Chapter 102
Giselle and I walked side by side through the streets of the lower district. The night was deep. Eerie movents stirred in the alleyways and shadows.
Whir.
I took out my standard-issue pistol and spun it around my finger. I had to make it clear I was ard—otherwise, so foolish vagrant might try to approach. Not that I particularly enjoyed resorting to such crude displays of force.
The lower-district folk adorned themselves roughly, exuding an air of violence. Many were obsessed with flaunting their aggression, to a vulgar degree. There was a reason for it. In this place, looking weak only invited trouble.
"The streets have been uneasy lately."
I tossed the remark to Giselle. Jumping straight into business felt too stiff and awkward. I wasn’t sure when I started caring about such things, but here I was.
Either way, conversing with civilians was exhausting. Military speech was usually blunt and rational. If sothing needed to be said, one could just say it—stripping away unnecessary emotions.
Sotis, persuasion wasn’t even required. Authority and strength alone could settle matters. Soldiers were accustod to the logic of power. On the battlefield, there wasn’t ti to question every order from a superior.
But speaking with civilians required consideration for their emotions. It was a hassle in many ways.
...I’m thinking too much today. Damn it.
"Why uneasy?"
Giselle asked, a beat later.
"Gang clashes have been frequent lately. According to Gabriel, these things happen periodically. On top of that, the arena gang, which handled major business, got split in half, throwing everything into chaos. With the balance of power unstable... outlaws from the outskirts and the ruins are sneaking in. And those bastards are the worst of the worst."
Gangs in the lower district were a necessary evil. They filled the void left by the lack of law enforcent, acting as a kind of vigilante force. But the outlaws from the ruins disregarded even unspoken rules. They had lost any sense of human decency, having nothing left to lose.
My thoughts kept drifting. It was likely because I myself felt uneasy about bringing up this matter with Giselle.
"I see," she replied indifferently.
She clearly had no interest in the topic of gangs, and her apathetic response irritated slightly.
"This concerns you too. You said you wanted to do business in the lower district, didn’t you? You should at least understand the balance and movents of the gangs."
"I’d rather hear about it from Gilda or Gabriel. They probably know more about it than you do."
Giselle spoke sharply.
Well, she wasn’t wrong. No matter how much I acted like I knew everything, I was no longer a part of the lower district. Her words hit harder than I expected.
My focus wasn’t great today.
We walked a little further. Once we left the more dangerous areas, the streets beca sowhat more orderly.
"You said you had sothing to say?"
Giselle stopped in her tracks and asked.
"Do you rember Ilay Carthica? We owed him one last ti."
Of course, she would rember. I felt stupid for even asking.
"Seeing you beat around the bush like this... it must be an uncomfortable topic. Just say it. I’m ready to listen."
As expected, Giselle was sharp. She had already guessed the nature of this conversation from my uncharacteristic hesitation.
I closed my eyes for a mont before opening them slightly.
She was right. I was acting unlike myself. Get it together, Luka. I had a mountain of serious problems waiting for . Compared to those, today’s issue was trivial. At least, it wasn’t a matter of life and death.
"Ilay asked for our help. He wants us to co as guests of the Carthica family and lend him so support."
"That’s not too difficult. Networking is crucial for nobles, after all."
"And it looks like Ilay’s in a tough spot. His father collapsed before he could solidify his position as the next head of the family. Now, he has to enter the succession battle much sooner than expected."
"You don’t need to explain further. I get what’s happening. So powerful relatives must be eyeing the family head position, thinking this is their chance. No matter how much potential Ilay has, he’s still a rookie without a solid foundation. If he loses the position, he’ll either die or be completely ruined. No usurper would let a legitimate heir with potential live."
Giselle understood the situation well. It seed every noble family went through sothing like this during transitions of power.
"Ilay invited you as his fiancée. Of course, it’s only a formal engagent until he secures his position. That way, his relatives won’t be able to touch him so easily—since there’s always the risk that the Custoria family might get involved."
I tried to keep my voice calm. Because of that, there was no emotion in my tone. Good.
"...Haha. So that’s the important matter, huh? I get it, Luka. It’s definitely important. You’re finally acting like a proper noble."
"Mock all you want. I know this isn’t exactly fair to you."
"Father won’t hesitate to approve. He might even say you should just go through with a real engagent if necessary. If we put the next head of the Carthica family in our debt and establish a close relationship, it would benefit Custoria as well."
Giselle understood that perfectly. In noble society, engagents and breakups were nothing more than strategic decisions dictated by interests.
I recalled Lilian Lamones. Despite being born into nobility, her humanity had been denied in the na of wealth. She had been transford into a ’living doll,’ molded to fit her fiancé’s tastes in every aspect—appearance, behavior, even the way she spoke.
If I had been in her place, I might have taken my own life. That was how horrific her situation had been.
Compared to Lilian, Giselle’s position was far more free.
"Since you understand, I’ll set up the schedule."
"What if I refuse?"
Giselle snapped back sharply. But I knew she wasn’t really planning to refuse. It was just hypothetical—she wanted to hear how I would react.
I was willing to indulge her a little.
"If you refuse, then there’s nothing I can do. I can’t force you."
"Nice words. But you already knew I wouldn’t refuse. It’s not like going against my family’s interests would do any good."
"That’s right."
I didn’t deny it. Giselle let out a sigh.
"Tell Father yourself."
"I will."
"And just so you know—you’re a terrible person."
Giselle clenched her fist and hit in the chest. It didn’t hurt, but it hurt.
...I knew I was a terrible person.
---
A week had passed. I received permission from Hemillas for the ’fake engagent,’ and Ilay quickly set up the schedule.
And so, we attended the Carthica family gathering.
The Carthica family’s main estate was located outside Akbaran. However, like most powerful noble houses, they also owned a high-rise building within the city under the family’s na.
Today’s gathering was being held at Carthica Tower.
Carthica Tower also served as temporary lodging for lower-ranking family mbers and vassals. No matter how often I saw it, the hierarchy among nobles was undeniable.
The upper class and the lower class.
At a glance, they seed to fall into just two categories, but within those, there were countless subdivisions.
I had risen to the upper ranks. Among military families, the Custoria lineage was one of the most prestigious.
The reason I was thinking about this now... was because, as an orphan from the lower district, seeing nobles bowing their heads to felt surreal.
"We’ve been expecting you, Lord Lukaus, Lady Giselle."
Instead of re servants, actual nobles had co to greet us at the airfield. Aside from the guide Ilay had sent, there were also several low-ranking nobles present.
The lower-ranked mbers and vassals of the Carthica family knew that Ilay and I were close friends. That was why they were eager to win my favor in any way they could.
"We appreciate the warm welco," Giselle said as she stepped out of the air vehicle.
Unlike her usual self, she wore an alluring dress. She must not have been thrilled about it, yet she still played the role of my fake fiancée with perfect commitnt.
I, too, stepped onto the rooftop airfield.
Lifting my head, I took in the surrounding scenery. The night was deepening, and the city lights were dazzling. This was an area densely packed with noble estates, so airborne vehicles frequently passed by.
The Carthica family held a decent standing among military families. However, in the grand sche of the Empire, they were rely middle-tier. The height of a family’s building was an unspoken asure of its influence, and plenty of buildings in the area towered above Carthica Tower.
’The kind of power struggle happening within the Carthica family must be playing out in all these other buildings as well.’
The web of interests within the Empire was terrifyingly tangled. The more I learned, the less I felt I could see. To fully grasp and manipulate these complex power dynamics... just how much of a monster, accustod to the darkness, would one have to be?
"I heard you’re the first in the history of the Imperial Guard to receive the 4th-Class Cross Blade dal of Military rit as a cadet."
A noble whose na I didn’t care to rember spoke as he stepped beside . I had been introduced to him earlier, but recalling his na felt like a waste of effort.
In the past, I would have carefully morized the nas of every single person I t. But now, there were simply too many people I needed to know. My brain wasn’t limitless. There was a limit to what I could retain.
Giselle’s words suddenly ca to mind. She had told I was becoming more like a noble.
And she was right. I was prioritizing only those who could wield influence over or hold a position that might benefit in the future.
I had long since forgotten the nas of the children I once passed by in the orphanage. After all, I would never see them again. And even if I did, they would be of no use to .
"...I was just lucky."
I muttered a dull, textbook display of humility.
Despite my disinterested response, the noble guide plastered on an exaggerated smile and continued his flattery.
“Luck, you say? For most, encountering one of the Empire’s top-ranked fugitives wouldn’t be luck—it would be a disaster.”
I didn’t respond.
The noble was still smiling, but I could easily guess what he was thinking. Who does this lowborn think he is, acting so high and mighty?
But so what if I was being arrogant? They couldn’t criticize . I suppressed a smirk from escaping.
Bzzzzzz.
We took the elevator up to the banquet hall. As we passed through the hallway and opened the doors, a grand hall stretched before us. The walls were made entirely of glass, offering a clear view of the outside.
Inside, nobles were already engaged in conversation. Among them, I spotted a few from other families besides Carthica.
A brief silence fell at our entrance. The gathered nobles paused what they were doing and turned their gazes toward Giselle and .
All eyes were on us. It was only natural—tonight’s main attraction was us.
“My apologies for not coming to greet you. I was still making my rounds. It’s been a while, Lady Giselle.”
Ilay, dressed impeccably, approached us. His tone toward Giselle was noticeably more formal than usual.
Giselle grasped the hem of her dress and dipped her head slightly.
“I never expected we’d et again like this. You’re quite skilled at maneuvering and scheming.”
It was half a jab. After all, Ilay and I were both using Giselle for our own benefit.
But in the end, even nobles were rely tools for their families. Individuals existed for their houses. And beyond that, the houses existed for the Empire.
We all understood reality well. That was why Giselle was playing along without resistance.
“My sincerity isn’t entirely absent,” Ilay murmured under his breath, glancing at for a reaction.
Giselle kept her head lowered, so I couldn’t see her expression. No, I had no intention of trying to see it.
Instead, I surveyed the banquet hall. My eyes moved deliberately, scanning each face.
“Hm...”
As I looked around, I let out a quiet sigh and closed my mouth.
I had spotted a familiar face on one side of the room.
‘Enrico Lagan.’
His eyes were wide with rage, his body trembling. Any mont now, it seed like he might start shedding tears of blood. He must have co after hearing about Ilay and Giselle’s engagent. Judging by his expression, his one-sided infatuation with Giselle was still burning strong.
The look on Enrico Lagan’s face was a mixture of miserable fury.
Then, his gaze locked onto .
Ugh. My head hurt. Lately, these headaches had been coming more frequently.
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