Bad Born Blood Chapter 226

226
In the alley, Illei was standing. When he noticed me, he flicked the cigarette he was smoking on the floor.

“You’re here, Luca. If you hadn’t come back by today, I was going to leave Border City. My stay was running out.”

Illei said, pulling his voluminous muffler up to his nose. He was not wearing combat fatigues, but a light brown traveling suit with practical pockets here and there.

“What are you wearing? Are you going on an expedition or something?”

“My passport says I’m an archaeologist. I need to dress appropriately to be more convincing.”

“In my experience, I don’t think you need a pass in this neighborhood.”

“Because I have to go around places other than Border City.”

Illei has a lot of knowledge about the Arcane civilization, so it would be easy for her to disguise herself as an archaeologist.

“Okay, fine. We’re not going to talk outside. Where?”

This alley was a deserted place, but it wasn’t a place to make a fuss.

“Follow me.”

Illei entered the alleyway as darkness enveloped her.

The sun had not set yet. However, due to overdevelopment, the buildings had risen to a mess, and only the occasional sliver of light reached the ground.

“Mushir al-Kashra has come to see me.”

I said as I followed. Ilay answered without looking straight ahead.

“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know he would make the first move to find you.”

“I’m not blaming you. It was an unavoidable situation in many ways. I didn’t expect it either.”

This is not sarcasm, I am being serious.

Mushir al-Kashra appeared in an unexpected place and time.

“Luka, just in case, do you have any cybernetic or electronic sensory organs?”

“doesn’t exist.”

Illei took out a small machine from her bosom. There was a short buzzing sound from the machine, and the air seemed to rise slightly, causing her to feel strangely nauseous.

‘Portable jamming device.’

The output was considerable for a portable device. I could clearly feel the magnetism through my body senses.

Illai walked with the jammer turned on. Soon, he came across a store without a sign.

Wheeing.

There were cameras and automatic gun turrets at the entrance to the store, but they couldn’t detect us because of the jamming device.

“I’ll take care of it. Just keep your mouth shut.”

“If you need help, just tell me, even if you don’t know what it is.”

I said, crossing my arms.

“It’s my job. I’m going to handle it while also creating a place for conversation.”

Illei said as if he was running an errand. He took off his gloves and grabbed the doorknob with the electronic lock.

Chiik.

The hacking was over as electricity flowed from Illei’s hand.

Clang, bang.

Electronic locks are a no-brainer. That’s why we have to use mechanical ones.

‘Well, in this kind of neighborhood, that level of security is enough. Electronic ones are also more convenient.’

Ilay, putting her gloves back on, opened the door.

The walls were lined with displays of firearms and machinery, while heavy swords and prosthetic arms and legs hung from the ceiling.

‘A gun shop? No, there’s a lot of miscellaneous stuff. There’s even a suit.’

After looking around the inside, I figured out what the store was all about.

‘A pawn shop that deals in stolen goods.’

Well, you’d be hard pressed to find a pawn shop in Border City that doesn’t handle stolen goods.

“… … I thought you were an uninvited guest, but you’re actually a grim reaper.”

A voice mixed with the sound of metal was heard from inside the store.

Kiing, kiing.

I stared at the shopkeeper. He was a cyborg man with a full-body prosthesis, the kind you’d see in the lower levels of Akbaran.

The man’s limbs had different specifications, which made his gait awkward, and the parts were old and noisy.

Half of the man’s face was devoid of any artificial skin or complex facial muscle expressions. Only robotic, indifferent metal was exposed, and even that was rusted like tear stains.

Squeak.

A man stood at the stall and looked at us. He had a faint smile on his face, with only half of his face covered in emojis and artificial skin.

“Haha, Illei. You’re called the Fox of Kartika these days, right? And… … .”

The man’s gaze stopped on me.

Creak.

The man tilted his head to the side and leapt over the stall.

Whoosh!

Despite the ragtag body, his movements were clean. Contrary to his appearance, he was quite capable of using the body.

“Oh my god, you were alive? You were alive, not a prosthesis. Yes, I can’t forget you.”

The man spoke as he looked at me. His eyes were shining and scanning my entire body.

I stayed silent and tried to figure out the situation.

“Senior, this is Lucas Custoria.”

Ilay introduced me.

‘Senior.’

I chewed on those words. That meant that the user of the ragtag body in front of me was a former guardsman.

I don’t know that guard. It’s not like I know all the guards by heart. But they all know me.

“I thought it was strange. Even though he was a celebrity who had lost his job, he never showed up at public events, and there were even rumors that he had died.”

The man muttered.

“Ilay, what’s the situation now?”

I said somewhat annoyedly.

“After the storm, a lot of the guards deserted. I was looking for them.”

“Ilay explained. A color came over half of the man’s face.

“Ha, hahaha, that’s what it was. Indeed! Illei, I heard that you and Lucas were close friends. Hmm, so that’s how things were going. I didn’t think the rumors were true.”

The man was misunderstanding something.

‘This is related to the imperial conspiracy.’

And Ilay put me in here for a reason. She probably needed my name.

“You can tell others that Lucius Custoria is alive and has made a comeback.”

Ilay continued, his voice soft.

“Unfortunately, we have cut off all contact with each other just in case. Even though I wanted to tell you this news… … .”

Before the man could finish speaking, Ilay’s hand was moving. He pulled out the execution pistol.

I frowned. It was too late to react.

Illai put the gun to the back of the man’s head and pulled the trigger.

Phew!

A sharp stake shot out of the muzzle and pierced the man from the back of his head to his forehead. When the stake stopped, it looked like it had grown horns.

Clank!

Soon the stake was pulled out and the man’s shattered brain flowed out in clumps.

Swish.

Illai bent down and picked up the brain fragments and placed them in a glass container. It must be evidence for the mission report.

“That’s unpleasant, Ilay.”

I said, wiping the blood from my face. A former guard was killed in front of me.

“I did it because I was upset.”

“So you sold my name to find out the location of other deserters.”

Illai nodded and took the container containing the brain fragments.

“It is exactly as you said.”

“Did it really have to be this way? You could have told me in advance.”

Illai reloaded the stake of his executioner’s pistol and put it away.

“If I had told you in advance, you would have waited outside.”

That’s right. I won’t show my name and face in this kind of thing.

“Was it really something you had to do to earn my displeasure? You are truly loyal, Ilay Kartika. What, your nickname is Fox? That’s a noble way of saying mean.”

“Your criticism is sweet, but don’t be too sarcastic. I want to keep holding hands with you. I need a tribute to blind the Emperor. And… … .”

Illei opened his eyes slightly. He had pulled his muffler up to his nose, completely covering his lower face. His already difficult-to-read emotional signals were even fainter.

Kiing.

Only the blue light flows coldly.

“and?”

“… … I wanted to show you clearly who I am now. I have done more disgusting things than this. If you cannot accept the changed me, our alliance will end here. I have no intention of wasting my emotions with you by arguing over things like this, and I am already worn out and uninspired. I have only one choice for you. Get used to my stench, Luca.”

Ilay spoke dryly. There seemed to be no sadness, anger, or hatred. It seemed as if he was just listing objective facts in a calm manner.

“12 years is a long time.”

I pulled up a chair and sat down.

“I would like to take care of the prince who has been sleeping for 12 years, but I don’t have the time.”

Illei took out the Accrecia Empire flag and unfolded it.

Swish.

The Imperial flag sank, covering the bodies of the former guardsmen.

We talked with the body of the former guard beside us.

“I guess there’s quite a bit of desertion within the Royal Guard? It seems like there isn’t any to the outside world.”

“There were many situations that I couldn’t understand. The Empire’s external announcements, as you know, always pretend to be innocent.”

I glanced at the corpse covered with the imperial flag.

“If you use the skills and experience of the Royal Guard, you can be treated well anywhere. However, this man is a patriot who lives in seclusion and lives in poverty. He left behind everything he received from the Empire.”

The only problem was that I was not loyal to the royal family. Unsettling thoughts were floating around in my head.

“It would be okay if all deserters were like this. But there are bad precedents.”

I didn’t ask about bad precedents. There are more important stories to tell.

Words about Mushir al-Kashra were on our lips.

“… … It’s a Legion-level full-armor body. Even the brain isn’t in the head, but in a box on the back.”

Illei showed a slight look of surprise when I told her that I had subdued a Legion-level armored body.

“Do you know how he controls the armored body?”

Even with the Empire’s technological prowess, the Legion is a difficult object to handle.

“Well, I’m not a technician.”

I had a hunch, but I swallowed my words.

The route to Kinouan was temporarily cut off due to the escape of Mushir al-Kashra.

‘… … but Mushir al-Kashra will definitely come back to me.’

This is a premonition that borders on certainty. He has come to me for some purpose. He will appear again soon.

“Luka, the CEO of G&G Cybernetics… … So Gilda will be visiting Border City. I’ve set aside Gilda’s schedule, so go and see her. I think you can do it.”

I held back a roll of my eyes. Gilda knew Giselle’s twelve years better than anyone else.

“Then Border City?”

“It seems like they’re planning to use Border City as a base to enter the Bellato business. The Empire’s domestic market has stopped growing. It seems like going solo is difficult these days, so they’re planning to do it in the form of a joint venture. I’ve also included a joint venture candidate.”

Ilay handed me a piece of paper. I folded it and took it with me.

We finished talking about the rest of the issues.

“… …Luka, your activities have caught the attention of Border City. That means you don’t have much time left to be active. About two or three months. If you don’t find Kinuan by then, then you should go into hiding.”

It was advice that objectively assessed the current situation. You’re still great, Ilay.

“I know.”

I stood up from my seat and stood next to the doorway.

Swish.

Before leaving, Illei sprinkled oil over the Imperial flag.

Click.

Ilay’s lighter fell to the floor. The fire spread quickly.

We went outside and scattered into different alleys as if we were running away from the heat.

I just turned my head and looked in the direction Ilay had walked for a moment.

OMG.

Illeido was looking at me too. Only the blue light in her eyes was floating like a will-o’-the-wisp.

The guy’s eyes blinked and disappeared.

I turned around and headed towards Japa’s office building.

‘Reviewing Gilda’s visit schedule… … .’

Thoughts of Giselle filled my mind. Her smile, her laughter, her breath were more beautiful than any woman I had ever known.

… … It’s hard to concentrate. As the memories shine, my anxiety grows. I hope her 12 years aren’t as far away as Ilay’s.

As I got closer to Japa’s office building, the crowd grew larger. I mingled with the crowd and stared at the office building in the distance.

Towering.

I stopped walking. Action and reaction came before cognition. Aquis Victima grabbed me.

My pupils stopped in the crowd.

Among the surging waves of people, one man stood like a rock.

Swish.

My senses blocked out all unnecessary information. My perception was focused on one point.

… … The world is quiet.

I’m looking at just one man as if we’re the only two in this world.

When emotions reach their peak, sometimes what happens is not passion but a void.

I can’t understand everything.

‘Kinuan.’

Kinuan looked at me and bowed his head slightly. It was a greeting as if he was meeting an old acquaintance.

… … That action was so natural. I nodded my head in response without realizing it.