“Just mark my words, Sin—this important mission of yours is just a way to put you on sidelines. Master knows which of us is the strongest and the most cunning, and who can only defeat already tired warriors,” Wendigo hissed at me with a gloating sneer.

I only smirked back. The grey cat could hiss all she wanted and didn’t understand that it gave her zero value in anyone’s eyes. Her view of the world was as simple as that of a child’s. I could admire her body and her spirit, but I had very little regard for her mind.

“It’s like you conveniently forgot all the other times I defeated you in spars,” I threw at her and walked inside Devourer’s office, with a bang of the closing door marking these words as the last in the conversation.

Devourer, in his most common form—four arms, yellowish carapace, a pair of wings behind his back, flat human face—sat on his seat, propping his head with an arm. His stare, even as I entered, was directed not at me, but somewhere beyond this realm.

“Greetings, lord Devourer,” I bowed, letting my lips stretch into a habitual slight, mildly amused smile. I knew well enough by now that Devourer had little care for titles and bows, but I found it fun for myself to play court this way. Even more fun was how all others strove to imitate me, but completely seriously. Even Wendigo. “What is that you wanted to talk with me about? The secret mission, I suppose?”

“Yeah, that. I did want to give you some demons to command, but I need someone to do that one thing, too, and you are the most fitting person for the job.” Devourer tsked. “I really wish I could do that myself.”

He stood up and paced up and down the room. I could even sympathise. So many demons, thanks to his power, were going to the mortal realm—a place that even in its worst was better than Hell’s best—and he was still bound down here because of gods’ magic.

From what he told me, from the traitorous God of Rogues he knew they had a spell of some sort that would find him almost immediately after he appears in the mortal realm at all because they had found him once and had his “magical footprint” as Devourer put it, so unless they were all busy, it was a no-no.

“Thing is, I have some servants in the mortal realm, too. Well, had a few months ago, at least. I need you to check on them, relay them my plans and coordinate a joint effort in the “Havoc” operation. They are secret even from God of Rogues as of yet, and unless the situation calls for it, I’d like for them to keep being so, so you won’t be able to pass me messages through him. Unless he finds you, in which way… well, act by situation.” Devourer stopped and waved his hand in the air. “Short story, I want as many of their leadership alive as possible, but even less I want them to end up prisoner—they know some important information about me. Though, I don’t doubt that they will not let themselves be interrogated easily, before or after death.”

I listened with rapt interest. From all I knew about the mortal realm, creatures like Devourer were monsters there, hunted and hated by all, yet monsters hated everyone just as much. How could he gather any followers out there was a mystery to me, yet I believed it wasn’t impossible for him. I just had to admire his skills again.

“They have a cult and worship me like a messiah of the First God. Do you know about that guy, the Master of Sin?”

I remembered what my assortment of harem souls told me in the time I could afford to keep them. Gods, gods… There were no mention that any of them were first or last, they were supposed to be equal.

“Forgive me, lord, this is the first time I’m hearing this name. Is it an important being?”

Devourer shrugged. “Not for you, I guess. Anyway, listen how to locate them… They live in a big city near Blue Mountains, called Tinaris. Their head, Bishop, is that old guy… well… that looks old. Gah, damn, now I can’t even remember his home address.” Devourer scratched his forehead. “Alright, another contact—there’s a girl, Yvenna. She’s an adventurer, barbarian, redhead, red eyes, most people know her because she’s totally nuts. She is, by the way. I think instead of whatever she wants to say, half of the time instead comes out only swearing. If you can’t find any of them, go to Glesk, it’s not that far, and search for Rosha or Risha—they have an equipment store in there.”

I nodded, carefully cataloguing all the information. “Bishop, Yvenna, Rosha and Risha. I will see to them, lord. How much can I tell you about your current state of affairs?”

“Everything. But it only makes much sense to talk with Bishop or Rosha. The rest are my girls, but they aren’t exactly that smart.” Devourer grinned, as if remembering something pleasant, then sobered up. “This is a mission that requires a lot of independent thinking and a lot of mingling with humans. They are sure to scream demon and provoke gods if something happens… You won’t pass for a human, but Bishop should have an item that will help you in that regard. Still, you will have to cover yourself as well as you can before I teleport you up. And you will go before the main force. I give you two weeks to deal with that all, then I will send the rest.”

I blinked. Alright, that was unexpected. We were striking so soon… And I was striking even sooner. “One last question, lord—when I’m going myself?”

“You have three days to prepare. I still have to give you the plans for the striking teams. More info about the mortal realm would serve you well, too…” Devourer narrowed his eyes at me.. “But you can ask your harem about that, I suppose.”