Chapter 114
Francec’s procession passed safely through the lower sector and returned to the upper levels.
As they entered the Imperial Guard’s grounds, the tension among the people eased. Upon arrival, the procession was disbanding according to unit and affiliation.
"Your Highness, this way."
Iskan approached with two Imperial Guards to escort Francec.
The Imperial Guards and I moved with Francec toward the airfield. Waiting at the airfield was Francec’s private aircraft—a luxurious six-seater aerial vehicle.
"I've put you all through a lot today in many ways."
Francec, who had been walking ahead, turned to face us as he spoke.
"We are merely fulfilling our assigned duty."
Iskan replied politely.
"Due to the circumstances, I had no choice but to change the schedule abruptly. I didn’t want to meet prepared people—I wanted to face the real people of the lower sector. Because of my stubbornness, a lot of blood must have been shed today."
So, he was at least aware of that much. His change of plans had caused unnecessary deaths.
"Your speech was excellent. You have the power to move people's hearts. Now, shall we escort you to the Imperial Palace…?"
Iskan moved to board Francec’s aerial vehicle with him.
"No, it's fine. I’d like to go alone from here."
As the door to the aerial vehicle opened, the boarding steps extended. Francec placed one foot on the steps and spoke.
"Escorting you to the Imperial Palace is our duty."
"This is a matter of my personal affairs. If you must insist… then I’ll take only Lukaus Custoria with me."
Francec compromised slightly. Even Iskan couldn't force his argument at the expense of infringing on the Crown Prince’s private matters.
Iskan’s gaze briefly turned to me before returning to Francec.
"Understood."
Reluctantly, Iskan nodded. Only Francec and I boarded the crimson aerial vehicle.
Chiiik.
The door to the vehicle sealed shut.
Thud.
Francec slumped into his seat and unfastened the top button of his coat. A weary sigh escaped his lips.
I removed my stifling helmet and let out a short breath.
Creak.
Francec opened the mini-fridge installed beside his seat and took out a bottle of alcohol and a glass.
"Care for a drink?"
"I'm on duty."
I remained standing as I responded, not even considering taking a seat.
"How rigid. This is wine made from an original grape variety from Earth. You know what that means? It means you’ve just missed out on an incredible opportunity."
Francec poured the wine into his glass as he spoke. The deep red liquid swirled, releasing a distinctive aroma into the cabin.
Bzzzz.
The aerial vehicle slowly lifted off the ground.
"Is there a reason you didn’t bring Iskan and the other Imperial Guards?"
I asked bluntly.
Francec swirled the red liquid in his glass, twirling it around in circles. He tapped the end of the armrest with his fingers.
"You’re questioning me rather aggressively. Need I remind you? I am the Crown Prince."
"That’s because you’ve wronged me in many ways today. You made anti-noble remarks while using me as a symbol. And now, in Akbaran, there’s no one left who doesn’t know who I am. Because of that, my chances of getting killed have skyrocketed."
"…Hmm, then I suppose there’s something else I should apologize for. Tonight, we’re going to be attacked. That’s why I left Iskan behind. Ah, the wine is opening up nicely."
Francec took a sip of his drink, remarkably calm for someone who claimed he was about to be ambushed.
A memory surfaced in my mind—the time I rode in an aerial vehicle with Hemillas. We had been attacked by terrorists back then.
‘Hemillas was just as composed. Because it had been part of his plan.’
This would be no different. Once I finished my train of thought, I spoke.
"You staged this yourself."
"I can tell you, as my Overseer, but I couldn’t say the same to Iskan or the Imperial Guards."
"Is this to purge a particular noble?"
Francec wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth with his thumb and smirked.
"I’m not planning to eliminate anyone just yet. I just need to stir up resentment toward the nobles among the lower-class citizens. A Crown Prince who made anti-noble remarks… and then was attacked that very night. That’s the scenario."
Emperor Yuri Accretia. Crown Prince Francec. And Ivan.
The three members of the Imperial family I had encountered so far had different objectives, but they all shared one common goal.
‘Strengthening imperial authority.’
To rule the empire as they saw fit, they constantly kept the nobility in check and, when necessary, even carried out purges.
"You plan to use the nobles as a sacrifice to unite and gain the support of the lower sector. But are you willing to make enemies of all the nobility?"
"Lukaus Custoria, the imperial family isn’t monopolizing the interests left behind by the reduced number of nobles. There are other nobles who have been promised a share."
Not all nobles were the same, it seemed. I narrowed my eyes slightly.
‘So Custoria is not a family chosen by the imperial house.’
Noble families that were not granted power or the right to exist by the imperial family either perished or declined.
"And the most important part of today’s scenario is that you risk your life to save me."
"‘An Irregular from the lower sector saves the Crown Prince.’ Hah, how dramatic."
"Ha-ha, seeing you sneer like that actually puts me at ease. Just as you said, a magnificent story will be completed. Didn't I tell you? I will make you the symbol of my reign. This is how heroes are made."
I furrowed my brows and crossed my arms.
"How will the assault scenario unfold? I will review it myself."
"I will not head straight to the imperial palace. I have prepared a lover for today. A lovely young lady from the lowest branch of the Itanori family."
Francec tapped the armrest, bringing up a hologram. A woman's face from the Itanori family appeared in holographic form.
"But there must be a reason for Your Highness's location to be exposed."
Even the air vehicle we were riding in was constantly changing its color and appearance to evade tracking.
"That's why I chose this young lady. She is vain and has a very loose tongue. She must have been boasting all over that she was dating me. I even told her a week ago that I would visit her right after today's street procession. It is a perfect cause for my movements to be leaked."
Francec was an exceptional man. He was even skilled in schemes and conspiracies. That was why he could not even imagine that he would eventually be disposed of. After all, there was no reason he would not become emperor.
"That sounds plausible. Excellent. Thanks to Your Highness, my blade will taste blood today. It is always people like me who get stained and shed it."
"You become particularly eloquent when you sneer. Criticize me all you want. But this is not for personal gain; it is for the empire. While we settled on Planet Novus, the power of the nobility swelled excessively. Now that the empire's expansion has ended and we have entered a period of stability, it must be reined in."
My lips tingled.
'Does Francec know that the Custoria family is on the emperor’s purge list?'
Francec was not a mere puppet crown prince. Yet, I did not get the feeling that he truly saw the depths of it all. He simply thought and acted in accordance with the orthodox principles of kingship.
'Francec doesn’t have the same sticky, lingering sensation as the emperor or Ivan. He lacks both greed and malice.'
I narrowed my eyes. My breathing had lengthened as my thoughts deepened.
'If I want to preserve the Custoria family, I must not side with Francec. Compared to the emperor or Ivan, this man is weak.'
The moment Francec realized the malice surrounding him, he would not endure it—he would despair.
"Luka, the assailants will be professional assassins. There are quite a few people in this world who make a living out of killing. Since you've mastered Akies Victima, you should be able to handle them without much trouble. And don’t take them alive—kill them and destroy their heads."
"Hmm, no matter how money-crazed an assassin might be, they wouldn’t accept a commission to assassinate a member of the imperial family. Normally, the target would be the young lady of the Itanori family. And the client would be Your Highness."
Francec pointed at me with the hand holding his glass and gave a slight nod of his chin.
"Correct, Overseer boy."
* * *
The air vehicle carrying Francec and me approached a building in a high-end residential area. As we followed the guiding lines on the instrument panel up to the 72nd floor, the exterior wall slid open, revealing an internal hangar for landing.
Whirrr.
As soon as the air vehicle touched down, the wall closed again. Light seeped into the dimly lit hangar.
"Ah, we’re already here."
Francec, who had closed his eyes for a brief moment, opened them again. He must have been quite exhausted.
Clunk!
The moment Francec stepped out of the air vehicle, the door leading inside the residence opened.
"Your Highness! I watched your speech today. It was truly, truly moving! You were so dignified… Ah, ah, w-wait a moment!"
The woman from the Itanori family had been running toward Francec but suddenly bolted away in a hurry.
'Is that even considered clothing?'
I watched the woman’s retreating figure. She wore a gown so sheer and flowing that it left little to the imagination. Even her underwear was bold and extravagant.
"W-were you not coming alone?"
The woman peeked out from behind the door, showing only her face.
"They insisted I have at least one bodyguard. There was an event today, after all. I had to come straight here, so there was no helping it."
"I-I'm so embarrassed I could die! Th-that was meant just for Your Highness!"
The woman shut her eyes tightly, her face flushing red.
"My apologies. This is—"
Before Francec could even finish introducing me, the woman pointed an accusing finger at me—daring to interrupt the crown prince.
"Ah! I saw you on the parade broadcast! You’re Lukaus Custoria, aren’t you? I’m Ren Itanori, His Highness Francec’s… woman."
Ren Itanori seemed to hesitate on how exactly to refer to herself at the end.
"Yes, I am in charge of His Highness’s personal security today."
I placed a hand on my chest and gave a slight bow.
"Wow! Do you know the whole Net is in an uproar because of you? There are even people out for your blood…"
"Ren, Ren, Ren. Your innocence is truly adorable, but let’s stop here."
Francec approached and gently embraced Ren.
"Oh, come on. There’s someone else here…"
Ren's face turned bright red. She twisted her hair around her fingers and looked down at the floor.
We passed through the garage and entered the house. It didn’t seem like a place that was regularly lived in—there was no sign of daily life. I checked each room before giving a nod toward Francec.
"Luka, stay in the living room. I'll be spending time with Ren."
Francec lifted Ren into his arms as he spoke. Ren wrapped her arms around his neck, planting kisses on his cheek without pause.
"Mr. Bodyguard, no peeking!"
Ren teased as she entered the room. Laughter, as bright as blooming flowers, filled the air for a moment before the door shut behind them.
'...Giselle.'
Ridiculously, I thought of Giselle. Ren and Giselle looked nothing alike. But watching them reminded me of her.
Crack.
I bit down on my fingernail, forcing myself to focus.
'You have a job to do, Luka. Push away distractions.'
Since I knew about the attack in advance, preparing for it wasn’t difficult.
On top of that, I was fully armed. Ruina was in my coat, Crucis sat securely at my waist, and Graken Vuth rested on my other side.
Swish, swish.
I spun Graken Vuth around in my palm. A white dagger. The blade danced between my right and left hands with delicate precision.
Not once did the acrobatic blade even graze my skin. Like a trick of illusion, Graken Vuth slipped seamlessly between my fingers, gaining momentum.
I flicked it behind my back and let it drop toward my face.
Whirr!
Graken Vuth spun rapidly in midair, falling straight toward my eyes.
Buzz.
I heightened my focus. The surrounding objects felt as if they had momentarily frozen in place. Graken Vuth spun through the air in slow motion.
The longer I stretched out time, the hotter my brain burned, as if it were on fire. It was best not to overdo it—just enough to warm up properly.
Click!
I caught Graken Vuth's blade between two fingers. The handle, still spinning, slid naturally into my grip.
Despite today's long series of events, my nervous system was in excellent condition. Even if a fight broke out, I would be fine.
Honestly, unless the enemy was an elite Imperial Guard, I was confident I could take on anyone.
"Hmm."
The house was fairly well soundproofed. However, with my hearing, I could still pick up the sounds from the inner room.
'Not being able to hear would be a bigger problem.'
This was, after all, a security detail. If I detected anything unusual inside, I needed to enter immediately.
…That being said, he was quite impressive. It had already been over two hours.
Creak.
A noise.
Unlike the heated sounds from earlier, this was cold, dark, and distinct.
I quietly turned my gaze toward the darkness. The shadows wavered. Looking closely, I could see the outline of a person.
"Hah."
I let out a low chuckle.
The long-awaited intruders had arrived—just as eagerly anticipated as lovers.
It was the kind of thought only the worst kind of human being would have. But I couldn't deny it—this was a chance to release my pent-up frustration and stress.
Yeah, I really was a piece of shit.