Bad Born Blood-Chapter 128

Chapter 128

The mission with Kinuan ended quietly, and I returned to the Custoria estate.

And then, the storm season began.

The first week started with overcast skies and strong winds. At this stage, no flight ban was imposed within Akbaran.

The first week was essentially the last chance to prepare for the storm season. From the second week onward, aerial vehicles and airships could no longer be used.

By the third week, when the storm’s power reached its peak, going outside was practically forbidden. It was a period when casualties surged dramatically.

I welcomed the first week of the storm season at the Custoria estate.

Clatter, clatter.

I stared at the window that was shaking violently. The outside was not visible. Metal plates had been reinforced over it.

Even in the first week, this storm season was proving to be exceptionally harsh. Reports from outside mentioned continuous accidents involving aerial vehicles, airships, and drones.

‘There’s a reason they impose the flight ban from the second week.’

I was balancing on my hands, with just one finger touching the floor. My sense of balance had returned to a satisfying level. It meant I had fully adapted to the new prosthetic.

‘Starting from the third week of the storm season, Nemesis will incite riots and terrorist attacks in the upper-class residential areas. Many nobles will die.’

In particular, nobles from families the Imperial Family kept in check would stand out among the dead.

‘And in the midst of that chaos, the Imperial Family will personally eliminate key figures in the military.’

Those who handled the Imperial Family’s dark affairs would make their move then. It was a bit childish, but for now, I decided to call them the Shadow rather than the Dark Imperial Guard. The Imperial Shadow.

‘Will the Imperial Shadow target the Custoria family?’

Was Hemillas on the elimination list? Even if he was, was there someone skilled enough to assassinate him? The idea that a soldier of Hemillas’ caliber could get caught up in a riot and die was absurd. A natural assassination would be difficult.

‘Ivan... wasn’t able to create an opportunity for me to assassinate Kinuan.’

I had contacted Nemesis with Kinuan. In that time, I never had a chance to kill him.

‘I’ll rule out collaboration with Ivan for now.’

If Ivan provided an opportunity, I would recognize it and act. But for now, it was best to assume that no such chance would arise.

Whip.

I pushed off the ground with my hand and leaped up. After a full rotation, I landed lightly.

‘The only path left for me is to take down Hemillas.’

I mulled over Kinuan’s advice.

‘Did Hemillas tie me to this family just to use me? If so, since when was this part of his plan? Or was it just a coincidence?’

Maybe Kinuan had simply shaken my mind with his silver tongue. He was skilled at psychological manipulation.

‘Who should I trust, and who should I betray?’

The choice was mine to make.

‘Agatha, I never even had the chance to observe Noel’s choices and learn from them. You gave me the information too late.’

The time for decision was approaching.

Creak.

I stepped out of my room. I had sensed a presence outside.

The estate was crowded. Normally, the relatives lived in the upper district, but during the storm season, they came to the estate to avoid any misfortune. It was a wise decision.

“You’re leaving now? We don’t know when the flight ban will be issued. The storm is stronger than expected.”

Looking down the corridor, I saw Eva trying to stop Hemillas. So this was the presence I had felt.

Hemillas was wearing his Imperial Guard uniform. He seemed ready to leave for headquarters.

“Something important came up. I can’t just sit back.”

Hemillas emphasized his words. Even if there were no official duties, he couldn’t stay cooped up in the estate.

If he remained trapped here throughout the storm season, he wouldn’t be able to respond to changing circumstances. Even if it was dangerous, he had to be in the heart of the upper district’s city.

Both Hemillas and Eva turned to look at me.

“While I’m away, you’re in charge of the estate, Luka. I’ve already instructed everyone to prioritize your orders over Eva’s.”

Hemillas stepped in front of me as he spoke. Even his way of addressing me had changed. No longer ‘you (formal)’ but ‘you (casual),’ just like with the other children.

I couldn’t answer right away.

‘This might be the last time I see Hemillas.’

My stomach churned.

“...Understood.”

That was all I could say.

I had no time left. I had realized the Empire’s plans and the flow of events too late. My power and actions weren’t enough to change the grand scheme.

‘If Hemillas dies, it will be under disgraceful circumstances, and the Imperial Family may use it as an excuse to eradicate the entire family. Even if we avoid annihilation, the Custoria family will lose all its power.’

And once we lost power, we would have no means to protect ourselves. The resentment and grudges accumulated against the Custoria family under its authority would crash down like a disaster. I, too, would have no choice but to operate as an Akies Domini, erased from records and identity.

“Lukaus Custoria, remember my request.”

Hemillas patted my shoulder before descending the stairs.

‘Am I just an insurance policy for his failure?’

There was only one thought in my mind.

‘Hemillas probably doesn’t know that I’m an Overseer. No matter how perceptive he is, it would be difficult to deduce such an absurd position as the Emperor’s Overseer from limited information.’

However, Hemillas must have sensed something about me.

My strange coexistence with Kinuan, my excessive achievements as a cadet, my interactions with the Crimson Crown Prince Francec, and Agatha’s obsessive trust—

Even without direct evidence, Hemillas must have realized that I was operating in a realm beyond his understanding.

‘He believes that even if he fails, I’m the one who might still be able to protect the family. He’s making a gamble.’

That’s why, despite finding me suspicious, Hemillas never interrogated me. He needed to win me over. He carefully crafted an environment that would make me emotionally attached to the Custoria family.

When I factored in Kinuan’s advice, the full picture became clear.

‘Hemillas is using me.’

And that wasn’t an incorrect statement. He had shown me more favoritism than his own children, even taking me into the Silver Moon Pavilion alongside him. In hindsight, the privileges and goodwill he extended had been excessive.

‘Not all of the affection he showed me was a lie. But it’s clear that calculations were involved.’

I wanted to twist my lips into a smirk.

No matter how skilled or talented I was, there was no way someone like me—a forsaken orphan from the lower depths—would be treated this well without a reason!

I had always known. That was why I had remained wary of Hemillas’ kindness. But now that I had fully grasped its underlying purpose, a bitter taste filled my mouth.

Hemillas boarded the aerial vehicle as his relatives and retainers saw him off.

Whoooosh!

The aerial vehicle rose into the sky, shaking more violently than usual. The engine’s roar was so loud that it drowned out even the howling wind, and the propulsion flames stretched longer than normal. The flight would not be easy.

‘What kind of decision will Hemillas make?’

I would never see it with my own eyes, whether he succeeded or failed.

“Lukaus.”

Eva called me after the send-off was over. She and I moved to another location. For the first time, she entered my room.

“Mother, I know you have complaints about me. But as the acting family head, I—”

“That’s not what I want to talk about.”

Eva sat down, looking exhausted. She let out a small sigh before continuing.

“Do you think Hemillas... Do you think he’ll come back to me alive? I’m asking because I believe you’d know better than I would.”

I flinched.

Eva did not possess remarkable insight or exceptional political instincts. Her actions so far had proven as much. At times, her greed had led her to commit foolish acts.

...But a relationship built on affection between husband and wife must be different in some way.

Even Hemillas couldn’t have hidden all his anxieties from her. I wouldn’t know for sure, but according to Martina, Diva, and Grace—who were well-versed in such matters—men tended to reveal their secrets easily in bed.

I parted my lips several times, unsure of what to say. This was a situation I had never encountered before. Should I offer words of comfort? Or should I speak of the cold, hard reality?

The mere act of pondering this was enough to drive me mad. I’d rather be sent to the battlefield instead.

“I don’t know either. But if I judge based purely on probability, the chances are low.”

I wasn’t the kind of person who could offer kind words. Sometimes, I hated that about myself.

The awkward silence was broken when a tear fell from Eva’s chin.

“...If the worst happens, don’t concern yourself with me. Just leave me behind. I have no will to live without him anyway.”

“Father’s request included you as well, E— no, Mother.”

I almost called her by her name.

“Let’s be honest with each other. I don’t consider you my son, and you don’t see me as your mother either. But since Hemillas trusts you, the only person who can protect my children is you. No matter what happens, keep them safe.”

“I intend to. You don’t need to say it outright.”

Eva’s shoulders trembled.

“You still don’t understand, Luka. Even if the Custoria family collapses and the other family members all die—even if you abandon the duties and obligations of the acting family head... I am telling you to protect my children above all else.”

Eva stared at me intently. The light pooling around the edges of her pupils carried a hint of madness.

...Hemillas had given up on being a father. But Eva was still a mother.

I didn’t answer. My silence was my rejection.

“We’ll just have to hope that he succeeds, then.”

With that, Eva rose from her seat and left my room.

It hadn’t even been an hour since I had taken Hemillas’ place.

‘This is already exhausting.’

Eva had humbled herself before me. It was to make an unreasonable demand. Even if I had wanted to grant it, there was no way to do so.

Being the head of the family never suited me. If I could, I would have thrown it to Juppe without hesitation.

I needed more options. This wasn’t the direction I wanted things to go. I had no desire to take responsibility for the crumbling Custoria family.

‘...Is it too late, or is it not?’

I rummaged through my pocket and pulled out two chips—Agatha’s chip and the chip containing the restored data.

‘I need to see Noel Mullizcane’s choice.’

There was only one option left for me.

Beep.

I called for Giselle. The moment she stepped inside, I got straight to the point. If I looked at her face properly, I wouldn’t be able to say it.

“Giselle, I need a way to contact Barbara. If you send a signal through the Net, Barbara will respond.”

Giselle’s expression hardened. Her fingertips trembled.

“...Even if she responds to my signal, there’s no reason for Barbara to help us.”

I bit my lower lip. It was time to tell her.

“Barbara is an imperial spy. She’s in a precarious position, always at risk of being cut off. I have information that can increase her chances of survival. She won’t refuse to cooperate.”

Giselle stood frozen like a broken computer overloaded with data. The string of bizarre events must have suddenly crashed down on her mind all at once.

“Wait, Barbara, the incidents at the academy, then that means...”

Muttering to herself, Giselle staggered. I quickly reached out and caught her before she could collapse.

As the situation finally sank in, her face twisted. She grabbed my arm, her nails digging in so hard they scratched my forearm.

Rip. Snap.

The synthetic skin on my forearm tore open.

“What the hell did Father and you... all this time, what did you take me for?”

Her expression was venomous, as if she were ready to stab someone. It had been a long time since I’d seen her look like this. Unlike before, this time—it hurt.

"Hemillas and I have always been immersed in this world. A bottomless pit of madness where there are no fools—only deceivers. You’ve merely set one foot at the entrance."

I had no intention of gently soothing Giselle’s anger. If persuading her was going to be this difficult, cooperation would be impossible. I liked her, but business was business.

"Giselle, if you want to see the darkness from the same perspective as I do, pull yourself together and listen to me. If you can’t handle it, then slap me and walk away."

Giselle took a step back and raised her hand. I braced myself for the impact, suppressing my combat reflexes.

Smack!

A flash of light exploded in my vision.

...Her slap stung. Since her arm was also a prosthetic, it was practically a chunk of metal. My molar cracked and rolled around in my mouth. My jaw joint popped out of place with a creak.

"I’ll slap you and still listen."

Giselle sat down as she spoke, crossing her arms with an impish expression.

Grind.

I adjusted my dislocated jaw, moving it up, down, left, and right.

"Ugh... mm. So, a third option, huh? You sure are greedy, wanting both."

Saying that, I picked out the broken piece of my molar with my fingers. Well, all things considered, this was a cheap price to pay.