Demonic Devourer's Development

"These two?" Yvenna looked at me with earnest and ferocious eyes. "I've seen them just last week. I've been doing just like you said, Devourer! Selling my loot to them and stuff. The eldest is so damn stiff, but does good craft. Made me some new leathers. The youngest is so pure it's annoying." Yvenna paused, then added. "Not the 'holy-temple-virgin' pure, but more like, she thinks you are some knight in shining armour or something! She kept asking me if I would return soon every time I came by."

"Such nice girls.. Too bad my old bones and my duties in the Church didn't let me visit them, too." Bishop smiled in a fatherly manner. "But I've heard only good things about their business. It blooms and expands, and more and more influential adventurers began to order items from Rosha. I'm not privy to the specific numbers, but if you wish to find them out as soon as possible, my lord, I can send them a magic message. I'm sure they would be thrilled to find out about your return, too."

"No need. I will see them for myself." I grinned. "Have to refresh some memories, too… Alright. Is there anything else of importance you achieved while I was gone, Bishop, Yvenna? How do people say… report, that's it."

"Oh, oh, I know! I got a level up! And a rank up, too. I'm now Silver Three, level eleven." Yvenna bared her teen in what could've been both grin and a snarl. "Some assholes didn't like that, but what do they know? My fists!" She slammed one of those in her palm with a loud smack that made Gi jump a little.

"And you are lucky the Guild didn't deduct points from you from that brawl…" Bishop chastised. "My lord, besides what I already told you, the only thing of note I can think of is that we gained several more worshippers. They weren't initiated deeply yet, but… Again, I'd like for you to meet them when it would be convenient for you. Besides, after your appearance, some of my brothers in faith had given generous donations for our cause. There was some left even after I bought these books. I was wondering what you would prefer to spend them on."

I scratched my head, regretting for a moment that I even asked. I had a foreboding feeling that the more time passed, the more problems and questions from my followers would fall on my head. Oh, well… Responsibility it was.

"I will meet with the cultists in, say… five days." That would give me enough time to fly by Glesk and back and relax a little first. "As for the money stuff, write how much exactly I have, an equivalent of value in cattle, and your suggestions on what it could be spent. Besides cattle, that is. Now, another point, from me."

I stared at Gi, who was quietly munching on food all that time. At my attention, he froze and very slowly put down a piece of a bun he was holding with his dirty hands. Literally dirty, not figuratively—the boy wasn't the best as far as hygiene was concerned.

"The boy." Bishop nodded sadly. "His kinsmen died, but their lives will fuel the salvation of your world, and so they weren't in vain. Let their afterlife be a peaceful one. What are your plans for him, my lord?"

I watched Gi's face darken at Bishop's words and wondered if Bishop's preaching would end up a good or bad thing for him. Time would tell, I supposed. I looked up at him and Yvenna. "I want you to train him in fighting, and to find him something he can be busy with the rest of the time. Also, teach him about the life on the surface."

Yvenna frowned and folded her arms on her chest in a manner that felt less like a defence from the world and more like an attempt to put her fists away before she used them. "I'm no teacher. I'll just beat him up even if I try."

A grin spread over my face. "That's the point, Yvenna, that's the point! You have a certain style in your fighting. The pipsqueak will either learn from it, or suffer." I gave Gi a pointed look. "While Bishop can do the coddling. Everyone needs their rest."

"I understand, my lord. Harsh training to harden body and soul until it becomes a diamond, while putting gentle care on it like a balm to let it grow!" Bishop looked at me with admiration. "I will follow the spirit of your words the best I can, my lord. The boy will be cared for, but not left alone, or idle, for too long."

"I trust you to know the measure. You seem to have a way with people."

"Thank you, my lord, for that praise." Bishop lowered his head in a show of gratitude, then looked at Gi to with a fatherly smile. "We will love you like a younger sibling. Did you have siblings before?"

Gi shook his head. His eyes flickered between the three of us like that of a cornered beast, but under Bishop's fatherly smile and patient gaze, eventually broke. "I'd only my old man, and he kicked the bucket when I was as tall as that table."

"Well, now you will have dozens. I can't promise that all of you will love you equally, but I will make my best to ensure that you will find new friends amongst my flock."

"Oh, and don't forget this, Bishop." I pointed at the rainbow crystal that was laying on the table. "I want you to keep it, too, and use it to create rainbow water for you, Yvenna, Gi and a few more cultists you find the most trusted. Prioritise those who have any combat training or perspectives of using it. Mind that the rainbow water loses its properties with time, so it's better to be drunk fresh."