Demonic Devourer's Development

"I believed it would take longer than it did to find the spell you need, my lord, but Toriaxius was an indispensable source of help. If not for him, the search possibly would have taken weeks. It truly makes a difference when one can weave their own magic and when one can only theorise." Bishop cleared his throat in slight embarrassment from his own bragging and tapped on the opened page of the magic tome. "This, this is what you need, my lord."

"Except, I will have to cast the spell and aim it. The former is easy, but the latter… You don't need anywhere in particular in Hell, right, Master?" Pest asked.

I thought about that for a moment. Fire and ice were both good for me now, and as far as wrong coordinates went, the only thing left that could kill me in Hell immediately after teleportation was lack of air. "Just don't teleport me into a mountain."

"I will try my best..."

That didn't inspire confidence, but I remembered that in Hell I'd be able to keep going even after dying, should the worst happen, and cheered up a little. "It's in your best interest, Pest!"

Pest said his reply inside of my head. 'Of course… and speaking of which, remember you telling me once how you'd let me go if you only could live through dying once?'

I frowned. 'Yes, I do. But you can't expect me to sacrifice my power now, when I need it more than ever, do you?'

Pest sighed. 'Sure… Why I even hoped.' Aloud, he added, "Anyway, and I have to say, you can technically take more people with you with that spell if you want, but why would you?"

"Indeed. Does it come with a way back?"

"That's… another spell. But we found it, too. Or at least I think we did. But I will have time to check later, right? Either way, I will have to fine-tune that one more if you want to return here and not on some other continent…"

I nodded. "Yeah, better think about that later. You did good, so I revoke all rights I gave you to do that particular task of finding the spell."

Pest's silence was my only response. I smiled. Having peace and quiet in my head was still as great as it was after the first time I forced it on him…

"Are you going to leave again right now, my lord?" Bishop asked then. I didn't have to read his thoughts, or even look at him, to feel the barely hidden disappointment in his voice.

"Yes. And if I were you, I'd be happy about it… Unless you want to witness angry deities in action personally. Your little cult has been doing fine for decades before me. It will do fine without me again. Oh, and you can keep this." I put the Ring of Thousand Faces on the table. "I won't need it where I go, and you might. Try putting it on and off and on again some time."

"Thank you for your gift, my lord." Bishop bowed his head. "I ask you to forgive my impudence. I truly grew too used to your guiding hand and inspiring presence in our ranks… But don't you teach us to survive on the smallest grain of resources we have and take the rest we need to reach the higher goal of greater good by force if necessary?"

"I'm pretty sure I don't teach you anything at all…"

Bishop raised his eyes at me. They blazed with religious zeal. "Not with word, as any preacher may, but with a much more valued thing—your example! Your story had been an inspiration for many of my brothers and sisters in faith. Please, do not underestimate your impact on us, my lord. Even the smallest of your movements sends ripples in the world that impact it, and us, greatly."

I gave Bishop a long stare, discerning his motives. The old man didn't have any hidden agenda in that warning… he just praised me because he wanted to, and because he believed I was someone worth praise. Astounding. I wasn't sure if that was more discomforting than if he turned out to be manipulating me into something for his own profit.

Not to say Bishop didn't want me to stay for profit, but that was profit for his cult, which he considered to be my profit. Again, astounding.

Telepathy was a dangerous ability. It was time to take it with me somewhere where I will find no annoyingly good feelings.

I stood up and picked up the magic tome. "Wish I could stay for longer, Bishop. I would like some rest myself. That time I sat in this room and watched you and Pest work didn't count as one, since I had to listen to his annoying voice. After the shit I had gone through on my expedition, I really need good relaxation, but! I don't have that option, so I will live without, and so will you."

"I will, my lord. Don't doubt it." Bishop paused. "I wish you'd have time to tell about your adventures."

I huffed. "Even if I had it, I don't think I'd do. Hm…"

My eyes turned towards the door to the bedroom Gi shared with Bishop. The boy was supposed to be sleeping, but he had been listening on our conversation for a while with admirable patience, considering he understood even less about magic than I did.

"Keep low, Bishop. The mortal realm is bound to become a dangerous place for you soon. Well, if you get killed… maybe our paths will cross in Hell. See you again, Bishop—and you too, Gi!"

Bishop's head spun toward the bedroom door, and I grinned at the alarm in his thoughts about my possible displeasure about being eavesdropped upon. But that was a momentary thing.

'Pest, cast the spell. We are going to Hell—and try to land me somewhere on top of it, if you can.'