Better than he expected.

I wasn't quite sure how I should act when I spoke with her as Matthew. Should I act like "Moged-Ruun" had already told me everything, or should I act as if I know nothing about what happened? It was an important decision, and it was not easy to make.

In the end, I decided it would be better to play dumb. It would not make sense for a follower to know what their god does. In addition to that, it would potentially allow me to get the situation from her perspective, and get a sense of how well she thinks it went.

With that settled, I began my journey back to the entrance. I had not even made it halfway before my Spirit reemerged, seemingly finished with my orders. Looking at it gave me an idea. It would not be for the best to advertise to all that Norma had been marked against her will, it would make me look bad and make her look weak. Therefore, it would be better to hide it.

While continuing to walk back, I tried using my growth mana in tandem with my control over my domain to create something more specific than normal. Carefully managing my commands through the mana, I formed a woven mesh out of the plants, that I formed into a scarf. 'This should do. It allows her to cover the mark, which is better for both of us, as well as making it seem like I gave her a gift.'

As I was about to arrive I added some last finishing touches to the scarf, giving it a pattern reminiscent of my own divine theme. I thought it looked better than a plain white scarf, as well as even I could not resist putting my own trademark on something I created.

I at last arrived back at the gateway, finding Norma already on the outside of my domain. She was turned away from the portal, seemingly in deep thought as she subconsciously felt the new marking on her neck. After me and the Spirit were through, I closed the door.

As it was closing I cleared my throat, "Ms. Normn?"

She spun around immediately, clearly startled by my sudden presence. "Ah, Matthew. You scared me." She put her hand to her chest as she breathed deeply.

I gave a bow and offered my hand which I had draped the scarf over. "I was instructed to grant you this. May I assume your conversation went well then?"

She grabbed the scarf delicately and examined it for a moment while answering me. "I... suppose." She bit her lip and stared into the distance for a moment, "I hope there can be more... conversations in the future though. I am not quite satisfied with this ending."

I gave an apologetic shrug, "I am sorry to say I cannot guarantee anything further to someone who is not officially a member of the church. Even then, I have no say in what my lord Moged-Ruun does."

She gave me a questioning expression while feeling her neck again, "But... Is his mark something he grants frequently? I was under the assumption it was a rather big deal."

I had an idea in that moment. Under my suit collar, I changed my appearance so that I also had the mark, though mine was much more akin to the one I had given Smoke. I didn't make it look like the sharp parts were digging in however, instead I made it look like a decorative piece, with the thorns and vines forming intricate patterns.

I gave her an admitting nod, "Indeed, it has not happened frequently. He once used a modified version on a prisoner of your father, but that was a very different circumstance."

She stared at me with a concerned look, "A prisoner? Than, is this some form of punishment? Or is it dangerous?" She subconsciously seemed to be trying to get her fingers between the pattern on her skin and the skin itself, though failing most certainly.

I shook my head, "I can assure you, the mark is not dangerous unless there is some reason for the lord to be hostile towards you."

She did not seem convinced, "Why should I believe that? For all I know you are just telling me this so that I go along and praise your god." She didn't seem like she was as angry as she was acting, which confused me slightly.

In response I acted like I was considering something heavily for a few moments, before letting out a large sigh. I gripped the collar of my suit and pulled it down, revealing the mark I had made moments prior. 'There, now she has a bonding source with Matthew, as well as a reason to not fear the mark. Since she won't be as afraid of it, she shouldn't tell anyone about it, and things can continue smoothly.'

She looked very shocked when she released what it was I was showing her. "Is that- Then, did he-" She gathered herself together enough to ask a somewhat important question. "Yours... looks different than mine, why is that?"

I came up with a convincing excuse on the spot, "I believe it has to do with either lord Moged-Ruun's opinion or thoughts on the subject, or perhaps the nature of their deal? I know it isn't just a look, as with the prisoner they seemed in agony during the creation of their mark, and it did not seem to ever not hurt them."

She thought for a moment before she bit her thumb and blushed. "So, that means he controls how the mark makes you feel?"

I had a legitimate look of light surprise and consideration as I contemplated what she said. "I... suppose that very well might be the case. As always however, I cannot decide anything on how my lord works."

She was still blushing slightly as she withdrew her thumb, "I see..."