Lucard opened his eyes when the last spark of Dorian’s fire died inside his chest.
The pain did not disappear completely. It still remained under his skin like a deep bruise, but the burning feeling around his heart had become weaker. His blood had eaten most of the foreign mana. The wound had closed enough to stop him from bleeding freely. If someone looked closely, they would still see damaged flesh under the torn black clothes, but Lucard could move again without feeling as if every breath would split his chest open.
That was enough.
He stood from the chair.
The wooden floor under him had dried blood on it. The chair arm was cracked from where his fingers had gripped it. His clothes were burned, cut, and stained. He looked like someone who had returned from a battlefield, which was true enough. He walked to the small water basin, washed the blood from his hands and face, then looked at his reflection in the water.
His face was pale.
His eyes were steady.
"I need more," he said quietly.
Level fifteen was not enough. He was still in the First Blood Circle. He had gained power from Dorian, but that power was only the beginning. He needed to reach level twenty and step into the Second Blood Circle, Crimson Vessel. Once he reached that stage, his body would truly begin to change. His blood would become stronger. His healing would become better. His blood control would become smoother. He would be able to hold more absorbed power without feeling like this weak body might crack from the inside.
He could not wait for enemies to come to the inn.
He needed to hunt.
Lucard turned and walked to the door.
Outside the door, the conversation just ended.
Malik frowned. "Why do I feel you do not believe that?"
Peter looked back at the door. "Because I was being polite."
The door opened at that moment.
All three men stopped talking.
Lucard stepped out.
Peter immediately stood. "Young Master."
Orven and Malik also straightened. They both looked at Lucard’s chest first. The burned clothes were still there, but he was standing on his own. His breathing was calm. That alone made both Marovain guards feel more uneasy than before. They had seen the Heartfire Lance strike him. They had seen the wound. A normal person should be lying on a bed, crying for a healer, or already dead. Lucard looked tired, but not broken.
"I need to go out," Lucard said.
Peter frowned. "Out?"
"Yes."
Jenny opened the inner room door before Peter could ask more. She had clearly been listening. Jake stood behind her, rubbing his eyes, but he was also awake.
Jenny looked at Lucard’s chest and then at his face. "You are not going anywhere."
Lucard looked at her. "I was not asking."
Jenny stepped fully into the room. "You were hit in the heart by fire. You coughed blood. You refused the potion. You almost collapsed in this room. Now you want to go outside?"
"Yes."
Jake raised his hand slowly. "Big Brother, I agree with Sister. That sounds like a bad idea. I am young, but even I know hearts are important."
Lucard looked at him.
Jake lowered his hand. "I am finished."
Peter stood between them, worried. "Young Master, if you need something, tell us. I can go. The Marovain guards can go."
Lucard shook his head. "You cannot do what I need."
Jenny’s face tightened. "What do you need?"
"Blood."
The word made the room cold.
Jenny’s mouth closed. Peter’s expression changed slightly. Orven and Malik looked at each other. Jake moved closer to Jenny and held her sleeve.
Lucard did not explain more. He did not need to. They had already seen enough to understand that blood had something to do with his strength. They did not understand how, and Lucard would not tell them. But the word itself was enough.
Jenny spoke carefully.
"Whose blood?"
Lucard walked toward the stairs. "Whoever follows me."
Peter understood first.
"You think Ravencroft will attack if you leave the city."
"I know they will."
Jenny’s eyes widened. "Then you are walking into a trap on purpose."
Lucard looked back. "No. I am walking into food."
No one spoke.
Jake whispered, "That sounds worse."
Lucard continued, "Stay here. Peter will guard you. Orven and Malik will stay with you."
Orven immediately said, "Lady Celia ordered us to stay with you and protect you."
Lucard looked at him. "Then follow from far enough not to disturb me."
Orven hesitated. "If we let you leave alone and something happens, Lady Celia will punish us."
"If you stand too close and disturb me, I will punish you first."
Malik’s jaw tightened, but he did not argue. He had seen too much today.
Peter stepped forward. "Young Master, at least take me."
"You are still healing."
"I can fight."
"You can stand. There is a difference."
Peter lowered his head, but his face showed frustration.
Jenny moved closer and grabbed Lucard’s sleeve.
"You are using yourself as bait."
Lucard looked at her hand, then at her face.
"Bait is only bait when the hunter is stronger."
"You are injured."
"They do not know how much."
"They know Dorian wounded you."
Lucard’s eyes became cold. "Then they will be brave. That makes things easier."
Jenny did not let go.
For a moment, Lucard felt the heart curse again. It tightened because Jenny was afraid. That annoying old attachment still reacted to her tears, her fear, her pleading. It wanted him to comfort her. It wanted him to promise he would return safely. It wanted him to act like a real brother.
Lucard disliked that.
But he also knew a terrified Jenny would make foolish choices.
So he said, "I will return."
Jenny looked into his eyes. "Promise?"
Lucard was silent for a second.
Then he said, "I still have things to do."
That was not a proper promise, but Jenny accepted it because it was the closest thing Lucard gave.
She released his sleeve.