Bad Born Blood - Chapter 74



Only Noblemtl

074

The Gabriel gang grew smoothly. They made a living from their business of running brothels, arenas, and petty security jobs. As their profits grew, they might soon need to get a business license.

By then, there should be someone who can become the organization’s chief of staff.

‘Grace.’

I saw Grace staying in the gang office. She was teaching basic combat skills to our gang members. She was kind of an outside instructor.

Whirl!

The snail lost its balance due to Grace’s trick and fell over.

“The lower half of your body is always loose, and your nose is sagging.”

Grace said, tapping Snood’s calf. Snood thought it was time and grinned and joked.

“Oh, that’s because I use my back a lot every night… … Ugh! Si, y, d… … .”

Grace kicked Snood between the legs. Snood groaned and rolled on the floor.

“next.”

Grace kicked the punk’s butt and gestured to the other gang members.

“Listen. You can just use a gun. Why do you have to learn such a troublesome technique?”

The furry complained. Grace looked at Gabriel.

Gabriel sighed and grabbed the fur on Furbo’s chest and pulled. Furbo ran after Gabriel, tears streaming down his face.

“Shut up and practice properly. If you shoot all the troublemakers in the red-light district, you’ll run out of customers. You need to be able to subdue someone with your bare hands.”

“Okay, okay, boss.”

As Gabriel created a sense of intimidation, the gang members listened quietly.

Gabriel has above average combat power based on the lower-tier zone, and is registered as a top-tier fighter in the arena. He is a superior player that is difficult to ignore for a typical gang.

‘But that’s not enough.’

There are many gangs in the lower districts with similar abilities to Gabriel. It takes more than that to run a gang.

‘Gabriel, like Ken… … it would be nice if he could learn Archie’s fighting techniques, but he doesn’t have that level of talent.’

If Gabriel were to learn the Archetype combat arts, he would either need to become addicted to stimulants or have his nervous system modified. Neither of these options is a good option.

Without me, there was only one person with the ability and motivation to take care of Gabriel.

‘Martina Diva.’

I tapped the table and opened my mouth.

“Grace, make room for me to meet the Diva.”

Grace, who heard what I said, didn’t even ask why. She immediately contacted La Vie en Rose and made an appointment.

The time was tonight, and the place was one of La Vie en Rose’s stores.

In the evening, Grace and I went out into the street. For a long time, we were in silence.

Grace and I are not very social people. Even silence, which may seem awkward to others, was comfortable for us.

It was Grace who broke the comfortable silence.

“Luke, have you had any contact with a diva recently?”

Grace was quick-witted. She must have thought that Martina and I had come into contact somewhere. In fact, Martina and I had met and talked at a banquet in the upper area.

“I guess it’s true that your grades during your cadet days were top-tier.”

“I hate pretense. There’s no reason to lie about something like that.”

I thought for a moment and then opened my mouth.

“Then let’s have some fun. If you tell me the reason and circumstances of your decision to become a Royal Guard cadet, I’ll tell you the story of how you met Diva.”

It didn’t matter if Grace didn’t respond. It was just simple interest.

“I became a guard cadet as an irregular from the lower class. I didn’t even come from a single-digit orphanage.”

It was like he was listening to my story.

“You’ve got a great opportunity to advance your career. It’s a rare opportunity.”

These words were also spoken to me.

“Yes, I was much more desperate than the other cadets.”

Because there is nowhere to return to.

I felt a strong sense of kinship. Grace was similar to me. The irregulars who are selected as guard cadets will generally have similar tendencies. That’s what the selection test is like.

“But why did you keep it?”

Grace was the first to speak. I walked alongside her and waited for her to speak.

“Before that, I have something to explain. There was an irregular one rank above me. There is usually no interaction between different ranks, but it is very rare for there to be irregulars in a row, so we interacted frequently.”

I think it would have been the same in my country.

“Irregulars generally have excellent grades. There has never been a case where they dropped out due to lack of skill. It wouldn’t matter if you were someone who volunteered to quit like that.”

“Luke… doesn’t seem like a very loyal person.”

Grace spoke her words cautiously. I guess that’s what others see me as. It’s funny, that’s why I became the Emperor’s Watcher.

“I’ve never heard the word obedient in my life.”

“That Irregular Senior and I became close like siblings. Emotionally speaking, we could die for each other. Time passed like that, and Senior officially became a member of the Royal Guard. Even after becoming a member of the Royal Guard, he often came to see me.”

The Irregular Grace was talking about would still be in the Guard, if only he hadn’t died. I kept listening to her.

“… … When there are important missions and battles, the guards often go out wearing the full armored legion.”

To use the Legion, you have to handle an overload that is dozens of times greater than the combat body. Even the guardsmen have to be equipped with signal suppressors and auxiliary processing devices to handle the Legion.

“So? If you have something to say, say it clearly. Don’t beat around the bush like you’re not. I don’t have time to report a gangster from the lower levels as a subversive.”

Grace was hesitating and swallowing her important words. So I said it clearly. I meant that I would just listen to whatever was said with one ear and let it go. It was up to her to believe it or not.

“Every time he went to battle as a legion… … his personality began to crumble. To be exact, his human side was disappearing. The last time I saw him, he was crying and telling me that he was scared. He said that if he continued like this, he would lose himself.”

I listened to the story calmly. Yes, it wasn’t such a big secret. A year or two ago, I would have been shocked. But not now.

“The Legion is a weapon that eats away at the mind. It’s not something that can be endured with just a little mental strength. That guy just lacked the skills in that area.”

Even though Heilas had been deployed to the Legion countless times, his personality did not collapse. Other guards who had used the Legion dozens of times also maintained their humanity. It means that it depends on how much you can endure.

“Luka-sama is right. Not everyone is like that. But I had a gut feeling. I would walk the same path as that senior.”

Here I let out the question I had been harboring.

“But the cadets are assets of the empire. They wouldn’t be in a position to come out if they wanted to.”

“If you grant me one favor, I will answer that part. I will not ask about the separate meeting between Diva and Luca. Instead… … I am curious about what has become of you since then. It is nearly impossible for me to find out information about the inside of the Royal Guard. The name is Rozen.”

Grace’s hidden human side was revealed. She still cared about that irregular senior, Lowzen.

“I promise I’ll tell you if I meet Lowzen or learn any information.”

Grace stared straight at me with her one eye on the other side of the blindfold. She nodded slowly as she looked into my eyes.

“Even cadets can get permission to go out to the nearby upper areas. And as you may know… … some of La Vie en Rose occasionally go on business trips to the upper areas.”

Grace was sure that Martina and I had met in the upper quarters.

“I was one of Diva’s regulars. I wasn’t really interested in men. I had been in a relationship with her for a long time, and maybe because my heart had become lax… … I confided my weaknesses and worries to Diva.”

I had expected it. Grace’s loyalty to Martina Diva was mixed with affection.

“Did Diva take you out of the guard after hearing the story?”

“Diva went out of her way to use her connections. I never imagined that would be possible.”

I was a little surprised, too. I didn’t know Martina had that many connections.

“I invested so much because I could have you, a former Royal Guard cadet, as my subordinate. It’s not pure kindness or sympathy. You’re the kind of person who can make up for La Vie en Rose’s lack of violence.”

“I know that calculation. But it is true that I have received a favor that I cannot repay even if I spend my whole life with it. I will stay by Diva’s side until she dies.”

Considering Martina Diva’s age, it shouldn’t take too long.

“That was a fun story, Grace. I’ll pay you back later.”

“I can wait as long as you want.”

Grace said with a faint smile. Her heart seemed to be relieved.

Irregular Lowzen of the Royal Guard.

I recalled the name. I, too, became interested in his whereabouts.

* * *

Grace and I arrived at the meeting place with La Vie en Rose. It was one of La Vie en Rose’s stores, but it was a rather uncomfortable space for me.

“Ha, ha, so cute.”

“It’s my taste.”

“I’ll give you a discount when I have time, so be sure to stop by.”

If I just listened to her, I could bear it. The problem was that it was always men who said such things to me.

This was a men-only store. There were all sorts of guys, from skinny guys to guys as burly as Gabriel.

I frowned deeply. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of physiological disgust. Perhaps Martina had called me here to enjoy my reaction.

“Stop grumbling. This young master is a guest of the Diva. Do you want to get beaten up?”

The gang member in charge of the store pushed the men aside to clear the way.

“Hey, you’re being scary again.”

“Don’t just talk. I’m telling you, you’re actually kind.”

There was no man who was intimidated by the words of a gang member. You could tell the atmosphere of the La Vie en Rose gang.

Grace and I went into the VIP room inside the store. I saw Martina sitting on a wide sofa with four male prostitutes next to her. The male prostitutes’ outfits caught my eye in a bad way. They were wearing leather thongs that covered only their private parts… … This is driving me crazy, really.

“From here on out, I will stand by Diva’s side, Luca.”

Grace whispered to me and walked up behind Martina, standing guard. Martina, who saw our conversation, smiled seductively.

“Hmm, you seem to have become quite close with Grace, Master Luca. You two didn’t share a bed without me knowing, did you? I get jealous just thinking about it.”

“Really? I slept with Gabriel too.”

I said it in a self-deprecating tone, annoyed.

“Gabriel? To be honest, he wasn’t as strong as I thought. He didn’t look good. He looks like a stallion.”

“Understand Gabriel’s circumstances. They are each other’s enemies. Grandma… … .”

“Master. As I told you last time, it’s no use teasing a woman.”

Martina cut me off sharply.

“I should have been able to handle this since you called me to a place like this. I’m not a normal person either.”

“Coincidentally, the other stores were fully booked today, so this was the only VIP room left. I didn’t mean to be mean.”

I looked into Martina’s eyes. What she had just said was a lie. She was just trying to tease me.

Martina noticed my displeasure and smiled fakely.

“Go ahead, you beauties.”

Martina tapped the male prostitute’s private parts and buttocks with her folded fan. The ugly-looking men disappeared before my eyes.