Bad Born Blood Chapter 283

283
The atmosphere in the imperial capital, Akbaran, must be stale and lukewarm. But the room I was in was comfortable.

Swoop.

It makes you want to keep taking deep breaths. The air that has gone through a complex purification system is so clear and refreshing that it seems to wash away your lungs.

I looked out the window and took a deep breath of fresh air.

The first thing you see are the high-rise buildings of the upper Akbaran district. As is typical of imperial architecture, the geometric lines are intricately symmetrical and balanced, creating a sense of stability. The buildings are simple yet luxurious.

Beyond the upper zone, the lower zone was visible. The lower zone, seen from a distance, was as winding and chaotic as an ant hole. It was difficult to find even the slightest trace of balance.

But the lower levels shook my emotions even more.

Old memories come to mind. If they are memories, then they are memories. However, I do not have the leisure to dwell on the afterglow of the past.

‘What I need to see now is reality.’

I turned my head and looked at the room I was in.

The palace hospital room where I stayed was obsessively clean and spacious. The marble floor sparkled as if it would not tolerate even a single speck of dust.

‘It’s not unfamiliar.’

I’ve stayed here before.

A meaningless gold drapery of circles and lines ran along the ceiling border, and beneath it, a low-saturation red cloth swayed as it hung down over the windows.

‘I am…….’

… … I arrived in the sky over Akbaran on a spaceship with Ilay.

And then the Imperial Army showed up and took us by surprise.

My return seemed to be known only to a select few within the Empire. I was locked up with no contact with the outside world.

The Emperor’s shadow has been placed under my watch. Even now, the Emperor’s shadow is standing outside the door, wrapped in a dark cloak.

‘It was as if Ilay was being dragged somewhere.’

I tried hard to shake off my impatience.

‘Ivan will not hastily execute or torture Iley Kartika.’

It seems to me that Ivan and Ilay maintain a subtle cooperative relationship.

I was confined to the palace and recuperated. Whatever happens later, I need to relieve my physical fatigue before I can do anything.

Even with just a week or so of rest, my body, exhausted from the forced march, was recovering quickly.

‘Ivan is not coming to see me. He has not given me any suggestions or instructions.’

The Emperor’s shadow simply told me to wait.

‘This is not what I expected.’

Given what I’ve seen of Ivan’s behavior so far, he’d be quick to contact me. He wouldn’t waste a week or so.

My heart feels cold.

‘Am I wrong in my judgment?’

Did I really blow Ilay’s determination in vain? In that case, I thought it would be better to die.

‘Ivan is acting differently from what I thought.’

Does Ivan have any intentions? Or is there simply something that could delay the audience?

My thoughts stopped there and could not move forward. Even with a comfortable recuperative life, the fatigue of my nervous system did not go away easily.

‘Time is passing even at this moment.’

I was standing still, but the world was moving. That fact made me restless.

If Ivan was trying to upset me, he really did succeed.

Worst case scenario, I might end up doing something stupid like entering the Empire on my own and then trying to escape by force. I’d be the world’s number one idiot.

Luckily, Ivan didn’t make me a fool.

Before a full week had passed, my worries were shattered as the door opened.

Squeak.

A shadow covered in a black coat opened the door.

-Tta, la, wara, al, here it is.

A thin beam of light streamed out from under the shadowy hood. The face that was revealed slightly looked like an android at first glance, with only metal parts.

‘A combat machine with human functions removed.’

Still the shadows moved along the emperor’s limbs.

I stood up and followed the shadow. The corridors of the controlled palace were as quiet as a lie.

Crack, crack.

The sound of my and my shadow’s footsteps echoed as if we were entering a deep cave.

The scale of the palace always makes people feel intimidated.

Looking at the palace, it seems like a temple praising the imperial family. Murals depicting the dances of past emperors are lined up along the ceiling and walls.

The emperors depicted in murals, portraits, and statues were unrealistically perfect beings. Immaculate divinity was their symbol.

The shadow that had been guiding me stood tall. It was in front of a double-door with a wooden door carved in gold.

-Oh, Lord, you’ve been waiting.

The shadow pushed the door open and bent his upper body slightly. He waited for me to enter as if he had finished guiding me.

I slowly went inside. From the moment the door opened, I could smell grass and water. There was also a gorgeous floral scent.

Squeak, thud.

The door was closed. I felt completely cut off from the outside world.

I looked at the garden before my eyes.

‘… …indoor garden.’

A soft light came down from the ceiling, illuminating the garden. There was Ivan Krachia, looking out over the pond with his pack on his back. His purple hair was still as silky as ever.

Old memories slowly come back to me.

When I first met Ivan, it was a garden like this. There was a small pond in the garden decorated with native plants from the Earth, and fish were swimming in it.

Today, Ivan was not wearing the body of a typical young man, but was wearing a strange body that made it impossible to tell whether it was a boy or a girl.

Ivan in that form may be beautiful, but he is not the majestic emperor that the people of the empire want.

“Hello, Luca.”

Ivan turned around and said, his eyes a mixture of colors, giving them a unique and peculiar look.

I stood up straight and looked at Ivan.

“You were late in calling me.”

I stood in the dark entrance and said.

“So you’re anxious?”

“I thought I made a mistake.”

“Haha, I feel good that I made you impatient. I should have made you wait longer. How about this garden? It’s a recreation of our memories.”

Ivan spoke as he sat down on a flat rock. His legs did not touch the ground so they swayed slightly, and the dirt that clung to his bare, strangely white feet fell off.

“I just found out it was a memory. It was one of my nightmares.”

I said that and stared at Ivan intently.

Ivan loves my grumbling sarcasm. He was still chuckling as if he found it funny.

‘Why are you calling me so late?’

There was definitely a reason. It seemed to have something to do with why he wanted me.

It is extremely difficult to observe and gain insight into someone like Ivan Kratsya. If it is your first time meeting Ivan, it is an impossible task.

‘But I know Ivan well. I have seen Ivan’s mask broken.’

I remember Ivan, who, when cornered, showed his human emotions. I have to read Ivan’s thoughts again, taking advantage of that gap.

As my thoughts deepened, Ivan’s gaze also darkened.

“I can see your brain waves fluctuating. The new sensor you just got is really good. I got it on to get to know you better.”

Ivan said, tapping his eyeball with his fingertip. It made a clear sound like hitting glass beads.

I hadn’t yet entered the garden, but was standing at the edge.

“Catch Kinuan… … .”

“Let’s talk about that slowly. I want to enjoy this lingering feeling a little more since it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Hehe, Illei kept her promise to me.”

As soon as I heard those words, I tried to control my wavering emotions. Still, Ivan would notice my agitation, even if only slightly. It would be difficult to completely hide my emotions from someone who even watches the flow of my brain waves.

‘The promise between Ilay and Ivan.’

Ivan said that Ilay kept his promise. Those words lingered in my mind.

“Ilay said he would definitely bring me.”

“Ilay Kartika is a great guy. If he wasn’t a soldier, he would be called a snake instead of a fox. He is a snake with more venom than me.”

All kinds of thoughts were running through my head.

‘Ilay is… … .’

Was that desperate rescue an act? Or was he lying to Ivan to buy me time?

Ilay promised Ivan that he would bring me to him. Anyway, as a result, I ended up in front of Ivan.

‘Ilay knows my personality well.’

Of course, he must have known that I couldn’t abandon him who came to rescue me.

What if Ilay gambled everything and succeeded in bringing me back?

‘If this is your scheme, you are truly remarkable, Ilay.’

What would Elai say if she were here? Elai’s inner thoughts were still hard to read.

However, I believe that Ilay did not intend to harm me.

Even if Ilay had intended to hand me over to Ivan, he must have been sincere in his desire to save me from Mushir al-Kashra.

Even if it meant deceiving me, Ilay must have thought it was the best thing for me.

Okay, let’s not get agitated.

I finished the thought in the blink of an eye.

Gulp.

But that didn’t stop the blood from flowing out of his nose.

“You’re overdoing it. You’re always trying to do things beyond your capabilities.”

Ivan stood up and walked towards me. He lifted the hem of his coat and tried to wipe my nosebleed.

Whoosh.

I shamelessly grabbed Ivan’s wrist and stopped him. Instead, I wiped the blood away with my forearm.

“Let’s talk about Kinuan. I almost caught Kinuan. Maybe I’ll catch him next time. Kinuan has also hit rock bottom.”

Ivan looked forlorn at my actions. His eyebrows arched down.

Don’t feel sorry for that face, it’s all an act.

“… … Yes, we have to catch Kinuan. That’s right. But it won’t work like this. You’ll definitely run away.”

Ivan smiled, the corners of his lips raised as if he had never been lonely. He took something out of his bosom. It was a metal necklace that was tightly wrapped around his neck.

“You’ve prepared a dog leash.”

I laughed bitterly. I felt like an idiot for almost feeling sorry for Ivan.

“If you want to hear everything, hang this around your neck. How many times have you tried to escape my trust? You’re the one who made me resort to such means, Luca.”

Ivan said, handing me a necklace. It would be more accurate to call it a necklace.

The armor Ivan handed over was a very sophisticated piece of electronic equipment. The texture of the metal was also unique. Although it was metal, it felt ductile and tough. It had properties similar to rubber.

Ivan took four steps back and gestured for them to put on their armor.

‘Should I just be thankful that they didn’t open my head and turn me into a doll?’

I laughed in vain. Ivan didn’t give me any explanation about the armor.

‘You must accept Ivan’s bonds to proceed to the next step.’

I lifted the gauntlet and placed it against the back of my neck.

“You are truly merciful, Your Majesty.”

“It’s a compassionate means of control. I could put you in a full-body suit or implant a chip in your head, but I respect that.”

Well, now that I think about it, it really was the most moderate approach from Ivan’s perspective.

I too have been away from the Empire for some time, so I guess my perception has become hazy. I mean, how cold and dark the Empire and the royal family are.

Crunch.

I put the gauntlet around me and put it on. The locking mechanism engaged and a blue light flashed on the circuit. I don’t know what it is, but it would be hard to unlock it by myself. It wouldn’t be that easy.

A cold sensation wrapped around the back of my neck, giving me goosebumps. Well, I guess I’ll get used to it soon.

match!

Ivan clapped his hands vigorously, as if he liked the way I looked. He walked around me, carrying his pack on his back, grinning jokingly.

“It suits you well. Now… … I’m ready to talk about Kinuan, and about the things he stole.”