Gunmage
Chapter 132: Bandages and bloodlines

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Bandages and bloodlines

She challenged the patriarch to a life-and-death duel.

’Well, good luck to the patriarch. He’ll need it’

Lugh internally snided, his thoughts laced with dry amusement.

The others didn’t seem to share his sentiments.

"Is she insane?"

Isolde asked, wide-eyed.

Noticing her grandmother’s questioning gaze, Sela began to explain, her tone hesitant at first, then gradually gaining rhythm.

"Lyra’s relationship with the Cross family has deteriorated over the years. Things really turned sour when they tried to force her into an arranged marriage.

She escaped on the night of the wedding—joined the military under a male alias, and was part of a successful defense campaign against the soldiers of Heieg."

She paused, letting the weight of the story settle.

"When her deception was uncovered, her family disowned her. She had to re-enlist under her real identity and start from scratch. Last I heard, she’d made it to the rank of sergeant."

Sela cleared her throat, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Simply put, she’s a selfish person who cares more about herself than her family."

Though her words were harsh, there was a subtle undertone in her voice, a faint admiration that didn’t go unnoticed.

Isolde and the elf exchanged a brief glance. Lugh noticed it immediately.

Some unspoken exchange passed between them, an invisible thread of communication he chose not to unravel just yet.

Still, the conversation had yielded an unexpected bonus, more context about Lyra. Lugh refocused on his goal before his thoughts drifted too far.

He began.

"Have you heard of a group of people who call themselves the Canines?"

The question, sudden and jarring, cut through the conversation like a blade. Coming from someone as quiet as Lugh, it instantly commanded attention.

"Canines?"

Isolde frowned.

"I’ve heard of them."

Of course she had. With her expansive information network, it would’ve been more surprising if she hadn’t.

"They’re mercenaries"

She continued.

"I only know them as a group who never refuse a commission, as long as the price is right."

Lugh gave a small nod.

"They are the ones who were hired to kill you."

The air froze. But before anyone could ask questions, Lugh continued.

"My magic is... unconventional. When I used it on one of them—I became her, and she became me. That’s how I know all this."

Selaphiel was visibly shaken. In all her long life, she had never heard of such a thing. Her brow furrowed in thought.

"A reflection? A mirror?"

She murmured, then her eyes widened with dawning horror.

"...Glass?"

Lugh stiffened. His reaction, subtle and brief, was more than enough.

"The Devil Sea"

She whispered, as if invoking something ancient.

"You’ve been cursed."

Lugh made a mental note. The elf knew more than she let on. He would need to question her later.

Cursed?

Isolde looked lost, Sela even more so. Lugh didn’t allow them to voice their thoughts

He pressed on.

"The Canines run an underground fighting ring in the central plaza. That’s how they recruit."

"I—I know that place"

Sela blurted, too quickly.

"I mean, I’ve heard of it."

Lugh spared her a side glance, unimpressed.

"Just because their plan failed today doesn’t mean they’ll give up. First, you need to find out exactly who in the Von Heim family wants you dead—and why."

The room exploded.

"The family wants you dead?!"

Both Selaphiels cried out in shock.

Lugh sat back, letting their voices blur into white noise. He wasn’t sure why he’d saved Isolde. He didn’t even fully understand what he was supposed to be doing.

But he knew one thing: something was deeply wrong with her. She seemed normal now, but he had seen her earlier behavior.

Until he understood what triggered the shift, it was safer to keep her alive.

They seemed to reach a decision amongst themselves. Lugh wasn’t worried, his ’grandmother’s’ presence was a deterrent no assassin would overlook.

He stood.

"Where are you going?"

"Lirienne’s room."

"Lirienne!"

Only then did Isolde remember her bedridden daughter. Now that Selaphiel, a true elf, was here, healing her was finally possible.

She took a moment to explain what had happened, and together they moved.

They reached a large, softly lit room. The drapes were drawn to let in sunlight, and faint incense burned in the corner, warding off the medicinal scent.

On the large bed, Lirienne wasn’t lying down, she was seated, her posture proud despite the injuries.

A newspaper lay in her lap. Her face was wrapped in gauze, with only thin slits open for her eyes and mouth.

Beside her, her sisters, Mirelle and Aveline, were playing a slow, thoughtful game of chess.

They looked up at the intruders, stunned.

Mirelle’s mouth fell open. Aveline blinked in disbelief. Lirienne’s expression remained hidden beneath her bandages.

"I-is that an elf?!"

Aveline gasped.

Selaphiel stepped into the room with elegance, her golden-threaded robes whispering across the floor.

"How very sad. Little Aveline doesn’t remember her grandmother."

"Grandmother? Am I a half-elf?!"

Selaphiel paused, smile softening.

"...Well, not exactly."

Mirelle stepped forward, attempting to mimic her grandmother’s poise. Among the sisters, she resembled Selaphiel the most. Lugh suspected the similarity ran deeper than appearances.

"It’s good to see you again."

"And you, my dear Mirelle. You’ve grown to look almost as gorgeous as me. Almost."

’That last part was unnecessary’

Mirelle thought, her smile turning brittle.

The reunion had begun. But there was still one more person.

Right then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The handle turned. A man stepped in.

"Mother, you’re finally back."

It was Edrin—and he looked genuinely happy.

Now that his mother was here, Isolde could no longer keep him confined, neither could she kill him.

However, the moment his eyes met her’s, he faltered. The reality of his situation hit like cold water

He’d confessed his feelings to his brother’s widow. And now their mother was here. If she ever found out...

"F*ck!"

Lugh shook his head, dry amusement flickering across his face.

What a twisted ’family’

Selaphiel clapped her hands once. The sound silenced the room like a command.

She approached Lirienne.

"Alright, child. Let me see your wounds."

There was a moment of hesitation. Then, slowly, Lirienne reached up and began peeling back the bandages, layer by layer. Revealing what was hidden underneath...