Chapter 58
Ken Noma sat on the bed like a living corpse.
Clink.
I was measuring drugs on the workbench. Based on the data copied from the Imperial Guard's database, I combined several drugs required to enhance cognitive ability. I didn’t know if it would be effective, but there was nothing to lose.
If Ken died because of my mistake—well, that would be the end of it. No one would hold me accountable.
I injected the combined drug into the back of Ken’s neck. As the drug began to take effect, the trembling in his fingers stopped.
Ken had been tortured in virtual reality. According to Aleph, the perceived duration would have amounted to several years.
One could not dismiss it just because it was virtual reality. Because it was indistinguishable from actual reality, it was even more horrifying. He couldn’t die. Instead, his mind was torn apart as he repeatedly died and revived.
Just imagine: humans are originally meant to die only once. Our brains cannot endure repeated deaths. Even a single death is enough to place an unbearable load on a human brain.
But thanks to technological advancement, we could artificially kill and revive a human repeatedly. Few people could withstand this.
“Ken Noma, do you recognize me?”
Ken was a man who had barely passed half a century. But the condition of his brain was no different from that of a man over a hundred. He had numerous memory gaps and reduced cognitive abilities.
Swish.
I threw a knife toward Ken. He swiftly snatched it, as if he had never been relaxed.
When it came to brain functions related to combat, Ken had managed to retain them to some extent. Even if their brains were damaged, musicians could play when given instruments, and cooks would start cooking with ingredients and utensils. Likewise, a warrior could handle a weapon.
“Let's begin rehabilitation, Ken.”
Perhaps thanks to the drugs, Ken’s condition had improved compared to before. Even his habit of stuttering had significantly lessened.
“You’re someone I can trust.”
Ken regained consciousness. Though trembling, he stood up from his seat.
Thud!
Ken gripped the knife in a reverse grip and assumed a stance. For a brief moment, I felt threatened.
Clang!
I served as Ken’s sparring partner. Knives moved between me and Ken, sparks flying.
‘He must have been quite remarkable before he became incapacitated.’
Even in his ruined state, Ken’s skill was fierce. He could still easily cut down one or two ordinary people.
“Ha, haha.”
Ken let out a dry laugh. He seemed pleased.
“I’m looking for the man who sponsored Tora. More precisely, his trail. What purpose he had in coming to the lower district and why he supported Tora.”
I stated my objective.
“Haa, haa……”
After moving around for a while, Ken practically collapsed into a chair. He gulped down water, and the trembling in his body subsided as if it had been a lie. It was only a temporary effect, though.
“……My head is clear. What did you do to me?”
“Nothing special. Just mixed a few drugs.”
“I didn’t know you were knowledgeable about pharmaceuticals. Mind giving me a cigarette?”
As if I had any expertise. It was all thanks to the Imperial Guard’s database. There were countless wrecks like Ken Noma in the Imperial Army. The Empire had conducted human experiments under the guise of clinical trials far too many times.
“No smoking during rehabilitation.”
“Then at least a drink……”
“Do you think that’s an option?”
“Hmph, you’re as strict as a soldier.”
That’s because I am one.
Ignoring Ken’s request, I pressed him for an answer. What I wanted was the past buried in his mind.
“Anyway, if I retrace my memory… Tora called that man ‘Noel.’”
I twisted one corner of my lips. Kinuan really had a nasty sense of humor.
‘Noel Mullizcane.’
A rebel leader from a distant past. The founder of Akies Combat Techniques. Kinuan had used that name as an alias.
“Noel……”
I murmured.
“Even among Tora’s close associates, few knew or had met Noel. Now that I think about it, it was quite strange. Tora’s a good man, sure, but he achieved success far beyond his abilities too easily. He took control of the arena that everyone coveted and built his business. It was probably thanks to this man, Noel.”
Just as I expected. Kinuan had expanded his influence in the lower district through Tora. The profits must have been substantial.
“Anything else unusual?”
“Part of the arena’s revenue was funneled through other businesses……”
Ken trailed off and smirked.
“……But before that, I have a favor to ask, Luka.”
I sighed, knowing this moment would come.
“It’s because of Aleph, isn’t it?”
“As you already know, Aleph is the one who turned me into this mess. I need to take revenge.”
“Aleph and I are in a cooperative relationship.”
“I’m not asking you to help me directly. I’m just asking you to turn a blind eye. I’ll handle my revenge myself.”
What they did to each other was none of my business. But not right now.
“You’re currently under the protection of the Gabriel gang. If you want revenge on Aleph, do it after you leave this place. That’s all you need to follow. If you…”
“No need to threaten me. If there’s one thing I can be proud of, it’s this—I keep my word, unlike Aleph. That’s the only reason I stood by Tora until the end. Aleph stabbed Tora in the back. That bastard deserves to die.”
Keeping one’s word. I didn’t believe in that. Whether I trusted Aleph or Ken was something I’d decide based on my own experiences.
Things were getting complicated.
I was growing tired of this mission in the lower district. I was a fighter, not a schemer. But I couldn’t climb higher by only doing what I wanted.
‘Managing subordinates, running an organization.’
It was an area I lacked. It wouldn’t hurt to learn from this experience. Someday, I’d need these skills.
“Aleph should have Tora’s old ledgers. Get them and filter out the businesses that start with ‘B.’ The money flowing there must have ended up in Noel’s pocket.”
I nodded and got up.
* * *
After finishing my conversation with Ken Noma, I headed downstairs.
Crash!
As soon as I stepped down, a loud noise rang out. Seemed like something had gone wrong. I didn’t know what it was, but I could already feel a headache coming on.
“Y-you were supposed to be the little master’s surprise guest, weren’t you? I-I…! Gah!”
Baldy was screaming.
Crash!
Grace stood over him coldly, her single eye filled with contempt. She kicked Baldy lightly, sending him rolling on the floor, coughing up blood.
It seemed like some junkies had mistaken Grace for a prostitute. She strode forward, grabbed the back of Baldy’s head, and slammed it into the ground.
“P-please spare me! Little master! Save me…!”
Baldy, blood streaming from his face, begged for help. Grace smashed his head into the floor again.
‘Now what do I do?’
I looked around. Gabriel wasn’t here. Only Baldy, Pig Nose, and Grace—just the three of them.
“Stop, Grace.”
I spoke as I descended the stairs. Grace let go of Baldy’s head and looked up at me.
“Your subordinates are poorly trained, Lord Luka.”
It was a mess. Hard to deny that. But I just sighed and rubbed the back of my neck.
Thunk.
I stepped in front of Grace.
Thud!
I extended my foot and kicked her in the stomach. She flew backward, slamming into the wall before she could even react.
“I never gave you the right to train my subordinates. Don’t overstep. You’re an outsider. No matter how pathetic they seem, they’re still under me. Laying a hand on them—should I take that as you looking down on me?”
Grace stared at me, eyes wide with shock.
‘She knew I was strong, but she didn’t expect this much.’
As a former cadet of the Imperial Guard, Grace must have had pride in her skills. She probably never imagined she’d be taken down so easily.
“You’re right, Lord Luka. That was my mistake.”
Grace wiped the blood from her lips and stood up. Her military-like demeanor and speech suited my taste—probably because of her background as a cadet.
“Well, it’s partly my fault for not giving a heads-up. This woman is Grace, an officer of La Vie en Rose, you idiots. Be grateful you’re still breathing.”
“La-La Vie en Rose officer?”
Baldy and Pig Nose’s eyes widened. They glanced at Grace nervously.
“Grace and I are heading out. You two stay here and keep watch. And for the last time—no drugs during work hours.”
“O-Of course, young master.”
I gestured for Grace to follow. She shot one last glare at Baldy and Pig Nose before stepping out with me.
“It’ll be tough running an organization with men like them. They’re bottom-tier even by lower district standards. Gabriel, though—he’s a decent man.”
Grace spoke as soon as we stepped outside.
“I know. But for now, I need even guys like them. It’s not like I’m giving them difficult jobs.”
I planned to take Grace to the arena. I also wanted Aleph to see that La Vie en Rose and I had formed an alliance.
‘The Gabriel gang is part of the arena faction and maintains a cooperative relationship with La Vie en Rose.’
Once that rumor spread, it would clear any obstacles in my way. It would also attract ambitious talents looking to rise in a new gang.
“Lord Luka, are you from a military family?”
“What makes you think that?”
“Because you’re stronger than me. I never expected to be overpowered so easily by someone who isn’t even an adult.”
Grace had a sharp eye. She was good at assessing her opponent’s abilities. I couldn’t understand why someone like her was under Martina.
“……You didn’t even complete the Imperial Guard training, yet you seem to have quite a bit of pride in yourself.”
“It wasn’t due to a lack of skill. My grades at the time were among the top.”
That piqued my curiosity.
“If it wasn’t because of your skills, then why?”
“I don’t think we’re close enough for me to share personal stories yet, Lord Luka.”
As she spoke, she gave a faint smile—so subtle that one wouldn’t recognize it unless they observed closely. It felt like a few drops of laughter had rippled across the still lake of her expression.
“Then let’s each reveal one mystery at a time. I’m from a military family.”
It wasn’t a lie. Not by birth, but by circumstance—I was part of a military family now. After a brief pause, I added,
“Grace, why are you in a gang? With your background as an Imperial Guard cadet, you could have joined a good security firm in the lower district.”
“I owe Diva a great debt. Until I’ve repaid it, I plan to remain with La Vie en Rose. Lord Luka, is your sponsorship of Gabriel just for amusement?”
“I don’t look like I’m enjoying myself, do I? If you’re asking about my purpose, I won’t answer.”
“You’re skilled at evasion.”
After dealing with snakes like Kinuan and Hemillas, verbal sparring naturally improved.
From there, our conversation continued, but it lacked much substance. I asked about her eyepatch, but she didn’t give a proper answer. We both kept our real intentions hidden.
Still, I felt like I had gotten a little closer to Grace.
To be honest, I liked her. Maybe because she was a former cadet, our way of thinking was similar, making it easy to talk to her as if she were an old training comrade.