Chapter 65

Tsk, by the time I clicked my tongue, quite a bit of time had passed.

The Dragon Festival is a festival, but it’s a festival without aquatic animals.

This time, it would be no different.

"Still, if we go to the Dragon Festival, we can see the Dragon Duke, right?"

After being engrossed in the conversation for a while, I snapped back to reality and asked my father again.

"It’s not guaranteed."

"What?!"

"From my memory, I don’t think I’ve seen the actual Dragon Duke many times."

Father said that even then, it wasn’t the current Dragon Duke he had seen, but the previous one who had already passed away.

"The current Dragon Duke has never shown himself since he was born."

Belus added.

'What, so even if I go to this festival, I might not meet the Dragon Duke? It could be a waste of time? No way.'

That was unacceptable.

I have to meet him. I must.

'No, it’s absurd. There’s no dragon at the Dragon Festival.'

What a ridiculous idea. Isn’t it the same as having no whale in the whale mansion?

* * *

At the same time, in one of the rooms of the Aquasia Del mansion of the Whale family, quite a few people were gathered around a round table.

These people were those who followed Rodessen and Baiyan.

They all had serious faces, looking in one direction.

The meeting room was already in disarray, with broken chairs, scattered debris, papers strewn on the floor, and shattered pieces of pottery.

It was a mess.

In the most disordered spot, Rodessen, their leader, was sitting.

"I am truly regretful about what happened to my proud Baiyan. Isn’t that right?"

"That... is so."

"Yes, it was a cruel and incomprehensible event."

The collateral nobles and retainers, including the collateral line, quickly echoed in agreement.

Only then did Rodessen smile, seemingly satisfied.

In fact, among the scattered, broken furniture on the floor... there was also someone lying and groaning.

"I once said to cut down the green sprout early. For example, I secretly ordered the loyal retainer here to kill Pierre’s proud daughter before she entered the初级机关, right?"

Rodessen chuckled.

Indeed, he had given such an order, and the noble of the collateral line had entrusted the task to his own children.

"But, how could it be so difficult to eliminate a small nephew, and you failed."

The children of the collateral line failed.

Instead, they came back beaten up, muttering that Calypso used the power of water, contrary to the rumors.

However, it was later revealed that the little girl had not awakened the power of water at all.

This was followed by a meeting of the family, where he even bestowed an indelible disgrace upon his own son.

Punishment for the failed collateral noble was inevitable.

"But now, I hope you won’t fail. Since you have cooperated, right?"

The retainers and collateral nobles gathered here bowed their heads as if they had made a pact.

"Yes, this time there must be no failure."

The sprout must be cut.

The talent of that small girl, confirmed at the family meeting, was too dangerous.

Just her age and her ability to satisfy her mother.

Moreover, she was a natural fighter with outstanding combat skills.

"Lord Rodessen, is it okay with Lord Pierre here?"

"It’s fine."

Even if she lives, she won’t be of any help to Baiyan.

As a father, Rodessen decided to willingly remove any obstacles from his son’s path.

"According to the plan, it should be no problem to take care of my nephew."

Rodessen’s arrangements must have already caught up with Calypso’s journey.

"There’s no way the girl will return alive, even if Pierre is with her."

Rodessen burst into a hearty laugh.

Watching this quietly was Rodessen’s wife, Haila, who was also of the Whale collateral line.

Her nearly half-closed eyes seemed to be smiling.

'He lacks the finishing touch, so it’s better to take more precautions.'

* * *

Despite my astonishment, the journey proceeded smoothly.

Occasionally, Belus and Father would show some animosity over trivial matters, but it never escalated into a fight.

I found this odd.

'Maybe Belus is holding back because Father always wins in a fight? Hmm, he’s cautious, but he’s the type who would charge in without hesitation when needed.'

However, I didn’t actively advocate going to the carriage with the maids and Misa as I used to.

Even when their animosity flared, I didn’t glare at them to shut up.

My mind was entirely preoccupied with thoughts of the Dragon Duke.

'As far as I know, there’s only one piece of information about the current Dragon Duke: a person who wishes to live quietly.'

In the original story, he only served as a mentor to the heroine.

But now, he’s nowhere to be seen, and the thought of a wasted trip made my head throb.

The journey wasn’t going to be long, so I had to come up with a plan...

Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly lifted my head.

'Ki! (Killer Intent!)'

I was just thinking deeply, but it seemed the two whales in the carriage were already one step ahead, looking in the direction I was heading.

"He’s coming."

"Huh? What’s coming?"

Just as Father moved his arm to lift me up by the waist,

Bang!!

A loud noise rang out. Soon, the carriage stopped.

Anyone could tell this wasn’t a normal stop.

It was shaking wildly!

'Crazy, a traffic accident in this world?'

Contrary to my silly thoughts, the situation was urgent.

But I wasn’t panicked.

There was no need to be anxious with the two whales, especially Father, who were far from ordinary.

'I have to see which crazy person is attacking this carriage.'

I thought calmly.

'They’ll be dead soon anyway.'

I could sense numerous presences around the carriage.

Even though I didn’t want to see their faces, they forced me to.

The carriage top had flown off.

Father, holding me, leaped out and landed on the ground.

Belus landed similarly beside Father.

'Oh, there are so many.'

In front of the carriage, numerous people in blue clothing were visible.

All of them had their faces covered.

"Father, can you put me down?"

"It’s troublesome to protect you."

"You’re strong enough not to care. Protect my maids and nanny too."

Not only our carriage but also the carriage carrying the maids and Misa, which was following behind, and the knights riding horses to guard us, had all stopped.

The knights quickly dismounted.

"Lord Pierre, they are...!"

"Assassins, I suppose."

Yes, the identity of the unknown attackers was naturally assassins.

I wasn’t particularly surprised.

'Clearly, they’re targeting me.'

Partly because Father was with me.

'Wow, I expected it, but they’re already here?'

More so because I had anticipated this would happen.

'They must be quite anxious.'

It would be easier to kill me outside the Whale family than inside.

It would also be more convenient to dispose of the body outside.

People who saw my performance and debut at the family meeting wouldn’t leave me alone.

'I thought they would target me when the festival ends and I return.'

Usually, one would be tired after a journey.

Of course, if things went well with the Dragon Duke, the carriage returning home would have a fun surprise: "Ta-da! I’m not in it!"

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Moreover, it was easy to guess who had sent them...

'After all, Uncle has always been hasty.'

It’s better than being stupid, but despite his good judgment and intelligence, Uncle’s hasty nature often led to failure.

"Miss!"

"Ah, Miss, are you okay?"

"Are you hurt? I was really shocked when the roof flew off!"

The blue maids and Misa rushed over from the carriage.

Misa was busy checking me over, holding my shoulder.

The blue maids, though trembling with fear, were full of concern.

"Don’t worry, I’m fine."

"Miss...!"

The attack didn’t cause any damage, and it even failed to surprise us.

But it was a different story for Misa and the maids.

"I’m fine. I was with Father."

Their worried and loving gazes made me feel a bit embarrassed and ticklish, so I gently held Misa’s hand.

"Brother was here too."

Belus glanced at me.

He smiled, but his expression seemed to be asking what I was up to.

"Are you all okay?"

"Yes, we’re all fine."

"Good. Then let’s watch."

* * *