Bad Born Blood Chapter 256

256
The guards in my memory were brilliant. In particular, the associates and executives of Heilas were superhumans who were difficult to approach.

Such a superhuman stood before me in a shabby manner. The deserted guard looked like he hadn’t been properly groomed in a long time.

Traces of rough, makeshift repairs were visible on the limbs, and there was virtually no artificial skin except for the face.

‘What a mess… … .’

On the other hand, the durability and reliability were surprisingly good. Even in a situation where it had not been maintained, the body functioned well enough to compete with me for a while.

“I don’t know if you remember, but I’ve seen your face a few times.”

“I vaguely remember that too. You were often by the captain’s side.”

“I used to operate from the northern part of the Empire. That’s why I never stayed in Akbaran for long. I’m glad you remember me. My name is Rante… … . Yes, just call me Rante.”

The name behind it seemed to have been discarded.

“I heard that some of the former guardsmen have defected to the Federation. But you look like a fugitive, not a defector.”

This may sound a bit rude. But I don’t intend to beat around the bush. I don’t think Rante would want that either.

“Those who have defected are lowly in the guard. The federal government is no pushover either. From the moment they defect, they are under surveillance for life. They cannot act freely. As you already know, that is.”

I pretended to be expressionless. But my mind was racing wildly, and I was trying to piece together the current situation and deduce cause and effect.

I opened my mouth while touching my chin.

“Hmm, the exiled guard is working as an intelligence gatherer within the federal government. I’m sure you’ve heard about me from them, too.”

A light shone from the edges of Lanté’s pupils. He smiled faintly.

“As rumored, you are incredibly smart. That must be why the captain accepted you as his adopted son. As you thought, many of the old guard members are intertwined with an underground organization.”

Because of this, people like Ilay went around looking for former guardsmen and killing them.

‘That means… …these are forces that rebelled against the Empire, or more precisely, against the royal family.’

They are very unpleasant beings to the emperor.

“Why did you come to see me?”

“You already know my purpose… … .”

Lanté looked at the street beyond the alley for a moment. People were walking around. Some of them were about to enter the alley we were in but turned back. It must have been because of the ominous atmosphere Lanté and I were giving off.

Langte, who had been looking at the street, slowly opened his mouth.

“… … We need a focal point. The right person has appeared at just the right time. The symbolic boy has grown into an outstanding man.”

“Do you want to overthrow the emperor and establish a republic?”

I spoke coldly, as if on guard.

“No, we want to return the empire to its rightful heir. His Majesty Francis is imprisoned, but he still lives.”

I almost laughed. If things go their way, the Empire will become a republic.

According to Ilay, Ilay and Francek are preparing a republic.

‘… … If it were the Francis I know, he would transfer his power and turn the system into a republic.’

I keep thinking back to my days in the Empire. The tangled plans and people. The intricate schemes and plots that made it impossible to tell who was being used by whom. The daggers of malice that were so chilling that they almost made my heart shiver.

‘The empire still remains.’

I let a smile creep across my lips.

“Your Majesty has been incarcerated for a long time. He may not be in a state of mind to ascend to the throne.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m checking on His Majesty’s condition periodically.”

It seemed that even within the empire, there were people who were influenced by Rante.

Langte briefly explained the situation.

Currently, there is an organization centered around deserted guardsmen. It has the grand name of ‘Sword of the Empire’. Their goal is to oust the current emperor Ivan Kratia and put Francis, the rightful heir, on the throne.

The Imperial Sword was not a large force, but it was mostly composed of elite guards. It seemed to take advantage of this strength to operate not only in the Empire and the Federation, but also throughout the planet Novas.

‘I think I’m a good focal point. From their perspective, I’m someone they don’t want to lose.’

I am the adopted son of the captain of the guard, and was a cadet whom Francesque kept by his side. If I were to step forward, I would be able to increase my power at a critical moment.

“If you join us… … even the brothers who viewed our actions negatively will move.”

Here, brothers are probably referring to the guards who maintain neutrality.

“It’s not an easy decision to make, so I’ll think about it for a while.”

“I hope that thought doesn’t take too long. This one is desperate too. Very desperate.”

Lantega emphasized the last words. He walked backwards down the alley, put on his hood, and blended in with the crowd. His presence faded away and disappeared.

“… … That’s funny.”

Something is coming again.

* * *

Today was the day of regular contact with Ilay Kartika.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen you since the assassination attempt.’

I conveyed to Ivan my intention to return to Archie’s Dominion through Ilay.

Ilay will bring you the answer.

Thud, thud.

I took out my terminal and checked the encrypted message to confirm the meeting place. No matter how many times I looked at it, it was the right place.

“hmm.”

I frowned at the colorful lights. Beyond the translucent glass windows, women and men were dancing flirtatiously.

‘Red-light district.’

This was a red-light district. pros**tutes were walking around naked to the point of embarrassment.

As expected from Border City, the races were diverse, and there were many people who joined hands with those who were not of the same race.

As I entered the red-light district, I was met with numerous solicitations. Some even swore at me on the back of my neck.

Sssss.

I felt my senses going numb. A lot of thoughts were already running through my head.

The meeting place this time is a red-light district. It wasn’t a place Illei would choose.

Click.

I went into the designated store.

A man with dozens of flashing light piercings on his face glanced at me.

The man greeted me with a friendly smile and tone of voice, unlike his fierce piercing.

“Ah, the person who made the reservation… is Mr. Heilas?”

The reservation name is also in really bad taste.

I nodded. The man walked down the hallway first and guided me to the room.

“I’m the new girl here. You managed to make a reservation as the first customer. Well, I hope you have a good time.”

The man stepped back, opening the door. I stepped inside, taking in everything with my senses.

‘Just one person.’

There was only one person in the room. There was no other noise. At least, that was what I could sense.

Squeak, thud.

The door was closed. Red indirect lighting was on in the dark interior.

There was a person sitting on the bed, naked, with his legs crossed, looking at me.

Her purple hair stretched down to her spine. At first glance, she had an androgynous appearance that made it hard to tell if she was male or female.

OMG.

As the body began to move, the waist became more concave and the chest protruded more voluptuously. It was a very elaborate and expensive transformable body.

“Hello, Luca.”

A sweet voice rang out.

“It’s been a long time, Your Majesty.”

I knelt down on one knee and bowed.

Ivan Kratsya came here to see me. He was currently wearing a body that looked a couple of years older than his boyhood.

‘He wears the body of a dignified young man at official functions, but the body that matches Ivan’s true spirit is his current appearance.’

Ivan tapped his toes and sighed.

“Stop using formal titles. I told you to call me Ivan. Have you already forgotten?”

I raised my head slightly.

Ivan looked down at me with his eyes filled with a variety of colors.

‘It reacts quickly and is very natural, but it’s probably a remote-controlled body. It doesn’t have a brain in it.’

The Emperor is at the top of the empire, and Ivan is also wearing all sorts of new technologies. He must be using technologies that are beyond my understanding.

“Haha, you’re watching me, Luca. You’re so funny.”

Ivan stood up. His sleek naked body took the form of a woman.

Kiing.

Ivan walked out beyond the partition. He had suddenly taken on the appearance of a neutral boy. It was a change that seemed to be a change of clothes.

“You must have received my message through Ilay.”

I spoke without waiting for Ivan to speak. It was an unimaginable rudeness in the Empire.

“I didn’t know you would volunteer to return to Aki’s Domini. I was really surprised! I couldn’t sleep that night because my heart was pounding!”

Even though he is a full-body prosthesis that can control even his physiological processes as he wishes… … he is good at saying things like that.

Ivan greeted me warmly as if I had met an old friend.

I completely hid my emotional signals. The other person is the head of the empire. He is someone who can extract countless pieces of information from even the smallest thing.

‘Like a machine, not a human.’

I stood up and faced Ivan with a very dry demeanor.

“Huh, but you and I aren’t stupid, right? Luca’s return to Aki’s Domini is like poison to me. It’s like having someone who hates me as my confidant.”

“But Ivan would gladly swallow that poison. You have a poison even more evil than mine.”

“That’s why it’s fun. You’re always challenging and creative. The exile from the Empire to the Federation is actually Aquis Domini, the Emperor’s servant and double agent… … There’s no way I wouldn’t enjoy something this fun. It’s so tempting.”

Ivan licked his lips with his tongue. Then he put his finger to his lips and smiled mischievously.

“I’m excited to play games with you again.”

“This is not a game, Ivan.”

I frowned in contempt.

“No, it’s a game. I know better now that I’m up here. We’re all playing a game.”

I focused on Ivan’s words. There might be some clues among the seemingly meaningless words.

“My purpose is… … .”

“You’re looking for Giselle Custeria? Do you believe she’s alive? Haha, how naive.”

Don’t be shaken, Luca.

It’s just a provocation. If Ivan knew Giselle’s whereabouts, he would have offered it as a bargaining chip long ago. Even if it was the terrible truth, Giselle’s death.

I closed my eyes and opened them.

“Whatever you think, right now I just want to get out of the precarious situation. It would be safer for me to be a spy for the Empire in the Federation than in the Empire where you are the Emperor.”

It’s funny, but it’s true. In the Empire, especially in Akbaran, I would be defeated and unable to stand up to Ivan.

However, in the Federation’s border city, Ivan cannot exert his influence openly.

“Luka, don’t you think I’m weird right now? How can I react so well and act so naturally? Could it be that I’m not moving my body remotely? Could it be that there’s a brain inside this thing? If so, wouldn’t this be a golden opportunity?”

Ivan danced naked. The curves of the boy’s limbs were… … a bit awkward to describe, but they were quite beautiful.

“Let’s dance together, Luca. Do you like human women?”

Ivan approached me and took on the body of a woman. He grabbed my arm and moved.

I don’t want to dance with him either. There’s something I want to find out.

‘If it’s just dancing, you can move as you’ve pre-programmed.’

However, dancing with me requires real-time coordination of movements. Can such delicate movements be accomplished through remote control? Does the royal family have that level of technology? Since it is remote, wouldn’t the prosthesis collapse if the data is cut off?

All kinds of thoughts were filling my mind.

“Let’s enjoy this moment.”

Ivan whispered in my ear. His voice was sweet. This must also be an Imperial technique.