Bad Born Blood - Chapter 28



Only Noblemtl

028

The rebellion of the three families ended in a purge. The captured nobles will either be tortured to death or will not be alive at all.

“What a great record, 21st Platoon Leader Luca.”

The captain of the guard said, leaning back in his chair. He had his fingers interlocked and resting on his stomach. He seemed to have relaxed a lot after the rebellion was over. He had been one of the busiest people.

The suppression force has not yet returned to the capital city of Akbaran. The post-war recovery was as important a task as the battle itself.

I was summoned by the captain of the guards alone. There may be several reasons for this.

‘In the worst case scenario, they might question my actions.’

The captain of the guard is interested in me. It’s both a good thing and a bad thing.

“Thank you, Captain.”

“Well, I read the report carefully. Since it was right after a fierce battle, I judged that the exhausted platoon members would have difficulty moving, so I went after the Ramones family alone. After that, I joined up with Ilay and eliminated Hugo Ramones and his family.”

The captain summarized my report. I gave a short ‘Yes,’ and waited for the captain to ask questions.

“Lillian Ramones wasn’t executed outright, but taken to the lowest level. The reason for this is in the report, but I’d like to hear it from you again.”

The captain of the guard narrowed his eyes. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous right now.

“We learned of the existence of the teleportation device through Lillian Ramones, and we planned to occupy it in advance to prevent the rebels from escaping.”

“So you were guided to the lowest level by Lillian Ramones. Did you execute her as soon as you secured the teleportation device? Why did you choose Lillian as your guide?”

I stood motionless. There was no need to be shaken. I told a lie that made perfect sense.

“Because Lilian Ramones’s fighting power is low among the Ramones family. We chose the easiest prisoner to control, because we never know what variables might arise on the battlefield.”

“Hmm, that’s a reasonable judgment. But Luca, I have another question. Can I ask it?”

It was coming. The captain of the guards would have known. I was planning to strike first before being questioned further. It was a bit rude, but it was better.

“Are you talking about the relationship between Lillian and me?”

“You’re not the only one. You and Ilay have had contact with Lillian Ramones.”

I frowned slightly. From my experience, the captain of the guard often preferred my cocky attitude.

“… … I and I are excellent. We had a private exchange with Lillian Ramones, but we are not the type of people who would ruin a mission because of that. The Captain of the Guard knows that better than anyone else.”

I licked my lips and continued to speak.

“And to be honest, I wanted to give Lillian hope. I’m not indifferent either. Lillian died believing that she would live after the guidance.

At the last moment, he probably didn’t even realize his own death. This was the humane thing that I and I could do. I don’t think there was any reason to include such emotional aspects in the report. It could have made him look weak.”

A lie needs to be mixed with truth to be appealing. That’s what I just said.

The captain of the guard, who had been listening to me, pulled his upper body forward and rested his chin heavily on both hands.

‘This is enough.’

I shouted inwardly.

The captain of the guard wouldn’t have much time to spare for me. He had a truckload of other people to report to besides me.

“… … I see. That clears up the mystery, Luca. I won’t record what you just said. It might seem weak, as you said.”

A sense of relief welled up in my chest. All the tension seemed to melt away.

If the captain of the guard is convinced, there is no need to question him further about this incident. After all, it is not our actions that caused the major accident. Rather, Iley and I have achieved merit.

“Well then, let’s stop here. You must be tired too.”

“Then that’s it… … .”

“No, no. Wait a minute. There’s another one left.”

As I was about to leave, the captain of the guard shook his head. He brought up another report on the hologram.

‘Codelock’s Report.’

My adjutant, Codelock, was the report.

“Codelock has spoken highly of you. He even said that you are the best among the platoon leaders and cadets he has ever seen in terms of combat ability. It seems that the Archie’s combat techniques have helped you improve your skills.”

I was surprised. I didn’t expect Codelock to give me such a generous review.

“But you said that your relationship with your subordinates is lacking. Do you have anything to say about that?”

“No. In fact, I treated my subordinates with an aggressive attitude. It was to secure my dignity as a superior in a short period of time.”

“That’s one way. But… … No, that’s fine. Kinuan knows how to handle subordinates. You should learn from him. Maybe his methods will suit you better.”

Suddenly, Kinuan’s name came up. I didn’t let out my question, but just nodded. I swallowed my curiosity.

Now it really felt like it was ending.

“Then let’s go.”

“Ah, Luca.”

I turned halfway and stopped. The captain of the guard drank water in a leisurely manner and blurted out something as if it was nothing.

“By the way, the Ramones family’s skills are surprisingly good. I didn’t think they’d be able to cleanly defeat Illei’s platoon.”

I’ve already written it all down in the report. Ilay’s platoon was ambushed by the Ramones family while in a hurry to pursue, and was annihilated. There’s no reason for me to panic.

But what was the intention behind that look? The swear words were coming out of my throat. I felt like I would break out in a cold sweat if my breathing was even a little disturbed.

“… … I wouldn’t have been affected. I think I’ll be the top student this year.”

The captain of the guard laughed heartily at my words.

“Don’t expect it.”

* * *

The maglev train is quiet, with only the occasional high-frequency rumble to irritate the nerves.

I fell into a deep sleep on the way back to the capital. That was understandable, as I had been working for several days without being able to let go of the tension.

A lot of things happened. It was all fucking shit.

Illai Kartika, Lilian Ramones, Captain Heilas Custoria, the Arcane Fortress and Relics, and the Teleportation Device.

Scenes and characters flashed through my mind.

‘Border City.’

This is where Lillian wanted to go. She died before she could escape the Empire, shot by Illei, who she thought was a knight.

It’s a tragedy, but I don’t want to pity her.

Illei and Lillian were just acting as they pleased. I was the victim who was manipulated by them.

Back in the capital city of Akbaran, we took a break and rested. Awards and politics were the business of the higher-ups. We, the low-level ones, just waited for the next order.

And two days later, I called Ilay to the back of the dormitory building.

Kwajik!

I grabbed Ilay by the collar and pushed him against the wall. Ilay didn’t fight back and just looked at me. His expression was blank.

“You, quit being a cadet right now. You’re not fit to be a soldier, you piece of trash.”

I frowned viciously. I still remember that day.

‘Ilay killed his platoon members because of his personal feelings.’

That was something I could not tolerate in my values. It was to the point where I felt genuine hatred and murderous intent towards Ilay, even for a moment.

“I would do that too, if only I could afford it.”

Ilay said, turning her face to the side.

“Should I make you incapable of getting back on your feet?”

“Luka, unless you kill me here… … somehow, our family will make me a guard. It’s a position that was decided for me when I was born. If you want to vent your anger, I’ll take it.”

Ilay didn’t even resist. I was also discouraged.

Kwajik!

I struck Ilay in the face with enough force to not kill him. Three or four of his ribs were broken with a refreshing snap.

Ilay, who had been staggering, barely managed to stay down. He coughed up blood and looked at me.

“Why? You said you’d hit me? Did you think I wouldn’t hit you? I’m a little more relieved now, so let’s talk.”

I shrugged. Ilay leaned against the wall, catching her breath, one hand on her chest.

“Hmm, I didn’t know you could break a bone. This hurts quite a bit. I think my organs might have been damaged… … .”

“If it breaks, you can just replace it with a prosthesis. Stop joking.”

Ilay and I reconciled over the report. We are deceiving our superiors. No matter how careful we are, it is not enough.

We checked again and found nothing unusual. We reported the same thing to our superiors.

“I didn’t know you would kill Lillian. I thought you would rush into the Royal Guard when you had no chance.”

“I would have done the same if I were alone.”

Ilay said calmly.

‘I guess that’s what it was like.’

It was the expected answer. There was no way that Ilay would have killed Lillian because she was afraid of her own life. I was there and made the best decision.

Illei’s thought process was clearly visible.

At that time, Ilay’s own survival was not important to him. Lillian’s and my lives were important to him. And he prioritized my life, which was the only life he could save.

‘If I hadn’t joined… … Illei would have met her end with Lillian.’

I’m sorry to say this to Lillian, but I achieved my goal.

‘I just wanted to save Illei.’

Now I feel relieved. I look up at the sky, step back, and lean against the wall. The weather in the capital city of Akbaran is usually gloomy. Today was no different.

“My family was happy that I had done something to take down the Ramones. Even though we had a lot of contact with that family. This must be the aristocratic society. Anyway, you and I might get medals of honor this time.”

As Ilay spoke, he rummaged through his pockets. An unfamiliar object emerged from his arms.

“cigarette?”

“My adjutant was a heavy smoker. I tried to get close to him by smoking. He really liked the way I smoked.”

“Cigarettes… … Well, that’s okay.”

I didn’t stop Ilay. Ilay awkwardly put a cigarette in her mouth and lit it.

Along with Ilay’s cough, cigarette smoke drifted along the wind. I moved my pupils to follow the smoke.

“Luca.”

Suddenly, Ilay called my name. I deliberately did not look at the guy’s face. There was a sob mixed in his voice as he called me.

“why?”

“What on earth have I done… … .”

Ilay sank down against the wall. He buried his face in his knees and shook his shoulders. Only the smoke from his cigarette drifted past his ears.

I was about to curse, but stopped. I waited for Ilay in silence.

Emotions that were blocked because they were unnecessary for battle may come rushing back like an aftershock when returning to daily life.

Ilay is not a murderer. He must feel guilty for killing his subordinates. Even though we have a low aversion to killing, we are not insensitive machines. Furthermore, Ilay caused all that chaos and failed to even save Lillian. I couldn’t even imagine how much self-loathing he must feel.

I achieved my goal, but Ilay failed in everything.

And now I was certain. Ilay should not be in the Empire. He was not suited for the Empire. He would die soon. Either in spirit or in life.