110
An ominous current was flowing through the guard.
‘The military and the Royal Guard had the rights to the Catacomb mines.’
It was nominally a fund for disabled soldiers. It was money for soldiers who died or were injured while fighting for the empire and their bereaved families. It was not that there was no fund to begin with, but it was difficult to provide proper support due to chronic deficits.
People thought that this decision to fund the fund was the judgment of the Imperial Family. Those who did not know better praised the Empire and the Imperial Family.
But the reality is different.
‘It is the decision of the military and the guards.’
I don’t know how Heilas managed to convince the military. Was his influence that great, or did the military have enough nerve to provoke the royal family?
Perhaps the influence of the Imperial Family was not as overwhelming as I had expected. I still do not know anything about the high-ranking ministers and generals who run the Empire.
I was with Kinuan now. Kinuan was drinking tea as usual.
“The royal family has pride, so they won’t be able to change their decision on the fund. It was a clever move.”
Kinuan said. I reported to him what had happened so far.
“I didn’t know the interests of the Catacomb mines were so important.”
In my view, it was at best enough to support one noble family.
“If the wrong contracts related to mining rights are liquidated and the military directly operates the mining, it will be a different story. The finances will be considerably improved. The companies involved will be dissatisfied with the sudden loss of mining rights, but they will think it is a decision made by the military or the royal family, so it will be difficult for them to object.”
“The owners of the catacombs… … have been provided with a pretext to expel the Korobus family.”
“It could just be a coincidence, or there could be a plot we’re not aware of.”
I thought this couldn’t be a coincidence. It fit together so well.
‘But it won’t be the work of the royal family or Kinuan.’
If the royal family and Kinuan had prepared to expel Korobus, their rights would not have been taken away like this.
‘……for a moment.’
I bit my lower lip and opened my eyes wide.
‘Then the military and Heilas… … .’
What if you gave me and Iskan’s information in order to lure the Korobus family?
The Korobus family was on the Royal Guard’s own investigation list. Even without me, the Royal Guard would have reached the Korobus family.
‘Haylas put me in danger?’
I didn’t want to believe it. But it wasn’t impossible. Even if you don’t believe it, you have to leave it at least as a possibility.
‘If you had just told me, I would have gladly served as bait. But if you had led the attack without telling me… … does that mean Heilas doesn’t trust me?’
My thoughts were quickly turning. It had never occurred to me that Haylas could have hit me in the back of the head. I didn’t even want to think about it.
Up until now, Heilas has treated me with trust.
“Luka, His Majesty is not in a good mood right now. The schedule may be accelerated. When the time comes, you too must move.”
“Haylas knows that the Imperial Family is keeping him in check. If so, he must be preparing for it. Is Your Majesty prepared for civil war?”
“The real enemy of the Empire is outside. That is why the Imperial Family is going around in circles to avoid civil war. Luca, it seems to you that the Imperial Family is poking fun at the innocent military. It seems like they are trying to abandon the loyal Heilas.”
“Honestly, yes.”
It’s hard to deny. Even if you deny it, no one will believe it.
“There is solid evidence on this side as well. If we don’t reorganize the military personnel like this, there will be a rebellion within 10 years. And the probability of a full-scale war with another country is increasing every year. An unavoidable war will come within half a century.”
“You speak as if you are foreseeing the future.”
“If you have mastered the Arches Big Tama, you will understand. The future is a product of reality. It does not come from outside reality. The Imperial Prophecy is an infinitely close approximation to the prophecy. We cannot fight an external enemy while leaving unstable elements. The Empire must prepare to fight with the Emperor at its center.”
If what Kinuan said is true… …the royal family’s actions are justified.
‘It doesn’t matter who goes first.’
The confrontation has already begun.
If the Empire is about to go to war with Bellato and Cora, it must secure internal stability, even if it means resorting to extreme measures.
“I will continue to monitor Heilas’ movements. If there is an opportunity, I will leave it to your judgment.”
“I guess I’m a double agent too. Just like the old instructor.”
“Once this purge is over, I will retire. Then my authority will pass to you. As time goes by, you will realize that it is we and the royal family who truly act for the Empire and its people. Someone must do something dirty and ugly. The world is out of order, and there are things that can only be rectified through out-of-order actions.”
“I know. And that role is mine.”
Kinuan is a smooth talker. And although I don’t know the ratio of truth to lies, he doesn’t just lie to me. His persuasion is always mixed with truth. Sometimes he just spits out the truth.
… … It was the same even now. What Kinuan said must be true.
Memories of the past came flooding back. I was prepared to die in front of Rick Silva Nunez.
‘My name is Lucius Custoria, Sword and Shield of the Empire. The enemies of the Empire are my enemies.’
‘Are you planning to spend your whole life doing dirty work and then get disposed of?’
‘If anyone needs to do the dirty work for the Empire… … it’s going to be me.’
I volunteered to be the shadow of the Empire. But it was also for the sake of House Custoria.
Now I must harm House Custoria for the sake of the Empire. My oaths and pledges cannot help but waver.
“I have a question. When this is over, will the Custoria family be exterminated?”
“If it leads to a concrete rebellion, it will be certain annihilation. Then you too must change your identity and face and act accordingly.”
“So that means that if we suppress the subversive forces before that, we won’t be wiped out. For example, if Haylas becomes incapable of recovery and I become the next head of Custoria.”
I said it bluntly. I do not want the Custoria family to be destroyed.
“You really are… … a good boy. A kind person.”
I knew you’d hear that.
* * *
An old adage came to mind: The night before a storm is the calmest.
As the saying goes, Heilas was also motionless for a while. Working in the office and occasionally visiting the Custoria mansion was his daily routine for the past two weeks.
‘You don’t trust me?’
I kept repeating those words to myself on the airship going to and from the Custoria mansion. I wanted to hear his answer.
Yeah, it might sound a little childish, but… … I was hoping that my bond with Heilas would be as strong as that of blood relatives.
‘Did Haylas use me as bait without telling me?’
Just like Giselle who was used by Barbara at the Academy. Anyone can understand what happened. Even though she was her own daughter, Giselle couldn’t keep secrets from Barbara. So Giselle had to be deceived as well.
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‘But I’m different. If you tell me in advance, I can act as bait better.’
Here’s my guess. Heilas wanted to drive out the Korobus family in order to take over the Catacomb Mines, and to do so, he leaked information about me and Iskan to the Korobus family, leading to an attack.
… … I’m not sure. So I hope my guess is wrong. I wanted to hold out that much hope for the man who brought me here.
‘I would do the same thing if I died like Nicholas.’
When I heard this, honestly, I was happy. I still want to believe it.
But when I think about it, it’s shameless. Do I have the right to be angry that Heilas is deceiving me? I’m deceiving him too.
“Luka, next time you come to the mansion, you will stop by the Silver Moon Pavilion. It is important to you too, so make sure to reserve some time.”
Heilas spoke from the air vehicle returning to the Royal Guard headquarters.
The Silver Moon Hall is the annex where the elders of the Custoria family reside. The Custoria family’s important matters are decided by the elders.
Sure enough, something is moving.
The flow was changing gradually from the base that we could not feel. It was a flow that even I could not easily detect.
“With Giselle… … .”
Heilas was out of luck. I felt my heart pounding, even though I kept my expressionless face.
“… … What’s going on? We used to be on good terms, but it seems like things have gotten worse recently.”
Giselle and I tried our best to avoid talking in front of other people. I don’t know, but Giselle is not good at controlling her emotions.
“I had a fight over something in the lower district. If you want to hear the details, I’ll tell you.”
“No, there’s no reason for me to interfere in the affairs of my siblings. Please take good care of Giselle. She’s smart, but clumsy.”
Smart but clumsy. I can relate.
“I am concerned.”
I answered. It’s the worrying that’s the problem. I had to resist the urge to go there every time.
“Is the engagement with Ilay Kartika going to end up being fake? It seems like a pretty good matchmaking.”
“I also recommended it, but I don’t think it will work out, especially on Giselle’s part.”
“I didn’t expect much either. Giselle is the type of person who chooses her own spouse. That’s why she’s rejected all the marriage proposals so far.”
“I didn’t know you could respect that part.”
When I said this with a slightly surprised tone, Heilas chuckled.
“I have used my children, but I have never suppressed their choices. It was also his own greed that made Jupe become a soldier, which was not suitable for his aptitude. He chose a job that would allow him to beat his brother because he wanted to become the head of the household.”
At times like this, I really like Heilas. He seemed like the ideal father.
‘Like this… … .’
I wanted to tell everything about myself here.
Kinuan, who seemed like a subversive element, was actually the Emperor’s loyal servant and watchdog. The secret weapon prepared by the Imperial Family to expel Custoria is none other than me. I am aiming for the back of your head.
If I had longed for my father just a little more, I would have said something foolish.
The guard headquarters was approaching. Heilas, who was checking the message, tilted his head for a moment and then said.
“Luka, in two days His Majesty the King will have a procession. It will last more than half a day from the upper to the lower quarters.”
The Crimson Crown Prince, Francesque Kratzia. But he is a man who will die as a sacrificial lamb one day. Only the Emperor, Ivan, myself, and Kinuan know this fact.
“I know. It’s the Royal Guard’s job to protect you.”
“His Majesty has appointed you, a cadet, as his special escort. Perhaps he is interested in you, a former cadet with many accomplishments. He likes irregulars.”
It may not be just because I am irregular.
Francesca thinks he will be king in the future and that I will be his watcher for a long time. That must be why he chose me.
“I will prepare it.”
