Blood God Reborn as the Mudblood Heir

He had changed nothing since leaving the inn. His cloak was dark, his clothes were still damaged, and his expression was calm. But he looked different from earlier. Robi noticed it first. Celia noticed it second. The wound near his heart was no longer slowing him. His breathing was steady. His eyes were sharper. The pale weakness from before had faded.

Robi’s gaze moved to Lucard’s chest.

"You healed quickly."

Lucard walked to the table and sat down without being invited. "Your potion was good."

Celia frowned. "You drank it?"

"No."

"Then why did you say that?"

"Peter drank it. He needed it."

Celia stared at him. "You were the one who was almost killed."

"He was the one who needed to guard Jenny and Jake."

That answer made Celia silent for a moment. It should not have touched her, but it did. A man who could pull out a heart without blinking had refused a healing potion so his injured knight could protect his family. The picture did not fit cleanly in her mind. Lucard was cruel. He was arrogant. He was dangerous. But he was not careless with those under his protection.

That made him worse.

Simple monsters were easier to hate.

Robi watched both of them and sighed inside his mind. His niece was definitely in danger, and sadly it was not the kind of danger a wall could stop.

He looked at Lucard. "You did not come here to tell us about Peter’s recovery."

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

Lucard looked at the three senior shop officers.

Robi understood.

He waved his real hand. "Leave us."

The officers hesitated only for a second before bowing and leaving the room. The door closed behind them. Only Robi, Celia, and Lucard remained.

Robi leaned forward. "Speak."

Lucard placed one hand on the table.

"Garran Velkhur is in Black Raven Manor."

Robi’s expression changed.

Celia’s eyes narrowed. "You went to House Ravencroft?"

Lucard ignored the question and continued, "He is Dorian’s grandfather. Fifth Circle fire battle mage. Side branch elder of House Velkhur. He arrived quietly. Ravencroft has placed heavy guards around the western hall."

Robi became completely still.

"How do you know this?"

Lucard looked at him. "I heard him say it."

Celia’s face changed. "You entered Black Raven Manor?"

"I looked through a window."

"That is not better."

"It worked."

Celia pressed her lips together. She wanted to scold him, but that would be useless. Lucard had not come to be scolded. He had come with information.

Robi spoke slowly. "What did Garran say?"

Lucard’s eyes moved to Robi’s metal hand.

"He believes you planned Dorian’s death."

Robi did not look surprised, but his jaw tightened.

Lucard continued, "Ravencroft told him your people protected me. He told him Celia interfered. He told him his men could not act because of House Marovain. Garran ordered Ravencroft to send people here and ask for an explanation on behalf of House Velkhur."

Celia frowned. "That was expected."

Lucard looked at Robi. "Then Ravencroft told him you were in the city."

Robi’s fingers stopped tapping.

Lucard’s voice stayed calm. "Garran became angry. Very angry. He called you a one handed fox."

Celia’s face darkened immediately. "That old bastard."

Robi lifted his metal hand slightly, stopping her.

Lucard continued, "He said you must have planned Dorian’s death to take revenge for old humiliation. He said you always hated losing to him. He ordered Ravencroft to send a message inviting you to Black Raven Manor for an explanation. House Velkhur will pressure Ravencroft openly. You will be asked to come and settle the matter."

Robi’s face became unreadable.

"And if I go?"

"He plans to kill you."

The words remained in the room like a drawn blade.

Celia stepped closer to the table. "Uncle, we cannot let you go."

Robi did not answer her. His eyes stayed on Lucard.

"And you came here to warn me."

"Yes."

"Out of kindness?"

"No."

"At least you did not insult me with a lie."

Lucard leaned back slightly. "You owe me millions of gold coins. If you die before paying, collecting becomes inconvenient."

Celia stared at him. "Inconvenient?"

Lucard looked at her. "Very."

Robi suddenly laughed. It was short, but real.

"You broke into Ravencroft Manor, listened to a Velkhur elder plan my death, escaped after being noticed, and came here because my death would disturb your payment schedule."

Lucard said, "Correct."

Celia closed her eyes for a second. "You are impossible."

"No. I am practical."

Robi’s smile faded, but not fully. "What do you want for this information?"

Lucard’s answer came easily.

"Your fight with Garran."

Celia’s eyes opened.

Robi stared at him.

Lucard continued, "He already wants to kill you. He already believes you used me. He already plans to bring you to Ravencroft and trap you. You cannot avoid this by hiding. If you refuse to go, he will say Marovain is guilty. If you go without preparation, he will use dirty methods and try to kill you."

Robi’s eyes became colder at the words dirty methods.

Lucard noticed and pressed there.

"He has defeated you before by cheating. He will do it again unless you choose the ground first."

Celia looked at Robi. She knew some of the old stories, but not all. Robi rarely spoke about his rivalry with Garran. When he did, he usually smiled and changed the subject. But Celia had grown up in a noble house. She knew that old smiles often hid old wounds.

Robi said quietly, "You speak as if you know him well."

"I know his kind."

"Do you?"

Lucard’s eyes became dark. "Men who cannot win cleanly love traps more than talent. They do not trust their strength because they know how often they lied about it. Garran wants you inside Ravencroft Manor because there he can prepare the walls, the floor, the doors, the witnesses, and the excuse."

Robi’s gaze sharpened.

Lucard continued, "So do not enter his trap. Make him enter yours."

Celia looked at Lucard. "You want House Marovain to set a trap for a Velkhur elder."