To Satisfy a Quota

"Um, would it unbecoming if I ask why I'm here? As much as I am honored to have received the attention from one like yourself, my companion has not been forthcoming as to why I've come here." I inquire, after a moment of waiting for her to speak passed. I'd rather hoped they'd carry this-but it seems like we have three 'listen more than talk' all in a room together.

"No, it would not be. To put it bluntly-your village may be satisfying it's requirement for taxes, very admirably so, they are behind on their contributions to my levy-such as the kind that provides for this siege. Seeing how you are clearly more capable than the rest put together-consider yourself being taken as there share for a while." I have some serious questions about how smart conscription is-what better way to produce troops with abysmal morale? Now, however, is probably not the best time to bring them up, especially as she apparently had more to say.

"However, as you probably suspect, there is a little bit more to it than that. Her reports appear to show that you have far more potential than the average-and not merely for your body. Useful magical abilities, surprising psychological flexibility, a curious willingness to cooperate considering what you are...You seem to be a good candidate for my Squad for Unconventional Strategies. She has worked with their recruitment in the past, and will see you to them. As you seem to have no need for equipment, I see no reason for you to not head there now."

She goes back to her papers, and me and Nanase take our leave. I'm quite releived-meeting someone high profile enough for that angel to mention was stressful. However, despite the curt lack of substantive talk, I walk away with a lot of info to think about. My enhanced sense got a lot more detailed look at Orchid's class than before: I knew now how she got power. Her main focus was on the creation of powerful spirits that could then perform powers of there own accord-useful to let her delegate the miracles while she's busy. Chances are, any attempt to get at her will involve having to fight my way through a small army as she recalls them to her side. Also, it made me feel more secure-since her divination would require sending out a spirit to report back -and I could see them, unlike some less detectable spying.

As I catch myself ruminating on this while I follow Nanase, I realize something was off. Why was I jumping to the conclusion we were already going to be opposed to her? Another case of my own mind and my body's instincts fighting? It does seem like monsters have a difficult time accepting authority when **** hasn't been used...I'll have to make sure my gut reflex doesn't get me into trouble.

Absorbed as I was, I almost missed the explanation given to me by Nanase as we travelled towards a new tent in this cmall city of them "....try and find ways to use capacities far outside norm to take enemies by surprise, given wider latitude, though very limited official authority within chain of command." Alright, name kinda said that already, but nice for confirmation.

I take a quick moment to check on what skills I got from that level up while I was playing pastor, now that I have a spare second in my true from while travelling.

Carnal Exaltation (Priest)(Level1)-Increases critical spellpower by 1% per level. Non-damaging spells cast on orgasming targets are automatically critical casts.

Synergy: Seeds of Sight (Verdure)(Priest)(Max)-Spells may be targeted on those carrying Seeds of Corruption without requiring line of sight.

Synergy: Tentacles of Blight (Erosarkic)(Priest)(Max)-You may cause extensions of your body to appear from any lasciviated ground you produce.

Ooh, that first one seems like a fun way to have play with Augment body, or anything similar in the future. Other two seem like useful ways to basically be in a few places at one-definitely handy, even if setting up lasciviated ground is a bit of a pain.