Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 274

Epilogue

Part 1

As a result of the fierce battle, Calypso and her group couldn’t leave the capital immediately.

This was primarily because Calypso and her companions had sustained considerable injuries.

Most critically, Whale, their primary healer, was also injured, which significantly hampered their recovery efforts.

Theoretically, Lily could have healed all of Whale’s injuries…

However, it was revealed that doing so would leave Lily bedridden for an entire week, so they opted for a more moderate approach to his treatment.

Consequently, treatment progressed slowly, and a week passed while they remained in the capital as temporary residents.

Calypso had regained some mobility and was able to walk around, though still with some discomfort.

While the most severe frostbite had been addressed, she still had lingering injuries.

But they were bearable.

“Eckion, is this the place?”

Eckion had suffered comparatively minor injuries. Considering he had shared the frostbite that would have killed Calypso, his rapid recovery was remarkable…

‘The dragon’s constitution is undeniably strong.’

For the first time, she felt a twinge of envy. The feeling quickly faded, and she focused her gaze on Eckion.

The two were holding hands, and Eckion, clutching Calypso’s hand, appeared as nervous as a young boy on his first date.

‘How innocent.’

Calypso wasn’t particularly experienced herself, but perhaps because she considered herself older, she felt a sense of ease.

She felt a little more relaxed.

“Yes, this is it.”

The place Eckion had led her to was none other than the banquet hall where their intense battle had unfolded a week prior.

This hall, where the ceiling had been blown open by Calypso’s power, remained untouched, preserved in its damaged state.

In reality, it was more a case of neglect than preservation.

Because the remaining members of the imperial family no longer cared about it.

‘Will the next emperor be chosen from a cadet branch of the family?’

There were also lion beastmen outside of the direct imperial line, and rumors of succession discussions were circulating, but Calypso paid them no mind.

Because Aquasialdel would soon no longer be part of the empire.

“Why are we here?”

After waking up, she had anticipated being swamped with responsibilities, but everyone had prevented Calypso from working.

So Calypso had spent the past week essentially unemployed.

She had learned that Devana Panterion had died during the final stages of the fighting.

Asuel Panterion had succeeded as the head of the Black Panther family, but leading the family with the loss of an arm would undoubtedly be a challenge.

Furthermore, the families who had collaborated with the imperial experiments were scheduled to face judgment and punishment at a meeting of all the noble families at the end of the month.

They were currently imprisoned and under close surveillance by Aquasialdel.

‘The aftermath is in full swing.’

She was enjoying a break now, but upon her return, Calypso would have to shoulder these burdens.

The reason she was here today was because Eckion had secretly appeared and told her there was something she needed to see.

He seemed serious, so she had agreed, and they had come together…

“This is, uh, a space-time rift?”

“Yes.”

Before her was something akin to the black hole she had witnessed in her third life, just before her death.

“When did you discover this?”

“Right before I came to find you, Calypso.”

“Does anyone else know about this?”

“No.”

Calypso’s expression turned serious.

Considering that something like this had appeared at the end of her third life, it was likely a phenomenon caused by the dragon’s uncontrolled power.

This time, the Crown Prince had become a false dragon and wielded similar power, hadn’t he?

In fact, the power might have been even greater, given that he had collected several dragon corpses and amplified his abilities.

“Can you eliminate this?”

“Yes.”

Eckion had expended a significant amount of power preventing Calypso’s death.

“Will it be difficult for you?”

“Um……”

That power would gradually return over time, but Calypso felt a pang of guilt.

“Calypso will help. There’s something I want to show you.”

“Something you want to show me?”

“Yes. Calypso’s wish.”

A wish? What was he talking about?

Calypso’s wish had already been fulfilled a long time ago.

First, she had wanted to live a long and happy life in this life. This had been achieved when the imperial family was destroyed.

Next, she had wished to stop regressing, and surprisingly, it seemed like this had also been resolved after this fight.

Initially, she had thought it was just a feeling, but when she asked Eckion, he confirmed that the loop that had caused her regression had indeed been broken.

She didn’t know why, though.

If she had to guess, it was because Calypso had died at a similar age each time, so by surpassing that age this time, she would no longer regress.

In any case, Calypso had no more wishes.

“No, you do. A wish.”

But Eckion insisted, so she simply nodded.

Well, let’s say she did. A wish.

“I do have one. A wish. Now that I think about it, I do.”

“Yes.”

“To kiss you.”

“…Uh, uh?”

Calypso smiled.

“Do it for me when this is over.”

Eckion’s face flushed, but he nodded earnestly.

She liked how he was both cute and aware of his own desires.

Eckion soon pointed to the black hole and instructed her to enter, and Calypso took Eckion’s hand without hesitation.

She trusted that there would be no danger, as manipulating space-time was Eckion’s domain.

“We’ll be moving soon.”

“Um, where to? Weren’t we going to the place where you used to be to help with your growth?”

“…No.”

Then where was he taking her? Calypso decided to wait patiently without asking.

A pure white light enveloped them both. Calypso closed her eyes tightly.

When she slowly opened her eyes, she found herself in a strange yet familiar space.

“This is……”

Calypso slowly looked around.

Thump.

Her heart sank. At the same time, thump, thump, thump. It began to race.

A familiar bookshelf, a familiar sofa, and even a familiar dining table and picture frames……

The moment she saw a particular frame hanging on the wall, she gasped.

Because there was an unfamiliar frame among the familiar furniture.

It was a baby picture. Calypso knew who that baby was.

“Mom, Dad……”

This was Earth, the house where Calypso had lived as ‘Sieun’.

Calypso’s lips trembled.

Eckion? Where had Eckion gone?

She turned around, but he was nowhere to be seen.

It seemed like no one was home. She had to leave quickly…

She didn’t want to experience that pain again. She had barely managed to forget it; she didn’t want to be torn apart again!

As Calypso hurriedly turned to leave…

“Who are you!”

Someone peeked out from one of the rooms.

A familiar face. A child who appeared to be a few years older than the baby in the picture toddled over.

“Sister, who are you!”

The child placed her hands on her hips, looking inquisitive. She tilted her head for a moment.

The child’s gaze shifted to a display case that Calypso hadn’t even noticed.

“Ah! Sister!”

The child ran to Calypso and clung to her legs.

Calypso froze, unable to speak.

“Sister! Sister! It’s Jieun unnie [older sister]!”

She wanted to speak, but the words she had rehearsed countless times refused to form.

“Why…… Am I your sister?”

It was a soft whisper.

She had expected a sharp outburst, but Calypso couldn’t bring herself to be harsh with a vulnerable child.

The child tilted her head and reached out her hand.

“You are my sister……”

Calypso turned her head and flinched. There was Calypso, or rather, Sieun, everywhere.

Family photos taken with her parents, and photos documenting her life from the age she was adopted…

The moment she saw her high school graduation photo, tears streamed down Calypso’s cheeks.

“Ah……”

What. Why.

You didn’t forget me?

You said you didn’t need me anymore, that you would forget me. Because you had a real daughter.

You were forgetting because of that daughter!

But inside the pristine display case, so meticulously maintained…

Seeing the awards and medals placed side by side, Calypso wept uncontrollably.

When she approached, she saw her reflection in the glass.

It was ‘Sieun’s’ appearance.

Eckion, did you want to give me a gift like this?

Calypso pressed her lips tightly.

Calypso finally broke down.

If you were going to do this, why did you say you would forget me?

While doing this. While doing this……

“Sister……”

The child who had toddled over was sobbing. Calypso gently hugged the little girl.

“Yes, I’m your sister…… Jieun, right?”

“Yes!”

“I missed you.”

I had heard that I had a younger sister. In fact, as my resentment faded, I simply wanted you to live well.

It’s not your fault that I resented my parents. You…

“Don’t leave your parents’ side……”

Don’t hurt our mom and dad’s hearts.

The child couldn’t hold back her tears. She was simply sad. Her sister, whom she had just met, was crying so sorrowfully.

It was then.

The front door slid open.

“Really, how can you leave a child alone like that?”

“It was only a minute. I just went to get some rice cakes.”

“I really can’t live with you.”

The two people walked in.

They were a little older than I remembered, but they were my parents.