Bad Born Blood Chapter 223

223
“Do you know how horrible it is for me to collaborate with a handicraft manufacturer?”

Lapis Lazuli, who was on a business trip to the handicraft industry, spoke while fixing my body.

“I said I was sorry. I said it three times already. You’re the only person in the world who’s ever heard me say sorry three times.”

I sat down on the examination chair and took off my shabby coat and shirt, revealing my upper body covered in pain relief patches.

Lapis and I were renting a workshop for a handicraft shop. This workshop was a mess, covered in grease, iron filings, and small parts that we didn’t know where they were used, as if it hadn’t been cleaned regularly.

“This is something that three times isn’t enough. It needs to be done five times, or ten times.”

Lapis put down the mechanical toolbox on her back. For some reason, she was reminded of Mushir Al-Kashra’s metal box.

Wheezing, thud. thud.

Lapis’ toolbox burst open on all sides as soon as it hit the floor.

Inside Lapis’ box, special tools were hanging in a row, and in the center, an artificial intelligence mechanical arm with a lens rose up.

Lapis skillfully reorganized my body with the help of her artificial intelligence arm.

Woohoo.

Broken parts were replaced, and damaged casings were reinforced with metal inserts and patches. The sound of scraping and grinding metal to align the steps was loud.

The newly added area was blotchy, as if it were a different skin color.

“I really didn’t know that they would work the Lazuli 21 so hard that it would be destroyed like this. A body of this standard would be rare even in the entire Novas. But then again, it was an opponent.”

Lapis knew that my opponent was Mushir Al-Kashra. She was a tight-lipped girl, so she wouldn’t gossip about it in the neighborhood.

‘But even if it’s not through the mouths of those around me, word will gradually spread.’

This time there were many witnesses. Word of the man who took down Mushir Al-Kashra will spread throughout Border City. My name will be mentioned soon.

‘I don’t have much time.’

It was only a matter of time before the Empire, or more precisely Emperor Ivan Kratia, learned of my whereabouts.

‘Before that, I must find a way to protect myself from the Empire.’

Boss Japha couldn’t protect me. It’s not that he didn’t have the will, he just didn’t have the ability.

‘Even if Jafar is excellent, in the end he is just a businessman.’

The imperial family is the ruling family that rules the empire. The only thing that can check the power of a state is a country of the same level.

“How was Mushir Al-Kashra? You got to see for yourself the reality of a legend that was only rumored about.”

I thought about how much I should say.

‘I’m ruling out the idea that there are multiple brains, because that’s just a guess. And even if it were true, I’d rather keep that information to myself.’

I looked at the metallic vapor rising from my arm and sorted out my thoughts.

“You’ll find out if you examine the wreckage. It was surprising that it wasn’t an exoskeleton, but a full-body prosthesis.”

“In the Empire, a heavy-duty combat vehicle of that level is called a full-armored vehicle, right? And the name of that top-of-the-line model is… … .”

Lapis fumbled for the name, as if she couldn’t remember it clearly.

“Legion.”

I answered instead. It felt bitter to say those words.

“Oh, that’s right. Legion, Legion. I’ve never seen it myself. Well, unless there’s a war, there’s nothing to see. It’s a tactical weapon managed by the state.”

“It’s better not to see it. It’s a terrible situation for a foreigner to encounter the Legion.”

“But as an engineer, I’m curious. It’s the pinnacle of cybernetic engineering that the Empire has built up on its own.”

I closed my lips. There was no need to mention the darkness of the Legion, nor did I want to.

Lapis glanced at me and changed the subject.

“… …What did you talk about with the handicraft industry?”

I felt out of place. It wasn’t a question Lapis should be asking. Boss Jafar doesn’t know the details of the negotiations between me and Handicraft.

“Did Jafar ask you to find out the details of the deal? What a shallow trick.”

“No, that’s not it. I’m just curious. Luca, you don’t know anything about handicrafts.”

I squinted my eyes. Lapis genuinely hated and was wary of handicrafts.

“I know that there is a force that can keep Jaffa in check. And if you know anything more about handicrafts, just teach me, Lapis ‘Big Sister’.”

Lapis burst out laughing at my words. She laughed so hard she almost lost her breath before finally opening her mouth.

“I don’t think there’s any need to explain it since you’ll find out soon. Anyway, En was very angry at you for betraying Jafar, but I don’t think it was a betrayal. I think Jafar thinks so too.”

“We renegotiate on equal footing. Jafar will not protect me at the risk of his own destruction. I am not a mercenary who protects my employer in the first place. I was hired simply to find people. Unlike the Equsian mercenaries, I have no reason to risk my life and be loyal to Jafar. I am sure Jafar understands this well.”

“That’s right. It’s a wise decision to have multiple options. However, I think that in the end, Luca will work for Jafar Corporation, not Handicraft.”

I twisted one lip.

“That’s just nonsense. I’m going to get some sleep, so I’ll leave the rest of the maintenance to you.”

I closed my eyes as I looked at Lapis’ smile. I could probably sleep for at least an hour or two.

Finally, a proper rest. I’m so touched. If I may exaggerate, I think I’ll cry.

… … Let’s look back on this schedule. It was long and arduous.

‘Deus ex machina and jingau.’

‘Gaya’s Hospital and Gabriel.’

‘Drinking with Anguish Regina.’

‘The house where the Jafar family lived.’

‘And the assault on Mushir al-Kashra.’

‘Handcrafts and hand-made stonework.’

To this extent, you can be proud. You have accomplished a superhuman schedule.

There was no boss here to praise me. I was the only one who knew what I had been through.

‘I don’t need anyone’s approval. These were things I needed to do.’

The time of silence passed.

I opened my eyes quietly. Judging from my light eyelids, I must have slept soundly. Two hours had passed.

Lapis seemed to have finished her maintenance a long time ago. She was sitting in her chair playing with her terminal, and her toolbox was neatly folded.

“I didn’t wake you up because you were sleeping soundly.”

Lapis noticed my presence and said.

I got up from my seat and put on my clothes.

“Anyway, I’m sorry for making you come all the way on a business trip and for giving you such an inconvenient task, Lapis.”

“Well, there’s no need to apologize like that. It wasn’t something I wasn’t interested in either.”

I opened the door to the maintenance room. At the entrance, two Equusian mercenaries stood guard over Lapis. I could sense their hostility through their battle helmets.

“Then let’s go now. Thank you for the maintenance.”

I looked back at Lapis and nodded.

“… …Luka also had a hard time in many ways.”

I’ve heard from people that I’ve had a hard time. It doesn’t feel so bad.

* * *

Inside the factory, people were busy moving the body of Mushir al-Kashra.

The craftsmen of the handicraft shop were collecting every single piece that had fallen from Kashura’s body.

Thud, thud.

I walked over to Son Seok-jae at the factory. He opened his eyes wide, finally noticing my presence.

“Oh, you’re here. Did the maintenance go well?”

“Great. The dedicated mechanic is very skilled.”

I raised my hand and gently folded and unfolded my fingers, saying:

“If we had an expert on our side, we wouldn’t have entrusted your maintenance to an alien.”

“Even if it existed, it would have been serviced by Lapis.”

“You trust aliens.”

“I trust Lapis, not the aliens. I don’t judge by race, I judge by people.”

Son Seok-jae laughed lightly. As if he was saying that I was young.

“Each race has its own innate nature and characteristics. Even if they are of the same race, if they are even slightly different, they often do not understand each other and hate each other. Just like the three nations of the planet Novas. If the races are different, they will not understand the differences and the conflict will only grow. It is an illusion to think that you can understand the differences and become closer.”

“It seems like you were betrayed by aliens a long time ago. There’s no need to instill your trauma in me.”

“I was just saying what I thought.”

Son Seok-jae walked first as if he had no intention of causing conflict.

I followed Son Seok-jae and toured the factory.

There was no facility for mass production here. There were only small-scale custom-made facilities. It was more like an industrial plant or workshop than a factory.

“Remember well the deal you made with me.”

I said it as a warning. Son Seok-jae and I finished negotiating.

“Of course. Your violence is superior to that of all our company’s combatants combined. I have no intention of deceiving an opponent who could easily turn this place into a wasteland.”

Son Seok-jae stopped walking. He saw a warehouse with numerous prototypes.

Various forms of bipedal weapons were spread out, consisting of only a skeleton and light armor.

It felt like something between a bipedal robot and an armored vehicle. And… … .

‘… … It seems like a legion.’

Of course, it wasn’t the Legion. It was much bigger than that… … and above all, it was a ‘boarding type’.

“We are trying to meet the standards of the weapons that the Federation requires. It is called the Mechanical Armor Unit. It is still a tentative name, but it is often abbreviated as MAU.”

“Is this a weapon that can counter the Empire’s armored body?”

Son Seok-jae looked excited at my words. At this time, he showed the appearance of an engineer.

“The Federation wants a weapon that not only matches the tactical value of the Legion, but also overpowers it. That’s one of their core demands.”

I found it funny the moment I heard it. I wanted to laugh.

“Hmm, do you think that would be possible?”

“If successful, it will become a key military industry for the Federation. And weapons development will be much faster and more intense than you think. There are war clouds gathering over the planet Novas.”

I have often heard that war is not far away.

Those with great insight were predicting and preparing for the future of war, let alone the rulers and those in power.

“You think it’s impossible for something to surpass the Legion.”

“Honestly, yes. I’ve seen it myself.”

“If a nation’s capabilities are concentrated in the military industry… … the speed of its development is beyond imagination. History proves this. If the Federation develops a weapon that surpasses the Legion, the Empire will quickly develop a corresponding weapon within a few years. If there is a strong justification for the survival of the nation, all minor issues can be ignored.”

… … I was also persuaded to some extent.

The weapons development expert is not me, but Son Seok-jae. I tend to respect experts, and what Son Seok-jae said made sense.

The planet Novas was balanced between three equal nations. This meant that the Bellato Federation possessed technology and military power no less than the Empire.

“The Federation also wants charisma on the battlefield. A symbolic and powerful being like the Legion of the Empire or the Paladin of the Holy Nation. They change the mood of the battlefield just by appearing. Weapons that can make enemies despair and nightmares, and boost the morale of allies and instill hope are worth more than just performance and firepower.”

That’s exactly right. The Legion was like that too. They even added the background and reputation of being the Royal Guard.

If the Legion appears as an enemy, you will be discouraged and defeated before even fighting. On the other hand, if it is an ally, you will feel like you have won before even fighting.

On the battlefield, the Legion was worth more than its specs suggest.

“I am just the president of a small factory now, but I want to change the world.”

Son Seok-jae gazed at each prototype robot weapon with hazy eyes, sometimes even touching its outer shell.

“Changing the world through weapons development doesn’t seem like a very bright future.”

Son Seok-jae laughed heartily.

“If a person is born and thrown into this universe, shouldn’t he be someone who creates the flow rather than being swept away by the waves of the times? Whether this world burns or not. I don’t want to live in this world as an other-oriented being.”

It was an idea as dangerous as it was wonderful.

“You are an egoist.”

I said absentmindedly, letting all my thoughts settle inside me.