Bad Born Blood Chapter 259

259
There is an old saying, “A stone that has a hole in it is like a tosagupeng.”

The saying meant that a dog that has finished hunting is eaten. That meaning is still valid today, so I guess the saying is still alive.

‘No matter what anyone says, I’m still a hunting dog.’

Tracking and biting. What I do now isn’t much different from what I did then.

‘When the hunt is over… … .’

I looked up. The sky was bright even at night because of the light pollution from Border City. Pillars of light passed by, illuminating the clouds.

‘… … the dog gets eaten.’

To interpret it differently, it means that while ‘hunting’, you do not eat ‘dogs’.

Maybe it would be safer for me to chase after Kinuan.

‘I am the only one who can properly chase after Kinuan.’

There are many who seek out Kinuan. They must treat me with great magnificence because of the prey that is Kinuan.

It was funny. My value increased as much as the evil and absurdity that Kinuan committed.

I even feel like Kinuan is protecting me.

“haha.”

I walked through Border City with a cold, empty laugh.

Woohoo.

I arrived at a rare airfield in Border City, a common airfield in Imperial Akbaran.

At the airfield was Ishmael’s personal aerial vehicle that had summoned me.

Wheeing.

The door of the six-seater aerial vehicle opened upwards at an angle. Inside the neat interior, Ishmael was sitting.

Bow.

I nodded and went inside, and Ishmael responded.

Looking at the driver’s seat, I saw that it was operating unmanned.

“The destination is Son Seok-jae’s house.”

-Okay. The destination is Son Seok-jae’s house.

A mechanical voice answered Ishmael’s instructions.

We were heading to Son Seok-jae’s house. Ishmael looked at me and opened his mouth.

“Thank you for accepting my request to accompany you, Mr. Luca.”

“The Vice Minister also accepted my request for a special lecture. If something comes, something must go. I like fair relationships.”

Ishmael called me to dinner with Son Seok-jae. His intentions were still unclear, and Ishmael did not tell me.

‘Don’t ask first what the other person hasn’t said.’

I recalled the adage about dealing with superiors. If it were another person, I would have asked questions appropriately, but Ishmael is not the type to skip explaining things. There is a reason why he didn’t say anything.

The air vehicle rose silently, as if defying gravity. As expected of a high-ranking official’s vehicle, its body control was excellent.

Woohoo.

The aerial vehicle hovered in the air and maintained a constant altitude. This was a kind of sealed room.

“Thanks to Mr. Luca, we have successfully concluded negotiations with G&G. I have reported your contribution, so I won’t be pressing you for results for the time being.”

“I’m glad it helped.”

I spoke politely and briefly glanced out the window. I could see the night view of Border City.

While we were moving, Ishmael relayed the inside story to me. Some of it was true, some was false.

“We have high expectations of you. No one close to the Imperial family has ever defected. The Imperial family is full of secrets, from the direct line to the collateral line.”

“Secrecy is the secret of divine authority. In the Empire, the royal family is like the descendants of the gods, and does not reveal their human side.”

“But there are exceptions to everything. Crown Prince Francis, who was imprisoned, was one such exception. He was a close friend of yours.”

I suppressed the blush on my cheek. Publicly, Francesque and I are known to be close.

‘It’s not entirely wrong to say that I’m close to Frances, but if you think about it, I have more in common with Ivan.’

Francek was a character who was not capable enough to engage in the darkness of the empire. He lacked the inhuman aspects of other monsters.

However, Francesca was able to act in a way that was friendly to the public thanks to her human side. She had the strengths to abandon her divinity and come down to be human.

“Fransec is currently a candle in the wind. He is not someone to be expected.”

Ishmael raised his eyebrows at my harsh assessment.

“Surprisingly. Many of the exiled imperial citizens supported Francek, and are still waiting for their chance. Hmm, those people, um, were they called the ‘Swords of the Empire’?”

Ishmael’s suggestion almost made me laugh.

The harsh darkness of the Empire had made me a great spy. I was used to this kind of backstabbing and squabbling.

‘If we gather information, we can predict that the Sword of the Empire will make contact with us soon. We just don’t know when.’

Ishmael was watching me quietly, though it was a futile effort.

“Fransec is only alive because of the Emperor’s mercy and pity. If there were any subversive movements to support Francsec, he would be purged immediately. Or, he may have left Francsec alive in order to wipe out all the forces opposing him. If Francsec is alive, the subversive elements will unite. It will be easier to eliminate them.”

I mixed up the truth when I spoke.

‘The reason Ivan kept Francis alive.’

The empires and royal families I’ve seen have often thrown out bait to find hidden subversives. Francesque would be one such bait.

“Hmm, is that so? The Empire’s rule is ingenious. It’s almost as if you can’t see the bottom. But Crown Prince Francis is still valuable. The Federation also wants Francis to become the Emperor of the Empire.”

“The leader that the enemy wants may not be a good leader from your own point of view.”

I said bluntly.

My essence was still in the Empire. Ishmael wouldn’t shun me if I revealed this. The person who abandoned his background and identity and became loyal because he was exiled is more suspicious.

“Usually, that would be the case, but not necessarily this time. An emperor named Frances is necessary for the peace and prosperity of the entire planet Novas. If a war breaks out on the planet Novas, there is a high probability that the Empire will start it. No one will argue with that.”

That’s right. In fact, the Empire is actively preparing for war.

“Isn’t the federal government also preparing for war?”

I asked a stupid question. Ishmael also snickered.

“Because in order to prevent war, you have to prepare for war. If Francesek were to ascend to the throne, communication would be easier than it is now. Francesek’s existence is an opportunity to alleviate the futile arms race on the entire planet Novas. War is a means, not an end. Everyone wants to avoid it if they can.”

I had a vague idea what the federal government wanted from me.

“You expect more from me than I thought… ….”

“I was just stating my position. The Federation is prepared to provide considerable support if Frances could be made Emperor. For now, it is a viable way to avoid the war that is expected. The lifespan of a full-body body is long, and the reign of an Emperor is correspondingly long. If Frances ascends the throne with the Federation’s support, at least a hundred years of peace will be guaranteed.”

If an emperor is installed by an external power such as the Federal Government, even Francis will not receive support from the people of the empire.

‘So there has to be support from an organization within the Empire, like the Sword of the Empire.’

The Federation intended to indirectly support Francesca by supporting the subversive forces from the Empire.

“From my perspective, I hope the plan succeeds, but the odds are slim.”

“I know. It’s just wishful thinking. Running a country requires multiple plans at the same time. We have countless alternatives and lesser evils in mind. But Francis’s ascension to the throne is a very close alternative to the best. I want you to remember that, Mr. Luca.”

I nodded.

The story was more or less concluded, and Ishmael manipulated the holographic interface to accelerate the air vehicle.

Ishmael took a sip of water, took a breather, and then changed the subject.

“It may be hard to believe given President Son Seok-jae’s usual behavior, but he comes from a very wealthy family. His father is an engineering Ph.D. with several patents, and his brothers also work in corporate and government research institutes.”

“That’s unexpected.”

This is serious.

“And he is a very clever person. As you may know, there are many people in Border City and the Federation who discriminate against aliens. Even in the upper class and high-ranking positions. One day, President Son began to take bold steps to gain the support of such people. Thanks to this, he quickly grew and expanded his influence.”

Son Seok-jae’s discrimination against aliens was not only due to emotional reasons, but also a calculated strategy.

“Even though they knew everything, the Federation tolerated Son Seok-jae’s existence under the pretext of indifference toward Border City.”

“It was quite useful. Among the alien races, there are those who cleverly evade the law. They are people who cannot be punished through normal procedures. In such cases, we rely on the power of people like the Handicrafts.”

“Haha, janitors are needed everywhere.”

I laughed bitterly.

Organizations and groups of a national scale are bound to be hypocritical and vile. This is inevitable.

“The problem is that President Son is trying to come up to the sunny side. He has a lot of blood on his hands. Even the higher-ups welcome President Son. This is probably thanks to the lobbying he has done. President Son is someone who will become a blemish on the Federation in the future.”

“To sum up, Son Seok-jae is a person who doesn’t even know his subject.”

“… … He is a person with excessive ambition. The results he brings are certain, and he has many people who protect him, so it is understandable.”

Ishmael spoke indirectly.

“If you have any instructions, please let me know. I want to maintain a good relationship with the Vice Minister.”

“Someday, President Son Seok-jae will cross the line. When that happens, Mr. Luca, please take appropriate action.”

Ishmael looked at me quietly, as if checking if I understood. At times like this, he was a very bureaucratic person.

If Son Seok-jae commits an illegal act that goes beyond the protection of the higher-ups, and I discover the scene… … I will have the authority to kill or dispose of the bastard.

‘Since Son Seok-jae has lobbied his superiors so much, Ishmael is reluctant to directly touch him. There must be complex factions within the federal government as well.’

Ishmael also seemed to know that it was a difficult request and put forth another condition.

“I will send you to Bellato City at the appropriate time. It is incomparable to Border City. There are far fewer alien species there, and it is safer. It is a place where even the Emperor of the Empire cannot exert direct influence. I will also give you a suitable position as a military advisor to the Federation Army.”

It was quite an attractive offer. Bellato City was the capital of the Federation. It was a chance to get away from Ivan’s influence.

‘Or, it could be an opportunity to get closer to the core of the Federation as the Archies Domini.’

Let’s say I’m looking for Giselle. Where should I take her? Bellato City could be the destination.

“… … I will consider it.”

I answered as I felt the air vehicle landing. Ishmael didn’t expect an immediate answer either.

Son Seok-jae’s house was located in an upper-class residential area. It was a two-story mansion with a yard, surrounded on all sides by high walls.

The door of the aerial vehicle that landed on the yard/airfield opened. As soon as Ishmael and I got off, Son Seok-jae opened the door and came out to greet us.

“You came at just the right time! Deputy Minister! And Mr. Luca! The galbijjim turned out really well!”

Son Seok-jae came to us, throwing a cigar at a servant.

‘Tarpa?’

I flinched and stared at the servant who had received Son Seok-jae’s cigar. The servant holding the cigar and ashtray was… …a Tarpa race with blue skin and horns.

I rolled my eyes. There were bodyguards here and there in the house, but they weren’t human either.

Swish.

The bodyguards guarding the house were even Equusians. They were wearing black suits.

“You see? Son Seok-jae is a very smart person. He can clearly distinguish between public and private matters.”

Ishmael took the lead and whispered.