Bad Born Blood - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Kinuan was under my surveillance. However, I felt comfortable being with him. He was well aware that I was acting under the orders of the Imperial Guard Commander.

In many ways, our relationship was subtle. On further reflection, this was true for the majority of people I interacted with.

As the topic of subordinates came up, I posed a question to Kinuan.

“Ah, the other day, the Guard Commander said something interesting. He mentioned that if it’s about handling subordinates, Instructor Kinuan knows best.”

“Hemillas said that? Haha, he’s overestimating me. Well, I wouldn’t say I can’t give advice. After all, I am your master for now.”

Kinuan rested his tilted head on the back of his hand. With the other hand, he tapped on the table.

Viiing.

A holographic portrait emerged. It displayed a man and a woman: Gilda and Gabriel.

“Gilda and Gabriel can currently be seen as your collaborators in the lower district. You’ve extended grace to both of them. You saved Gilda from a gang and covered Gabriel’s medical expenses. These two would readily assist you.”

Thinking back now, Kinuan had effectively been teaching me how to build allies all along.

“Of course. I’ve done things for them, after all.”

“But it’s still not enough. If faced with truly dangerous situations, they would betray you. You must foster deeper relationships with them through emotional exchanges—like family or friends.”

I found myself questioning.

“Like family and friends?”

“Yes, sometimes even like lovers. Only when you’re emotionally close enough will they be willing to risk their lives for you. However, *you* must always maintain psychological distance from them. If your relationships grow too deep, you’ll become hesitant to ‘expend’ them.”

Kinuan spoke as if delivering a lecture. His words were chilling.

“…I don’t like the idea.”

Frankly, I felt it might be better to control people through violence and fear.

“Here’s the point: ‘Be loved, but do not love.’ That’s the secret to maintaining dominance in all human relationships.”

I didn’t bother to hide the repulsion rising within me.

“Imperial soldiers will march to their deaths at the mere command. I don’t think there’s any need to go through the trouble of forming bonds.”

Kinuan merely smiled at my rebuttal.

“There will come a time when you must command those who are not soldiers. Not every soldier of the Empire is as valiant as you suggest. More importantly…”

Kinuan paused, lacing his fingers together and lowering his eyelids slightly. The light seeping through his eyes felt cold and piercing.

“…If you consume subordinates through orders, it tarnishes your reputation and breeds resentment. However, if a subordinate willingly sacrifices their life, it becomes a heroic tale, enhancing your reputation. As this dynamic continues, those swept up in the crowd mentality will gladly offer themselves for you. Humans who entrust their identities to a greater flow easily throw away their lives, deluded into thinking it’s worthwhile.”

I remained silent, lost in thought.

The Guard Commander was right. Kinuan had an exceptional understanding of how to manage people, far beyond what one would expect from an ordinary Imperial Guard member. His speech carried the tone of someone who had led groups for a significant period.

Imperial Guards occasionally serve as commanders. However, Kinuan’s words struck at a more fundamental level. This wasn’t insight gained from dabbling in field command a few times.

I fixed my gaze on Kinuan, refusing to look away. Even so, it was difficult to discern his intentions and thoughts. Why was he telling me all of this?

“…I understand. It’s certainly an area where I’m lacking.”

Even as an empty platitude, it was hard to claim that I was skilled in interpersonal relations. If anything, I leaned toward being exclusive. I wasn’t sure if I could effectively apply his advice.

“But I do have a question, Instructor.”

Kinuan waited for me to speak, signaling for me to continue.

“What if your mind cannot endure the act of consuming others? For instance, due to pangs of conscience or guilt.”

“You’ll have to get used to it,” Kinuan replied effortlessly. I pressed further.

“And if you can’t get used to it?”

“Then it means you lack the qualifications to command anyone. It simply indicates that you aren’t the kind of person meant to stand above others.”

I nodded very slowly. This wasn’t a matter of agreement or disagreement. It was reality and truth.

—

The Empire boasts numerous educational institutions. Just as not all nobles become soldiers, not all institutions are military academies.

One such institution is the Royal Accretia Academy.

Named after His Majesty the Emperor, it’s said that anyone who aspires to become an elite bureaucrat—the backbone of the Empire—must pass through the Accretia Academy.

…or so the Guard Commander, Hemillas Kusthoria, had explained.

I had rushed here after being summoned by the Guard Commander. Accretia Academy? I had no interest in it, nor did it concern me. No—more accurately, it hadn’t concerned me until now.

“What?”

That single word revealed my complete bewilderment. When had I ever questioned a superior like this? At least, not in my memory.

“It seems the term ‘dispatch’ surprised you, Luka.”

The Guard Commander, who had been explaining the Accretia Academy, was smiling as if amused.

“It’s not… a joke, is it?”

I muttered quietly. The Guard Commander, seemingly understanding my reaction, added further explanation.

“It’s only a two-month dispatch. It’ll be a valuable experience for you as well.”

“I thought I’d be excluded.”

“It’s been tradition to select participants based on training performance. Ah, Ilay declined. He mentioned wanting to rest at his family home for a while.”

“Then I’ll decline as well,” I said firmly. However, the Guard Commander responded without the slightest hesitation.

“I reject your refusal. You’ve never experienced noble society. Through this, you’ll get at least an indirect taste of it. Especially if you genuinely intend to become a part of the Kusthoria family.”

With that, I had no retort.

To summarize, it was simple: I would be a student of the Royal Academy for the next two months. It was absurd, but it was also the Guard Commander’s order.

I already knew that, in the fourth year of training, the top-performing cadets were sent to the Royal Academy for two months. However, I never thought I’d be included, originating from the lower district.

“If you think this experience is necessary for me, I’ll gladly go,” I said, snapping my feet together and saluting crisply. I had no intention of showing any more un-soldierly behavior. If it was an order, I would carry it out.

“Oh, and Luka,” the Guard Commander called out, stopping me as I turned to leave.

“I’ve arranged a guide for you. Let’s see… pack your things and head to the airfield tomorrow at 1:20 PM.”

I parted my lips slightly.

‘A guide?’

The thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t voice it. I’d find out soon enough tomorrow.

—

The next day.

‘Beep.’

I heard the chime from the wristwatch synced to my terminal.

The current time was precisely 1:20 PM. The engine noise of the aircraft buzzed through the airfield.

A six-seater aerial vehicle landed before me. Its exterior was black, lined with red lights that shimmered stylishly along its edges. A faint seam on the side opened up, and the wing-like door lifted upward.

I stood still and peered inside. The interior was exceptionally luxurious. Where seats should have been, there were amenities like a refrigerator and displays. The floor was lined with gray fabric mats, giving it a calm, subdued atmosphere.

“Don’t just stand there. Get in.”

It was a woman’s voice. She was seated inside, out of view from the outside. There was a hint of irritation in her tone.

‘Well, it’s a vehicle and a person sent on the Guard Commander’s orders, after all.’

I shrugged and stepped inside. As expected, everything was luxurious. The fabric under my feet felt soft. Although the aerial vehicle was designed for six passengers, the convenience facilities reduced the actual seating to four.

“Imperial Guard Cadet, Luka,” I said, addressing the owner of the voice.

“I already know your name, so there’s no need to announce it,” she replied.

Her attitude was aggressively dismissive. It seemed as if she’d never been called on for her lack of manners before. That could only mean one thing—she must be a noble.

I observed the woman. I wasn’t staring directly at her, just glancing enough to take her measure.

‘She’s about my age, isn’t she?’

Judging by her breathing and demeanor, she wasn’t using a full-body prosthetic. Most nobles adopted full-body prosthetics upon reaching adulthood. A noble without one was either underage or an exception to the norm.

The woman sat with her arms crossed, staring out the window. She didn’t seem inclined to properly introduce herself. Her hair was a deep, dark blue—a shade that might lead one to think she was battling depression. Depending on the lighting, it almost looked black.

“I’m here under the Guard Commander’s orders. Is our destination the Accretia Academy?”

“You’re well-informed,” she replied before falling silent again.

I could feel my patience evaporating.

“Understood, Lady Kusthoria.”

For the first time, the woman looked at me properly. Her eyes widened momentarily before narrowing into a scowl.

“How did you figure that out?”

“It was a simple deduction. If you were merely an errand runner or a retainer of the Kusthoria family, no matter how dissatisfied you were internally, you wouldn’t dare openly express discontent after receiving orders from Guard Commander Hemillas Kusthoria. That makes it clear you’re a noble of the Kusthoria family.”

Despite my explanation, the woman didn’t mask her displeasure.

“You didn’t know my identity beforehand?”

“If you’re curious, you can ask your ‘father,’” I replied confidently.

Even within the Kusthoria family, a branch or minor member wouldn’t have the audacity to maintain such a defiant attitude under the Guard Commander’s command. This meant she was either a direct descendant or someone with a close relationship to him.

Most likely, the woman in front of me was the Guard Commander’s daughter. If my guess was wrong, I’d merely suffer a momentary embarrassment.

Fortunately, my gamble paid off. The woman, perhaps intrigued by my deduction, softened her tone slightly.

“…Giselle Kusthoria. I’ve been assigned by my father to act as your guide.”

I wasn’t sure if I should be pleased or not. There was no real reason to send his daughter as my guide. In truth, Giselle seemed annoyed, not understanding why she had to take on this role.

The situation itself signified that the Guard Commander was treating me with special consideration.

‘Luka Kusthoria.’

And it was also a declaration that he intended to keep that promise.

“Your insight is decent. But don’t ever speak as if you’re above me again. It’s unpleasant,” Giselle said, resuming her cold demeanor. It was clear she had no intention of being amicable.

For some reason, Lilian Ramoness came to mind. Compared to Giselle, Lilian had been agreeable from the start. At the very least, she hadn’t looked down on me.

“If my words upset you, I apolo—”

I stopped mid-sentence and let out a deep sigh. The woman in front of me was a civilian. She wasn’t my superior. Why should I grovel? I’d shown enough restraint; even the Guard Commander would understand.

“…Forget it. I’d rather bite my tongue and die than flatter someone who dislikes me. Let’s just stick to what we’ve been ordered to do. You guide me, I follow. Is that satisfactory?”

Giselle looked shocked by my words. She stared blankly at me for a long moment before biting her lower lip in frustration and turning her head away without responding.

What an insufferable girl. Not figuratively—I genuinely hoped I’d get a chance to physically knock her down someday.

I crossed my arms and gazed out the window. The Guard training grounds had long disappeared from view, and with it, the Accretia Academy drew closer.