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In the study, I heard from Heilas about the current situation of the guards.
“As you know, the military is currently in conflict with the royal family. That is why the military took over the interests in the catacombs.”
Disloyal remarks came out of Heila’s mouth. What was coming out of his mouth now was not ideology or thought, but real politics.
‘The military and the royal guard are in conflict with the royal family.’
The lower classes would never have imagined that there would be such a conflict. I did not until recently. I thought that all the institutions of the empire would be united in loyalty under the emperor.
But the disturbing truth is that even the Emperor cannot control everything. There were areas of the Empire that were beyond his reach.
‘If it had been perfectly controllable from the beginning… … we wouldn’t have used spies and watchers.’
It is impossible to rule perfectly with just systems and regulations. That is why even the royal family has no choice but to resort to expedient means.
The empire isn’t perfect. It’s just creaking and somehow getting by.
“The Imperial Guard is a unit directly under His Majesty the Emperor. It is not under the direct control of the military. Shouldn’t we side with the Imperial Family, not the military?”
I said it bluntly. It wasn’t pretense, but sincerity.
“In principle, yes. In the early days of the establishment of the Imperial Guard, you are right. It was an organization that was thoroughly loyal and obedient to His Majesty the Emperor. Furthermore, the Imperial Guard actually played a role in keeping the military in check.”
“Does that mean in principle, not now?”
Heilas also remained silent for a long time, as if he was going to answer carefully. The words he was about to utter were probably not things that a guard should say.
“Luka, don’t misunderstand and listen carefully. The history of the Royal Guard is long. There are always generals from the Royal Guard at the top of the military, and many of the key figures in the military are from the Royal Guard. As time goes by, the military and the Royal Guard cannot be separate organizations.”
“Blocking the advancement of those from the Royal Guard into the military… … .”
I stopped talking. It was a premise that didn’t make sense even to me.
It was also a problem if the guardsmen were released into the civilian market. Not only was the enormous training cost a waste, but it was also very difficult to control the guardsmen who went into the civilian market.
However, it is not possible to work them to death within the guards. If that were to happen, even among the loyal guards, discontent would build up tremendously.
In any case, the reason why the guards undergo harsh training and perform dangerous missions is… …the goal is to live a life of wealth and honor after retirement. No one, no matter how loyal, would want to die in vain.
“Naturally, as time passed, the Royal Guards were no longer able to fulfill their role as a check on the military. From the imperial perspective, the situation had reached a point where a drastic reorganization was necessary. To do so, the Royal Guards’ vested interests had to be taken away. You may not know this, but… … The Royal Guards are not the first direct unit of the imperial family. There were direct units of the imperial family similar to the Royal Guards before us.”
Perhaps the end of the nameless direct unit was not good.
In the current situation, there was no room to even discuss right and wrong. The problem was more fundamental.
‘A matter of survival.’
The royal guard and the military were struggling to survive while protecting their own interests. The imperial family also had to take care of the royal guard and the military in order to maintain the stability of its rule.
“This isn’t a matter of disloyalty or disrespect. It’s just that the balance has been broken. That’s why the scales have tipped.”
But no matter how you dress it up, it is disloyalty and disrespect. Those who have served for decades may have vague memories, but as a cadet, I received mental education that was close to brainwashing until recently.
‘Under no circumstances should the swords of the Guard be turned against the Empire or the Imperial Family.’
Those who taught us like that are now baring their fangs at the royal family. If you think about it carefully, it’s just funny. This world is full of ironies.
“So how do you plan on re-balancing things?”
“… … That’s all for the explanation, Luca. You’re just a cadet. What I’ve told you so far is something that even the younger members of the Royal Guard don’t know. The newly-formed Royal Guard members are too blind.”
The younger the guard, the more loyal they will be to the imperial family. However, the longer the service and the more entangled the guard, the more likely they will be to think of themselves, their family, and their comrades in the guard before the imperial family.
“I’ll keep my mouth shut. Then, I’ll take my leave now… … .”
Heilas waved her hand.
“Just stay a little longer. I need time to drink. I can’t stand Eva’s nagging when I’m in my right mind.”
When I leave, Eva and Jupe will come in. I waited for Heilas, who seemed to fully understand, to pour me a drink.
Heilas quickly emptied his glass. He must be suffering from a burden I can’t even imagine. Even a superhuman like him needs a break.
Whoosh.
I left the study after seeing Heilas’ gesture. Eva and Jupe were sitting on the sofa in the hallway.
Eva’s expression was fierce as she stood up. She was walking towards me as if she was going to break down the door.
“I have something to say, ‘Mother.’”
I blocked Eva’s path.
Eva’s face turned red with extreme anger. However, like the mistress of a noble family, she quickly controlled her expression.
“… …Speak.”
Eva answered briefly so as not to convey her emotions.
“Father needs comfort, not questioning.”
“You’ve come to the point where you’re giving me advice, Lucas.”
It was a remark that sounded like a sharp thorn being spat out.
“Now is the time to trust your judgment, Father. I believe that you are a wise woman. You know better than anyone how to deal with a husband who is going through a difficult time.”
Eva didn’t push me away. She bit her lower lip as if flicking it.
I stood in her way until she answered. She closed her eyes, then opened them and nodded.
“… … If Nikolaos were alive, he would have said the same thing as you. In this situation, I think you’re right.”
A distant longing flashed across Eva’s eyes. She would have supported Nikolaos, not Jupe, even if she outwardly treated her two sons as equals.
“thank you.”
I bowed my head politely and passed her.
Exactly.
Eva entered the study, unbuttoning the top button of her coat.
Since the matter had now become a matter of the couple’s domain, Jupe naturally could not enter the study. He went down the stairs with me.
I also felt awkward with Jupe. Until this afternoon, he and I had shaken hands and made a truce. But now, it wouldn’t be strange if there was a war between the two of us.
Jupe, who didn’t know the details, must have felt a great sense of betrayal from me.
I was prepared to take a beating even if Jupe was stabbed. I suppressed my body’s fighting reflexes as much as possible.
“Luca.”
Jupe, who had come down the stairs, called my name. He hid his eyes filled with mixed emotions and spoke dryly.
“I haven’t given up yet. But now I have to admit that you’re ahead.”
“I wasn’t being shallow. I didn’t know my father would make such a decision.”
“I know. You’re not that kind of person. If you were, your father wouldn’t have favored you.”
Jupe took a deep breath as if to calm his nerves. He opened his eyes wide and tapped me on the shoulder.
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“… … Our promise will remain valid until the storm and chaos abate. For now, the family comes first.”
For the first time, I felt like a full member of the Custoria family. I even felt a faint connection with Eva.
I haven’t been around long, but that seems true.
The world is a place you have to live long to see.
* * *
A long day is coming to an end. The sky is dark.
I went back to my room and started light training. Since I had newly implanted prosthetic arms and legs, I couldn’t skip training for the time being, no matter how busy I was.
I completed a balance and reaction test with difficult gymnastic movements such as a one-handed handstand. Even though it was an advanced prosthesis, my movements were not perfect because it had only been implanted for a short time. Some movements were even unsteady.
My brain and prosthetic body are not yet in perfect coordination. No matter how much cybernetic technology develops, the brain will eventually have to control the prosthetic body.
Even things you use often become unfamiliar when you buy new ones. It goes without saying that it is even worse when it comes to new clothes.
Thud, thud.
Someone was walking into my room.
At first I assumed the visitor was Giselle, because I had sent her a call message towards the end of my training.
‘There are two footprints. One is heavy.’
I didn’t even have time to wipe the sweat off, so I just put on a shirt.
Knock, knock.
A visitor knocked on the door.
Squeak.
When I opened the door, I saw a familiar face. But I wasn’t happy.
‘Arthur and… … Anna.’
They are my uncle and cousin.
Two annoying visitors stood in front of my door. And Anna looked unusual. She smelled of perfume and her clothes were revealing.
‘What on earth does this man think of his own daughter?’
Disgust rose. But it was common in aristocratic society.
Think of Lillian Ramones, Luca. Anna would be a good deal.
I greeted them with a calm heart.
“Have you been training? As expected, you are the next generation. You are already trustworthy.”
Arthur looked at me and heaped praise on me.
“I hope you don’t say anything that could be misunderstood. I’m just acting as a proxy when the head of the household is absent.”
“There’s no need to be so stubborn. Everyone already knows. Do you think Heilas would have singled you out for nothing? Come on, come on, Anna, go inside and pour your fat cousin a glass of water.”
Anna came into the room with her head down. She rummaged through the refrigerator as if it were her own room and took out a bottle of water.
“Lu, Lucas? Can I call you Luca? This is the first time the two of us have talked together.”
Anna smiled bashfully and poured water into the glass. Now that I look at it, there is no need to pity Anna. The woman is deliberately trying to make me feel bad.
widely.
Anna put the glass of water down in front of me. I reluctantly drank the water and looked at Anna.
I was struggling with how to get rid of Anna and Arthur, and I was doing it very fiercely.
Anna fanned herself with her hand as if she was hot. She took a step closer and ran her fingers through her top.
Ssuk.
Anna hooked her fingers on the buttons of her top. I quickly reached out, remembering what Eva had done today.
chuck!
I grabbed Anna’s wrist and stopped her from unbuttoning the button. It seems that in this house, seduction begins with unbuttoning the button.
“Oh, it’s a little hot.”
Anna said with a mixture of embarrassment and embarrassment on her face.
“Then I will open the window for you.”
I opened the window and watched their actions reflected in the glass.
Meanwhile, Anna was watching Arthur. Arthur was giving her a signal as if telling her to do something.
They must have thought I couldn’t see it. It was a ridiculous farce.
“Oh, Luca, do you remember what I told you last time? My daughter said she wanted to be friends with you.”
I remember it, but I don’t remember it in my heart.
“I, I want to become close with you quickly!”
Anna said, sticking close to me.
‘What should I do with this?’
It won’t be a big deal to embarrass them here.
But I didn’t want to be so harsh. Today wasn’t a bad day. I especially didn’t want to act cruelly toward someone from the Custoria family.
“When I tried moving it earlier, the body alignment wasn’t quite right. The women of the Custoria family are generally well-versed in cybernetic engineering and machines… … .”
I sat down and placed my arms on the table. Then I pulled at a piece of artificial skin on the inside of my left arm. A terminal that could be connected to the outside world was revealed.
“… … If you just look at my body for a moment, I think we can become close friends quickly.”
I accessed the Watcher’s database and looked at Anna’s history. Like any daughter of Custoria, she had studied mechanical engineering.
However, Anna was not admitted to the top educational institution, the Kratzia Academy, and was ranked low in other educational institutions. So she will not be able to even touch the tuning of the high-powered body.
“Oh, over there, um, ah, Dad?”
Anna looked at Arthur, not knowing what to do. If she messed up, she wouldn’t even get her initial investment back.
“I’ll do that. I think my skills are better than Anna’s.”
A voice came from the door. Giselle appeared behind Arthur. I already knew she was coming.
“Hmm, G, Giselle’s skills are better than my daughter’s.”
“Oh, Dad!”
“No, it’s true. Then let’s meet again, Luca.”
Arthur thought this was the moment and took Anna with him and left the place.
Giselle came into my room only after they had left. She gestured to the door with her eyes.
“What are those people here for?”
“I guess he wanted to make the dull household laugh.”
Giselle smiled faintly at my words. Well, it seems the joke worked.
“By the way, is it true that you need tuning? Then I’ll do it.”
“It is necessary. It is a new body so it takes less time.”
Giselle sat down across from him at the table and took out her terminal and a few maintenance tools.
Exactly.
She unbuttoned one of her top buttons before starting her work. I looked at her, flinching.
“why?”
Giselle looked up at my reaction.
“No, nothing. Nothing.”
I turned my head and looked at the open window.
