Bad Born Blood - Chapter 101



Only Noblemtl

101

Many nobles died in the torture facilities. It was Heilas’ job to clean up the mess.

‘Exclusive investigation by the Guard to maintain confidentiality.’

‘The underground facility is believed to be Nemesis’s lifeline.’

‘Many deaths, including nobles.’

There was no one in the upper class who was unaware of this incident. It was unusual for so many upper class people to die at once.

Even when acquaintances and family members died, people did not criticize the actions of the guards but remained silent. Even among the most decadent nobles, no one advocated pleasure killings. Furthermore, many families reduced funerals to family funerals.

I was relieved to hear the news flowing in. If the nobles had taken the lead in holding the guards responsible for the situation, I would have been very disappointed.

‘It was because of this atmosphere that Bao Zakanaan even visited a dangerous underground facility that he didn’t even know who was running.’

Even high-ranking officials had to take risks to satisfy their antisocial desires.

And the imperial terrorist organization actively exploited this shadow of the empire, as it could exploit the weaknesses of the upper class and also secure funds for its activities.

Only after things had calmed down a bit did Haylas call me.

“The names of the guards who participated in this mission, including yours, have been erased from the records. No matter how justified it may be, there may be those who seek revenge.”

Heilas spoke in a tired tone. Just hearing those words, you could tell how hard Heilas was trying to cover it up.

“It looks like the training was quite difficult.”

“This is something I expected when I deployed Iskan. I know his personality well. Iskan and I were classmates when we were cadets.”

I was surprised for a moment.

“Well, it doesn’t look like it.”

On the surface, Iskan looked a decade or two younger.

“I have to look dignified, so I wear an older-looking face, and Iskan doesn’t need to do that.”

If it’s obvious, then it’s obvious.

The nobility and upper class of the empire usually fix their appearance when they reach middle age, because it is easier to gain respect and trust that way.

When you’re young, you look immature, and when you’re old, you look weak. Somewhere in between is appropriate.

And it was implicitly polite to maintain a younger appearance than one’s superiors within the organization.

I knew it well, but seeing it in person gave me a strange sense of incongruity. I had secretly thought that Iskan would be younger than Heilas.

“Is there a reason you sent Iskan on this mission knowing that he has a personality that causes accidents?”

I said, unable to contain my curiosity. To be honest, I was quite comfortable with Heilas now. This shouldn’t be the case.

“Because he’s a man I can trust. And I judged him to be someone who can protect Janelle no matter what the situation.”

I don’t know whether to be grateful or angry, but I was a little more angry.

“I am also a soldier who can protect my body.”

“Even so, you’re still a cadet. Iskan is a veteran who’s been around since before you were born. If you want to complain, do it when you’re stronger than us.”

I had nothing to say, so I kept my mouth shut. A sigh rose to my throat and then disappeared.

“Anyway, was there anything lacking in the last report?”

I changed the subject. It wasn’t for small talk that Haylas had called me.

However, I finished reporting on the mission on the first day I returned. I was with Iskan at that time.

“No, there is nothing lacking. Your reports are always excellent. You tell your superiors what they are curious about before they even ask.”

I don’t know if this is really a rant or a sincere one. Heilas used to be easy, but sometimes it turned out to be difficult.

I recalled my last report before being exploited by Heilas.

‘Bao Zakanaan felt betrayed by Nikolaos, whom he considered his lover. So he requested the assassination through Nemesis. Nemesis willingly carried out the assassination in order to further increase his debt to Bao Zakanaan. Bao Zakanaan must have told him all about Nikolaos’ movements and schedule.’

But there was more to it that couldn’t be explained by this alone.

It just so happened that Nikolaos’ death happened right after Kinuan was entrusted with the investigation.

It’s hard to dismiss this as a coincidence, so I made up a story and added to it.

‘Nemesis approached Bao Zakanaan, telling him that they also do contract killings. They figured that if they knew that they could do contract killings, Bao Zakanaan would immediately ask for Nikolaos’s assassination. Nemesis also wanted to kill Nikolaos, who was investigating Kinuan, so they probably got Bao Zakanaan to provide them with information.’

Yeah, that sounds plausible.

And again, all the secrets and causes were traced back to Kinuan. This was one of Kinuan’s roles. He harbored all sorts of questions and secrets. Because of that, the flow of investigation and pursuit was always cut off from him. Even if someone tried to dig into the darkness, Kinuan always stopped them.

Heilas also seemed to recall my report, stroking his chin.

“… … In the end, it’s Kinuan.”

If Heilas focuses on Kinuan, the Custorian family will be safe. No matter how much Kinuan is dug up, there will be no answers or truth. Kinuan is the ghost and illusion of the empire.

‘No matter how much the royal family and Kinuan plot, they cannot attack the Custoria family without a just cause.’

I would rather be mistaken in thinking that the Imperial Family wants to destroy House Custoria. If it were just my imagination, I would feel at ease.

‘I have not received any direct orders yet. Protecting the Custoria family is not an act against the Empire.’

I told myself, but this is just rationalization.

My intuition already had the answer.

‘The Custoria family’s influence has grown too great. Haylas is too competent.’

Custoria was the most prestigious of the military families. And as we can see from this incident, there were some members of the guard who were more loyal to Heilas than to the Empire. I don’t know the exact percentage, but it must be a lot.

‘If the Custoria family expands their influence further than they have now, and if Haylas privately converts the Royal Guard… … .’

Heilas is a loyal soldier, but it is not known how long he will remain loyal. He is a potential threat to the Imperial Family.

… … This was the reason why the imperial family wanted to expel House Heilas and Custoria.

In my head, the causal inference is over. I am not a person who denies reality. It is time to accept it.

Luca, decide. The Imperial Family or Custoria, which side are you on?

* * *

Since my schedule was free for the time being, I went down to the lower area. It seemed like I would have to visit here often to ‘continue to investigate Kinuan’.

Above all, the lower level was a great place to cool my head. For me, visiting the lower level was like taking a walk.

But today, instead of cooling off, my head is going to hurt even more.

“Hey, noble young master. Are you the only one who has enjoyed such a wonderful thing?”

Gabriel said, wiggling the fingers of his upgraded prosthetic hand. I frowned in anticipation of getting a headache.

“This is a special discount event to celebrate the opening of G&G Industrial Co., Ltd. Please support the new start of G&G Industrial Co., Ltd.”

Gilda was shouting energetically. The first floor of the gang office was filled with the smell of oil.

“This time, I’ll do it for free. But please don’t remove the recording chip without permission, and make sure to bring it back in a month.”

Giselle was setting up a makeshift repair station and was repairing the bodies of gang members. She was talking softly to the vulgar people. It was surprising to think of her before.

“Hee, hee hee. Of course, miss! My goodness, I’ve gotten to upgrade for free.”

The gang member stood up, grinning broadly.

“What on earth are you doing?”

I sat across from Giselle.

“Would you like to upgrade too?”

Giselle said naturally. It’s an upgrade I don’t need anyway. I’ll just see the effect on the cheap bodies in the lower zones.

“There’s nothing wrong with it, right? But they’re my subordinates, so don’t put anything weird on them.”

“Brainwave analysis has optimized the cybernetic and bio-signal systems. This alone should make everyone’s reaction speed faster. However, we’ll have to wait and see how long this effect lasts. The degree of improvement varies from person to person.”

It is literally an experiment. Of course, it doesn’t matter as long as there are no adverse effects or damages… … but there are no scientists or engineers who can anticipate all the side effects.

But for now, it seemed to only have an improving effect without any particular side effects.

‘Anyway, humans here take on greater side effects and risks than this to strengthen their bodies.’

If you look closely, it wasn’t a business where anyone lost money.

“G&G Industrial Plant?”

“Because Gilda and I both start with the letter G. And I paid the Gabriel gang to guard the store. I heard that something bad happened to Gilda before. You, you did some pretty good things.”

I’m talking about saving Gilda from a bunch of bad guys. It’s one of the few good deeds I can proudly tell about.

“… … Well, do whatever you want.”

Now that we’ve come this far, I can’t stop Giselle. I don’t have the right to do that in the first place.

“Of course. I’ll do whatever I want without you saying anything.”

I looked around.

‘Maybe this is a great beginning for Giselle.’

Perhaps G&G Industries is one of the few decisions she has made on her own. This decision could have had a big impact on her life.

I stood up and headed towards Gabriel. As soon as I stood up, the gang member who had been waiting sat down to get his upgrade.

Gabriel had been moving his hands around for a while. I sat down next to him.

“I remember the old days. Before I turned my arm into a machine. Look at this. It reacts immediately as soon as I think about it.”

Gabriel said with a big smile. It may not be a real biological response, but it seems that the difference in upgrades is noticeable.

“Gabriel, I know it’s weird to say this… … I’ll leave Giselle in your care for the time being. It seems like you’re planning on coming down to the lower areas by yourself often. Hey, why?”

I said it nonchalantly. But Gabriel opened his eyes wide and looked at me.

“No, Luca, yes, I think this is the first time you’ve asked me for something so gently. Hmm, it feels strange.”

“Everything… … .”

I looked at Giselle and Gilda, grumbling.

Gilda was still bright. Gabriel and the gang members all liked her. There must be many who admire her.

I glanced at Giselle, who was busy with maintenance. The gangsters had a hard time with Giselle. They knew that if Giselle, a noblewoman, were to act capriciously, her life would be lost overnight. And Giselle also had a bad temper.

“If Giselle were my subordinate, I would order her not to come down to the lower areas, but that wouldn’t be possible. And I can’t always be there to protect her either.”

“Okay, Inma. I’ll send only the best ones to guard the factory. I’ll come by on my off-duty days too.”

Gabriel boasted, pounding his chest. But I was still uneasy.

I could ask Lavienrose and Grace to keep Giselle safe. However, Lavienrose and Grace are strictly in a business relationship with me.

‘If I ask La Vie en Rose for something, she asks something in return.’

And if I’m not careful, La Vie en Rose could end up roasting the innocent Giselle. For many reasons, I was reluctant to leave Giselle to La Vie en Rose.

‘Heilas said that Giselle was safe as long as she was within Akbaran.’

It’s not that I don’t trust Heilas, but I’m worried. Barbara’s obsession and madness could suddenly turn to Giselle.

“ah…….”

While I was lost in thought, I suddenly remembered Ilay’s request. I had decided to give Ilay strength within the Kartika family.

I approached Giselle and spoke to her.

“Tell me when you’re done. I’ll take you there. I have something to tell you.”

Giselle stared at me and nodded.