Bad Born Blood Chapter 231

231
I watched the MAU test machine in action next to Son Seok-jae.

In addition to Sonsoo Industries, many other companies are involved in the development of military MAUs. According to Son Seok-jae, if they succeed in winning the contract and take charge of mass production, they can immediately become a key military enterprise in the Federation.

‘Bellato can receive huge financial support from the federal government.’

The scale of that enormous sum of money seemed beyond my imagination.

“The items selected for this project will be weapons that symbolize the Federation. The economic feasibility required for mass production can also be ignored to some extent.”

Son Seok-jae muttered next to me.

The same was true for the Legion. In terms of sheer performance, the Legion was an inefficient weapon. The cost of mass-producing the Royal Guard was also enormous, and mass-producing armored vehicles like the Mirmidon was more effective in increasing military power than the Legion.

But war and battle are driven by invisible forces, and those forces are created and guided by symbols like the Legion.

“As soon as the pilot changed, the aircraft’s movements changed completely. It was so different that I would have believed it was a different aircraft.”

I looked at the tester quietly.

Woof! Kiik!

The accelerating test machine skidded to the ground, applied the brakes, and changed direction.

‘The pilot of the test machine is Yanaka, Boyan’s friend.’

I saw the screen that Son Seok-jae was monitoring. Her name was Yanaka Bondred.

“Because it’s a plane that meets the strict requirements of the federal government. It’s optimized for official pilots. No one else can move like that.”

Yanaka’s test machine moved like a human, hiding behind a building. Compared to Legion, its movements were slow, but considering MAU’s size, its movements were quite organic.

Kilik, slap.

The tester took out his gun and fired. The target exploded. It was called a ‘gun’, but it was more like a ‘cannon’.

Kwa- Ang!

There was an explosion. Acrid smoke rose from the shattered target.

‘If only it were made properly… … .’

I had a feeling that it might become the weapon representing the Federation.

Kiririck, Kiririck!

There was an inappropriate noise coming from the test plane. The aircraft was not keeping up with the pilot’s movements. It was lowering its attitude while rotating in place.

“This needs some improvement, haha.”

Son Seok-jae went to the Vice Minister of Research and smiled cheerfully. The Vice Minister’s expression wasn’t too bad either.

“It’s the most advanced among the companies so far. This is the first time it has passed the 3rd stage of operation. The report was true.”

The vice minister said this while watching the test machine in action. The atmosphere between him and Son Seok-jae seemed quite good.

I eavesdropped on their conversation from a distance, through the movements of their lips and faint sounds of their voices.

“The author said… … .”

“Yes, he is the one responsible for the defeat of Mushir al-Kashra. He is from the Empire.”

The vice minister and Son Seok-jae whispered to me while looking at me.

“Your name is… … Lou, Lou… … ?”

“His name is Luca. I don’t know anything more about him. He’s currently working under General Jafar.”

“Oh, that Jaffa Burger… … . There’s a branch in Bellato City too. It’s delicious.”

Son Seok-jae was introducing me to the vice minister.

Meanwhile, the test machine was performing other operations. Researchers from the Strategic Weapons Research Division were watching the situation with interest.

“Handcrafts were originally evaluated as top-tier, but… … right now they’re way ahead.”

The researchers’ evaluation was also favorable.

The data accumulated on Mushir al-Kashra’s body was quite useful. It saved years of trial and error in one fell swoop.

‘It means that handicrafts are years ahead of their competitors.’

Of course, this is assuming there is no technology leak.

‘Even if the technology is excellent, if the manager is inexperienced, it is very likely that only the core technology will be torn apart and left in tatters.’

Even the Strategic Weapons Research Division under the Federation was a plunderer. They would steal the technology and throw it away if there was even the slightest opening in the handicraft industry.

‘Entrepreneurs need a wickedly cunning mind.’

The successful entrepreneurs I’ve seen have been like that. Even Japa and Son Seok-jae had a sly side.

‘It must have been the same for Gilda and Giselle. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you can’t remain a pure engineer.’

Soon I will face Gilda, who has been an entrepreneur for 12 years. I was honestly afraid of Gilda’s transformation, more than I was of facing an enemy with a slim chance of winning.

Thud, thud.

The vice minister was walking toward me with Son Seok-jae. Although the test machine had not yet been completed, he seemed to have decided that there was nothing more to see. For now, Sonsoo Industry was enjoying the status of technological leader.

“I am Ismael Ra from the Strategic Weapons Research Division, a new department. I am an undersecretary, though I am not qualified to do so.”

He was a polite bureaucrat. He wore glasses and handed me his business card, a time-honored custom.

The name was not the end of Ishmael Ra. The difficult to remember real name was written long and flowing.

I felt a strange sense of foreboding from Ishmael.

‘Nicolaus Custoria.’

A feeling of a long-dead stepbrother flowed from Ishmael.

Ishmael also had a thin figure and an intelligent appearance. The wrinkles on his lips that seemed to indicate middle age seemed to show both experience and youth.

“This is Luca.”

I received the business card and handshake in a casual manner. There was no fuss or fuss.

It’s not like I treat everyone like a spoiled brat. It’s just that in Border City, there are few people who have met me in a sane state.

“I would like to thank the federal government for stopping the Al-Qashra riots. They have been a headache here too. They will not be able to run wild for a while.”

It was a polite remark. I got straight to the point.

“You must have heard that I requested a private interview.”

“If it’s alone, then you’re saying that you’re also excluding CEO Son Seok-jae from the position?”

I nodded.

Son Seok-jae, who had been listening to our conversation, also took in the atmosphere and stepped back without hesitation.

Ishmael and I walked a little further, keeping our distance from the open space where the test machine was in full operation.

“I don’t know what level of high-ranking federal official Mr. Luca wants… … but I would probably be in the top five of Representative Son Seok-jae’s line.”

This was the condition I presented to Son Seok-jae. He would build a bridge with the high-ranking officials of the Federation.

‘That’s something Jafar would never do.’

Japha doesn’t want me to be independent. He only wants me to operate under his support.

However, I cannot guarantee safety with only Japha’s sponsorship and support.

I felt my head spinning. I was getting dizzy.

You have to answer well, Luca.

I encouraged myself. I had to take out all the pieces of information and knowledge I had acquired so far and create the best picture.

“… … There must be several exiles from the Imperial Guard in the Federation.”

I tried to create a good picture while thinking of Ilay’s words.

Since the Storm, there have been desertions and departures from the Imperial Guard. Some have quietly gone into hiding, while others are active in foreign countries, with enemies.

In the extended government, it would not be strange if there were traitors from the royal guard… … Yes, to put it bluntly, there would certainly be a few.

“I can’t give you a definitive answer to that.”

The list of exiles from the Guard will likely be confidential.

“If there are any of my ‘seniors’ over there, they will know my name… … .”

I dragged my words. My heart beats uncomfortably. It feels like my chest is rotting away black from the guilt of great sin.

My throat was scratchy. I felt queasy and had goosebumps before I could even speak.

No matter what, I am a citizen of the empire. What I am about to say is ignoring my background.

It must be done. It is necessary.

It’s choking me. The pride and identity of the imperial people are choking my throat.

This is a useless stubbornness, a wedge driven into me by the brainwashing of the Empire. Now is the time to pull out the wedge in my head and think freely.

Ishmael waited patiently for me to speak. I swallowed my saliva as if I was swallowing a thorn stuck in my throat and continued speaking.

“… …Lukaus Custoria formally requests asylum from the Bellato Federal Government.”

At first, Ishmael didn’t know who I was. He activated the terminal and linked it to the glasses he was wearing. It seemed like he was trying to access detailed information.

Soon Ishmael’s pupils dilated.

* * *

The test machine has finished operating. And the conversation between Ishmael and me has also ended.

“… … Okay, Mr. Luca. I will contact you as soon as I have reviewed it.”

Ishmael couldn’t give a definitive answer right away. It was understandable. He would have to find out more about me.

‘If there are any exiled guards within the Bellato Federation… … there is a high possibility that they will make favorable remarks toward me.’

Ishmael and I shook hands and walked away from each other.

‘I’ve done everything I can here.’

I am a man with important information. The Bellato Federation will not send me to the Empire.

‘As a bonus, he’ll try to protect me from Ivan Kratsia’s hands.’

But in other words, it means that you cannot return to the Empire. You are voluntarily walking into another prison called Bellato.

‘We must finish the remaining work before the request for asylum is formally accepted.’

Son Seok-jae was waiting for me from a distance, smoking a cigar.

“Did you finish the story well?”

“Thanks to you.”

I reduced the exposure of information by giving short answers.

“If I ask you what you were talking about, you won’t answer, right?”

“You know it well. You’ve got something to say anyway. If you’re curious, don’t just ask, just tell me.”

I stared at Son Seok-jae quietly.

“You must have applied for asylum. Perhaps you are from the Empire… … .”

“Okay, that’s it.”

I cut off Son Seok-jae’s words. I had vaguely expected it too.

Son Seok-jae was too kind to me. He was not so much oppressed by my personal powerlessness.

‘Since when did Seokjae Son know who I was?’

Twelve years ago, I had a brief moment of fame in the Empire. If you investigate, you will find that I have connections not only to many of the Empire’s nobles, but also to the royal family.

‘What businessmen and politicians value is not individual power. No matter how great an individual may be, he will never be able to defeat the military. What matters is influence.’

Even I don’t know if I am still an influential figure among the imperial subjects, but I am not someone who can be easily ignored.

My real utility is not ‘violence’.

My value to Jafar was ‘the intuition and reasoning ability to track down Kinuan’, and to people like Son Seok-jae and Ishmael, ‘someone who has gained fame and influence in the empire’.

Let everyone use me. I just quietly watch the balance of the scales. The last thing I do is get on board.

I am not a force or a group. I am just one person.

‘All I can do is… … when the sharp balance between the forces is parallel, I can upset the balance by adding one more weight in my favor.’

We still have to wait for the balance to become tight. Whenever this happens, I think of Kinuan.

I learned a lot from Kinuan, really.

Squeak.

I went into the bathroom to relax. In fact, I felt like I was going to get a nosebleed.

Swish.

I turned on the water in the sink and squeezed my nose as if I was squeezing it. Blood flowed down my philtrum.

‘Your eyes are a little bloodshot. Anyone with a keen eye would have noticed that I’m not feeling well.’

I was broken. I don’t know if it was because of the events I had encountered in Border City or because Lazarus’ treatment wasn’t perfect.

Squeak.

The bathroom door opened. I looked in the mirror and moved my mouth.

“This is the men’s restroom.”

“I haven’t gone in yet.”

Yanaka was standing at the entrance to the bathroom. She was quite exhausted from operating the test machine. Her hair was soaked with sweat.

“What’s your business?”

“Boyan is strange. He hasn’t been attending our meetings for a while now. He’s supposedly a guardian, so he must know something, right?”

Yanaka came because of Boyan.

“Of course. I’m taking my medicine at the hospital normally.”

“Do you think that taking some medicine at the hospital will solve the problem? If the crawler problem was solved that easily, the conflict between species would have disappeared long ago.”

I’m tired. I wanted to stop for today. But let’s continue listening to Yanaka.

“If you’re worried, go and see me. The school is closed.”

“As you can see, I’m busy with my pilot duties. I don’t have time to go to school these days. Pay attention to Boyan, Daddy-Long-Legs.”

Yanaka waited for my answer with the door open.

“If you’re done talking, then get out. No, go away, kid.”

I mustered up my patience and spoke the last words gently.

Yanaka is one of the few people who cares about Boyan. There’s no reason to treat him as an enemy.

‘Boyan.’

To be honest, it was too difficult to even care about Boyan in the current situation.

Ragnata’s words come to mind. You have to choose and focus, and if you have to let go of someone… … .

I closed my eyes. Many thoughts came to my mind.

Crack.

The sink I was holding broke because of the strength of the prosthetic hand. What the heck.