Bad Born Blood Chapter 288

288
The background of Lars, the special agent who was by my side, was similar to mine, but also different.

‘First of all, I’m not a former Royal Guard cadet.’

He was a senior soldier trained by the Empire’s private military enterprise.

‘At the training camp, Lars performed well and the imperial family drafted Lars as a special agent.’

The traditional guard was gradually disappearing into the back alleys of history.

“These days, it is said that many people from the lower classes are selected as high-ranking soldiers or officials. I am one of those people. It is probably thanks to Master Luca. A lot has changed since that day.”

Lars kept gilding my face. I wanted to crush that snout with my fist.

‘It’s not because of me, you idiot!’

Lars was a boy who knew nothing. He didn’t even know why we were chasing Kinuan. He simply believed in and was loyal to the Empire and the royal family.

‘How many kids like this have died so far… … .’

Tracking down Kinuan is not an easy task.

Illei’s special forces must have had frequent ‘attrition’ of manpower. Illei is not the type of person to be attrited. He would not be attached to his subordinates.

‘The reason the Imperial Family reduced the size of the Royal Guard cadets and outsourced the training of high-ranking soldiers to private companies is… … a ploy to weaken the power of the traditional noble families. That’s why they recruited many high-ranking soldiers and officials from lower-class areas rather than noble families.’

It was just a balance and check according to political leadership, and I was a tool for the cause.

‘I’m already sighing, damn it.’

I had seen the background information of the special agents that Illei had brought. They were all either children of Hanmihan families or irregulars.

‘They are easy to consume and there is no aftereffect when they die.’

Illei will be giving his men a very low chance of survival.

‘The special agents don’t know who Kinuan is or why I’m here.’

They were pure soldiers who did as they were told.

‘Lars is also an irregular, but… … he’s not really exceptional. He’s just good.’

I don’t want to brag, but when I was selected as a cadet in the Royal Guard, the Irregulars were really special. To be called an Irregular, you had to have an exceptional talent that made up for your inferior background and origins.

For generations, there were only a few irregulars among the Royal Guard cadets, but they all achieved top grades.

‘I don’t have time to worry about anyone when I’m busy taking care of myself. Come to your senses, Luca.’

I shook my head slightly as I walked through the labyrinthine alleyways of Border City. Lars followed me.

Boom! Bang!

Gunshots were heard in the distance. Explosions could also be heard occasionally.

Border City was now a conflict zone. Loud noises were heard periodically, and the streets were patrolled by private soldiers and mercenaries belonging to the company.

People like Jafar, Anguis Regina, and Lapis Lazuli were hiding somewhere in Border City. They must have made safe houses all over Border City, so they must be holding out somehow.

‘If you want to know the situation in Border City, it would be best to contact Vice Minister Ismael. But I doubt Ismael would trust me now.’

After thinking about it for a while, I decided it would be better for Ishmael to think I was dead or missing.

In Border City, the only force that could be called an ally was Sergeant Jafar. It wouldn’t have been strange for people like Ishmael or Son Seok-jae to become enemies at any time.

‘First of all, contacting Gaya is the priority.’

Let’s not confuse the order of things, Luca. I’m not here to help Sergeant Jafar.

‘My goal is Kinuan.’

I turned into the alley leading to Gaya Hospital. If you keep walking like this and turn around, you will see Gaya Hospital.

Gaya’s hospital sits like a wall at the end of an alley.

Crunch.

Suddenly Lars pulled out his pistol and pressed his back and shoulders against the wall.

“I can hear the noise of battle ahead.”

Lars nodded and pointed around the corner.

“I know. I have ears.”

“Ah, um. Sorry. I will await your orders.”

Lars quickly apologized. I felt embarrassed by the guy’s obedient reaction.

Damn, I’m being needlessly annoying. That means I’m anxious and nervous.

There was chaos in Border City. I felt like I was going to lose something in this chaos. Just the vague worry made me feel bad.

“Lars, support me from behind. If you’ve been properly trained, you won’t need my orders.”

“All right.”

I walked around the corner and looked at the hospital entrance.

‘Should I go?’

The first thing that came into view was Gaya.

Gaya, dressed in white, stood in front of the hospital. The hem of his clothes fluttered as if pushed by the blue aura, and the bracelet that was the catalyst for his Force abilities jingled.

Woohoo.

There were guns, swords, rocks, and other objects floating around Gaya. It seemed to be some kind of telekinesis.

Near the hospital, there were mercenaries of various races lying down, as if they had come to attack. They were injured, perhaps from Gaya. There were eight of them, and there were also combat races like crawlers.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh.”

The mercenaries who had been attacked by Gaya were lying on the ground, groaning. Gaya looked at them and bit her lower lip.

“If you promise to leave Border City now, I won’t take your life.”

Gaya closed his eyes. It was truly a merciful suggestion. That was why the mercenaries could not easily believe Gaya’s suggestion.

The mercenaries hesitated. Only after one of them quickly got up and ran away did they all leave in a hurry.

Clap, clap, clap.

I walked towards Gaya, clapping my hands like a third-rate villain.

“I knew you were good at it, Mr. Gaya.”

The fleeing mercenaries glanced at me and Lars before scattering.

“you are…….”

Gaya was very alert. When I pulled back my hood, he immediately recognized me and relaxed his expression.

“It’s been a while. I don’t think you miss me that much, but I guess we’re not going to point guns at each other, right?”

“I’m quite pleased to see you, Luca. I can even give you my favorite car. Who’s next to you? I can see the whole body.”

Gaya’s eyes lit up blue. He instantly saw through Lars’s body that he was a full-body prosthesis.

The full-body body is mostly of imperial origin, most likely professional soldiers or nobles.

“Here is my new subordinate.”

“Did you return to the Empire?”

“… … That’s how it is for now. Things are complicated.”

The Force’s light rose like a haze over Gaya’s black skin. He was still in a fighting stance.

I looked back. Lars was pointing his gun at Gaya.

“Lars, put the gun away. Gaya is… … an acquaintance of mine.”

Well, I wouldn’t call us friends.

“That guy is a Force user. He’s extremely dangerous.”

Lars seems to have been well-educated, as he is extremely wary of Force users.

“Hey, put that finger in before I break it.”

Only when I got annoyed did Lars nod.

Woohoo.

Gaya’s force response also disappeared. His bracelets and white robe settled down calmly.

“Please come in first. I don’t want to leave the guests outside, and I also want to offer them tea.”

Gaya nodded and went inside.

I whistled and looked at the walls of the alley. There were many signs of recent battles.

‘You’ve fought off several raids by yourself.’

As soon as we entered, the entrance to the hospital was firmly shut. Metal plates for security purposes were lowered on the windows and doors.

“Border City is in a state of turmoil right now. There’s been a war between several corporations. It happens often, but this time it’s on a much larger scale.”

I glanced at Gaya. There were faint traces of blood on his shoes and the hem of his clothes.

We arrived in front of the reception room. I pointed to the hallway, stopping Lars from following me.

“Lars, stand guard over there. And I warn you, do not disobey my orders. I may not be your direct superior, but… …you are under me now. Do you understand?”

“I understand. I apologize for what just happened.”

“Okay, if you just listen to me, your head will be safe until the end of this mission.”

I pressed my finger to Lars’ forehead, and he hesitated and was pushed down the hallway.

thud.

And I followed Gaya in and closed the door to the reception room.

“I saw the attackers earlier and they didn’t seem to be vagrants or gangsters. Did your Majesty hold a grudge or something?”

“I wonder if there’s anyone in the world who doesn’t have a grudge against someone, but this time, it’s not me, but Jafar-san that’s after them. It seems like they thought Jafar-san was hiding in my hospital.”

Gaya poured tea into a thermos and handed it to me.

Slurp.

A pleasant bitterness ran down my throat.

“That’s a nice car.”

“What brings you here? I thought you left Border City since I haven’t heard from you.”

“Well, for one reason or another. More importantly, where is Jafar… … You probably don’t know.”

I was about to ask but stopped myself.

Gaya is an independent entity. She is not Japha’s subordinate, but rather an equal. It is unlikely that Japha would hide under Gaya.

“Mr. Jafar is somewhere in Border City. With Anguise Regina.”

“Putting aside the matter of Company Japa, I have something I would like to ask of you, Mr. Gaya.”

Gaya narrowed her eyes.

“Are you treating Japa’s work as secondary?”

“There are more urgent matters.”

“Haha, if you’re in a hurry, it must be a mission given by the Empire.”

Gaya’s laughter scratched my ears. It was quite uncomfortable.

“I hope you don’t misunderstand. The Empire’s goals and my goals only coincided temporarily.”

“Mr. Jafar is probably in a tight spot right now. The Handicrafts have even put a bounty on his head.”

… … It’s a story I really didn’t want to hear. If you don’t know, you can just ignore it. But if you do find out, it’ll be a burden to your heart.

“Do you want me to help Jafar?”

“I was just explaining the situation.”

“If you’re worried about Jafar, why don’t you use your amazing Force abilities to save him?”

“I have to protect the hospital. There are weak people here who can’t protect themselves.”

“See, I have my own reasons, just like you do.”

I tried to speak as calmly as possible.

Don’t go against Gaya’s wishes. After all, I came to seek Gaya’s help.

Gaya drank his tea cleanly and wiped his lips with his sleeve. He closed his eyes and opened them to catch his breath.

“Well, that’s all for the story about Mr. Japa. Mr. Luca, why did you come to see me?”

“I heard there’s a temple of Korra in Border City too.”

“To be exact, it is the temple of the Disemites.”

“That’s it for me. Anyway, I want to visit the temple. I think it’ll be possible with the teacher’s introduction.”

Gaya stared at me with a calm face. He seemed to see right through me, even though he didn’t have the Archies Victima. He was still a strangely mysterious man.

Innae Gaya smiled faintly.

“It is a difficult request. I am sure you understand my feelings. Even if you turn your back on your country, your arms bend inward. I am reluctant to introduce someone on an imperial mission to the temple.”

“To find Kinuan. You know who Kinuan is, right? Kinuan’s men were using Korra’s equipment.”

Gaya is the man in charge of Anguis Regina’s psychotherapy. He also knows of Kinuan’s existence to some extent.

“Mr. Luca, there is no reason for me to help you. I never owe you anything.”

“I know. I owe you more than anything. I appreciate you taking care of Gabriel.”

Gaya showed a soft smile.

“I’m glad you know. I have no reason to help you, but I will. I hope that the kindness and favor I have shown unconditionally will spread to someone else through you.”

As Gaya said that, he got up.

I looked at my face reflected in the green water of the teacup and emptied the cup.

‘This is driving me crazy. Are all Corinthians this sinister?’

Gaya is a difficult man, then and now. He did not make a deal with me in exchange for Jafar’s safety. He said he would help me even if I did not help Jafar.

… … If I help Japha here, it is not because of anyone’s compulsion or terms of trade, but purely of my own free will.

Gaya is trying to make me weak.