Chapter 59

Grandma frowned and clicked her tongue.

Even as Grandma's cold words hit him, Dad rubbed his chin with the back of his hand and replied calmly, "I learned it from Mother."

"What?"

"Didn't Mother act this way with Grandma too?"

"Brat?"

"Like Mother always said, what would the little fish learn if not from watching their parents?"

Wow, what a showdown. Dad and Grandma were really going at it.

For a moment, I forgot why Dad was here and watched the scene with great interest.

'I need popcorn...!'

I had heard that among Grandma's subordinates, only Dad could match her on equal terms.

'Of course, hearing about a fight and seeing it in person are different things.'

Naturally, seeing it with my own eyes was much more vivid and exciting.

So, they were going to fight here?

I clutched my racing heart and melded with the sofa, waiting for the fight to begin.

And then, I immediately regretted my casual thoughts.

'Oh no, what if they start using water here...!'

These adults are so unreasonable!

Uh, I can't breathe.

The massive force of water that Grandma unleashed made it hard to breathe, even though it wasn't directed at me.

'The pressure I felt at the family meeting was nothing compared to this.'

Of course, I knew it would be intense, but it exceeded my imagination.

'I used to be this strong too...'

While enduring the pressure, a competitive spirit rose within me, just like at the family meeting.

How great it would be to face her in my prime, during my third peak.

Not just Grandma, but even Dad, who deflected it so casually, made me feel a surge of competitiveness.

'Really, I hate being so small.'

Just as I was about to cough from the lack of air, a cool hand touched my neck.

"Stop it. Do you want to suffocate and kill my daughter?"

"Who cares if she lives or dies. When did you start caring about such things?"

That old hag really can't speak nicely.

Fortunately, as soon as Dad's hand touched me, breathing became easier, but I could tell.

The water forces were clashing intensely in front of me.

'Wow, it's intense. So intense.'

In a fantasy setting, the water force could be visible like a sword aura.

Right now, the water streams were glowing a deep blue.

Though the blue varied slightly from person to person.

"Stop saying things you don't mean. You must feel disappointed that the grandson you just started to care about is disappearing."

As soon as Dad's calm and composed words ended, the water force became even more violent.

'Oh no, the building is going to collapse!'

Rumble!

Sure enough, the floor shook as if to confirm my thoughts.

If the building collapses, what will we do? We can't escape even if we run. Dad will probably stop it, right?

If he fails, I'll carry him and run!

It sounds funny, but it seems possible.

However, just as I thought this, all the energy vanished in an instant.

I lifted my head in surprise.

The clash of Grandma's and Dad's water forces had sent a powerful shockwave my way.

But Dad, standing in front of me, had blocked it all.

Dad was frowning, leaning on the side, and I stared at his face, swallowing hard.

'What's going on?'

As Dad slowly moved his large body to the side, Grandma's figure came into view.

Despite the mess around her, with papers, vases, and objects scattered everywhere, Grandma was smiling.

"That's true."

"..."

"I haven't had a decent young whale in a long time. I can't let my own hands ruin the fun."

She was smiling with her dark blue eyes gleaming.

Wow, if I had messed with her at the wrong time, this life would have ended here, regardless of the fourth cycle or anything.

I quietly grabbed Dad's sleeve.

"Dad, don't let me die."

There's no way I can die when I finally got to the Dragon Festival.

My body floated slightly.

"I won't let you die."

"Thank you. Please take me to the Dragon Festival."

"..."

The surroundings were a mess of water.

Grandma lifted the fallen sofa with one hand and absorbed all the moisture with just a touch.

She plopped down on the now dry sofa.

"What are you doing? Sit down."

I naturally looked at Dad.

Soon, a water stream lifted the fallen sofa and Dad absorbed the moisture like Grandma.

I was seated there.

Oh, it's dry.

"So, why did you rush here?"

"I didn't rush."

"Wipe your sweat and speak. You useless son."

"..."

Dad's forehead and nape were indeed covered in sweat, which I almost mistook for water.

Grandma wasn't lying.

'Really, did he run all the way here?'

I thought about the distance between Dad's residence and the main house.

It was far, far enough to require a carriage.

Did he really run all that way?

No way. That can't be true. How far is it?

He's usually so inactive that even a snail would seem more energetic.

"Before I came in, I heard an interesting story."

"You're good at twisting words, saying you eavesdropped like a rat."

"Would Mother be happy if I called her a fierce predator trying to kill her own cubs like lion cubs?"

"This brat?"

"Since we're both predators, please avoid using land animal metaphors."

Wow, Dad really hates land animals too.

Yeah, it's natural for a water creature.

'Down with land animals.'

They've oppressed us so much.

I felt a sense of shared grievance.

'Still, is it okay for Dad to go this far...?'

I felt uneasy.

I had heard that Dad was a strong blue whale, strong enough to match Grandma.

'But I've never seen it myself.'

I know how exaggerated rumors can be.

Of course, they're not entirely baseless.

The body ages, but the water force grows stronger with experience.

Combat-type whale humans, like blue whales, age slowly.

Grandma can probably still fight at her peak.

'Most importantly, my Dragon Festival needs Grandma's approval.'

So, I naturally had to be cautious.

If Dad gets carried away and flies off, my festival might be over.

'Dad, please, stop acting so recklessly.'

On the other hand, I felt a bit strange.

I sensed that Grandma was somewhat lenient.

Somehow, she seemed to enjoy Dad's arrogance...

'Wait a minute.'

Come to think of it, Grandma liked strong people.

She liked arrogant and strong people even more.

...And she liked destroying them with her own hands.

When I recalled this and looked at Grandma, sure enough, her eyes were filled with satisfaction and the predatory gaze of a beast that had found its prey.

'Hmm, I need to be careful not to become a shrimp on a blue whale's back.'

I subtly let go of Dad's sleeve and moved a little away.

Just a little.

"Okay, the land animal metaphor was too harsh."

Grandma admitted it and crossed her legs.

Come to think of it, did Dad say he heard everything earlier?

"I was curious about what you were doing after rushing here and not coming in. So, even a lazy person like you found something interesting?"

Grandma stretched her arm lazily over the sofa armrest.

"Do you find your child cute?"

"..."

When Dad didn't answer, Grandma leaned back and tilted her head slightly.

"Okay, I like it. Since you heard everything, I'll ask you too. I think the punishment is appropriate for the matter the kid asked me to judge. So, what should we do with that maid?"

"Kill her."

"Hmm?"

The last word was mine.

Huh? Kill?

'Well, she killed an unknown number of babies, so I guess it's cheap...'

But shouldn't we investigate first?

Even if this place is different from Earth, shouldn't a suspect have the right to defend themselves?

'Of course, they should suffer as much as they caused others to suffer.'

Dad's firm answer seemed to please Grandma.

"Fine. As the head, I'll leave the former head's punishment to you."

"I accept it with gratitude."

It's good that the former head will be punished.

"Um, won't you form an investigation team or something?"