Chapter 3-92: Servants of Heaven (2/2)
I could only agree. Too, while a formidable warrior of Heaven, astral devas were basically escorts and messengers for higher Powers, as well as scouts and observers. Aelryinth had met them before, and this Elder didn’t have any power beyond a standard deva, meaning no Class Levels. He was a swift, nimble, and dangerous warrior, especially against Fiends and the Evil, but, for instance, didn’t even have the power to Raise someone from the dead.
This Elder was actually not really qualified to be in a non-military leadership position for mortals, at least as far as his skillset went. He probably had the experience to do well in certain aspects... but that was something he could train others in, and likely did.
However, he had identified the key fact that he was basically the most powerful conduit of Good on the planet, and thus for granting Heavenbound Pacts. The deeds and effect of up to fifteen hundred Heavenbound running around would certainly trump what he could accomplish on his own, and so he had concentrated his efforts on making more Heavenbound, sending them out to fight Evil after training them, and keeping a Light shining in a world where they could not see the sun.
Having an Angel around would also be immensely inspiring for all the Churches of Heaven, if for nothing else than a living moral guide who could keep their doctrine and practices on track.
“I have to ask... are you the one who supplied the correct doctrinal references and forms to the faithful of the Heavenly churches?”
He smiled widely. “Indeed. While I am of the Hosts of Aru, naturally I am aware of the practices of His allies and their Faiths. Providing the faithful with the proper ceremonies and methods of the gods waiting for them was a trifling matter I was pleased to perform.”
So that was why they had the correct titles, and even the Salutes were proper. It only took one Angel to help organize things and get them on track.
Unity and harmony between the forces of Heaven had helped them organize far more quickly than the other Aligned powers, which had helped immensely in dealing with the rise of magic, the undead, and return of magical beings.
Benefits of being the Good guys...
“As for my plans... what I would prefer to do is keep feeding my Stave and Ring every day, which requires active Karmic generation using them; Infuse other items with the goldweight loaned from the Hall, and generally keep active as my Karma slowly infuses my Levels.”
“By your tone, you are greatly concerned about upgrading your Weapon and Ring,” he observed.
“While this world has great wealth in many ways, Elder, there is not a surfeit of gold laying about. Two goldweight equivalents a day in advancing simply for doing the right things is a tremendous sum of remuneration for services rendered. Adding onto that Infusing a goldweight a day... can even Heavenbound Hall afford to spend three goldweight daily, just on me?”
He looked both impressed and perturbed. “That IS a considerable amount, although I am not in charge of the Hall’s finances.” Nearly half a million dollars a day, so... yes, it was a lot of money. “I was informed that you would like the Hall to advance you a considerable amount of gold regardless...”
“On loan, yes. When I reach Nine, repaying it will not be difficult. I am aware of several gold and precious materials mines on Terra-Luna, which should be untapped here. I will be able to Commune with Nature and locate them precisely here, and excavate them with the help of Elementals quickly and smoothly. Removing several hundred tons should not prove to be very difficult.”
He regarded me very seriously. “That... is a considerable sum of gold.”
“Yes. And yet it vanishes all too quickly.”
“That it does,” the angel agreed. This wasn’t Heaven, where a deity could hand-wave into existence all the gold-equivalents the smiths of Heaven could want. Finite resources, getting scattered among many thousands who desired them. What was a ton of gold, divided five pounds at a time among thousands clamoring for it?
It was something to fight over! Generating goldweight was the goal of just about every powerful organization in the world. Platinum and gem mines were insanely valuable strategic natural resources. Crafters who could triple the value of those resources were essential personnel... and they knew it, spinning up goldweight equivs out of nothing.
Perhaps in a few thousand years, when the gold had been recycled numerous times, and the magical items made before were still around and had accumulated to the point of being commodities, things might change.
Before that point, I would need a LOT of money...
“However, doing things before rising to at least a moderate level of ability is unwise at this point. By your words, I assume that you have a rather copious amount of knowledge that could be shared with us at Heavenbound Hall, correct?”
I inclined my head slightly. “That is true.”
“Such knowledge can and should also be seen as something worth proper remuneration. Sharing such with us should be worth both a considerable amount of money, and moreso, worth the time of others towards making such Artifice. This has the additional advantages of decreasing the amount of debt you will be taking, increasing the amount of remuneration that you are worth, and establishing your reputation and thus yourself here. While being able to shoot dark things with Master Fred is indeed a positive endeavor, it is not the same kind of thing that will truly establish yourself and your power here.”
He had a point. If others were willing to cross-Infuse for me, that would also save a great deal of my time. “Does that include yourself, Elder?” I asked calmly, stirring his confusion. “Forgive my presumption, but you are a Fourteen. Even if you have limited skill in the creation of Artifice, there are items you can Infuse that perhaps nobody else in the Hall can. I naturally have plans that would require someone of that level of ability be available.”
“Interesting,” he managed to say. “While I have been willing to do Infusion work in the past, it has not been for a situation that required my ability to do so...”
I smiled ever so slightly. “Master Aelryinth was a Fifteen, sir. There are definitely things that I know you can do, that I cannot.”
“Well, then, if you can demonstrate the value and ability worth me doing so, I would be happy to arrange such use of my time on your behalf.”
Master Fred didn’t seem put out that our crime-fighting duo was coming to an end, and perhaps seemed slightly relieved. “Well, then, let me start making lists and getting some accommodations, and tomorrow we can start to work, then.” I would lose some Naming Karma, but if I had the goldweight and someone else’s time to work with, that would be fine. “Master Fred, I’m going to be showing you some downtime productivity tricks worthy of a Theurge, so don’t think you’re going to be leaving for anywhere quite yet.”
That seemed to amuse him. REALLY? THEN BY ALL MEANS, I SHAN’T BE OFF RIDING INTO THE SUNSET...