Bad Born Blood Chapter 88

Chapter 88

The schedule at the Custoria estate was coming to an end.

Juppe had suffered a humiliating defeat at my hands. The difference in skill was made crystal clear this ti. To make matters worse, near the end of our duel, Juppe had displayed an unsettling sight. His reputation must have taken a severe hit.

I was gathering my belongings, preparing to head to the airfield, when my uncle, Arthur Custoria, paid a visit.

"...When the ti cos, I will support you. Even though you’re an adopted son, you’re more Custoria than anyone else. You have the makings of an outstanding soldier. The head of House Custoria must be strong, just like you."

Arthur placed a firm hand on my shoulder and nodded resolutely. He was also the pathetic older brother who had lost the position of family head to his younger sibling, Hemillas.

"And I have a daughter who is ten years older than you. Though you’re cousins, you’re not related by blood, so..."

Arthur lowered his voice, glancing around cautiously. That was his real reason for supporting . He wanted to secure the next family head position for his grandson through .

"I understand your intentions, Uncle. However, it’s difficult for to give an answer right now. Perhaps we can discuss it later..."

I evaded giving a direct response with a politely rehearsed turn of phrase.

As I tried to take my leave, Arthur quickly continued, forcing a chanical smile.

"Of course. There’s still plenty of ti. I’ll inform my daughter soon as well. I can offer you a great deal of support. You have sothing I lack, and I can give you sothing you don’t have."

His persistence was on another level. I gave him a brief nod and walked past him. My response could have been considered rude.

However, it was Arthur who was the desperate one, not . If things remained as they were, his descendants would eventually beco nothing more than distant branch family mbers. Given enough ti, they might not even be recognized as nobility.

"Luka, are you leaving?"

At the estate’s entrance, I ran into Giselle. She had been waiting for .

"I’ve finished my business here, so it’s ti to go."

"I’ll co visit the lower district soon."

"I already told you, that place isn’t a playground."

I responded indifferently, but Giselle shook her head.

"I’m not going there for fun. It’s for business."

"Business?"

I had just stepped outside when I turned back to ask.

"You’ll find out soon enough."

Giselle said this as she gave a push, sending out of the estate.

Creak, thud.

There was no ti to look back before the door shut behind . Feeling sowhat awkward for no reason, I rubbed my neck and headed toward the airfield.

Vrrrrrr!

The hum of the air vehicle’s engine was loud. Below it, Hemillas had finished his preparations and was speaking with so family mbers.

Upon noticing , Hemillas boarded the air vehicle without a word. I followed him inside. As soon as the door closed, the vehicle lifted off.

The Custoria estate quickly shrank into the distance.

"Is the family’s private mission temporarily suspended?"

I had been looking out the window but then turned to Hemillas and asked.

"It’s on hold for now. You will return to your original mission—the task assigned to you."

He was referring to the background investigation on Kinuan. But it was a aningless mission.

...Because Kinuan was acting under imperial orders.

’I know things that Hemillas doesn’t.’

If I said I felt no guilt toward Hemillas, who had given so many opportunities, it would be a lie.

’But Hemillas hasn’t always told everything either.’

Our relationship was one of mutual use. I had proven to Hemillas that I was valuable. That was why he had given opportunities.

Ours was not a bond sustained by goodwill alone. So, I had no reason to feel guilty. I sorted my thoughts and reflected on them.

"...I have no interest in becoming the head of House Custoria. Announce Juppe as your successor and hand it over to him. Otherwise, Juppe will destroy himself out of jealousy and insecurity."

This was my way of doing right by them.

’As an Overseer, I may have to do things that could harm the family.’

I was not qualified to be the head of House Custoria.

"Luka, the right to na a successor is mine, not yours."

"I understand. But... I believe you have in mind as a potential heir. If my assumption is arrogant, then feel free to laugh at my arrogance. What I’m saying is, even if you choose , I will refuse."

"I won’t laugh. But this isn’t like you. Luka, the Imperial Guard cadet, was always ambitious, even before he beca Lukaus."

"Leading a household doesn’t suit . I realized that even while building an organization in the lower district."

"In what way?"

Hemillas asked in a calm, emotionless tone.

I parted my lips slightly, but the words didn’t co out right away. I...

"...I don’t want to talk about it because it makes sound weak. But if it’s an order, I’ll answer."

Hemillas remained silent. He seed to be contemplating sothing but did not press further.

"Hmm. If I were speaking as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, I would insist on an answer. But right now, this is more of a conversation between family. I don’t think it’s right to pry too deeply into the complicated feelings of a teenage son."

"I believe I’ve already passed that stage."

I spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Haha, if you had truly outgrown it, you would have laughed it off just now. You’re still in a sensitive period. And because of that, you can continue to grow."

Hemillas chuckled openly.

I enjoyed this brief ti we spent in the air vehicle. It allowed to have conversations like this with Hemillas, just the two of us.

Sotis, I even thought—

‘I could die for Hemillas.’

Not for the Empire, but for Hemillas as an individual. That was how great a leader he was. He had a charisma that could make one willingly sacrifice their life.

‘Is this sothing Hemillas planned as well?’

Was our bond sothing that ford naturally? Or was it part of Hemillas’ design?

A bitter taste lingered in my mouth. I took a sip of water, even though I wasn’t thirsty.

Before long, Akbaran stretched wide beneath the air vehicle. The familiar landscape ca into view. I felt as if I could navigate it even with my eyes closed.

Shhhhhh.

The air vehicle landed at the Imperial Guard’s airfield.

Click!

As Hemillas disembarked, the waiting lieutenant and Imperial Guardsn greeted him with crisp salutes. They showed him the utmost respect.

We had returned to the Imperial Guard. Hemillas resud his role as Commander of the Imperial Guard... and I had to fulfill my duties as both a cadet and an Overseer.

* * *

Kinuan always drank tea. His tea was an incredibly expensive luxury, made from tea leaves cultivated from Earth’s seeds.

I still didn’t understand the appeal of tea. The sa went for coffee.

"I brewed it a little lighter this ti. How does it taste?"

Kinuan asked, watching my reaction. Right now, I was in his office.

"Shouldn’t you have stopped offering it to by now? No matter how many tis I drink it, I still can’t appreciate it."

I barely touched the liquid before grimacing.

"Haha, that’s because you still don’t know how to truly enjoy it. You have to savor it, let the depth of the flavor unfold. Don’t just use your tongue—engage your sense of sll as well."

I suppressed the urge to throw the scalding tea in Kinuan’s face.

"...It tastes so bitter that I can’t help but suspect you made it this way just to ss with ."

"If you want to practice, I won’t stop you. That kind of ambition is exactly why your superiors favor you. But rember one more thing—ultimately, the key is to temporarily block out visual information and convert auditory input into a visual representation. In other words, you have to close your eyes to use it. You won’t be able to process both sight and echolocation at the sa ti with your eyes open."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

After finishing his words, Kinuan set down his empty teacup. Crossing his legs, he interlocked his fingers and rested them on his knee. For a brief mont, his pupils flashed coldly.

"A lot must have happened, Luka."

Here it cos. I... had to report everything that happened at House Custoria.

House Custoria had not committed treason against the Empire. However, it was true that they had carried out certain actions without the Empire’s knowledge.

‘Hemillas entrusted with the family’s mission because he trusts .’

But that trust was Hemillas’ mistake.

From now on, I would have to reveal even the details that were unfavorable to House Custoria. The depth of the Empire’s reach was unknowable—I couldn’t risk deceiving them with a lie.

Perhaps Kinuan already knew everything and was only asking to test .

Akies Domini—the Emperor’s Overseer.

What a terrifying title it was.

Even a single omission in my report could result in disposal.

Kinuan liked . That was an undeniable fact. But he had eliminated Rick Silva Núñez, his friend of decades, without hesitation. A re few years of acquaintance with ant nothing in comparison.

...There’s no need to waver, Luka.

Rember the essence of your loyalty. House Custoria, my position as an Imperial Guard cadet—these were all just passing backdrops.

It was the Empire that had chosen and acknowledged .

"House Custoria and its head, Hemillas, have..."

Kinuan listened to my report in silence. I poured out everything that had happened, the words spilling from as if I were truly vomiting them out.

The Empire was watching House Custoria through its eyes. And those eyes... were .

"...That concludes my report."

Kinuan rested his elbow on the armrest and propped his cheek against his hand. His posture exuded arrogance.

As the sun set, the light outside the window faded away. Shadows cast themselves over Kinuan’s face, leaving only the rim of his pupils glowing an eerie blue in the darkness.

Click.

Kinuan lightly clicked his front teeth together as he opened his mouth. His breath escaped in a quiet exhale. I couldn’t tell whether it carried relief or lant.

"It seems you’re ready to et His Majesty."

I had just crossed the boundary between life and death—perhaps.