Chapter 75

The Dragon Duke's castle is said to have been built a very long time ago to fit the size of dragons.

That's why everything seen along the way was very large.

The ceilings were also very high.

Moreover, the ceilings were adorned with murals depicting the dragon's achievements, which were quite a sight to behold while lying down.

"I really want to see the festival."

Actually, the top priority was to meet the Dragon Duke.

Still, I wasn't entirely without the desire to enjoy the festival as well.

I could feel my father, who was carrying me, giving me a sidelong glance.

"I promised to grant your wishes, but unfortunately, I can't hold a festival for you."

"Um, I understand. I'm grateful just for saying that, so it's fine."

I smiled, but deep down, I couldn't laugh freely.

He said he would act as my father.

During the journey, Pierre's efforts were clearly felt.

I had already told Velus that I had no intention of becoming the head of the family and that I wouldn't be returning with him.

There was no reason not to tell my father.

'I should tell him when we get back, right?'

After visiting this restaurant, of course.

When we entered the restaurant, the atmosphere I had expected hit me.

The moment we stepped in, the restaurant fell silent.

"It's Pierre Aquashia of the Leviathan Aquashia family and his child!"

Whether the butler knew this and said it, or if it was his duty to announce it, I couldn't tell.

The resounding voice echoed throughout the restaurant, as if scraping the walls.

'Why are they calling out names in a restaurant? It's not a banquet hall.'

I thought it sounded like animal noises.

Whatever the reason, the butler must have a special skill related to his voice.

'After all, various animal affinity families gather here, so it's natural to introduce oneself when entering.'

It would be useful for identifying each other when both aquatic and terrestrial animal affinity families participate.

But we were the only aquatic animal affinity family here.

Would we even be able to hear any rumors?

'I wonder if Father is thinking the same thing.'

I lifted my head.

"Father, can we find out about the rumors?"

"Don't worry."

"Huh?"

"There's a way."

When he mentioned a method, something came to mind, but...

Father didn't break anything or send a servant flying, nor did he beat anyone up as I had expected.

'Hmm, did I think too much like myself?'

If I were in a previous chapter, I would have started by throwing the nearest person into a corner.

Then anyone would have spoken out of fear.

Of course, this would only happen if the other party started trouble as soon as we entered.

"What's that fishy smell?"

Yes, exactly like this.

'Why does it never deviate from my expectations?'

Well, it's natural, I guess.

One of the things that didn't change no matter how many times I regressed.

"The Dragon Festival is tainted by seawater."

"Well, it's bound to taste salty, but what can you do? That's the rule."

"Ugh, it stinks."

Those who spoke with their mouths open were a separate group.

In fact, the people in the restaurant could be divided into three categories.

"I wish the law would change. Or they should be completely separated."

"I hope a law is enacted to prevent them from entering."

One, those who chattered incessantly.

Two, those who watched nervously but still looked at us with disdain.

Three, those who watched us like a show, with sneers and amused smiles.

The last group was probably the top predators among the terrestrial animal affinity families.

Sure enough, I recognized a familiar face among them.

'Black bear.'

A man with a body as large as a mountain, a copper-colored skin, and black-brown hair.

"Wow, the fish are really pale? They're paler than deer."

"Hey, that's an insult to deer."

"What, why are you getting so worked up? Oh, right. You married a deer, didn't you?"

I looked around and tugged at Father's sleeve.

"Father."

Calling him in front of others made him even more focused.

"Father. If you're going to hit someone, see that guy over there?"

"I see him."

"Yeah, the one with red hair. Start with him."

Father raised an eyebrow.

Hmm, a puzzled look.

Because he was about to...

"Instead of this, we should formally protest. We should ban the uncivilized ones who only dig for pearls and clams! Oh, no, I remember, the leviathans are savages who put fish on their heads and show off."

"..."

"Before the smell of rotting salt gets any worse, let's..."

Thud! I nodded inwardly as I saw the red hair fly.

Yes, I knew he would be the one to say the worst things.

That bright red hair belonged to a fox affinity.

Among them, the one with the reddest hair was known for his cunning and mockery.

As the red-haired fox flew, everyone either glared or avoided us.

I stood up.

"Well, this is a formal challenge, right? Everything that happens from now on is legal. Right?"

"Legal is good. Isn't that right, Father?"

What's next? What's the point of talking until your mouth hurts? It was over easily.

A short while later, most of the terrestrial animal affinity people were lying on the ground.

'Hmm, this is...'

The level of the terrestrial people is much worse than in the previous chapter?

'Is it because the real ones haven't arrived yet?'

I calmly thought as I saw more than half of the affinities here lying on the ground.

Then,

"Yip, f, fish like you!"

I dodged the hand flying towards me.

One of the loudest from earlier.

Brown hair, black stripes on top. Probably a raccoon or a badger.

Their characteristic is their intelligence and quick thinking.

Maybe they were trying to take me hostage.

"Father, don't touch him."

I said this and caught the hand flying towards me, then twisted it.

"Kyaah!"

I didn't stop there and jumped up, kicking his neck with my toes.

After gaining excellent physical abilities, this was the area I was most confident in.

'This is the power of 500 daily rabbit jumps, got it?'

It was an attack that could cut the unnecessary lifespan of the vocal cords.

I looked at the affinity person rolling in pain and slightly stepped on his finger.

My weight isn't heavy, but I used the training I had done to apply pressure, making him scream in shock.

'I really don't like these guys.'

I thought this and slightly released the pressure.

"I'll let you go if you answer one question, sir. Don't you want to lose your finger? You seem smart, make a good decision."

"Ugh, fish, no, what, what!"

Thanks to Father's even distribution of punches, the only ones standing and trembling were the herbivore affinities who had stayed far away from the beginning.

"We came here, and strange rumors are circulating. There's a rumor that the Dragon Festival won't be held. Do you know anything about it?"

"T, ask the butler!"

"Hey, why bother when the person who knows is right in front of us. But you seem to be doing well, sir!"

I smiled and applied more pressure, making the raccoon or badger's face turn pale.

Raccoon-type animals are cute, but they become malicious when they become human.

'There was one among the protagonist's subordinates. A raccoon, I think.'

Of course, only in the context of aquatic animals.

In the end, the man couldn't withstand the pain and revealed all the information he knew.

When I pressed a little more, he finally revealed the most important thing.

"I don't know much, I don't! But the Dragon Duke doesn't want the festival! He, he's said to be ill!"

At that moment, my pocket twitched.

To be precise, Tous, who had been quiet, started to move and shouted.

-It's a lie!

A lie?

"The Dragon Duke just wants to rule, he doesn't want to see insignificant creatures like us! He's probably living in luxury in his residence!"

-It's a lie! It's a lie! The Duke... The Duke...

I listened to Tous's voice and quietly turned my eyes.

'He doesn't seem to be lying.'

That man has a completely terrified look.

Then,

The possibility that the rumor he knows is wrong and the possibility that someone deliberately spread this rumor.

Two possibilities to consider.

"H, hahaha!"

At that moment, a loud laugh echoed through the restaurant.

Turning my head, I saw the black bear from earlier, who had already been thrown by Father, laughing loudly.

'Oh, a shameful appearance after being stepped on by Father.'

"This year, there's a useful one among the sea creatures!"

There are always those who, even after losing, still put on a show.