Bad Born Blood

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Greedy
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< Chapter 35 >

No matter how advanced artificial intelligence and android technology become, war is fought by humans.

The Imperial Army’s main force is, after all, human soldiers. Artificial intelligence, androids, and drones serve only as auxiliary roles.

There are two main reasons for this.

First, the cost of manufacturing combat androids is more expensive than training human soldiers.

Second, androids cannot actively respond to the myriad variables on the battlefield.

The second reason carried the most weight. The more variables there were, the higher the probability of androids malfunctioning. This is why those who had served in the military for a long time tended not to trust androids.

‘But to put it differently, the more controlled the variables, the more efficient androids are compared to humans.’

Android efficiency emerges in environments where rules are set, and variables are controlled.

For instance, in a boxing match, it would be exceedingly difficult for a human of the same specifications to defeat an android. For the average person, it would be nearly impossible.

Creak, creak.

I stared at the rampaging android. Even now, this was a kind of controlled environment. That android was dedicating its entire computational capacity to predicting my movements.

Crunch, crunch.

The android extended its neck and stood hunched over. Bloodied claws protruded from its dangling hands. It looked almost like a werewolf—a hunting dog type that prioritizes pursuit. If necessary, it could even run on all fours.

‘Well, it’s just a patrol android, so its computational ability probably isn’t exceptional. Plus, it’s in a rampaging state.’

I had learned how to deal with androids during training.

The principle is simple: overlap actions that require computation to induce an overload.

When variables pile up, the computational demand on androids increases exponentially. It’s a weakness that androids, unlike humans, cannot ignore trivial details.

Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. You have to withstand the android’s attacks and exchange moves with it first.

Clang!

The android kicked off the ground and leaped at me in an instant. Its steel claws aimed for my chest and throat.

I tilted my upper body and head back, narrowly dodging the claws by a hair’s breadth. The attack was sharp and terrifying. For something in a rampaging state, its responses were surprisingly quick. Its movements seemed to be powered by a well-crafted combat program.

Swish.

I stepped back, bringing my hand to the small of my back. To an android, this motion would most likely signal that I was reaching for a gun.

Ki-i-it!

The android charged straight at me, trying to prevent me from drawing. But I didn’t have a gun.

Whoosh!

I tossed a pocket knife into the air. The android immediately glanced up, trying to identify the object I had thrown.

‘A series of meaningless actions.’

It was all just to overload its processing. The more meaningless my actions, the more calculations the android would perform to deduce their purpose.

‘They always need a rational reason for everything.’

The android’s hesitation was brief, but it was all I needed.

Grabbing the android’s left arm, I pivoted behind it.

Crack!

Its left arm twisted backward and broke. Parts and fragments fell from the joint.

The android tried to retaliate, turning back toward me. I stomped hard on the back of its right knee.

Crunch!

The android collapsed, its right knee smashing into the ground, completely shattered.

Clench!

I stomped on its back, yanking out its right arm with a twist. Now only its left leg remained intact as the immobilized android stared at me.

“-Do, you, require, assistance?”

I looked down at the android in silence. No matter how I considered it, this wasn’t a simple case of malfunction.

Regaining my breath, I turned toward the hulking figure still lying on the ground. My lips were likely twisted in a vicious grin.

My craving wasn’t yet satisfied. A mere android like this wasn’t enough to unleash my pent-up desires.

“Hey, didn’t you say you wanted to fight me? Come on, restrain me. I’ve warmed up plenty this time.”

I spoke as I shattered the android’s remaining left leg. The hulking figure that had confronted me earlier now gaped at me, his face pale as ash.

“L-Later!”

He stammered, clinging to a shred of pride.

Wee-oo, wee-oo.

Before long, the sirens of the Civil Security Force’s aerial vehicle echoed above us. Its lights beamed down, illuminating me.

* * *

The Civil Security Force was part of the military but operated differently from a typical unit. As the name suggested, their role was to maintain public order within the Empire. They didn’t fight external threats but focused on internal enforcement.

‘For the Empire’s order and peace.’

The Civil Security Force’s motto came to mind.

“Imperial Guard Cadet, Luka.”

The investigator’s voice was notably deep and resonant, with an intimidating timbre. To someone weak to authority, that voice alone would compel immediate compliance.

The investigator had likely modified his vocal cords to a low-frequency tone for professional efficiency.

“I’ve written down everything I know in the report.”

I found the current situation unpleasant.

Under the pretext of being a reference, the investigator had detained me at the Civil Security Center. The Imperial Guard had probably been informed by now.

“I’ve read it. You write a better report than my subordinates.”

The investigator chuckled softly. After standing, he sat down across from me.

We stared at each other across the table. His name was Jillian Campbell. He wasn’t a noble. Campbell was a surname commonly found in the lower district.

“If you want to find the culprit, you should be interrogating the android, not me.”

“The smart ones will analyze the android. My job is the legwork.”

Jillian placed a cigarette in his mouth. He lit it and took a slow drag of smoke.

It didn’t seem like he was planning to let me go anytime soon. Taking the opportunity, I asked him about Barbara’s curse.

“I heard that android rampages have occasionally occurred at Accretia Academy.”

“But even when incidents happened, no one dared interrogate the elite heirs of prestigious families. Wandering through the academy to investigate was out of the question.”

“Has the situation changed now?”

“This is the first time there’s been a fatality. That’s made things serious enough. The higher-ups have approved more proactive and aggressive investigations.”

Even the Civil Security Force was aware of the android rampages occurring at Accretia Academy. They simply hadn’t been able to intervene until now.

“In my experience, Accretia Academy students aren’t likely to be cooperative with an investigation.”

“They’re extraordinary people in many ways.”

Jillian laughed as he said this. He stubbed out his half-burned cigarette with his fingers and discarded it into the trash.

“As you probably already know, the academy calls the android rampages Barbara’s Curse.”

I shared information with the Civil Security Force. It was clear they’d detained me to facilitate that exchange. They likely thought someone from the lower district like me would be easy to communicate with.

“I know about Barbara. She’s the centerpiece of the bizarre rumors. Only students who are close to her seem to end up as victims of these incidents, right?”

“There are also rumors that Barbara manipulated the androids.”

“We don’t believe such baseless rumors. A mere student—especially one from the lower district—manipulating androids without leaving a trace? Ridiculous. It’s more plausible that a noble heir with the backing of their household is involved.”

Logically, the likelihood of Barbara being the culprit was extremely low. Above all, there was no benefit for Barbara to gain from the incidents. It was only natural for Investigator Jillian to say such things.

‘If Barbara isn’t the culprit… then it’s someone’s scheme to isolate her within the academy. A very meticulous yet tedious method.’

The list of suspects remained frustratingly broad.

Beep.

Jillian checked his terminal. He glanced at me and gave a faint smile.

“I sent a request for investigative assistance to the Imperial Guard earlier. Just now, I received a reply.”

I frowned. This was why he’d been dragging out time.

Beep.

My terminal also emitted a brief sound. I checked the instructions from my superiors.

‘Cooperate with Investigator Jillian Campbell.’

Although I intended to follow the order, I made no effort to hide my displeasure. After all, Jillian wasn’t my direct superior.

“…What do you want from me?”

“Nobles hate being investigated by someone like me. It probably feels like being bitten by a dog they’ve raised. I need you to observe the atmosphere within the academy and narrow down suspicious individuals.”

“I’m just a cadet. I don’t know how to investigate, nor have I ever been trained for it.”

Saying this wouldn’t make Jillian withdraw his request for cooperation. I merely wanted to vent my discontent.

“Users of Arkies Combat Method possess exceptional insight. That alone already makes you an excellent investigator.”

I flinched. I hadn’t realized that my file contained information about my training in Arkies Combat Method.

Noticing my reaction, Jillian gave a faint smile. He tapped the table with his fingers while looking at me.

“…I wouldn’t exactly call it compensation for your cooperation, but let me share something interesting. Users of Arkies Victima are notable enough to be kept on a special list. Of course, it’s not for back-alley thugs but for individuals like you who have been ‘properly trained.’”

Arkies Victima was the formal name for Arkies Combat Method. It had been a while since I’d heard the term.

“Why is that?”

Not that I expected him to answer, but asking wouldn’t hurt.

“I can’t tell you more than that. If you’re curious, ask the person who taught you Arkies Combat Method.”

* * *

I returned to Accretia Academy.

Surprisingly, the first person to greet me was the hulking figure whose name I still didn’t know. He was a low-ranking noble of the Kano Family.

“Cadet on assignment, try to understand my position. When it comes to Kalesa, I have to do whatever she says—even pretend to die if necessary. Thankfully, once I dodged a near-death experience, Kalesa let up a bit and stopped pushing so hard.”

Among nobles—especially within the same family—there were clear hierarchies.

The hulking figure made it clear he didn’t want to antagonize me. There were no hard feelings between us anyway. It would pass like water under the bridge.

“But be careful of Kalesa. She’s my boss, but she’s a woman who holds grudges. Just look at how she’s still tormenting Barbara over what happened two years ago—it’s enough to exhaust even me.”

“Every day?” I asked. The hulking figure shrugged his shoulders.

“Not every day, but maybe three times a week. Barbara—that woman isn’t ordinary either. If it were me, I would’ve dropped out by now. Then again, Accretia Academy is a massive opportunity for someone from the lower district.”

I reevaluated Barbara. She wasn’t as fragile as I’d initially thought. Even after two years of harassment from Kalesa, she was still at the academy.

The second person to approach me was Giselle Kusthoria. From a distance, her expression was already twisted into a scowl, as if she was ready to slap me.

“I told you to stay away from Barbara. I went out of my way to warn you, and this is how you behave? You’ll pay dearly for trampling on my goodwill.”

She was seething with rage.

“I couldn’t just stand by and watch a group gang up on one person…” I answered half-heartedly. There was a lot I wanted to ask Giselle, but I doubted she’d answer properly.

“For now, stay out of sight. If you fail to complete your time at the academy, my reputation will take a hit too.”

It was clear Giselle had her own reasons for working hard.

“I’m planning to keep a low profile anyway.”

“Kalesa’s got her sights set on you. If she can’t overpower you with brute force, she’ll resort to other means.”

“She doesn’t have many ways to harm me.”

Perhaps due to my twisted personality, I found myself looking forward to Kalesa’s revenge. I was curious about the creative methods she might use to attack me.

When I smiled, Giselle bit her lower lip. I hadn’t intended to provoke her further, but it seemed she and I simply didn’t get along.

“I’ll meet with Kalesa Kano and request mediation,” Giselle said, completely catching me off guard.

“For the record, bowing my head and apologizing is out of the question. Even as a cadet, I carry at least a sliver of the Imperial Guard’s honor on my shoulders.”

I meant it. Unless it was a direct order from the Commander of the Imperial Guard, I wouldn’t apologize, even if it killed me. Besides, I didn’t think I was in the wrong to begin with.

“…Fine. If I say something, Kalesa will likely come to a reasonable compromise.”

I narrowed my eyes.

‘Giselle and Kalesa are acquainted.’

That was the impression I got.

In my mind, I visualized the shifting positions of the individuals involved and the connections between them.

Giselle Kusthoria, Kalesa Kano, Barbara.

As the relationships rearranged themselves in my head, I rubbed my neck lightly before speaking.

“Let’s take this opportunity to go see Kalesa together. We can’t have something like this happening again.”

Giselle hesitated, visibly surprised by my suggestion, but eventually nodded her head.