Bad Born Blood - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The place where the Empire’s Suppression Force arrived was on the northern outskirts. It was said that the insurgent forces were gathering there.

Wuuung!

It was when we got off the train and were about to set up camp. From the sky, an airship for high-ranking officers was descending.

‘There’s no sign of combat airships or airborne vehicles.’

No matter where I looked, I couldn’t spot any combat aircraft. I found it a bit strange that we’d be fighting without air support. There had to be some reason for it.

Beep.

I heard the call sound and checked the message on my retinal display. A meeting for officers was scheduled in five minutes.

“Kodrak, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Kodrak, who had been directing the squad to construct the encampment, nodded. All around the camp, soldiers and androids were busy setting up barracks.

The camp was built according to the designated layout. All facilities were located in the same positions. To soldiers of the Empire, even an unfamiliar camp felt like home due to its familiar structure.

Ilray and I met, as arranged, halfway between our assigned posts. When he saw me, Ilray gave a slight nod as he approached.

“There’s not much time to talk, Luka,” Ilray said in a calm voice as we walked toward the command post.

“Is it because of the Lamones family?”

Every time I said that name, a bitter smile came over me. Claude Lamones… killed by a Holy Knight on the mission I was commanding… He didn’t even realize he was dying. Everything ended before he had a chance to feel fear. That was the only consolation, I suppose.

And then there was his sister, Lilian Lamones. I had treated her harshly. But that didn’t mean I hated or despised her. I simply didn’t care.

“…Yeah, it’s because of the Lamones family,” Ilray answered, sounding defeated.

“I know you’re close with them, but there’s nothing we can do, Ilray. If you take the side of the traitors, even the Kartika Family won’t be able to protect you.”

“I’m not hoping for a miracle. But Luka, if there’s a chance… I hope we can somehow save Lilian.”

I couldn’t answer easily. My gaze remained fixed on Ilray, unblinking. I used all my insight to read his emotions.

Normally, Ilray wouldn’t let his feelings slip under my scrutiny. But right now, he was in a precarious state. To be honest, I didn’t think he should be out on the battlefield. He couldn’t even control his own emotions.

“Do you… have feelings for Lilian Lamones?”

I had struck a nerve. Ilray stiffly turned his head, his lips trembling as though they might crumble.

“…Not anymore. She was my first love.”

I let out a short, hollow laugh.

“You tried to set me up with the woman you first loved? You really are something else.”

“Lilian hates the idea of marrying a nobleman.”

Ilray spoke bitterly. Lilian hated the idea of being with a nobleman? I was puzzled, but I didn’t bother asking why. It wasn’t what mattered at the moment.

“Hey, get a grip. I’ve put up with your antics so far, but not this time.”

I stated it bluntly. Even if I’d been feeling a bit soft, my answer would’ve been the same.

Trying to save Lilian was genuinely reckless. This wasn’t something that would end with a slap on the wrist. If we were caught, the higher-ups wouldn’t even bother with an explanation—they’d execute us on the spot.

At some point, other commanders had started to hover nearby. The command post was close.

“…Ilray, this is the end of the talk about Lilian. Don’t bring it up again.”

Lilian Lamones had to die. Whether Ilray accepted it or not, that was the truth.

The higher-ups were using a large transport ship as the command center. The transport ship, firmly anchored to the ground, looked like a permanent structure. A sleek, triangular airship devoid of any exterior features stood there like a pyramid.

Ilray and I entered the command post’s conference room. It was a space large enough to fit at least a hundred people.

In the center of the room, a holographic map was slowly rotating. I took a place close to the wall, waiting for the meeting to begin.

Cadets and lower-ranking officers like me stood around the perimeter of the room, while senior officers took their seats one by one.

“Luka, how’s your squad?”

Ilray tapped my forearm lightly as he spoke.

The surroundings were bustling, as the meeting had yet to start. Some cadets attended with their lieutenants, relying heavily on them, it seemed. That was one approach, I supposed.

“We’ll see.”

At my curt reply, Ilray gave a knowing smile, as if he’d already figured out my situation.

“Couldn’t hold back and already had it out with them, huh?”

“I just made the first move before the lieutenant could treat me like a kid.”

“From their perspective, we are just kids.”

“If you keep playing nice like that, the subordinates will start ignoring you.”

Despite my words, I wasn’t actually worried about Ilray’s squad. He was shrewd and knew how to handle his men, coaxing them when needed. I was more concerned he might try to see Lilian.

As we were talking, the lights in the conference room went out. The chatter and noise ceased as if on cue. Even without orders, a perfect silence took over the room.

Whirr.

In the darkness, the holographic map glowed even brighter. Our gaze shifted from it to the platform.

The head of the Imperial Guard, Halas Custoria, stood on the platform. Dressed in his uniform, he began the briefing.

The Empire’s military was always direct and to the point. Extraneous procedures and formalities were kept to a minimum.

“…The rebel forces are stationed at an Arcane ruin.”

The holographic map zoomed out, revealing the Arcane ruin. A brief stir spread through the conference room.

The Arcane ruin looked like a fortress to anyone. It seemed to have been used as one long ago. The ruins were surrounded by a massive, double-layered wall.

‘A fortress….’

On Planet Novus, traces of the ancient Arcane civilization and their ruins were scattered everywhere. These ruins took various forms, but fortress-like structures were rare.

There wasn’t any problem with the ruin being a simple Arcane fortress. Most ruins had become inoperative anyway. But this time, something felt off. The rebels had taken position in a fortress, and the Imperial Guard commander was emphasizing this.

“The rebels have figured out how to operate the Arcane fortress. A high-density Force shield is covering the entire fortress in a dome shape, and turrets, likely Arcane weapons, are shooting down any aircraft that approach.”

Footage, captured with difficulty, played on the display behind the commander. Bluish energy beams pierced through the aircraft mercilessly.

Because of this, it seemed the Suppression Force had given up on air support and planned to proceed with a ground assault.

“It appears there are five turrets. The 11th Armored Brigade will lead the charge, break through the fortress, and destroy the turrets. After that, the entire force will surround and storm the place.”

On the map, red dots flickered, marking the turret locations as predicted by the strategy computer.

The Armored Brigade, even if not Legion-class, was a high-level unit equipped with standard-issue armored prosthetics. The Empire was deploying significant power for this suppression.

‘The activation of an Arcane fortress.’

I glanced over at Ilray. Ilray was always interested in the Arcane civilization. A boyish curiosity was likely brewing in his mind. Or maybe he was too worried about Lilian to even entertain such thoughts.

“…The operation will commence at 14:10.”

That was an hour and a half from now. The operation was going to be swift and decisive.

The lights in the conference room turned back on. As the meeting ended, murmurs arose from all directions.

The primary concern was the activation of the Arcane fortress. Everyone assumed there was some connection between the Arcane fortress and this rebellion.

Ilray, leaning against the wall, rested his chin in thought.

“Ilray, let’s go.”

I tapped Ilray on the shoulder as I spoke. He nodded and exited the conference room with me.

Beep.

A single-use, short-term data packet had been transmitted to our devices. It was the manual for this operation, with guidelines for handling various contingencies.

If we didn’t familiarize ourselves with the single-use data in time, it would automatically vanish—a security measure.

As we walked, Ilray and I reviewed the operation details. About two minutes later, we almost simultaneously took our eyes off our devices.

“Well, as expected, we’re just playing a supporting role.”

I wasn’t thrilled.

The main forces of the Suppression Force would enter the fortress and break through the defensive line. Units led by cadet squad leaders like us were meant to enter only after the situation was more or less under control.

“I suppose that’s only natural. The higher-ups don’t exactly want us dead,” Ilray said, tucking his device into the inner pocket of his jacket.

“So what’s the difference between this and a field trip?”

“That was a pretty war-crazed comment just now, Luka.”

I shrugged. I wasn’t a war fanatic. But if I was on the battlefield, I wanted to make my mark.

I knew it was a bit reckless to say. Still, I felt like I could accomplish something. An impatience to show my strength and abilities was starting to build up. Being left out of real missions for so long probably played a part in this feeling.

Halt.

We stopped at a fork in the path. My squad’s barracks were to the right, while Ilray’s were to the left.

“Ilray, don’t do anything reckless. That’s not advice—it’s a warning.”

I pointed a finger at him as I stepped backward. A fleeting sadness flickered in his eyes for a brief moment.

“I know.”

But my instincts told me that his words were a lie. If he met Lilian, he intended to find a way to help her escape.

Please, let Lilian Lamones die amidst the chaos, so that she isn’t found alive by us… I fervently wished for that.