Lust Knight (Web Novel)

Maya doesn't know what to think about Lucien.

He clearly doesn't want to hide his intentions, but still, he desires something from her, and that can only be one thing—her immortality.

She wouldn't blame him for desiring such a thing, but he simply doesn't seem like the type of person who would seek it, especially since he would be immortal while his beloved ones wouldn't be.

Maya wants to understand more about Lucien, about his goals, how his mind and heart work, but she fears that by getting closer to him and the Sins, she will become someone entirely different.

Lucien also fears that by getting closer to Maya, he will fall in love with her and any hostile action against her will become impossible.

But how will he obtain her magic core without getting closer to her? That's the kind of paradox that can drive him insane.

While Lucien and Maya gaze at each other with thoughtful expressions, Nea becomes more apprehensive.

She has already accepted to join forces with Lucien for the sake of her people, and she can't deny the strong feelings for him growing within her heart.

But Nea is extremely loyal, and Maya is her friend, so she doesn't want to imagine a scenario where Lucien would bring harm to her friend. That could shatter the Mermaid Queen's mind and heart forever.

When such ideas plague Nea's mind, causing her great distress, she hears Lucien's voice in her mind.

"I told you I would find a way to do this the right way," he speaks to Nea mentally.

"I believe you will try, but I don't know if there is a way..." she responds.

Even the Sins don't know much about the anatomy of Phoenixes, so Lucien doesn't even know where to begin, but he knows he doesn't want to bring harm to Maya.

The Sins are always thinking of ways to help Lucien and his sisters, so Sloth thinks of something and begins whispering in Lucien's mind.

Then he speaks to Maya. "From what I understand, you came to this world to escape the Gods, right?"

Maya nods, and Lucien continues. "A world filled with water would be a less likely place for them to search, but... tell me, how exactly did they find you before?"

"The Fire God..." When Maya speaks his name, it is impossible not to detect anger in her tone and expression; her eyes literally burn with fury.

"He reached an incredible level of connection with the Fire energy, especially the Fire energy of my people," she explains. "So he can sense my energy even from great distances."

"I see..." Lucien continues, trying to get to the point he wants. "So, can he sense you now?"

Maya doesn't understand where Lucien is going with this, but Nea already has an idea. Regardless, she simply responds honestly.

"No, he can't sense my energy that easily..." She explains. "He can only sense it from afar when I use my powers to the maximum; that's how he found me before I came to the Blue Star."

Lucien has the confirmation he wanted. He doesn't want to manipulate Maya and genuinely believes in what he is about to suggest.

"You mean like when you burned your essence to create that powerful attack?" He asks, already knowing the answer.

Maya finally understands Lucien's intention, and her expression becomes truly sad, not because of him, but because of that harsh truth.

The other girls feel sorrow for Maya, but Naomi and Nea also become upset with Lucien.

"Brother!" Naomi complains.

"Lucien!" Nea also speaks up.

Maya is glad that her friends want to help her, but this is not a problem that can be solved with good intentions alone.

"He's right," she sighs. "Actually, ever since Tyrion died, I haven't stopped thinking about it... I knew there would be consequences when I used my true form."

"This is our fault," Naomi says in a sorry tone.

Maya tries to smile at her. "This was the best outcome, I mean, without you and Lucien, I would have lost Kayla and Layla... Tyrion would have destroyed this world and everything that has given meaning to my life in so many years."

"But-" Naomi becomes frustrated by Maya's suffering.

"I would have done everything the same if I could go back in time," Maya speaks with determination. "The people I love are safe, and that's what matters."

"Still, you will have to leave your home," Nea comments, also in a sorry tone.

Maya nods. "The Fire God would have found me here sooner or later. As long as I'm here, your people and my family will be in danger."

"You see..." Lucien smiles at Maya. "That's my problem with the Leviathan; so we're in the same boat."

Maya begins to understand Lucien's intention more clearly. But it also makes her more cautious.

"And how will following you help me?" She gets straight to the point.

Lucien continues to smile because it doesn't go against his nature, but rather in favor of it. "I can solve your problem with the Fire God."

Maya has believed in Lucien so far. Yet, she has tried so many things over thousands of years, but in the end, the Fire God will never stop pursuing her, and he is also immortal thanks to the magic core of the deceased Phoenixes.

Her silence clearly reveals her doubts, but Lucien still asks, "Don't you believe me?"

She looks into his eyes. "I'm sorry if I seem skeptical; I guess hundreds of thousands of years of running, seeing those I love die, and being unable to put down roots anywhere have left me a little pessimistic."

Lucien genuinely feels sorry for Maya, but now that he has found her, he can't help but want to take care of her.

"I can't do anything against the Fire God now, but I can prevent him from finding you," he explains.

"Really???" Maya is shocked because she can see that Lucien is not joking. "Is this some kind of camouflage ability?"

Before he can speak, she continues, "I've tried many things, but sooner or later I end up having to use my true form to fight, and he finds me."

Lust materializes her body next to Lucien to speak to Maya as well. "He finds you because your fire energy is very unique and pure."

"Indeed," Maya confirms. "But I have never been able to alter my energy for long; as I said, sooner or later, my true form reveals my location."

Lust smiles at Lucien before turning her attention back to Maya. "That's why we're going to alter your energy at the very core."

"What???" Maya becomes even more shocked as she understands what they are suggesting. "Is that really possible?"

Lucien nods. "All the Sins agree that it should work, but..."

"But?" Maya has truly tried many ways, so she is willing to try new ones, but Lucien's words leave her concerned.

"It's not enough to just give you Demonic Energy," he explains. "Only Lust's energy can fully merge with other energies, improving and altering it from the very core, and for that..."

Maya can't help but feel disappointed to hear that. She thought that just a little bit of any of the Sins' Demonic Energy could help her, but things are never that simple.

Nea can't help but shake her head and look at Lucien with a frustrated expression. "Damn it, Lucien, will you not stop until all the good women in the universe become your wives?"

He can't help but smile at the thought, which only makes Nea even more upset.

Yet, her growing jealousy can't compare to the great doubt that Maya feels now.

"I didn't think you would hesitate so much," Lucien comments.

Maya bites her lip as she looks at him. "Should it be normal to willingly bind my soul to a greedy demon for eternity?"

Lucien understands that it's not an easy decision, but he is determined to help Maya and find a way for her to help him without sacrificing herself.

"What other option do you have?" He asks sarcastically. "Well, you can always go back to running, watching those you love die, and never being able to call a place home..."

Those words are harsh, but they remind Maya of how bad life was before she arrived on the Blue Star and how bad it will become again if she has to flee alone.

"Or..." Lucien smiles at her again, causing her heart to instinctively beat faster. "You can accept joining our families, gaining a new home where the Fire God can't find you."

Maya cannot deny that it really seems like a good option. It's not about the fact that Lucien is such a charming Devil, but rather the fact that he can actually alter her energy from her magic core.

That would make it harder for the Fire God to sense her energy, and the best part would be that she would have access to the Purple World, and her pursuer wouldn't be able to track her if she's in another dimension.

Maya's mind is a mess. She never considered such a possibility because simply trusting Demons already seemed too dangerous, so binding her immortal soul to the soul of a Demon seems insane.

But it also seems like the best chance she has to get rid of the Fire God.

"I... I..." She can't say anything as she stares at Lucien with a puzzled expression.

Lucien stands up and slowly crosses the large pool, heading towards Maya.

She continues to weigh the pros and cons of that proposal in her mind and doesn't even notice Lucien approaching until he stands in front of her.

"Come on, Maya..." Lucien smiles at her. "You haven't regretted our cooperation so far, so why hesitate now?"