Bad Born Blood-Chapter 29

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor: Greedy

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< Chapter 29 >

Clatter.

I stared at the Medal of Military Merit resting on my palm. Shaped like a cross blade, its edges were sharp. If someone touched it carelessly, they might prick their fingers. On the blade’s surface, the numeral “VII” was engraved, signifying “7.”

The 7th-Class Cross Blade Medal of Military Merit—a testament to significant achievements in battle.

Among the Imperial Guard cadets, only Ilay and I had received the medal. The other cadets and instructors reacted as though it were expected. From what I’d heard from the instructors, it seemed there hadn’t been cadets as outstanding as Ilay and me for several intakes.

“Ridiculous, isn’t it? That I, of all people, would receive a medal.”

Ilay spoke, slipping his Cross Blade Medal of Military Merit into the pocket of his coat with a faint smile.

A month had passed since Lilian’s death. Before I knew it, the commendation ceremony was over, and the events of that day were gradually fading from everyone’s memory.

Ilay, too, seemed to have regained his composure, wearing his usual relaxed smile. Yet I could see the anxiety lurking behind it.

“Luka, for the first time in my life, I regret neglecting my training.”

It was a relief that I was the one hearing this. For someone like him, who was held in high regard as a prodigy, to call himself lazy—it would have been enough to make other cadets clutch their heads in frustration if they’d heard it.

“Training wouldn’t have changed anything. There were four Imperial Guards there. By that point, it was already over.”

I gazed at the distant crowd. They were prospective officers and Imperial Guard cadets.

The Empire had expedited the recruitment of cadets. News of the rebellion had reached the ears of the noble families. To demonstrate their loyalty, nobles were sending their children to enroll as cadets.

“They’re flocking in like there’s a prize to be won.”

I murmured. Ilay was also looking in the same direction as me.

“I heard the standards have been relaxed. Apparently, even the dullest fool can at least make it as a low-ranking officer.”

Memories of the past came rushing back. Three years ago, I had been part of that crowd. It felt like just yesterday that I’d had my first meeting with the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

“Luka, I’m thinking of taking leave to visit my family estate.”

I didn’t ask Ilay why he was returning to his family estate. I could only vaguely guess that it had to do with some internal resolve.

We were approaching the final year of our cadet training. Starting in the fourth year, we would be treated as provisional members of the Imperial Guard. Essentially, we would be no different from Guards who lacked full combat prosthetics.

After a pause, I voiced a question that had lingered in my mind for some time.

“...Why did Lilian smile even though her family was killed? Saying they didn’t get along isn’t enough to explain it. If she had lost her mind, I might understand, but that wasn’t the case either.”

I brought up Lilian’s story. I felt I had the right to know at least this much.

Ilay leaned his arms on the railing and rested his chin on them. With eyes that were more unfocused than relaxed, he gazed down at the city below. The inorganic buildings rose tall, like a dense forest. Beyond the low-saturation high-rises, the chaotic neon signs of the lower district flickered faintly.

“Just like I’m destined to become part of the Imperial Guard, Lilian was meant to be a bridge between her family and another.”

“An arranged marriage?”

It sounded like the obvious answer. Ilay, watching the setting sun, continued speaking.

“That’s putting it mildly. Lilian Ramoness had her marriage partner decided from birth. He was a man more than fifty years older.”

“So, did she rebel against her parents because of that?”

“Just listen. The man was a widower. After losing his previous wife, he made a proposal to the Ramoness family, offering an enormous dowry. But the conditions he demanded were extremely specific.”

Even I, who had been listening half-heartedly, was beginning to feel curious about the story.

“What kind of conditions?”

“He sent photos, videos, and records of his late wife along with a ridiculous demand: ‘Raise her to be exactly like my late wife.’ From her appearance to her speech, down to the smallest habits and mannerisms. Even her name—Lilian—was chosen for that reason.”

I frowned, first in disbelief, then in disgust. It was a revolting request.

“Lilian was raised by the Ramoness family like livestock, tailored to the customer’s order. Like a custom-made product. The only fortunate aspect was that the man’s late wife had a strong connection to Bellato. Because of that, Lilian had access to books and knowledge about Bellato. There was even a condition: ‘She must be well-versed in Bellato culture.’”

“Then the Lilian we know—her appearance wasn’t originally hers, was it?”

“...No one knows what Lilian’s original face looked like. Not even she knew. Her appearance was changed through surgeries every year to simulate natural growth. Her eye color was altered, and her facial bones were shaved and augmented.”

“To match the voice, her vocal cords were replaced with a machine early on. It must have been excruciating. Even when she reached adulthood, when it would have been easier to completely reconstruct her face, the ‘customer’ wouldn’t allow it. He insisted that her physical identity remain fixed.”

I felt anew how twisted and oppressive desires become when intertwined with power.

“She was abused from the moment she was born.”

“Lilian had to live with even her tastes and habits predetermined. Whenever she stepped out of line, she faced brutal punishments. Among her family, the only one who showed her any sympathy was Claude, who was closer to her in age.”

Now, even I felt a small amount of pity for Lilian. It seemed she had lived a rather miserable life.

As I listened to the story