Chapter 90
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 90
My vision distorted. A wave of dizziness washed over me.
The Crimson Crown Prince, Fransek, was a "prepared sacrifice."
Emperor Yuri Cracia intended to kill his own son somewhere down the line.
A father wasn't merely using his child—he was planning to murder him.
I could have understood such a scheme coming from some lowlife in the Lower District. But this was the Imperial Family, standing at the very pinnacle of the Empire... and the words had come straight from the Emperor's own mouth.
I kept my lips firmly sealed. I felt like my agitation would spill out the instant I opened them.
"Luka, you may have to carry out the Crown Prince's assassination yourself. A Watcher's primary duty isn't combat or assassination... but sometimes, it must be done."
Kinuan said, his eyes on me.
"If it is for the Empire, I will gladly undertake it."
The response came out mechanical. Thinking straight was impossible.
"Let me ask you one thing, young Watcher..."
Hearing my answer, the Emperor smiled faintly. That smile resembled the portrait of the First Cracia, which I had seen countless times.
As each successive Emperor aged, they grew to resemble the First Cracia, Dino Cracia. Yuri Cracia was no exception. Traces of the First lingered on his mature, middle-aged face. He had likely had his features constructed to look that way.
"...Then, would you be able to kill the Crown Prince not for the Empire, but for my personal purpose?"
The Emperor continued, gazing slowly into my eyes. His pupils gleamed like swirling vortices. A surreal, almost inhuman pressure radiated from him.
I felt as if my five senses were being crushed. My body wanted to submit to the Emperor. I am excellent. I knew exactly what textbook answer I ought to give here.
But, but, but...
My chest tightened, and my throat felt scratchy. I have a habit... of going astray at critical moments. A nasty streak of stubbornness that loathes bowing to power rears its head from time to time. No matter how hard one tries to suppress it, human nature doesn't change easily.
"Since Your Majesty is the Empire, one could say that too is for the Empire. However..."
You couldn't hold it in, could you, Luka?
"However?"
There was a faint trace of anger in the Emperor's question. Had his opinion ever been challenged even once in his entire life? And even if it had, it certainly wouldn't have been by an insignificant human like me—it would have been a high official, the Prime Minister or a minister.
"...An innocent child dying by his father's command is an unpleasant thing. Even if it is for the sake of the Empire. I believe not only I, but all Imperial subjects would think so as well."
I bowed my head and closed my eyes. I might actually die right here.
You struggled and clawed your way to survival, just to die after running your mouth like this? You're a complete idiot!
Another voice in my head screamed in despair.
But I was no fool who'd blindly hurl himself off a cliff. What I'd just said wouldn't get me killed. It was instinct.
"Kinuan, I have always trusted you. This child is still young... yet he does indeed have the qualities of a Watcher."
The Emperor laughed, brushing away even his flicker of anger. My instinct had been correct.
"He's a sharp one. Even worse than me."
"Indeed. You've always had a slippery side to you."
Kinuan and the Emperor conversed, discussing me between themselves.
Every single word and action of mine was subject to evaluation. The Emperor was measuring me against some standard. It felt like I'd barely scraped a pass just now.
What on earth were the qualities and standards of a Watcher?
It didn't seem to refer merely to an aptitude for Akies Victima. There was something more to it.
"But Crown Prince Fransek must die. It is a matter concerning the future of the Empire."
The Emperor stressed the words. Neither he nor Kinuan elaborated further in front of me. They merely stared at me with cold, stern eyes.
"Though I may not like it, if I must take the blame and do the dirty work, then I believe that is my role."
I said. My voice didn't tremble. Because this, at least, was the truth.
"Haha, that is enough. Splendid. It's about time I made an introduction."
The Emperor tilted his head to the side, resting his chin on the back of his hand.
Snap!
The Emperor lightly snapped his fingers. A presence stirred behind him.
Click, clack.
The footsteps echoing across the floor were crisp and distinct. And their owner was someone I knew.
In a corner of my mind, I had vaguely anticipated this. When I'd heard that the Crimson Crown Prince was a fake, one person had flashed through my thoughts.
A boy with purple hair walked out. Despite his youthful face, his eyes were seductive, and he exuded an ambiguous charm that made it impossible to tell whether he was male or female... yet he was so uncannily beautiful that my instincts screamed danger.
Excessively beautiful flora and fauna are usually poisonous. A saying I'd heard somewhere long ago surfaced in my mind.
"It is a pleasure to meet you like this. You've done well to keep your head on your shoulders. You should be proud of surviving this long, Lucaus Custoria."
The purple-haired boy spat chilling words in an affectionate tone.
Today, I must have crossed the line between life and death several times over without even realizing it.
"It is an honor to meet you with my head still attached to my shoulders, Your Highness. I am glad I did not present an unsightly appearance."
"I told you to call me Ivan. I like it—it's the name you chose for me. I intend to keep it even when I become Emperor."
I glanced at the Emperor's face. He was simply smiling, as though he found the whole situation amusing.
"Do you like the child who will be your Watcher?"
"Enough to make him my husband, were I a woman."
Just hearing it was horrifying. I frowned slightly.
"Haha, it seems Lucaus doesn't care for you."
"I understand. Even I would hate someone like me. It would be strange to like someone cruel, capricious, and eccentric."
Ivan knew precisely how others saw him. That was what made him all the more terrifying.
"That, too, is one of the qualities of an Emperor."
The Emperor approved of Ivan's temperament.
"Luka, survive no matter what and stand at my side. Then all your suffering will be repaid."
Ivan said, stepping in front of me. His voice was genderless, and his breath smelled of flowers. But he was a snake. A venomous snake, its brilliant patterns nothing but camouflage to lure its prey.
"I intend to. Even if my soul and mind rot away."
But I have no intention of being devoured according to your wishes.
If I die... it will be by my own will and my own choice. Just as I once chose a defiant death over guaranteed survival in front of Rick Kaiser.
This was the only rebellion left to me.
* * *
I returned to my quarters after the audience with the Emperor. Kinuan didn't say a word the entire way back.
Akies Domini—the Emperor's Watcher.
I was still just a young apprentice, a prospective Watcher.
If I fail to meet the standards the Imperial Family desires, I will be disposed of.
At least it was a relief that being "obedient" wasn't the standard. Then again, if obedience were the criteria, they wouldn't have considered making me a Watcher in the first place. They must know full well that I have a rebellious streak.
The common ground between Kinuan and me.
For now, I could take that to be one qualification of a Watcher.
The talent to master Akies Victima quickly.
Nothing else came to mind.
I felt my nerves fraying. Even after entering my quarters, I couldn't relax. As much as I wanted rest, my trained mind kept spinning at full tilt for survival.
My future conduct would reach the ears of Kinuan, the Emperor, and Ivan. I had to be careful at all times.
Being evaluated without knowing the criteria of the evaluation.
It was similar to when I'd learned the Akies Combat Style. Stealing and learning that style had been the entry requirement.
The same must hold for the Watcher.
Figuring out the evaluation criteria on my own was probably itself one of the evaluation items.
What to believe, and what to doubt.
Not only the Emperor but also Ivan treated me favorably. Kinuan cherished me as well.
But there is no guarantee that any of those attitudes or emotions are genuine.
Look at the Crimson Crown Prince, Fransek. He doesn't doubt for a single second that he'll become the Emperor.
Throb, throb.
My headache intensified, as though a hairline fracture had split across my skull. I pressed a hand to my forehead, feeling the heat through my artificial skin.
My brow was hot, like the onset of a fever.
The overload was severe. With my thinking narrowed and sluggish, dwelling on this further was pointless. It would only worsen my condition. I had to collect myself and set the anxiety aside for now.
What I need is rest.
But even for someone trained like me, erasing this anxiety wasn't easy. Still, I had to sleep.
The saving grace was that I was an excellent cadet.
A battlefield is a place where extreme anxiety and stress are as common as pebbles on the road. I'd been trained to sleep soundly even in such places.
I exhaled slowly and closed my eyes.
Yes, I must be exhausted. My nervous system felt bone-dry. The moment I let myself relax even slightly, fatigue crashed over me.
Praying no one would disturb me, I sank into a deep sleep.
Beep.
I ignored it at first. My consciousness, having briefly surfaced, quickly sank back down.
Beep— beep.
It must be somewhat urgent. But if it were an Imperial Guard summons or a critical mission, a message would have been forced onto my retinal display.
So let's ignore it and sleep a little longer.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Suppressing the urge to smash the terminal to pieces, I dragged myself back to consciousness.
"Dammit..."
My eyelids felt heavy enough to fall shut on their own. My head prickled as if needles had been jabbed into it here and there.
Checking the time, I'd slept for about three hours. For me, that wasn't ordinarily a short sleep.
But right now, I need another four or five hours for my nervous system to function normally.
My head was dull, my thoughts muddy. My train of thought kept snagging and grinding to a halt.
Gabriel.
I sighed upon seeing the sender's name.
This had better not be for nothing.
I checked the message via hologram.
– Luka, your sister is here!
There was only one sister Gabriel could mean. Damn it. Giselle Custoria.
– Crap, what do I do? Should I pour her a drink or something?
I wished he'd just throw cold water on her and kick her out.
– Hey! Why aren't you answering?! Argh, she's asking a ton of questions—can I answer them?
– You always drop off the grid when it actually matters—!!
I could sympathize with Gabriel's panic. But my irritation was flaring up in equal measure.
After reading through the messages, I threw on my coat at once. Giselle. Of all the days, why did it have to be today?
I passed straight through the checkpoint and took the elevator down to the Lower District.
I told you not to go wandering into the Lower District alone, Giselle.
Giselle didn't pick up my calls. She was probably ignoring them on purpose. Stepping out the door, I gritted my teeth.
Stop tormenting me. I'm already having a hard enough time as it is.
Weak complaints welled up naturally in my throat.
I marched through the Lower District with furious strides. My expression must have been terrifying enough that even the vagrants and pickpockets who usually pestered me shrank back and gave me a wide berth.
Screeech! Slam!
I kicked open the door to the gang office and stormed inside.
"You son of a—"
Before the door had even fully swung open, I was ready to spit out a curse.
Bang!
My fatigue-frayed nervous system flagged an emergency and frantically fired signals. My combat reflexes moved my body on their own.
Clack!
I drew my blade in a reverse grip, and with my other hand, I ripped out my shock pistol and began charging it.
My crossed hands and wrists shielded my face, while my forearms and elbows guarded my heart and lungs. Even if a surprise firefight broke out, I wouldn't die.
Thud!
Only then did the door swing all the way open, and the first floor of the gang office came into view.
"Oh, you're here. Congratulations— uh... hey, put the gun away."
Gabriel spoke, wearing a garish party hat. He had party poppers wedged between his knuckles, primed to fire them off one by one. The gunpowder crack from before must have been a party popper.
I scanned the room. Eight gang members, Gabriel included, stood around in ridiculous getups. On the table sat a cake, though how they'd gotten their hands on one was a mystery.
No matter how I looked at it... it was a birthday party.
"Ga... briel, is it your birthday, by any chance?"
I asked, dumbfounded.
"Luka, what are you talking about? Today's your birthday. Your sister said so."
For the record, I don't have a birthday.
My gaze came to rest on Giselle, standing by the bar. She simply shrugged, arms crossed.
What kind of nonsense is this now, Giselle?
"You motherf—"
I was ready to curse again. But a presence stirred behind me.
"Ah, I heard today is your birthday, Lord Luka. This is a gift from Diva."
The one-eyed Grace strode past me, carrying gift boxes stacked higher than her head.
"I've no idea what's going on, but your sister's celebrating your birthday. Everyone came to give their congratulations. Quit scowling and have a birthday drink."
Gabriel, liquor bottle in hand, sauntered over and slung an arm around my neck and shoulder. He boldly popped the cap off with his front teeth and held the bottle out to me.
"Ha, fuck..."
I let out a sigh laced with a curse and took the drink Gabriel offered.
...I don't even know anymore. Maybe the stress has already driven me out of my mind.
Either way—let's just have some fun for now.