the door clicked shut.

“……”

The person who had fallen weakly on the floor was, of course, Ekion, and the foot that had kicked Ekion, visible through the crack in the door, was Atlan’s.

‘This crazy bastard….’

I was speechless. Where do I even begin?

Would Ekion just obediently take Atlan’s kick?

And since when did Atlan care about Ekion enough to affectionately kick him?

‘Have I been unconscious for about a year?’

I shook my head, dismissing the absurd thought.

“Ekion.”

I cautiously called Ekion and then flinched.

His face was excessively gaunt. He looked emaciated, as if he hadn’t eaten anything.

Nevertheless, his beauty, radiant enough to shine, remained, but he looked withered, like a plant on the verge of death.

Surprised, I jumped up from my seat and staggered.

“Ugh….”

“Calypso!”

Ekion, who had been lying in front of the door, was now holding me.

I raised my head in Ekion’s arms.

Ah, he’s really thin.

I don’t think I was unconscious for that long. Could it be that he hasn’t eaten a single meal?

No one who had entered my room had said anything about it, so I couldn’t ask rashly.

I had something else to say first.

“I’m sorry.”

“……”

“I didn’t call you because I hate you.”

I wanted to say it more calmly, but my voice came out a little rushed.

Before I could say anything, Ekion held my hand tightly.

“It’s okay. I didn’t mind.”

“Ekion.”

“…I thought you would call me.”

“……”

Pushed by Ekion’s strength, I hugged him tightly. My heart was beating fiercely. His large body trembled slightly.

“What I fear is no longer being able to see you, Calypso.”

Ah.

I quickly wrapped my arms around him so Ekion could cry in peace.

My heart fluttered.

“Until now, I wished that no one would be left by your side.”

Ekion didn’t cry. Instead, he spoke, suppressing his breath with a painful expression that looked like he was about to cry.

“Sometimes, I was tormented by the obsession that I would be satisfied if I used my power to leave nothing around you.”

I paused for a moment at the confession that was by no means light.

Ekion could destroy the world with the means of a rampage if he wanted to.

I was overwhelmed by the confession of someone who could make it a reality.

“I realized this time. That if you had died this time, even if you were to live another life, you might not be the same person.”

Ekion’s words had the same meaning as what I had said to Lebaie and Hauser.

“Calypso, I was wrong. I won’t hate it anymore. You can keep anyone by your side.”

In fact, it wasn’t anyone’s business who I kept by my side.

“It’s okay if you’re drawn to people from the past. I…”

Nevertheless, I listened to Ekion’s words.

“Just keep me by your side among those people. I’ll be satisfied with that….”

It wasn’t the first time I had heard Ekion’s confession. Yet, it sounded more desperate than any confession he had ever made to me.

I like Ekion.

That was a clear fact.

But as Hauser appeared, as I heard Lebaie’s truth, as I gained more subordinates….

I gradually realized one thing. I wasn’t someone who could only see one person.

It wasn’t that I liked multiple people of the opposite sex.

I couldn’t look at Ekion as if he were the goal of my life, the way Ekion looked at me.

Too much was hanging on my shoulders, and I was too greedy to give up even one thing.

I realized it instinctively.

That the moment I accepted this child, we would inevitably have a love that would be different for the rest of our lives.

I think I had always thought that Ekion wouldn’t be able to endure this. That it would be painful and toxic to you.

“…I, I’ll give up my obsession. So I want to be with you.”

“…Don’t talk like I abandoned you.”

“Yeah, yeah….”

I leaned against Ekion’s chest and hugged his thin body tightly.

Strangely, the fact that he was giving up his obsession for me made me feel even more fond of Ekion.

“Are you really not going to be greedy?”

“Yeah.”

I smiled softly.

“It feels so good that a dragon who destroyed a city because I got hurt likes me. Is that weird?”

I raised my head slightly from Ekion’s arms.

“It’s okay to be more greedy. Of course, getting rid of my family or my subordinates is too much.”

“……”

“I want to be with you too.”

Ekion’s eyes widened slightly.

Even with his gaunt face, he looked cute.

“I didn’t want to leave you as soon as I saw you. That’s why I did that.”

“……”

“So don’t be upset.”

Ekion didn’t know what to do, then lowered his head and rubbed his face against my cheek.

It was a childish expression of affection, but it was enough.

“I, I reflected.”

“Yeah. Ekion.”

I didn’t know what he had reflected on, but I nodded along for now.

It was a peaceful time.

“It’s okay to make another, another husband….”

If Ekion hadn’t said something so shocking.