(continued)
"Lucy, the truth is. I-I'm technically not the captain of the Blackthorn Mercenary Company…I'm just the vice-captain, and we're only the third top mercenary company in Port Blackwood, I-I just wanted to impress you." Said Mars honestly.
For the first time in her new life Lucy was stunned silent. She actually couldn't believe her ears for a moment.
She had meticulously planned every step of her conversion of Mars into her first and only Blood Slave.
But she had not seen the curveball of him not being who he said he was coming.
'…This could potentially be a problem' thought Lucy as she worked to keep her face an unreadable mask, 'Damn! I should have thoroughly read his mind before...'
Mars having noticed the silence from Lucy after her confession, immediately began to panic.
"I-I'm sorry Lucy please forgive me, Ill be dead soon anyways jus-"
"Shh" she cut him off with a well-manicured index placed on his lips, "this isn't a problem at all Mars. I can take care of everything" Lucy said soothingly.
Mars blinked once, twice, then three times before uttering a strained,
"But how? How could you possibly help me"?
She stared at the worried mage as she tried to read his mind, she needed to know who the enemy was before she said anything else.
Like Sera had said it was a jumbled mess in his head, luckily his mind seemed to part like the sea and allow Lucy easy access after a moment.
And there it was. The face of the enemy that was worrying Mars so much.
Lucy couldn't believe it.
"Tell me everything that has happened" said Lucy with a deadly seriousness, "and everything you know about this Nour character"
Now It was Mars's turn to be shocked as he knew he'd definitely not told Lucy his name.
'This woman… she truly contains multitudes; I can't read her or her cultivation or power level. Maybe she can save me…'
And with that final thought Mars decided to place his trust in Lucy as he was truly out of options.
With his back against the wall and a powerful foe aiming at him, plus his body under the stress of the Blood Slave conversion, he truly had no other choice.
So, he told her everything.
From Nour, to the night at the Golden Lass, his argument with Ambrose, and even the inner workings of his mercenary company and the power hierarchy of notable figures in Port Blackwood.
In a strange cathartic release, he told her everything.
Like a river the torrent of information and worries Mars had were passed over to Lucy.
While he explained everything in clarity and detail Lucy sat unmoving, calculating in her head what their next move should be.
After some time, Mars finally finished his debrief of everything to Lucy. He was surprised that he felt better having been able to let all of the worries he was bottling inside out.
But now he was worried that he'd overburdened Lucy. Staring at her icy visage, he searched hard for a reaction or an expression.
'What was I thinking? There's no way she can save me, I'm dea-'
"Is that all?" Lucy asked in a blasé tone.
"Y-yeah that's it." said Mars surprised at her bored tone, "Look I know you can't-"
"You're surrounded by wolves Mars, and I'm sure you know you're out of your league trying to face Nour. He's a peak level Intermediate Mage ready to breakthrough at any moment and you're just a second command wannabe.' Lucy said unflinchingly, "I faced him today you know? He's powerful. Cold. And I have no doubt in my mind he plays dirty"
Each word from Lucy's mouth were like lashings from a whip as they rained down on Mars. These were things he already knew. Literal facts. But they caused him great anguish as they poked at his greatest insecurity. His strength. If he was stronger none of this would be happening. But then he rethought what Lucy had just said.
"W-wait you faced him today?! Impossib- How are you still alive?!" Mars all but screamed in surprise.
Lucy looked behind her shoulder to glance at the old innkeeper with an annoyed glint in her eye. After confirming he couldn't hear them she leaned in closer and continued,
"Because even two Nours are no match for me" she said simply, "Look the way I see it as of now I'm your only chance at survival."
Mars stared blankly as he absorbed Lucy's words and their meaning.
As he ruminated over them and they echoed in his head he realized he believed them. He didn't know why but he felt he could trust Lucy.
"Can you save me?" Mars asked breathlessly
"Oh, Mars haha" chirped Lucy softly, "I'll do more than save you. I'll make you the you you've always wanted to be. From that comfy position as captain of that mercenary company, becoming a Great Mage, to power that you've never been able to imagine. All of it can be yours."
"…what do I have to do?" Mars asked seriously
"Nothing. All you have to do is say yes to this, to serving me … forever." Said Lucy as her golden orbs seemed to glow.
"Then yes. A thousand times yes!" said Mars as he fell to one knee before Lucy, "Ill serve you"
"And only me?"
"Yes! Only you."
"Forever?"
Mars looked up from his position on the floor to lock eyes with Lucy. After a brief pause, loud and clear he said,
"Yes, forever."
'Wow he actually submitted! You're amazing, I see this must have been your plan all along' remarked Sera telepathically from within Lucy's robes.
Lucy smiled slightly at Sera's remark as she flipped her hair and placed a hand on Mars's lean and toned shoulder.
At this moment she was elated as her plan had worked out perfectly. She now had her own personal soon to be Blood Slave. And a mage one at that.
Of course, now there were some issues that needed handling, but Lucy wasn't worried at all.
"Excellent" she said as she motioned for him to rise, "I'll finalize our deal later. For now, let's come up with a plan to deal with Nour and that ex co-captain of yours. Oh, what was his name again? Ambrose?"
"Yeah Ambrose. I can take care of him myself." said Mars with a dark glint in his eyes.
Mars and Lucy sat in the tavern area of the Inn discussing their plans until the sun had just begun to dip below the horizon.
In that time, they'd decided that Mars would be the one to handle Ambrose as he'd insisted upon it. And that Lucy would finish Nour off alone.
Lucy insisted they do the deed at night and as soon as possible.
" Wait so we're striking first?" Mars asked surprised, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I'm certain it's the best idea. Would you rather we allow him to breakhtrough first and then attack us?' questioned Lucy incredulously.
After giving it a second thought, Mars realized Lucy was right.
If allowed to become a Great Mage Nour's power would double and he'd be much harder to get rid of.
They had to strike first.
"No, you're right, I just didn't expect us to have to strike so soon. Word around town Is he could breakthrough at any point in the next month, but if he enters closed door cultivation that time could shorten exponentially"
"Exactly" said Lucy with a smirk, "Which is why we'll attack this week, he'll never see it coming and neither will anyone else"
Lucy and Mars agreed that their plan would commence after sufficient preparation.
They still needed to get Ambrose out of the way and finalize their deal first. So, after assuring Mars of her seriousness once again, they decided to part ways for now.
"Get some rest by the way, you look terrible" said Lucy bluntly
Mars's oily skin blushed a bit at Lucy's unabashed statement.
"Haha yeah, I know. Sleep has been hard to come by as of late" he replied
"Mhm I understand" she said simply, "give me your finger"
Mars's eyes perked up at Lucy's command as he remembered their last encounter. With a small gulp he extended his index finger to Lucy's awaiting hand.
Wasting no time, she quickly brought his finger up towards her mouth, and pricked him with her exposed and elongated canine.
At first sight of the glistening tooth Mars tried to jerk his finger away only to find it in an iron like grip.
Before he even knew what happened next, he was wrapped in throes of pleasure that felt like a warm blanket.
He remembered this feeling from their last meeting as well, it was one he could never forget.
As the waves of pleasures ebbed from the prick on his finger, Mars slowly slouched against the bar and closed his eyes in ecstasy. And Lucy watched smugly as her soon to be Blood Slave relented to her.
After some time, the strong waves of pleasure slowly decreased in strength until Mars finally opened his eyes.
Following the effects of the prick he now felt more relaxed and clearheaded, almost like a fog had been cleared from his mind.
'Woah I almost feel like a whole new person' he exclaimed to himself
"There" said Lucy as she stood from her stool , "you should feel some reprieve from the Blood Slave conversion's effects, now you should be able to get some rest. But don't forget I need you back here before dawn so we can finalize our deal"
"Y-yes definitely. Thank you so much- wait what's the Blood Slave conversion" said Mars confused
Lucy flipped her hair behind her as she turned to head towards her room like she hadn't heard his question at all.
As she slowly walked away Mars stared at her with a deep questioning gaze,
'What have you gotten yourself into Mars…' he wondered to himself as he also prepared to leave the inn.
A few moments later, just as his foot stepped outside, he heard Lucy's silk like voice in his head,
'You'll see...' was all she said.