Esstrey had sent out a few orders using the blank check, all with seals of approval from the duchess. Sofia was to go bring the news to the kobolds, and Esstrey expected no problems on that side, as Sofia''s child-like attitude to things fell in line nicely with that of the kobolds. The kobolds were to be informed that they would be in charge of anything digging related, and would make for excellent defensive sappers. All they needed was some slightly more official training from people who knew how to dig trenches. Cathy was told to ensure the loyalty of the crafter guilds once news inevitably reached them, specifically the smiths, carpenters, and enchanters. Anyone else would have to fall in line the old-fashioned way. Colonel Crendell has been given roughly two dozen of the muskets and told to ensure the adventurers don''t cause any trouble, while Esstrey herself would be visiting one of the biggest churches to start the domino process.
All this had to be done effectively during hunger riots, which would bring advantages and disadvantages to this situation. The military had already been informed of the paranormal division doing things, but they simply hoped that they wouldn''t be forced into lethal actions against the rioters soon.
Floating with a small detail of black marketeers loyal to money, Esstrey moves up the hill towards the church. There would be a brutal example made from them indeed, and she even brought some of Ronald''s people to help supervise the later stages.
As the group arrives with minimal issues at the doors to the church, Esstrey simply opens without knocking. A priest looks up from a book he was reading, while a group of nuns who were quietly talking with each other stare at the people entering. Out in the open it''s harder to sense, but in a formerly holy place like this, both Esstrey and Roland''s people have the stench of heretical magic on them. The goons of the black market standing with the group deters the priest from attempting to chase them off with a broom, but their stature as professionals in shaking down people for cash does not deter the paladin present. The man takes heavy footsteps towards the group that entered, but he is only armored as bringing a weapon within the church is considered blasphemy if it is done without reason, or done by people not affiliated with the church. A memo that Esstrey''s group didn''t receive, as the goons carry blunt weaponry typical for their occupation. All that is not even mentioning Esstrey herself, who is decked in her full war gear, she stares at the paladin in front of her through her faceplate for a bit, before reaching into her armor for the greatest weapon she brought a long.
"By order of the duchy this church has been requisitioned for a magical ritual, get out of the way." Esstrey shoves a piece of paper in the face of the paladin, who snatches it out of her claw, all credentials seem legitimate.
"The duchy has no right to claim a holy place as its own, Vivificania would strike the duchess down for this!" The paladin crumples the piece of paper and throws it back at the monster in front of him, the piece of papers simply bounces off the helmet and falls to the ground completely ignored.
"Maybe if your goddess did something more than dispense idle threats, you opinion would be taken note of. As it stands, the people outside starve in a city that has remained loyal to the gods, their empty stomachs indicative that the goddess of life has failed. This church will now be used by something other than a cabal of glorified mobsters, and put in the trustworthy hands of someone who can actually help humanity." Esstrey is having trouble holding in her laughter, half of what she said is utter bullshit and the other half was just to insult the entire church. The paladin balls his fist, but is unable to present a solid obstacle as he is pushed aside by the group. The priest present offers a small prayer wanting to know what to do about these heathens, but his prayer like every other goes unanswered.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Esstrey begins bloodletting herself at the lectern, and the priest rushes off to a storage closet rummaging for something. Ronald''s people set about using Esstrey''s blood for drawing a pentagram, the unmistakeable signature of summoning The Infernal Host. The nuns recognize it, and rush over to disrupt the setup, but are pushed aside by the black market goons, and kept at bay, forced to watch. The paladin rushes over preparing to sock one of the men in the face, but instead finds himself staring directly at a massive crossbow pointing right at his face.
"You will watch, or you will join the ritual. I heard paladins like you make excellent material." The paladin backs off at the threat of Esstrey, he may seem intimidating but losing connection with the gods has hit all paladins hard, now they are merely bundles of magic respective of their gods, without any of their god''s direction to refine it.
The ritual continues unoppossed, and soon enough a demonness emerges from the pentagram. A demonness with red skin, and fiery horns, her long white hair reaches to her midriff, and her bat-like wings terrify the nuns. Zha''klos, the trickster and negotiator for the Host in this region. She analyzes her surroundings, seeing her favorite trading partner completely ignoring various church officials. Zha''klos takes a guess to Esstrey''s intentions, and switches from a business suit to something more official of the Infernal Host, not as skimpy as the usual clothes demons usually use, but skimpy enough to show the Infernal Host''s... ''liberal'' nature.
Then a priest comes out from the back, carrying a bucket of water. He charges, and empties the bucket in the direction of Zha''klos, who sense that it''s a bucket of holy water. Something very dangerous if allowed to come into contact with her skin, as it will start boiling her alive. However, the water stops before hitting Zha''klos, blocked by Esstrey''s water magic. Esstrey herself still refuses to acknowledge the priest, who is now scared shitless as his last ditch effort didn''t work.
"Zha''klos, what do you think of The Infernal Host setting a permanent settlement here in Malencia? Malencia has been facing a lack of trade lately, and the regular troops are barely enough to keep order in the streets. I dont believe people will be going hungry, but the death of the economy is inevitable without a healthy circulation of goods." Esstrey holds out a large folder containing details on the entirity of Malencia, trade, population, security, and infrastructure information is all included. As well as a small clause that states that the one responsible for managing The Infernal Host outpost from the Malencia side would be Esstrey herself, not Ronald or the duchess. Zha''klos is all too familliar with ambition, and knowing Esstrey she knows she will be allowed to accomplish The Host''s no... her own objectives with no cult or bureacrats looking over her back to make sure they are getting as much as possible out of the deal, as long as Zha''klos sticks to the few rules Esstrey has set. Rules such as no wanton destruction of Malencia assets, rules that are not bound by restraining contracts, allowing for some... leeway.
"I am looking forward to this Esstrey." Zha''klos gives a big smile while shaking Esstrey''s claw, and she knows the mermaid is smiling as well behind that faceplate of hers.