Bad Born Blood Chapter 295

295
Anguise Regina’s concert was approaching.

“Other people still don’t know that Son Seok-jae is dead.”

Anguise Regina muttered to us. She was sending a message to the handicraft worker through the terminal.

“Will the concert proceed as scheduled?”

Anguish Regina nodded at my words.

“I’m sure we can do it somehow. The stage is set, and we have Lapis.”

As Anguish Regina spoke, she glanced at Lapis as if asking for his consent. Lapis hesitated and then nodded.

“How funny. My intervention was meaningless… … Did it actually make the situation worse?”

I sat down on the chair and drank some water. My hot head was cooling down.

“To comfort you, it’s not necessarily meaningless. If Ragnata had failed in his assassination… …then I would have had to rely on you too.”

Anguise Regina’s words were of little comfort.

As a result, Ragnata succeeded in assassinating her. My intervention led to En’s death, and furthermore… …an unnecessary murder.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt this sense of inferiority.’

I let out a hollow laugh. I am an outsider of Border City. I am an outsider and have no influence.

That’s why I can’t change the flow of Border City.

I am not the head of a corporation, nor am I an influential figure among the Border City public like Anguis Regina. I am not a powerful figure like a federal government official.

“Is there any way to find out the whereabouts of the Equusian mercenaries?”

“I asked Ragnata to hack Son Seok-jae’s terminal, but it will be difficult to find out information right away.”

Angus Regina also only knew that Seokjae Son’s target was Ishmael. She did not know the detailed plan or situation.

‘Equusian mercenaries attack Vice Minister Ismael Ra.’

It’s definitely today.

Son Seok-jae lobbied close federal officials and attracted attention with concerts. It was an arrangement for a raid.

However, it was unknown where the Ishmael raid was taking place. It was a secret mission that Son Seok-jae had entrusted to the mercenaries. Perhaps the situation was already over.

‘Son Seok-jae would have tried to handle the attack quietly and unnoticed. He would have lured Ishmael with an offer that was hard for him to refuse.’

Lee Dae-ron could only watch as Deputy Minister Ismael was attacked.

‘But… …We’re not close enough to desperately save each other.’

Ishmael and I had a strategic partnership. Even if I was in trouble, Ishmael would weigh the pros and cons.

‘Ishmael and Japha are different… … .’

There was an emotional connection and intimacy between Jafar and me. I hate to admit it, but it’s true.

If I am in danger, Japha will help me within the limits of the damage he can afford.

That’s why I also moved to help Japha, within the scope of what I could handle.

“At the concert, I will reveal that I am Son Seok-jae’s adopted daughter.”

“You say that Sergeant Jafar abused you?”

I looked at Anguis Regina with a smirk. She was checking her stage costume in front of a full-length mirror.

“Of course I’ll leave that out. I’ll declare a truce between Japa and Handicraft. I’ll be a sort of bait and switch and a symbol of the truce. I’ve also prepared a suitable script.”

Anguise Regina handed over the script.

I just rolled my eyes and skimmed through the script. It was about unity and harmony between races. It was obvious stuff, but when it came out of Anguish Regina’s mouth, it would be persuasive and impactful.

“The federal government will be happy with it too. It’s to their taste.”

“Because it can temporarily resolve the conflicts and strife in Border City. Even if it’s just a stopgap measure.”

I opened my eyes half-heartedly and tried to predict how things would turn out.

‘Son Seok-jae’s death will be buried in silence. He was a man who spread resentment everywhere, so it wouldn’t have been strange if he died at any time.’

What mattered to the federal government was not the man himself, but his legacy. Who would take control of Sonsoo Industries, the company responsible for designing and developing combat MAUs?

‘The survival of Deputy Minister Ismael Ra is crucial going forward.’

If Ishmael dies, the chaos will be even greater. Even if Son Seok-jae’s involvement in Ishmael’s death is revealed… … Son Seok-jae, who should be judged and held responsible, is dead.

‘Ismael would be better off alive than dead in many ways. He even took over Boyan in my stead.’

I fixed my gaze on the floor and thought deeply.

Ishmael was a key figure in the Strategic Weapons Research Department. His absence will accelerate the power struggle surrounding the development of the MAU.

Woof.

I activated my retina display. A virtual clock appeared in the corner of my vision.

“Come out and get some fresh air.”

I went to the back of the building and leaned against the emergency stairs. The sea breeze was blowing.

The port was crowded in anticipation of the concert.

‘It seems like Jin-ga-woo wasn’t lying when he said he liked me.’

My retinal display was operated by Dr. Jingau and had additional data built into it.

One of them was the data transmission cycle of the wooden case.

“Ivan, if you could send me the location of Deputy Ismael Ra, I would appreciate it. Consider it as my debt to you.”

I said, looking up at the sky just before I started transmitting data.

I didn’t even ask if I could do it.

If we assign the Empire’s military satellites, we can find Ishmael. Normally, we wouldn’t use a high-powered military satellite to find just one person. There are more important things to do.

‘Anyway, he’s one of the key officials of the Federation named Ishmael.’

The Empire will have access to Ishmael’s personal information. If the Emperor of the Empire so chooses, he can track the terminal or whatever to find out Ishmael’s location.

‘This is not for Ishmael. It is for others.’

Ishmael is a rational and sensible opponent. Above all, he is the polar opposite of racist in terms of political stance. Without him, there would be greater chaos and the end of Border City would be hastened.

Jafar, Anguis Regina, Lapis Lazuli, Boyan… … For their sake, Ishmael’s survival is the answer.

‘I hope it’s not too late… … .’

I waited, looking at the darkening sky. My breath rose in puffs with a deep sigh.

Chijik, Chik.

An encrypted message appeared on my terminal as if it was hacking. The message was shaking unsteadily, as if it would evaporate at any moment. At first glance, it seemed like a random string of junk radio signals floating around the planet Novas. However, when viewed in a certain arrangement, it made sense.

I saw a flashing message and numbers on the screen. I memorized the numbers and entered the coordinates into the terminal map.

“… … I will remember this debt.”

I muttered and went inside. Anguis Regina and Lapis’ eyes were focused on me.

“I’ll go find Ishmael. Lapis, you help Anguise Regina prepare for the concert.”

“How did you know where Ishmael was?”

Anguish Regina opened her eyes wide. This is a difficult part to explain.

But I have a convenient excuse.

“It’s Archie’s intuition.”

I said, tapping my forehead. I immediately called Lars into my earphone.

-Kwaang! Boom! Kroong!

There was a sound of something exploding. It seemed that Lars was still on the run.

“Hey, Lars. Stop playing cops and robbers. Get an air vehicle and come get me.”

-Ugh! These damn kids! What kind of android is this? Oh, I’m sorry, Luca. What did you say?

Judging from the way he’s screaming and swearing, he still seems to have some time on his hands.

“I told you to bring me an air vehicle. Don’t make me ask you twice.”

-Right now?

“Yeah, don’t you want to prove your competence? If you don’t think you can do it, just say you can’t. I’ll understand.”

There was silence for a moment.

-Ha, haha! No problem! Of course! I’ll prepare the air vehicle right away!

Lars and I immediately made plans to make contact.

After ending the call, I looked at Anguis Regina and Lapis and raised my hand in farewell.

“Then I will go and see.”

Lapis hurriedly grabbed the hem of my clothes.

“Come back later for maintenance. Your body is my work of art.”

I smiled faintly. I didn’t want to answer. If I were to answer for sure, it would be a lie.

Lapis didn’t press me for an answer either. She let go of my collar and stepped back.

Towering.

I looked back just before going out.

I saw Anguise Regina’s face. She was also staring at me.

‘Queen of Snakes, Anguise Regina. Real name Elise Kwan.’

If only my life were a little simpler, if only I were flexible enough to compromise with the world, if only my head weren’t so tangled…

A lot of families are passing through my mind.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a desire to embrace Anguish Regina. There were times when I felt romantic feelings for her. I even thought about what it would be like to have a future with her.

Pleasure, joy, happiness… … .

Even though the sweet choice is right next to me, I pretend not to see it.

Instead, I grab a pale hand that extends out of the spine-chilling darkness. The fingers somehow resemble Giselle’s.

Woof.

Another me looms behind me like a shadow. Luca, the hunting dog with an obsessive obsession, is pushing my back.

I track Kinuan and wander the darkness in search of Giselle.

Yes, this would also be mental illness. If a person seeks misfortune and falls into a pit of despair, what else could he be but a mental illness?

I opened my mouth slowly.

“… …Your stage makeup is smudged. Elise Kwan.”

“It’s because of you.”

“I’m sorry, in many ways.”

I turned my back and said goodbye.

thud.

I went out and the door closed. I leaned my back against the door for a moment.

Ding, ding.

My prosthetic finger was holding the doorknob. The doorknob was curled to the shape of my finger.

… … It seems like my nervous system is damaged because of my foolishness. Hmm, that’s a really lame excuse. I know.

Druk.

I moved away from the door. Lars will be here soon.

* * *

I crawled naked to the port’s communications tower and hung there.

Woohoo.

My arm holding the communications tower tingled. The current was so strong that it would have caused a malfunction if my body’s electromagnetic shielding had been weak.

The short-range transmission from Lars reached my ears.

-They’re coming soon! Argh! These damn drones! Hahaha! The Federation’s drones are pretty good now!

I waited, wondering if Lars was okay.

I squinted my eyes and stared into space. Soon, light began to flash.

‘He’s coming.’

A chase was taking place across the night sky.

Lars happened to hijack a police air vehicle. After all, there were probably no air vehicles available nearby.

“Don’t slow down and just keep going. I’ll figure it out.”

-You can’t reduce it anyway!

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t give in to my circumstances.”

I laughed ferociously. The life-or-death situation was right in front of me.

The battle thought struck me. My mind became clear as the distracting thoughts disappeared.

Kiiiiiing!

Lars’s air vehicle was flying fiercely towards us. The two-seater air vehicle was mobile and looked very nimble.

Ssuk.

I pulled my hood down and caught my breath.

I accelerated the accident just before the air vehicle passed the communications tower.

Woof woof… … .

The roar of the airborne vehicle leisurely rang in my ears.

I jumped straight up and landed on top of the air vehicle. Then I let go of the time I had been pulling hard.

The pace of the world is accelerating. I slip and fall, digging my fingers into the top of the air vehicle.

Squeak!

My left finger dug into the metal plate, going in about two inches before stopping.

I secured my body to the air vehicle and took out the shock pistol Ruina with my right hand and aimed it.

Wooooow!

Ruina’s energy penetration window glowed with heat.

Wheein! Wheein!

The police drones tracking us had their sirens blaring.

-Get in first! I’ll do some stunt driving!

Lars’s urgent voice was heard. The side door of the air vehicle was opening upwards as if to invite in.

bang!

I slammed the swinging door shut with my forearm.

“I just want to get some air, so just go!”

I shouted as I pulled the trigger, and Lars’ grumbling was drowned out by the roar of the concussion grenade.