Chapter 60: 60: Chain of Debt (2)
Robi’s voice lowered. "And worst of all, he benefited from every side. He got one million gold coins from us. He got our protection. He killed a Rank Four fire mage and seemed to absorb power from him. He forced Marovain to help carry the blame. He scared Ravencroft and Karswell. He moved attention away from Vardros and toward Marovain and Velkhur."
Celia was silent.
Robi looked at her. "Do you still think he is just a handsome fallen noble?"
Celia’s face became red for one short second.
"Uncle."
Robi narrowed his eyes slightly.
Then he looked at the blood mark near her mouth.
Celia noticed his eyes and quickly wiped her lips with her sleeve.
Robi’s expression became strange.
"What did he do?"
"Nothing."
"That was too fast."
"He said he was going to the inn."
"With his hand on your mouth?"
Celia froze.
Robi stared at her.
She looked away. "That is not important."
Robi sighed deeply, like a man who had just discovered that a political disaster had also grown flowers in his niece’s head.
"It is very important if your brain stops working around him."
"My brain did not stop."
"Celia."
"It paused."
Robi closed his eyes for a moment.
"Great. House Velkhur may come for war, and my niece is pausing."
Celia’s face became even redder. "Uncle, this is not the time."
"You are right," Robi said. "It is not. Send messages to the city lord, the Marovain regional office, and our family courier post. Also gather every witness statement before Velkhur men return. Pay merchants for damaged goods immediately. If we pay first, they will remember Marovain as fair, not guilty."
Celia nodded quickly, returning to herself.
"And Lucard?" she asked.
"Keep the guards on him," Robi said. "Do not threaten him. Do not capture him. Do not let him leave the city without informing me. Also send one healer quietly to the inn, but do not make it look like we are desperate to save him."
Celia frowned. "He was injured badly."
Robi looked at her.
She corrected herself. "If he dies, the spell matters and the debt becomes more complicated."
Robi smiled faintly. "Of course. That is the only reason."
Celia ignored him.
Robi looked toward the window again.
"Lucard Vardros," he murmured. "What kind of monster did House Vardros leave behind?"
Meanwhile, Lucard and the others reached The Black Lantern Inn.
The walk from the merchant square to the inn was not long, but it felt far longer than before. People moved away from them on the road. Some whispered. Some stared at Lucard’s blood covered hand and burned clothes. A few recognized the Marovain guards behind him and quickly lowered their heads. Nobody dared block their path.
Lucard walked at the front.
His steps were steady.
Too steady.
Jenny noticed it first.
She had been sick after seeing Dorian’s heart pulled out, and her stomach still felt weak. But as they walked, she kept looking at Lucard’s back. He had not slowed down. He had not asked for help. He had not even touched the wound on his chest. But the smoke had stopped rising, and under the burned cloth, blood was slowly spreading again.
The injury was worse than he showed.
"Lucard," Jenny said.
He did not answer.
They entered the inn.
The innkeeper opened his mouth to complain about blood on the floor, then saw Lucard’s face, the Marovain guards, Peter’s sword, Jenny’s pale expression, and Jake’s terrified eyes. His complaint died quickly.
"Rooms?" he asked weakly.
"We already have rooms," Jenny said.
"Yes. Of course. Stairs are there. Very good stairs. Please use them carefully."
Jake looked at him. "Stairs are always there."
The innkeeper swallowed. "These are especially cooperative stairs."
No one laughed, but the innkeeper felt proud that he was still alive enough to speak nonsense.
They went upstairs.
Peter opened the room door first and checked inside. It was empty. Then Lucard entered. Jenny, Jake, Peter, Orven, and Malik followed.
The moment the door closed, Lucard’s body swayed.
Jenny rushed forward.
"Lucard."
Lucard placed one hand on the table to steady himself. His fingers left a bloody mark on the wood. He breathed in slowly. The wound near his heart burned deeply. Dorian’s fire mana was still inside the flesh, resisting his recovery. Blood Absorption from the heart had helped him level up and repair some damage, but it had not healed everything. His current level was still too low. If his old god body had taken such an attack, he would have laughed. In this body, it was serious.
Jake’s eyes filled with fear.
"Brother?"
Lucard looked at him. "Do not cry."
Jake’s lips trembled. "I am not."
"You are preparing."
Jake wiped his eyes quickly. "No."
Jenny took out the high rank healing potion Celia had given her. The crystal bottle shone faintly. She opened it with shaking hands and moved toward Lucard.
"Drink this."
Lucard looked at the potion.
"No."
Jenny froze. "What?"
"Give it to Peter."
Peter immediately stood straighter. "Young Master, no. Your wound is worse. I can wait."
Lucard looked at him coldly. "You cannot protect them while half dead."
Peter’s mouth closed.
Jenny’s eyes became red. "Lucard, your heart was hit. I saw it. You almost died."
"I did not."
"That is not the point."
"It is the only point that matters."
Jenny shook her head. "No. You saved us. You were hurt because of us. Drink the potion first. Peter can take what remains."
Lucard sat down slowly on the chair. He did not let the pain show too much, but Jenny saw his jaw tighten.
"Peter is a Rank Two knight. With that potion, he can recover enough to stand guard. You and Jake need protection. I can heal slowly."
Jake moved closer. "But Big Brother, you are bleeding."
Lucard looked at him. "Blood belongs to me. It knows where to go."
Jake looked confused. "That sounds wrong."
"It is correct for me."
Jenny’s hands trembled around the potion bottle.
"You are impossible."
Lucard leaned back slightly. "Yes."
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