Free Web NovelChapter 31: 31: A Bet!
Jenny almost forgot her fear for a second and looked at Lucard in disbelief. Even now, he still spoke like that. Jake’s mouth opened slightly. Peter tightened his grip on the sword and whispered, "Young Master Lucard, this is not the time."
Baron Ravencroft’s face turned dark.
"Break his hands and legs first," he ordered. "Then take all of them to the prison. I want the bastard alive. I will teach him slowly what happens when a fallen dog bites the hand above him."
The guards started moving.
Lucard’s eyes moved across the garden.
There were too many of them.
If he was alone, he might still find a way to escape. He could use the trees, the garden stones, the blind spots, and confusion. He could kill one or two guards, absorb some blood, and run into the city. It would be risky, but possible. But Jenny and Jake were here. Peter was wounded. Jake could not run fast. Jenny had no weapon. If Lucard fought openly, the guards could take them hostage in an instant. freēwebnovel.com
For one moment, Lucard thought about leaving alone.
It was not a soft thought. It was practical. If he escaped now, he could grow stronger and come back later. He could kill Ravencroft after gaining more levels. He could even destroy House Karswell later. That was the smartest path for his own survival.
But then he remembered Null.
He remembered his blood race tearing into his body.
He remembered his own creations drinking his blood while his head was still flying through the air.
He remembered betrayal.
A cold feeling passed through him.
He was now inside the body of Jenny and Jake’s brother. If he left them here, then to them, it would be the same thing. Another betrayal. Another person abandoning them when they needed him most. The heart curse inside him tightened, but this time the pain was not sharp. It felt like a warning, and perhaps also a question.
Would he become like those who betrayed him?
At that moment, Jenny stepped forward.
"Lucard," she said.
Lucard looked at her.
Jenny’s face was pale, but her eyes were steady. She was afraid. Anyone could see that. But she still forced herself to speak.
"You must leave us."
Jake looked up at her in shock. "Sister."
Jenny did not look at Jake. She kept her eyes on Lucard.
"After Father and Mother died, you somehow became strong. I do not know how. I do not know what happened to you. But you can survive if you leave us behind. Peter and I will buy you some time. Take the chance and leave."
Peter’s eyes changed, but he did not argue. He lifted his sword higher.
"If Lady Jenny orders it, I will do it."
Jake cried out, "No. Brother cannot leave. Sister cannot stay. Nobody can stay."
Jenny’s lips trembled, but she still said, "Jake, listen to me."
"No," Jake said, shaking his head. "I do not want anyone else to die."
Lucard stared at Jenny.
He could feel the emotion in her words. She was not saying it because she did not need him. She was saying it because she wanted him to live. The previous owner’s feelings stirred hard inside his chest. Sadness. Gratitude. Pain. Anger. All of it mixed together.
Lucard hated it.
But he also understood it.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
It was not a kind smile.
It was the smile of someone who had found another way.
"I will not leave you," Lucard said. "At least not now."
Jenny’s eyes widened.
Jake stopped shaking for a moment.
Peter looked at Lucard as if he could not understand what he was planning.
The guards kept coming. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Lucard turned his eyes to Baron Ravencroft and raised one hand.
"Hey, you. Let us have a bet."
Baron Ravencroft’s expression became strange. "A bet?"
The guards also slowed down because their master had not given the final command to attack.
Lucard said, "If you can take one attack from me, then House Vardros will give you all its remaining property, land, rights, seals, and inheritance. If you cannot take it, then you will let Jenny, Jake, and Peter leave this manor safely."
Jenny looked shocked.
"Lucard."
Peter’s face changed. "Young Master, that is everything House Vardros has left."
Jake looked between them in panic. "Are we giving away our home?"
Baron Ravencroft laughed coldly.
"After killing all of you, I can take everything easily."
Lucard shook his head. "No, you cannot. You are not the only noble in the kingdom. House Karswell is involved. Other baron families will come. Count families may interfere. If House Vardros is destroyed without a will, the land and property will be divided by noble law. You will get only a part, and you will have to fight with others for even that."
Baron Ravencroft’s smile slowly disappeared.
Lucard continued, "But if Jenny writes a will and hands over everything to you willingly, then you can claim all of it with legal right. You will not need to share with Karswell or anyone else. You like profit, do you not? Then take the better offer."
Jenny became silent.
Peter also understood what Lucard was doing. He was using Ravencroft’s greed.
Baron Ravencroft looked at Lucard carefully.
He could feel Lucard’s mana. It was weak. Very weak. Around Rank One mage level at most. Baron Ravencroft himself was a Rank Three mage. The difference between them was huge. Even if Lucard had some strange blood magic, one attack should not be enough to harm him if he defended properly.
Also, Lucard had a point.
If House Vardros was totally destroyed, many nobles would fight over its remaining land and rights. Ravencroft might get some benefits, but not everything. But if Jenny and Jake handed everything over through a written will and family seal, then Ravencroft could take it all. That would be a huge profit.
A greedy light flashed in Baron Ravencroft’s eyes.
Tina noticed it and stopped crying for a moment.
