The faith system seemed... mysterious.

  It really only said that Mafu could appoint his own people into the religious system and that they could then use the faith that Mafu had accumulated as a source of energy, much like mana.

  But it also warned of the drawbacks. If one of the priests would do things that hurt Mafu or the people it was assumed that Mafu himself would be punished.

  After a few days of thinking, Mafu only really had two people he felt comfortable with appointing. Hald and Dyani, who had been active in creating the religious system, and spreading the faith in it.

  So he had summoned them to the church on the surface, as the underground church was not yet complete, although it was getting there.

  "Hald, do you have any interest in being the head of the religion? My spokesperson in other words."

  The dwarf immediately started thinking, but Mafu could see that he was nervous. After all, he had been a historian, and being a "pope" would be a big leap.

  "It seems too much for me. I am just a humble historian, I know nothing of leading a religion." Hald started, but Mafu interrupted him. Mafu needed Hald, as he could not see any other person as the head of the religion.

  It was not that the people of the kingdom were incompetent. They were simply all focused in other areas, such as military or craftsmanship. Some people had even gotten seeds from Demeter, and split off into smaller communities not far from the town to farm.

  No one had the skillset for leading a church. Hald was the only choice, as his logical mind that knew of history would lead the religion in a stable and logical way. He was also not ambitious, and was happy to just live simply.

  Mafu was reminded of a saying he had heard back on earth. "Those craving power are the ones least suited to obtain it."

  "Hald, all of the citizens of the kingdom have taken a dip in the fungal pool. You have aswell. I know every person's capabilities, every person's inclinations. Out of all of them, I can only ask this of you. I will assist you, as much as I assist Jod. Perhaps even more, as I want the kingdom to rule itself."

  Hald looked deep in thought again. After thirty seconds or so, he responded:

  "If that is the case, I will take on this responsibility. Just know that if you find anyone better, I am willing to step down at any moment." Hald, who saw the logic in Mafus comment, relented.

  "I will leave it up to you what to call yourself. "Pope" might not be a good title, as I heard from Jod that that is one of the titles of the Emperor in Dolorans world. It has some negative connotations for the humans joining us."

  "Okay. I will think of something and come back with it to you." Hald said, and then did a small bow and started walking out of the church.

  Dyani had been standing silently next to Hald, smiling for the entire conversation. Dyani was a creative person. She might not truly believe that Mafu was this "living god" that her stories claimed him to be, but she was willing to use her art of storytelling to achieve that perception in others.

  She was one of the biggest reasons Mafu now had a lot of faith.

  "Dyani, I would want you to be the head of the missionaries of the religion. I want you to gather bards, actors, artists and the like. I want you to give them your stories, and instruct them in what to do and where. Then you will send them out to do what you have been doing for these past weeks."

  Dyani's smile widened. She did a short bow, like Hald had done, and responded with:

  "As you wish."

  That was all, she left the same way Hald had left.

  ---

  Mikaela and Otek walked on the rough path that had been established from the Portal to the capital of the Amanita Kingdom. It still did not have a name.

  Goran was walking behind them, with his eyes wide open. He was trying to take in all the sights so he could report to his lord.

  He had long given up any hope of escaping should he be captured. He had seen Oteks skills, and still did not know who the archer was that had shot that powerful arrow.

  Yet he did not feel threatened. Otek and Mikaela were conversing in a jovial mood about what had happened, and about Mikaelas trip to Baron Villen's estate.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  He belatedly realised that these people did not see him as a threat. He glanced at the large green man walking in front. According to the reports of the invasion of this world, there had been men like that.

  Although they had been called grey instead of green. Goran inwardly cursed the false reports, although it truly did not matter if they were grey or green. Goran thought that it invalidated the report, as other things might be wrong.

  They soon came upon the capital city, and Goran's eyes yet again started looking around frantically. It was way more developed than he had imagined. The large green man wore no real armor, so he had thought they were in a tribal society.

  Yet the buildings were as good or better than they were in the barony. He also looked at the large wall towards the back of the city. Was it not on the wrong side?

  If they invaded this world, the wall would only catch any civilians evacuating from the town. He then realised that it was not only him. These people did not consider his entire world as a threat.

  "Follow me, our "god" wants to meet you." Mikaela said.

  "Your god?" Goran asked, in a surprised and wary tone.

  "Yup. Our "god"." Mikaela still used the term "god" somewhat sarcastically.

  They walked through town, to a less populated area where a church stood. It was beautifully constructed, but not very big. Goran thought that Mikaela had brought him there so they could pray to this god that was mentioned.

  As he entered the main hall of the church, he saw a very large mushroom with a cap that almost seemed to be on fire. It looked like a tree, with its stem being shaped like an old oak tree. It was a pure white stem, but it seemed to have a slight orange tint from the flickering and changing red colours on the cap.

  As they walked up to stand in front of the mushroom, Mikaela and Otek went down to one knee and bowed their heads.

  Goran soon followed, and then he felt his mind change.

  It felt like he was standing in a dark, wet forest. On the outskirts of his mind, he could feel something skittering. Then a voice spoke. It sounded like wet leaves and creaking old decrepit tree trunks grinding against each other.

  "Mikaela tells me you wish to see our society."

  "Y-yes... My lord, Baron Villen has given me this task." Goran muttered out, he felt extremely uncomfortable.

  "You are free to look around as much as you want. There will be someone with you at all times. It is not to restrict you, only to make sure you have no impure intentions toward the people."

  "Thanks... Ehrm, who are you?" Goran did not want to ask this, and thus prolong the conversation. But clearly he had to, this voice was clearly one of the main threats should an invasion happen.

  Goran felt the horrid landscape of his mind shift, and it felt like the earth itself was breathing.

  Then the voice spoke again.

  "The people of this kingdom call me Mafu, the god of decay. I am a living god, who provides for these people. I am intent on eradicating Doloran in the future, and as such I am recruiting people of your world. If your Baron does not support slavery, and wants everyone to live a good life, he is welcome to bring his entire barony here. I will guarantee his title as a Baron, and as much or more land than he has in Dolorans world."

  Goran was surprised, and bit down the first few questions that came to mind. An invitation to defect? He doubted Baron Villen would accept the invitation. There were many reasons not to.

  "Do you have the strength to fight against the Empire?" It was the most important question, all other questions depended on it.

  "In time, we will. On our territory, we should be able to today. An invasion is unfeasible at the moment. But there are more ways to win a war than by sword and arrow."

  "More ways?" Goran asked before even thinking.

  "By poison, propaganda, logistics, starvation, religion. There are many ways to attack the Empire, yet they can only attack through the portal. Should people like your Baron accept my invitation, we gain strength while the empire loses the same amount."

  Mafu thought for a few seconds, and added a clarification.

  "Should the baron accept my invitation, each citizen of his barony will be provided a house, enough food and water to never go hungry, and they can retain their current job. We are in need of more people, and have enough land to incorporate ten times the population we have now. This includes you, and all his knights and soldiers, of course."

  "I will convey that to my lord. However, it is not likely that he will accept your invitation." Goran said.

  "For what particular reason?"

  "Some of the people will be caught and executed. Moving an entire barony is not that easy, the church will kill many."

  The uncomfortable feeling of the earth breathing returned, and Goran realised it was the god thinking.

  "Otek, can you guarantee that 9 out of 10 of the citizens of the barony survives?" Otek was one of the main warriors, and he was very close to Parek. They had planned for an invasion to capture people and land for months at this point.

  Otek stood up, and answered:

  "No problem. According to Parek, as long as the territory is not too far from the portal we can almost guarantee no casualties. That is as long as their main threat, this "faithful" guy, does not appear. Even then, 9 out of ten people saved is feasible."

  Goran looked more surprised than ever, as he switched his stare from the mushroom to the orc repeatedly.

  "There you have it, Goran. After you've thouroughly estimated what and who we are, you are free to return through the portal. Mikaela or Benoit will accompany you throughout your visit, and on your way back to the barony."

  "What about my men?" Mikaela asked.

  "Your men?" Mafu asked, and after another ten seconds of thought later, Mafu continued.

  "Mikaela's men will be released. This is not a request, but a threat. If they are not released, we will send our best warriors to break them out. If they are dead they will be avenged. If they are released, we will have no issues."

  The atmosphere had gotten considerably more threatening as the god spoke, and Goran was shivering.

  "As I have ascertained that Mikaela was not telling lies, and that our people who defected are safe on this side, her men will be released."

  "Good. Then have an informative time sight-seeing around the kingdom." The atmosphere became almost kind, as if the threat had never been mentioned.

  Mikaela put her hand on Gorans shoulder and led him out of the church.

  "So that is a god, huh?" Goran asked.

  "Yup." Is all Mikaela said.