Bad Born Blood Chapter 110

Chapter 110

A strange atmosphere was flowing through the Imperial Guard.

‘The military and the Imperial Guard have taken control of the Catacomb Mine’s interests.’

Officially, it was a fund for disabled veterans. The money was ant for soldiers who had fought for the empire, those who had died or been wounded, and their families. There had always been a fund, but due to chronic deficits, proper support had been difficult.

People believed that this decision was made by the imperial family. Those who were unaware praised the empire and the imperial family.

But the reality was different.

‘It was the military and the Imperial Guard’s decision.’

I didn’t know how Hemillas had managed to persuade the military as well. Was his influence that strong, or were there simply many within the military who had the guts to provoke the imperial family?

Perhaps, contrary to my expectations, the imperial family’s influence was not as overwhelming as I had thought. I still knew little about the high-ranking officials and generals who moved the empire.

I was currently with Kinuan. As always, he was drinking tea.

“The imperial family has its pride, so they can’t overturn their decision on the fund. It was a skillful move.”

Kinuan spoke. I had been reporting to him about everything that had happened.

“I didn’t realize the Catacomb Mine’s interests were so important.”

From my perspective, it was only enough to sustain a single noble family at most.

“If the military clears out the bad contracts related to the mining rights and takes over operations directly, the situation changes. Their finances would improve significantly. The companies involved will be upset about losing their mining rights so suddenly, but since they’ll see it as a decision from the military or the imperial family, they won’t be able to resist much.”

“And just in ti, a justification has been provided to expel the Catacomb Mine’s owner... the Corovus Family.”

“It could just be a coincidence, or there could be a sche we haven’t noticed.”

I didn’t think it was a coincidence. The pieces fit together too perfectly.

‘But this wasn’t the work of the imperial family or Kinuan.’

If they had planned to expel the Corovus Family, they wouldn’t have allowed the mining rights to be taken like this.

‘...Wait.’

I bit my lower lip and widened my eyes.

‘Then the military and Hemillas....’

What if they had leaked information about and Iskan to lure in the Corovus Family?

mbers of the Corovus Family were already on the Imperial Guard’s internal investigation list. Even without , the Imperial Guard would have eventually reached them.

‘Did Hemillas expose to danger?’

I didn’t want to believe it. But the possibility wasn’t zero. Even if I didn’t trust it completely, I had to keep it in mind.

‘If they had just told , I would have willingly acted as bait. But if they deliberately led the attack without telling ... does that an Hemillas doesn’t trust ?’

My thoughts spiraled rapidly. Until now, I had never once considered the possibility that Hemillas might stab in the back. I didn’t even want to entertain the thought.

Hemillas had always treated with trust.

“Luka, His Majesty is not in the best of moods right now. The tiline might move up. When the ti cos, you’ll have to act as well.”

“Hemillas knows that the imperial family is keeping him in check. That ans he must be making preparations too. Does His Majesty intend to risk civil war?”

“The real enemies of the empire are outside our borders. That’s why the imperial family is trying to avoid civil war, even if it ans taking a roundabout approach. Luka, from your perspective, it must look like the imperial family is unjustly stirring up trouble with the military. Like they’re trying to discard the loyal Hemillas.”

“To be honest, yes.”

It was hard to deny. Even if I did, he wouldn’t believe .

“We have solid grounds for this as well. If we don’t reorganize the military leadership now, a rebellion will break out within ten years. And every year, the likelihood of a full-scale war with foreign nations increases. Within half a century, an unavoidable war will co.”

“You speak as if you’re predicting the future.”

“You, who have learned Akies Victima, should understand. The future is rely a product of the present. It doesn’t co from so external force. The imperial family’s predictions are extrely close approximations to foresight. We cannot fight external enemies while leaving unstable elents within. The empire must be fully prepared to rally around the emperor.”

If everything Kinuan was saying was true... then the imperial family’s actions were justified.

‘Who struck first no longer matters.’

The conflict had already begun.

If the empire was on the brink of war with Bellato and Corite, it had no choice but to ensure internal stability, even through extre asures.

“Keep watching Hemillas’ movents. If an opportunity arises, I’ll leave the decision to you.”

“So I’m a double agent now. Just like my old instructor.”

“When this purge is over, I’ll retire. By then, my authority will be passed on to you. In ti, you’ll co to realize it too. That it’s us and the imperial family who are truly acting for the empire and its people. Soone has to dirty their hands and carry out the ugliness. The world is twisted, and there are things that can only be set right through twisted ans.”

“I understand. And I know that role is mine to take.”

Kinuan was an eloquent speaker. I didn’t know the exact ratio of truth to lies in his words, but he never fed only falsehoods. His persuasion always contained truth. Sotis, he spoke nothing but the truth.

...This was no different. What Kinuan had said was likely fact.

A mory from the past surfaced. When I stood before Rick Silva Núñez, I had prepared myself for death.

‘My na is Lukaus Custoria, the sword and shield of the empire. The empire’s enemies are my enemies.’

‘So, you plan to spend your whole life handling dirty work, only to be discarded in the end?’

‘If soone has to take on the dirty work for the empire... then that role is mine.’

I had chosen to beco the empire’s shadow. But it had also been for the Custoria Family.

And now, for the sake of the empire, I had to harm the Custoria Family. My oath and resolve couldn’t help but waver.

“There’s one thing I want to know. Once this is over, will the Custoria Family be wiped out?”

“If this leads to an outright rebellion, then yes, complete annihilation is certain. In that case, you’ll have to change your identity and face to continue operating.”

“So if we suppress the dissident forces before it escalates that far, it won’t co to that. For example, if Hemillas becos irreversibly crippled, and I take over as the next head of Custoria.”

I spoke bluntly. I didn’t want the Custoria Family to be exterminated.

“You really are... a good boy. Quite the soft-hearted one.”

I expected him to say that.

* * *

An old saying ca to mind—The night before a storm is always the calst.

Just as the saying implied, Hemillas had remained still for a while. For the past fifteen days, his routine had been nothing more than attending to official duties in his office and occasionally visiting the Custoria estate.

‘Do you not trust ?’

I kept repeating that question in my head as I traveled to and from the Custoria estate in an aerial vehicle. I wanted to hear his answer.

Yes, I knew it might sound childish... but I had hoped that my bond with Hemillas was as strong as blood ties.

‘Did Hemillas really use as bait without even a word?’

Like how Giselle had been used by Barbara back at the academy. That situation had been easy to understand—Giselle may have been Barbara’s biological daughter, but she was incapable of keeping secrets from her. That’s why Giselle had to be deceived as well.

‘But I’m different. If he had told beforehand, I could have played the role of bait even better.’

Here’s what I suspected: Hemillas wanted to take control of the Catacomb Mine, so he sought to expel the Corovus Family. To accomplish this, he leaked information about and Iskan to them, provoking the attack.

...I wasn’t certain. That’s why I hoped my guess was wrong. I wanted to at least hold on to that hope for the man who had led this far.

‘Even if you were to die like Nikolaos, I would act the sa way.’

When I first heard those words, I had been genuinely happy. Even now, I wanted to believe in them.

But thinking about it, I had no right to be upset. If Hemillas had deceived , did I really have the right to be angry? I was deceiving him as well.

“Luka, the next ti you co to the estate, stop by the Silver Moon Pavilion. It’s an important matter for you as well, so make ti for it.”

Hemillas spoke as we rode in the aerial vehicle back to the Imperial Guard headquarters.

The Silver Moon Pavilion was a separate annex where the Custoria Family’s elders resided. Major decisions concerning the family had to go through them.

As expected, sothing was in motion.

From deep beneath the surface, an unseen current was steadily shifting. A flow so subtle that even I had trouble detecting it.

“About Giselle...”

Hemillas started. My expression remained neutral, but I felt my chest tighten.

“...Did sothing happen? You two seed close, but lately, it looks like things have soured.”

Giselle and I avoided speaking to each other in front of others as much as possible. I could control my emotions, but Giselle wasn’t as practiced at it.

“We argued over an issue in the lower district. If you’d like the details, I can explain.”

“No, there’s no need for to interfere in a matter between siblings. Just take care of her. She’s smart, but she’s inexperienced.”

Smart but inexperienced—I couldn’t argue with that.

“I’m keeping an eye on her,” I replied. In truth, I was keeping too close an eye on her. I had to resist the urge to go see her every ti.

“So, will the engagent with Ilay Carthica end as a re pretense? It seed like a promising match.”

“I encouraged it as well, but it’s unlikely to go through. Especially on Giselle’s end.”

“I didn’t expect much either. Giselle has the kind of personality to choose her own spouse. That’s why she’s rejected every proposal so far.”

“I didn’t expect you to respect that.”

I spoke with mild surprise, and Hemillas let out a small chuckle.

"I have used my children before, but I have never oppressed their choices. Juppe beca a soldier despite his lack of aptitude because of his own ambition. He wanted to be the head of the family, so he chose a profession where he could surpass his older brother."

At tis like this, I couldn’t help but like Hemillas. He felt like the ideal father.

‘If only...’

I wanted to lay everything bare right here and now.

Kinuan, who seed like a re dissenter, was in truth a loyal servant and overseer of the emperor. The imperial family’s hidden card for expelling Custoria was none other than . I was the one aiming for his back.

If I had longed for a father just a little more, I might have uttered sothing foolish.

The Imperial Guard headquarters was drawing near. Hemillas, checking his ssages, tilted his head slightly before speaking.

"Luka, in two days, His Highness Francec will be holding a procession. It will stretch from the upper district to the lower district, lasting over half a day."

Francec Accretia, the Crimson Crown Prince. But one day, he was destined to die as a sacrificial pawn. Only the emperor, Ivan, Kinuan, and I knew that truth.

"I’m aware. The Imperial Guard is responsible for security."

"His Highness has specifically requested you as a special escort. He’s likely taken an interest in you because of the many accomplishnts you’ve achieved as a cadet. He has a fondness for Irregulars."

It wasn’t just because I was an Irregular.

Francec believed that he would beco emperor and that I would remain by his side as his overseer for a long ti. That was why he had chosen .

"I’ll make the necessary preparations."