Bad Born Blood - Chapter 61



Only Noblemtl

061

Death comes suddenly, especially to a soldier like me.

Soldiers are on the edge of life and death whenever they go to battle or engage in combat. If I were to die suddenly one day, people wouldn’t be that surprised. They would be grateful if they could just mourn me.

But the death of Nikolaos Custoria surprised everyone. No one expected his death. He himself probably did not know that his death would come like this.

‘Nicholas… … .’

I opened my eyes from my thoughts. There were a lot of Custorian blood relatives and vassals standing there in black mourning attire.

We were in the cemetery of the Custoria family. The funeral was solemn. Few people showed much emotion.

“Ah, Dad… … .”

Emilio, the son of Nikolaos, was sobbing in front of the tombstone. He was the bastard who had pointed a gun at me, but now I felt a little sorry for him.

I moved my eyes to look at my second son, Jupe. He had a gloomy expression, without any sign of joy. Even if he was happy, it would be right not to show it. Or maybe he was really bitter about sending his rival away in vain. Like it or not, he was my real brother after all.

Groan, grumble.

There were more people around Jupe than usual. With Nikolaos, a strong candidate, dead, Jupe was the clear frontrunner.

The funeral wasn’t even over yet and they were swarming like bees after honey.

Nikolaos’ cause of death was a crushing accident. The aerial vehicle fell on Nikolaos’ head. The exact cause was still being investigated.

‘An unlucky accident… … .’

… … Few people believe that. It really could have been an accident. But the odds are so low.

‘Assassination at someone’s instigation.’

Most people would think so. There was also a view that Jupe had instigated the assassination.

But my thoughts are different. No, I can’t help but have different thoughts than them because I have a point.

‘Is it because of the investigation I asked for…?’

It could be a false alarm, but the timing was perfect. I’m not so dull as to dismiss it as a coincidence.

‘If he died because of me, then he must have found out something he shouldn’t have while investigating. Information that would silence even high-ranking officials.’

My guess is that’s where the ghost company’s money ended up. I didn’t know this information would be this dangerous.

The eldest son of the current captain of the guards has died. This is not an ordinary matter.

My heart feels heavy. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel responsible. I would rather hope that my guess was wrong and that Nikolaos’ death was an accident or something Jupe had instigated. Then I wouldn’t have to feel guilty.

‘A father who lost his child.’

I stared at Captain Heilas.

Heilas, who was looking at the tombstone, was as motionless as a giant stone. The side of his face that could be seen at first glance was expressionless. He did not show any emotions that could be considered weaknesses.

‘I must report to Heilas the transaction between me and Nikolaos.’

I investigated Kinuan, and Nikolaos tracked Kinuan’s shell company at my request. It is possible that Nikolaos’ death was related to Kinuan.

‘Even if it’s Heilas, how can he not question Kinuan when his eldest son is dead?’

Anyway, it’s not my place to judge. I have to report first. If the relationship is discovered later, I could be treated as an accomplice.

“Luca.”

I saw Giselle tugging at my collar. We made our way out of the crowd and stood in the shade of a tree.

“It’s strange. No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t make sense for Nikolaos to die now.”

Giselle said with a frown. It seemed that she was more curious than sad. No, it would be more correct to say that she didn’t look sad.

It seems that the blood ties between them were weak. After all, even Nicholas used his own children as tools.

There was no need to tell Giselle about my deal with Nikolaos. I listened to her in silence.

“… … I don’t think it was Jupe who ordered it. My father’s retirement is still a long way off. Luca, don’t you know anything?”

Giselle stared at me intently. If there was something I was hiding, she would find out. I’m sorry, young lady, but I’m better at hiding my feelings and thoughts.

“If you knew, you would have told me. But what is your plan going forward? Since Nikolaos is dead, isn’t Jupe running wild? I saw earlier that his relatives were flocking to Jupe.”

“There’s no way to stop Jupe right now. Isn’t that something you should be worried about more than me? You embarrassed Jupe a while ago. If Jupe is confirmed as the head of the household, he’ll push you out. He might even try to kill you.”

I just shrugged my shoulders and scratched my neck.

“If I get hit by Jupe, that’s the size of my bowl.”

The truth is, I’m saying this because I don’t think I’ll suffer no matter what Jupe does. I’m different from Nikolaos. He can’t kill me by pretending it was an accident or something.

“But you, ah, why? Ugh!”

“Shh, Jupe is coming this way.”

I extended my index finger and thumb and closed Giselle’s lips. Jupe was coming straight towards us.

“What are you guys talking about so interestingly? Let me join in.”

“It’s nothing. I didn’t know the funeral etiquette, so I asked Giselle. I’m not very good at etiquette.”

Jupe frowned at what I said, then straightened it out. He probably remembered the time he embarrassed himself by telling me about his dining etiquette.

“Yes, if you don’t know something, just ask your brother. We’re always ready to help you. Isn’t that right, Giselle?”

“… … Well, yeah.”

Giselle said tremblingly. She was not close to Nikolaos, let alone Jupe.

“I’m the eldest now. If there’s any misunderstanding between us, I’d like to clear it up. No, there’s no need to talk too much. There won’t be any variables from now on, Luca, Giselle. Since Brother Nikolaos is gone, I’m the next in line. If you had any negative thoughts, put them away starting today. I’ll let everything that’s happened up until now go by my tolerance.”

Jupe glared at us and said, a clear threat. He was telling us to come under him.

“How rude of you, Brother Jupe. We are having a funeral. Isn’t it too early to be talking about this?”

“Isn’t that something a bitch who escaped from the hospital and plotted a conspiracy should say? That’s funny.”

Jupe hit back. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a mistake. I held back the urge to applaud.

First of all, my ally is Giselle. And I like Giselle more than Jupe. It’s not because she’s pretty, Jupe is just unluckier.

“I will also say something while Nicholas is dead.”

I didn’t even call him “hyung.” Actually, I’ve never thought of him as “hyung.” It’s also an atmosphere where I don’t have to be polite.

“you…….”

I continued speaking before Jupe could intervene.

“Nicholas was a difficult person because he was the opposite of my disposition. But Jupe, you are a soldier like me. My skills surpass yours to the point of reversing the difference between adopted and biological children. Know this. There is still time. There is more than enough time for me to be recognized and promoted within the military.”

I declared a head-on competition. In fact, there was no need to go this far. I just wanted to suppress my nose because Jupe was acting so badly. This is also a chronic disease of mine. Sometimes I unnecessarily increase my enemies.

“What are you talking about? A street child with no idea how dare you… .”

Jupe’s voice was fierce. He knew how to exude intimidation, as if he were an officer. A normal person would be scared.

“Master Lucas, the lord is calling.”

Just then one of the servants approached.

“… … It’s a call from your father, so go, Luca. But I won’t forget what happened today.”

I followed the servant without replying. Giselle followed me, keeping an eye on me, and then joined the crowd.

Heilas was in a separate room in the cemetery.

Squeak.

I opened the door and went into the private room.

“Did you call?”

Heilas was standing by the window. It seemed like he was watching me and Jupe through the window.

“Don’t tease Jupe too much, Luca.”

Heilas spoke softly.

“I was just a little upset. Did you call me because you were afraid I might start a fight?”

“No, that’s not it… … The door is slightly open. Close it properly.”

I turned around and pulled the door shut completely. And as soon as I turned my head back inside, my eyes opened wide.

Heilas was already standing right in front of me. I didn’t even feel him approaching.

“Why did my son die?”

Heilas’s tone was calm. But the words he spoke were vague and heavy. I don’t know how much he knew.

But I have to tell the truth now. If I lie… … .

‘… … die.’

My liver and gallbladder shiver. It feels like the skeletal grim reaper is thrusting a sickle into the back of my neck.

I could feel the anger deep within Heilas. And he is one of the best soldiers in the Empire. That anger will never end lightly.

* * *

Heilas stood still and listened to me.

I explained what I had done in the lower sector so far. Organizing a gang using Gabriel for the convenience of investigation and expansion of influence, digging into Kinuan and Tora’s relationship to find Ken Noma, and tracing the shell company’s financial line through Tora’s ledgers… .

… … He entrusted the investigation to Nikolaos Custoria. Soon after, Nikolaos died in an accident.

“… … That’s all.”

I finished my report in a stiff manner, with my hands clasped tightly behind my back.

“Is that so… … .”

Heilas muttered and stroked his chin after hearing my explanation. His tone was dry.

But my heart kept pounding without stopping. The quiet embers of Heilas could flare up into a catastrophe at any moment.

‘The eldest son died.’

It’s only natural to be angry. Even if Heilas is a superhuman who strictly distinguishes between public and private matters.

Heilas is a great soldier, not a crazy psychopath. I have often seen his humanity hidden beneath the mask of a cold-blooded soldier.

“But there is still no concrete evidence that Kinuan was the sponsor of the Torah. There is only circumstantial evidence.”

I wanted to prevent a direct conflict between Kinuan and Heilas. If that were to happen, it wouldn’t be good for me.

“Luka, the sponsor of Torah must be Kinuan. Because you judged it that way.”

“The captain trusts me more than I trust myself.”

“Because he is a capable subordinate and there is no reason not to trust his son’s abilities.”

Should I be grateful for this trust or fear it?

“… … Then, I will proceed with the mission without changing direction.”

“If you dig in like this, you too will be attacked by the same person who attacked Nikolaos.”

“Unlike my brother, I am a soldier.”

“Yes, a ‘soldier’. So it might be difficult to handle. Nikolaos is an imperial bureaucrat. And not a low-level bureaucrat. The ‘enemy’ has seen Nikolaos’ database access records.”

As I listened to the story, I frowned. An unacceptable conclusion came to my mind.

“Are you saying that the enemies of the Empire are also rooted within the bureaucracy? And in high positions?”

“There’s nothing strange about it. The history of the Empire is long. The same goes for its internal group. They keep cutting out the rotten parts, but there’s no end in sight.”

I was so angry that I felt like I was going to throw up.

It was understandable that the lower class or the poor would rebel against the empire. However, it was unacceptable that high-ranking officials were enemies of the empire. They were the ones who enjoyed the most privileges.

“We’ll use Kinuan to root out the enemy within. I’m sorry to say this to Nikolaos, but… … the fact that the boy is dead means we’ve gotten pretty close to the core.”

Suddenly, Heilas regained her composure.

“I personally feel indebted to Brother Nikolaos. There seems to be only one way to repay that debt.”

Someone must be held responsible for Nikolaos’ death.