Chapter 121
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121
In the study, I listened to Heilas explain the current state of the Imperial Guard.
"As you know, the Military is currently at odds with the Imperial Family over several matters. That's precisely why the Military seized the concessions for the Catacomb Mine."
Disloyal words spilled from Heilas's mouth. What he spoke of now wasn't ideology or philosophy, but cold, hard realpolitik.
The Military and the Imperial Guard are in conflict with the Imperial Family.
The lower classes would never dream such a conflict could exist. Until recently, neither had I. I'd assumed every institution in the Empire stood united in loyalty beneath the Emperor.
But to speak an uncomfortable truth—even the Emperor couldn't control everything. There were corners of the Empire beyond his reach.
If perfect control were possible through systems alone... they'd never have needed Watchers and spies.
Flawless governance can't be achieved through systems and institutions alone. That's why even the Imperial Family is forced to stoop to underhanded methods.
The Empire isn't perfect. It merely creaks along, somehow rolling forward.
"The Imperial Guard is His Majesty's direct unit. It doesn't fall under the Military's chain of command. Shouldn't we be siding with the Imperial Family, not the Military?"
I spoke sharply. It wasn't entirely a performance—there was a sliver of genuine feeling behind my words.
"In principle, yes. In the early days after the Guard's founding, you'd have been correct. Back then it functioned as an organization strictly loyal and obedient to His Majesty. In fact, the Guard existed to keep the Military in check."
"You say 'in principle.' Does that mean it's no longer the case?"
Heilas fell silent for a long moment, as if weighing each word with the utmost care. What he was about to say was something no Imperial Guardsman should ever utter.
"Luka, listen carefully—and don't misunderstand me. The Imperial Guard has a long history. There are always generals of Guard origin at the very top of the Military, and its core leadership is riddled with former Guardsmen. As the years passed, it became impossible for the Military and the Guard to remain separate entities."
"Then why not bar former Guardsmen from joining the Military—"
I cut myself off. Even to me, it was an absurd notion.
Even releasing Guardsmen into the civilian sector was a problem in itself. Not only would the astronomical training costs go to waste, but controlling retired Guardsmen once they were loose among the civilian population would be a nightmare.
Yet they couldn't simply work them to death within the Guard, either. That would breed bitter resentment, even among the most loyal.
After all, the reason Guardsmen endured brutal training and threw themselves into deadly missions... was the wealth and glory that awaited them in retirement. No matter how devoted, no one wanted to die for nothing.
"Naturally, as time went on, the Guard lost its ability to keep the Military in check. From the Imperial Family's perspective, things have reached the point where a radical restructuring is unavoidable. And to do that, they must strip the Guard of its vested interests. You may not know this... but the Imperial Guard is not the first direct unit the Imperial Family has ever raised. Before us, there was another organization much like the Guard."
The fate of that nameless unit had surely not been a pleasant one.
In a situation like this, there was no room for arguments about right and wrong. This was something far more fundamental.
A matter of survival.
The Imperial Guard and the Military were both fighting to survive while guarding their own interests. Meanwhile, the Imperial Family had to rein them in to secure the stability of their reign.
"This is not a question of disloyalty or irreverence. The balance has simply collapsed. That's all. Because of that, the scales have tipped."
But no matter how prettily it was packaged, it was disloyalty and irreverence. Those who'd served for decades might have only hazy memories of the old teachings, but as a cadet, I'd been subjected to mental conditioning bordering on brainwashing until very recently.
Under no circumstances must the blade of the Imperial Guard ever be turned inward—against the Empire or the Imperial Family.
And yet the very people who'd drilled that into us were now baring their fangs at the Imperial Family. When I thought about it, it was almost funny. The world was full of ironies.
"So then—how do you intend to restore the balance?"
"...That's as far as my explanation goes, Luka. You're still only a cadet. What I've told you tonight is something even the younger members of the Guard don't know. Fresh Guardsmen are far too blind in their devotion."
The younger the Guardsman, the more fiercely loyal to the Imperial Family. But the longer they served and the deeper they became entangled... the more they came to prioritize themselves, their families, and their comrades over the Imperial Family.
"My lips are sealed. Now, if you'll excuse me—"
Heilas waved a dismissive hand.
"Stay a while longer. I need a moment to drink. I can't stomach Eva's nagging while sober."
Once I left, Eva and Jupe would come in. So I waited, quietly showing that I understood, while Heilas nursed his drink.
He drained the glass quickly. He had to be laboring under a pressure I couldn't even begin to imagine. Even a superhuman like him needed a moment to breathe.
Swish.
At Heilas's gesture, I left the study. Eva and Jupe were seated on the sofa in the hallway.
Eva shot to her feet, her expression positively ferocious. She strode forward as if she meant to tear the door off its hinges.
"I have something to say to my dear husband."
I stepped into her path.
Eva's face flushed with fury. But like the matriarch of a great house, she quickly smoothed her features.
"...Speak."
She kept her reply clipped, careful not to let any emotion bleed into her voice.
"Father needs comfort right now. Not an interrogation."
"You've grown bold enough to lecture me, Lucaus."
Her words were sharp—like a thorn pricking without warning.
"Now is the time to trust Father's—the Family Head's—judgment. I believe you're a wise woman, Mother. You, of all people, must know how to treat a husband weathering a difficult time."
Eva didn't shove me aside. She bit down on her lower lip, her jaw tightening.
I held my ground, blocking her way until she answered. She closed her eyes, opened them, and gave a small nod.
"...If Nikolaos were alive, he'd have said the exact same thing. I suppose you're right, in this case."
A distant longing flickered in Eva's eyes. She would have backed Nikolaos over Jupe—no matter how evenly she'd treated both her sons on the surface.
"Thank you."
I bowed politely and slipped past her.
Click.
Eva undid the top button of her blouse as she stepped into the study.
Since the matter had become a private affair between husband and wife, Jupe naturally couldn't follow her in. He descended the stairs alongside me.
Being with Jupe felt awkward. Just that afternoon we'd shaken hands and declared a truce. But now it wouldn't have surprised me if open war broke out between us at any moment.
Not knowing the full picture, Jupe must have felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal toward me.
I was braced to take a hit if he decided to swing at me. I suppressed my body's combat reflexes as much as I could.
"Luka."
At the foot of the stairs, Jupe called my name. Masking the storm behind his eyes, he spoke in a flat voice.
"I haven't given up yet. But for now, I'll admit you've pulled ahead."
"I didn't pull any cheap tricks. I didn't expect Father to make this decision either."
"I know. You're not that kind of man. If you were, Father wouldn't favor you the way he does."
Jupe drew a deep breath, steadying himself. He looked me in the eye and clapped a hand on my shoulder.
"...Until this storm and all its chaos pass, our agreement stands. Right now, the family comes first."
For the first time, I felt like a genuine member of the Custoria Family. I even sensed a faint thread of connection binding me to Eva.
I hadn't lived long in this world, but those words felt true. You really do have to live a while to see everything.
* * *
The long day was drawing to a close. The sky had been swallowed by darkness.
Back in my room, I began a light training session. Having only recently received a new prosthetic arm and leg, I couldn't afford to skip training, no matter how busy things got.
I tested my balance and reflexes with difficult gymnastic movements—one-handed handstands and the like. High-grade cybernetic limbs or not, my movements weren't yet perfect; they'd only just been grafted on. I wobbled through a few of the exercises.
My brain and the prosthetic body had yet to reach flawless coordination. No matter how advanced cybernetic technology became, in the end the brain still had to command the machine.
Even ordinary objects took getting used to when you bought them new. A new prosthetic body was no exception.
Step, step.
Someone was walking toward my room.
At first I assumed it was Giselle. I'd messaged her to come by around the time my training would wrap up.
Two sets of footsteps. One of them heavy.
I barely had time to wipe off the sweat and throw on a shirt.
Knock, knock.
The visitor rapped on the door.
Creak.
I opened it to familiar faces. Just not welcome ones.
Artur and... Anna.
My uncle and my cousin.
Two troublesome guests stood at my door. And Anna's appearance was deeply unusual. She reeked of sweet powder, and her clothes bared a fair amount of skin.
What on earth does this man think of his own daughter?
Disgust welled up in me. But in noble society, this was hardly a rare sight.
Think of Lillian Ramones, Luka. Compared to her, Anna is treated well.
I greeted them with a hollow heart.
"Were you training? As expected of the next Family Head. You already carry yourself so reliably."
Artur heaped praise on me from every direction.
"I'd prefer you not say things others might misconstrue. I'm merely standing in during the Family Head's absence."
"No need for such modesty. Everyone already knows. Do you think Heilas named you for no reason? Come now, Anna—go inside and pour your dependable cousin a glass of water."
Anna bowed her head and stepped into the room. As though it were her own, she rummaged through the refrigerator and pulled out a water bottle.
"Lu—Lucaus? I can call you Luka, can't I? This is the first time the two of us have really talked."
Anna giggled as she poured. Watching her now, there was no cause for pity. Father and daughter had clearly hatched this together to cling to me.
Clack.
Anna set the glass down in front of me. I reluctantly drank and looked at her.
I was busy contemplating exactly how to throw Anna and Artur out—and doing so quite intently.
Anna fanned herself with one hand as if overheated. Taking another step closer, she brought her fingers to her blouse.
Slide.
She hooked a finger around a button. Recalling Eva's little gesture from earlier that day, I moved fast.
Grab!
I seized Anna's wrist, stopping her before she could unfasten it. Apparently, undoing a button was the universal opening move for seduction in this family.
"I-I'm just a little warm."
Anna spoke, a mixture of embarrassment and fluster in her voice.
"Then I'll open the window for you."
As I opened it, I watched their movements reflected in the glass.
Even now, Anna kept glancing at Artur for cues. Artur signaled her to do something—anything.
They seemed to think I couldn't see them. It was an absurd little farce.
"Ah, that's right, Luka. Do you remember what I mentioned last time? About my daughter wanting to grow closer to you."
I remembered, though I'd paid it no mind.
"I-I want us to get close soon, too!"
Anna said, pressing herself against my side.
What am I going to do with these two?
Humiliating them here wouldn't cause much trouble.
But I had no desire to treat them so harshly. It hadn't been a bad day. And I especially had no wish to be cruel to members of the Custoria Family.
"When I was moving around earlier, my prosthetic body felt slightly out of calibration. Since the women of the Custoria Family are generally well-versed in cybernetic engineering and machinery..."
I sat down and rested my arm on the table. Then I peeled back a section of synthetic skin on the inner side of my left arm, exposing an external connection port.
"...If you'd take a quick look at my prosthetic body, I think we could grow close in no time."
I accessed the Watcher database to check Anna's records. As a daughter of Custoria, she had indeed studied mechanical engineering.
But Anna had failed to gain admission to the prestigious Cracia Academy, and her grades at every other institution hovered near the bottom. There was no chance she could so much as touch the calibration of a high-output prosthetic body.
"Ah, well, um... Dad?"
Anna looked to Artur, utterly lost. If she botched this, she'd only lose face.
"I'll do it. My skills are bound to be better than Anna's anyway."
A voice came from near the doorway. Giselle stood behind Artur. I'd already sensed she was there.
"Ahem—well, ah, Gi-Giselle's skills are indeed better than my daughter's."
"Dad!"
"What? It's the truth. Well then—we'll see you next time, Luka."
Seizing the opening, Artur quickly hauled Anna out of the room.
Only after they'd gone did Giselle step inside. She gestured toward the door with her eyes.
"What did they come here for?"
"Maybe they wanted to bring a little laughter to this gloomy household."
Giselle let out a soft chuckle at that. Well—it seemed my joke had landed.
"Anyway, do you actually need a calibration? If so, I'll handle it."
"I do. It's a new prosthetic body, so it hasn't been broken in yet."
Giselle sat across from me at the table and pulled out a terminal along with some basic maintenance tools.
Click.
Before starting, she undid the top button of her shirt. I flinched and stared.
"What?"
Giselle looked up, catching my reaction.
"No—nothing. It's nothing."
I turned my head and stared out the open window.