By Zephyria 
“Huh?”
Leonardo narrowed his eyes and glanced at the person beside him with an expression that asked what on earth he was talking about. Regardless, the fired-up orca pushed his face even closer.
“I am healthy and strong. I am not the leader of the pod, but I am among the top three. If I devote myself to training, I could become the strongest. There is also a large house in the habitat where my clan resides. I built it myself, so it is sturdy.”
Leonardo pulled his neck back, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“And… so what?”
“I can feed you pickled herring there every day. How does that sound?”
“Hahaha, this guy. He’s really fallen for you, hasn’t he?”
It was Gillian who suddenly burst into laughter at the aggressive appeal. As if he had discovered an entertaining spectacle, he set down the glass he had been about to raise for a toast. He then rested his thick forearm on the table and chimed in.
“But is pickled herring enough? For someone like Ryan, you should be offering delicacies from land and sea. Do you think a face like that is common?”
At Gillian’s wink, Orca whipped his head back to look at Leonardo again. Even with a frowning expression, he was a peerless beauty whose every contour appeared elegant. Even his parting red lips looked sweet enough to taste right this moment. Realizing this belatedly, Orca let out a sigh of ‘ah’ and continued his futile courtship.
“I see. That is a valid point. If Ryan wishes, I shall do so. There is a lush forest behind the coast, so deer and wild boars often come down. I can provide as much meat as needed.”
“No—”
“Oh my, I’m finding this way too amusing.”
Beatrice, who had been drinking until her tongue felt twisted, had also shifted into a position where she rested her chin on her interlaced hands. She watched the interesting romance with sparkling eyes full of anticipation, as if her hands were a flower petal cradling her face.
“Are you good in bed? That’s the most important part.”
“Of course. I can make it feel as if you are with five people at once.”
“Wow, do you just want to be my pet? I’ll forget all about the wig.”
“I decline.”
“This guy still hasn’t come to his senses.”
Leonardo pulled his captured wrist away, cutting off the nutrient-void nonsense. He naturally increased the distance between himself and Orca, leaning toward Ero. Ero, who had been spacing out, didn’t know what to do with his hands, flustered by the warmth of his older brother approaching him.
“Bed or whatever. Didn’t I tell you I’d rip your tongue out if you said that kind of thing one more time?”
“Do we start with a kiss? I like the traditional approach too.”
“Ugh, seriously.”
“Aaaah! Stop, stop it!”
Ero suddenly snapped out of it and pushed Orca away with all his might as the latter tried to shove his snout toward his brother. Orca, who ended up kissing a random palm, wore an uncharacteristically displeased expression. He soon turned his head, rubbed his mouth, and muttered in a humming voice like an orca’s ultrasound.
“Joker, do not interfere.”
“I-interfere? It’s not like that—”
Though slightly intimidated by the pressure, Ero didn’t care. Kajard was far scarier than an orca who would have become frozen tuna if not for him.
“Aren’t we gathered here to celebrate? Come on, Ryan, the protagonist of the victory, is here, so let’s toast quickly!”
Standing up, he squeezed himself between Leonardo and Orca. Using all his strength, he pushed the two apart to the left and right and grabbed any beer glass that was sitting between them. He then raised it high and led the toast alone.
“Now! For the victory of Team Joker, cheers!”
Eyes rolled at the contextless proposal for a toast, but prompted by their leader, they reluctantly raised their glasses one by one.
“Based on this material alone, the causal relationship claimed in the statement cannot be proven, and it is judged that it is difficult to expect effectiveness as definitive physical evidence.”
Hugo flipped over the photo he was holding and placed it face down on the desk. His cold gaze, having finished the review, swept across the room.
“There are traces that the self-inflicted wound in the deceased’s orbit was concealed with healing magic such as Recovery, but it has not been confirmed that Leonardo’s Blaine uses Reverse Regeneration or Recovery-type Magic, nor that he possesses the corresponding Magic Power. This has been proven by the results of the official Mana Composition Test conducted by our Council, and everyone present here should be a witness to that. Therefore, this material is unsuitable for adoption as official evidence.”
The low voice echoed coldly in the silent conference room. Citing grounds that were difficult for anyone to challenge, he sealed the submitted photo inside an envelope. He then signaled Flynn, who was waiting nearby, and handed over the envelope.
“According to the principle of presumption of innocence, a specific person cannot be concluded as a suspect based on unclear grounds. Since this material risks increasing confusion until additional data that can prove a clear causal relationship is secured, it shall not be publicized. Furthermore, I, as the chief officer of this investigation, shall keep it in my possession. Any objections to this decision?”
Flynn tactfully tucked the material away and returned to his seat. Instead of returning it to the Vice Commander, he slipped it between the meeting documents he had brought. Then, in the silent atmosphere, someone raised their hand to request the floor.
Hugo, sending a dissatisfied look, gave a calm nod of his chin.
“Speak.”
Meterion, who had been staring silently with his chin resting on his hand, straightened his posture and spoke.
“How can you be certain that this incident was the sole act of the suspect? What about the possibility of an accomplice with Recovery abilities?”
Though it didn’t fit the situation, Meterion was smiling faintly. Hugo couldn’t quite tell if that sneer was because he wanted to pick on Leonardo again or if he just wanted to grate on Hugo’s nerves. He wondered what gave him the confidence to be so persistent when his own position wasn’t exactly honorable in front of a superior.
However, he soon realized that the ‘accomplice’ the man was referring to was that brat who had jumped into the peninsula following Leonardo.
Hugo instinctively pressed his hand to his forehead, hiding his exhausted face before continuing.
“If he had an accomplice, they would have intervened at the moment he was being escorted to the Council in the first place. And it seems you haven’t understood my words correctly. If everyone became a suspect simply because they were presumed to be one in a statement lacking evidence, the suspects accused of bringing in old-fashioned handcuffs would be lining up in front of me by now. Therefore, refrain from using the expression ‘suspect’ to refer to him.”
In short, it meant shut up if you didn’t want the arrow to turn back toward you. This time, having understood correctly, Meterion’s expression returned to somewhere between his usual annoyance and displeasure.
Once the situation settled, Hugo signaled Shorendo to move on to the next statement. Taking his turn, Shorendo nodded and flipped a page of the briefing materials.
“The next major point mentioned is…”
Leaning his stiff back against the chair, Hugo let out a small sigh.
“By the way… why did the whale come all the way to land? You said your home is way over there on the southern coast.”
Beatrice, who had been stirring her pineapple sherbet, spoke up languidly as if she had just remembered. Orca, who had been displeased that Leonardo and Ero’s seats had been swapped, turned his head as the attention shifted to him.
“A good question. Our habitat is always pleasant and peaceful, but problems began to arise a few months ago. Fish are dying in droves, and seaweed and plankton are dying, causing the food chain to slowly collapse.”
“Why?”
“Because the seawater temperature is rising and clouds crossing the mountains are bringing acid rain. I heard there was a great natural disaster in the southwest about half a year ago. I was away on training to the north at the time, but I heard a volcano erupted and ash covered the coastline. Also, they say the sky turned a reddish-golden hue, like an ominous omen.”
“Cough—”
Leonardo, who had put the recommended pickled herring in his mouth, suddenly burst into a coughing fit. Orca was the first to react. Stretching his neck across from Ero, he checked Leonardo’s complexion first.
“Are you alright, Lion? Does it not suit your taste?”
“No, kh—, I just… swallowed it wrong.”
Ero hurriedly grabbed a napkin and handed it over along with a cup of juice.
“Brother, drink some juice. Juice. I had the same thing earlier.”
Unfolding the napkin, Leonardo first wiped his drenched mouth. As he continued to cough slightly a few more times, Orca looked worried, fearing that a bone from the herring he recommended had gotten stuck in his throat.
After a moment, Leonardo, feeling better, asked him in a half-muffled voice.
“…So? What happened to the habitat?”
“Lion, have you finally developed an interest in our habitat?”
“I’m just listening, so don’t start talking nonsense again.”
“Actually, I suspected as much because you smell strongly of it; you really do seem to like water.”
Coming to a strange conclusion, Orca added with a profound expression.
“However, the scent of water like the current one is fierce and could cause wounds to the body. If you come to the habitat with me, how about taking a soft and fresh seawater bath? If we swim together naked, both your body and mind will open up quickly.”
“What are you…”
At the incomprehensible words, Gold Eyes trailed off with a dry gaze, as if resigned. He was now too tired to even refute with threats. He simply wanted to hear the details of the situation because the ‘natural disaster in the southwest’ that ruined the habitat seemed to be something related to him.
“…Enough. So, why did you leave your habitat and come all the way here? To ask for help?”
“The priest of the pod urged me. He said that if I obtain the league’s winning prize, there is a way to block the inflow of hot water flowing from the west and change the direction of the currents to draw up nutrient-rich deep-sea water. If that happens, our habitat will return to its original state. I came all the way here for that.”
As Orca finished speaking, Leonardo and Gillian’s eyes naturally met. After a period of silence, Gillian spoke to confirm.
“By any chance, is that winning prize… the Exacore?”
Orca nodded firmly.
“That is correct. Its exact name is Kardo’s Gemstone.”