Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 266

266. The Day the Imperial Family Summoned All Houses

The day the Imperial Family’s summons arrived for all houses dawned.

Incredibly, the Imperial Family, not content with brazenly summoning all related houses to the capital, notified them that they would hold a grand conference during the day and a banquet in the evening, demanding their participation.

Naturally, those who were summoned couldn’t help but feel disgruntled.

Those summoned from afar were primarily families of victims of Madrum’s human experimentation.

‘This bastard, it seems like he has no intention of cleaning up this mess?’

Who would cause such widespread provocation while claiming to be resolving a problem?

But one never truly knew.

That clever and cunning guy might have used this trick to get even the families who would naturally refuse to attend to participate.

The fight with him involved fierce mental battles even when there was no direct combat.

Whether it was a night raid during rain or snow, a surprise attack using the terrain, or even the ruthless act of poisoning the water.

As long as I had the power of water, poison in the water wouldn’t be very effective.

“Then I will go and meet the other houses.”

“Alright, but don’t overdo it.”

Levi nodded lightly.

“I will take your words to heart and work until my bones break.”

“Th, that……!”

I clicked my tongue, watching his retreating figure with his head bowed.

“Such a twisted guy.”

He was doing his best not to burden me, but that was the only way he could express it.

After letting out a small sigh, I headed to the conference hall.

Usually, at a summit where all the houses gathered, only the head of the house or a representative and their aide were allowed to enter.

Of course, weapons were not allowed inside.

‘Actually, it’s meaningless to those who use the power of water or earth, though.’

It was a security check that only applied to other beastmen.

At the grand conference called by the Crown Prince during the day, only the heads or representatives of the houses were allowed to enter.

Aides and guards were all ordered to wait in the waiting room next door.

I doubted anyone would cause a ruckus in the conference room. But even if they did, I could break down a door or a wall if I stepped in.

It meant I could intervene if necessary.

Before entering the conference room, I tapped on the wall next to the door.

‘It’s quite thick, but not as thick as the outer wall of Madrum’s lab.’

Since I broke through that outer wall, this wall wouldn’t be a problem either.

“L, Lord Aquasiadel…nim?” [Nim is a Korean honorific suffix.]

The attendant looked anxious at my actions. I shrugged and went inside.

The conference room was packed; I had arrived almost last.

A huge round table was visible, and a head of blonde hair was at the head of the table.

Perhaps it was because I was always seeing Ekion’s eye color.

No matter how I looked at it, the Crown Prince’s hair only looked like a ‘murky’ gold.

“You’re late, Lord Aquasiadel.”

As he said, there was only one seat left. And it was the lowest seat.

This bastard was starting a fight from the beginning.

I chuckled and bowed politely.

“What’s this? Is there a day when you don’t start with a comment about a fishy smell?”

Some of the heads and representatives in the conference room gasped.

This was the first time Calypso Aquasiadel had officially faced Crown Prince Cale Helteade.

So, only the Crown Prince would know what my greeting meant.

The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.

“……Sit down.”

From that word, I felt the changed status of aquatic beastmen in this life.

Some of the beastmen from the fierce beast families sitting down glared or avoided my gaze.

There was fear in the eyes of those who glared.

I recognized that most of them were deeply involved with Madrum.

And that they were families that had suffered a great blow from Madrum’s disappearance.

In particular, the Cheetah family was said to have lost its head? He was said to have been there to discuss something with the commander and died.

“Now that everyone has arrived, let’s begin the conference.”

The already quiet conference room became even quieter. Gazes filled with various emotions gathered on the Crown Prince.

As if used to the attention, he raised the corners of his lips neatly.

With the face of a trustworthy politician, he opened the gate.

“First, as a representative of the Imperial Family, I would like to say a word.”

And as soon as the conference started, he dropped a bomb.

“Our Imperial Family does not believe it has committed any crime.”

* * *

At the same time that Calypso, Levi, and Hauser, who was assigned as a guard, left for the conference room.

At the same time, Ekion and Atlan were standing in one place in the Imperial Palace.

“There are too many soldiers over there.”

“Just go?”

“We can go, but it will take time. Is there no other way?”

At those words, Ekion looked around for a moment.

“I feel something strange in the Imperial Palace.”

This search began with Ekion’s words.

Originally, while Calypso was stalling for time, Ekion was tasked with finding the Dragon’s power.

It was a shame that he couldn’t be with Calypso, but he readily agreed because it was something only he could do.

He decided not to be stubborn anymore.

“How about that way?”

It was judged that a large number of people would rather be a hindrance to the Imperial Palace search. Ekion and Atlan, who was prepared for possible battles and intrusions, were in charge.

“Not bad? There are definitely fewer people than before. Good. Stay still.”

Atlan floated his body with a stream of water. Soon after, he floated Ekion’s body as well.

“Don’t move roughly. I’m not good at delicate adjustments, so I can’t use this ability for long.”

He hid his and Ekion’s appearance and presence with the power of water. It wasn’t as good as Calypso, but Atlan could also use the ability.

‘Agenor should have come here.’

He missed the third son, who was protecting Aquasiadel. He was a master of infiltration and assassination.

“Is it okay to talk?”

“Uh-huh. But don’t be loud. I can’t block loud noises.”

While the two were flying through the sky, the patrolling beastmen didn’t sense anything.

“Do you think that important thing will be underground again this time? Like those monkey bastards.”

“……No, I don’t think it’s underground.”

Ekion shook his head slightly. He was puzzled.

Usually, important things are hidden underground, right? The more guilty they are, the more they will do that.

Didn’t the monkeys hide the most important energy source underground for that reason?

Calypso said that the Dragon’s power to the Imperial Family would be like Madrum’s energy source, something they valued and were obsessed with the most.

As the question grew, the number of security personnel decreased.

‘Instead, they filled it with guys who are good at what they do.’

The number of guards decreased, and they were replaced with high-quality personnel.

Looking at the sparsely visible beasts, Atlan recalled the story he had heard from Calypso.

When they went to the Dragon’s Castle, they guarded the building where the Dragon Duke was imprisoned by deploying a small number of strong combat personnel. It was the same situation.

“Let’s stop here for a moment and figure out the patrol cycle of those guys.”

Under Atlan’s lead, the two landed on a large tree branch.

Atlan kept his eyes on the approaching beast knights.

Two people in a group, sometimes three people in a group? How are they rotating?

Atlan, drawing on his familiar experience, stared down and only opened his mouth to ask.

“Hey, I just want to ask you one thing.”

“Yeah.”

“Bellus said that if Calypso was going to have a lover or husband anyway, that white-bearded whale bastard would be better. Have you heard this nonsense too?”

“…….”

Ekion didn’t answer.

Atlan gathered his non-existent senses and thought that Ekion had heard it or knew about it.

“Whale… said he would try. He said he wanted to be by Calypso’s side no matter what.”

“No, how the hell can you make a human who only knew his sister your ally? That bastard is something else, really.”

Atlan frowned slightly, muttering quietly to block the sound.

“Hey, I take it back. I know why Bellus, no, hyung [Hyung is a Korean term used by males to refer to older brothers or close male friends.] is like that.”

Ekion’s gaze turned to Atlan.

“I’ve never talked about it, but hyung must have been really shocked that Calypso died, right?”

The three brothers respected and were loyal to Calypso, who was their sister and head of the family.

The least flexible of the three was the eldest.

Maybe he was hiding alone in this life without even showing it…….

“He must have cried a lot.”

He just couldn’t let the tears out. That’s the kind of hyung he is.

“So he wants to keep the guy who can save Calypso by his side no matter what.”

“…….”

Ekion, who had learned emotions, could now fully understand what he meant.

“And we want to protect her even if we die in this life. Of course… she hates hearing this the most.”

Atlan was still not looking at Ekion. His gaze fixed on the floor was firm.

“And I want to live longer with everyone than this. I hope you’ll be there too.”

Ekion was silent for a moment.

“……Thank you.”

Even in the days when he didn’t welcome or accept anyone other than Calypso.

Atlan was the one who kept throwing words and picking fights.

Ekion now knew that this was what humans called ‘affection’ and ‘kindness.’

“Hey, I’ve got a rough idea. It’s now. Let’s go.”

Soon, he flew up again with Atlan’s power. Before long, the two arrived in front of the place where Ekion felt the ‘Dragon’s power.’

“……Shit. What is this?”

And Atlan was flustered.

“This, it wasn’t here in the previous life?”