Gulando watched with a dark expression as Saint Garling departed with Lloyd. Only after their figures completely disappeared did his gaze shift to the deep gully carved into the ground by Garling's sword energy.
Suddenly, he laughed.
"You have grown stronger again," Gulando muttered. "Without this Devil Fruit, I truly cannot imagine how far behind you I would be in the future."
After a brief silence, his body suddenly burst apart with a wet splash, transforming entirely into blood. It seeped across the ground and slowly vanished into the shadows, leaving the ruined courtyard eerily quiet.
On the other side, Saint Garling escorted Lloyd back to his palace.
In such a short time, Lloyd had already recovered most of his strength. The flame at the back of his neck burned even more fiercely than before.
With a single thought, the wings dissolved into darkness and were absorbed back into his body.
Seeing that Lloyd was stable, Garling spoke calmly.
"Return and rest well. Gulando will not appear again tonight."
Lloyd, however, stopped him.
"Uncle Garling, you must remain cautious of Gulando," he said evenly. "The Blood Blood Fruit is extremely deceptive. If not for the Dark Dark Fruit's restraint over Devil Fruit users, the power he displayed tonight would have been far greater."
Garling raised an eyebrow.
"You believe that Gulando is already stronger than me?"
"No," Lloyd replied without hesitation. "Gulando is inferior to you in strength. However, the Blood Blood Fruit may possess unknown abilities."
Lloyd was confident in this judgment.
He had fought both men personally. Simply comparing the intensity of their Haoshoku Haki made the difference clear.
From Garling, Lloyd felt an overwhelming kingly presence.
From Gulando, he did not.
Haoshoku Haki reflected one's spirit. The stronger the will, the stronger the Haki, and with time, that power only continued to grow.
Ten years ago, Garling might have only been slightly stronger than Gulando. Now, the gap between them was vast.
Still, the Blood Blood Fruit remained a dangerous variable.
It was an ability absent from the original records Lloyd knew, which made it unpredictable. Because of that, caution was necessary for both of them.
Garling nodded.
He took Lloyd's warning seriously.
After exchanging a few more words, Garling returned to his own palace.
Lloyd stretched lightly, then turned and entered his residence.
The moment he stepped inside, Lucia, who had been waiting anxiously, hurried toward him.
When she saw Lloyd, a faint smile immediately appeared on his face.
He retrieved the food he had brought back from Saint Garling from the dark space and held it out.
"Lucia, you have not eaten yet, have you?" he said calmly. "These were specially prepared. Heat them first."
Lucia indeed had not eaten. She had been waiting for Lloyd the entire time.
However, food was the last thing on her mind.
She leaned gently into his arms and spoke softly.
"Young Master, Saint Garling ordered the family grounds sealed earlier. The noise from the central courtyard was frightening. I tried to go, but I was stopped. What happened?"
Lloyd did not conceal anything. He calmly explained the battle with Gulando.
Lucia's expression hardened with anger.
"He still refuses to give up on Young Master?" she said indignantly. "To think there is such a monstrous father in this world."
Lloyd smiled faintly.
"Do not mention him. Let us eat first."
Lucia nodded obediently and summoned the servants to reheat the food.
Once the dishes were served, Lloyd rested his chin on his hand, quietly watching Lucia eat.
After dinner, Lucia dismissed the servants and personally went to prepare a bath for Lloyd.
Lloyd extinguished the flame at the back of his neck before stepping into the steaming water. He leaned back, closing his eyes.
The bathroom door opened softly.
Lucia entered, wrapped in a white towel. She approached the tub slowly, her eyes glowing faintly with a mysterious purple hue.
With a gentle motion of her hand, the towel slipped to the floor.
Lloyd had already opened his eyes.
He calmly observed her without speaking.
Lucia smiled, her expression soft and alluring, then stepped lightly into the bathtub.
Time passed unnoticed.
Eventually, Lloyd carried a dazed Lucia out of the bathroom.
He glanced back at the empty tub.
Both of them possessed the power of flames. When their passion peaked, red and purple fire rose together, evaporating every drop of water.
Lucia lazily hooked a finger beneath Lloyd's chin, lifting his face toward hers.
"Young Master," she murmured, "let us return to the room and rest."
Lloyd tilted his head slightly.
"Are you certain we will rest once we return?"
"That depends on Young Master's wishes," Lucia replied softly. "But you just fought a battle tonight, so…"
She did not finish.
Lloyd kissed her directly.
After a brief moment of surprise, Lucia responded.
In a flash, Lloyd vanished with her in his arms.
That night, sleep was never an option.
Early the next morning, Lloyd and Lucia exited the palace fully dressed.
A faint blush still lingered on Lucia's face.
She brushed a strand of hair aside and spoke softly.
"Young Master, do you truly not need more rest?"
Lloyd smiled faintly.
The flame at the back of his neck flared to life.
"With you present," he replied, "sleep is unnecessary."
Lucia's face flushed even deeper.
She lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
"As long as Young Master is pleased…"
Seeing her like this, the flame behind Lloyd's neck burned hotter.
He suppressed the rising heat in his chest and spoke calmly.
"I need to visit Uncle Garling again. He must guide me further."
"Buruburu…"
Before he could finish, the sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out from his chest.
Lloyd paused, retrieving the miniature Den Den Mushi and connecting it.
Sengoku's voice came through, tense and urgent.
"Lloyd, are you still in Mary Geoise?"
"I am," Lloyd replied immediately. "What happened?"
"Marine Headquarters has confirmed Redfield's location," Sengoku said. "Fleet Admiral Kong personally led a team to capture him, but there has been no report since. I have already dispatched Garp as reinforcement, but I remain uneasy."
There was a brief pause.
"Could you also go?"