After eating, the three called it a day and rested.
The next day, the trio received Jack's new quest [Establish the church]. While they did receive the method for reaching stage 1 level 2, they did not have the technology, tools, or even resources for it.
"We got two choices for this." Spoke Zhenin
Due to Mengsk's isolation, he wasn't aware of the current state of the city. Due to him being able to see his daughter's death. He already knew how bad it would be outside, he just did not know the scope of it all.
"The first is the library. We renovate it and turn it into the church. The location is perfect because the place is easily accessible. It was also due to this that the survivors avoided it like the plague. It had no advantages during defense, and every piece of technology inside has already disappeared. If nothing goes wrong, we should be able to rebuild it."
The reasoning was sound, but the problem was also apparent. Mengsk nodded. It is, indeed, a good option.
Before anyone could interrupt him, Zhenin continued.
"The second is this place." Zhenin paused as he stared at Mengsk.
Ninzhe had no reaction, and Mengsk remained calm.
Besides being accessible, the place already looks like a church. But if they renovate the place to be the church of Hemmon's Herald, they will lose their privacy.
For people with secrets such as them, it is especially hard to do so. The people had been living a very savage life, the twins included. Anything precious they might have, a.k.a fresh food, will be exposed to the public. Loyalty isn't something one can build in an instant.
Zhenin did not need to explain why the mansion was an option, it was easily deduced by any of them.
"This… Looking at our options, it seems like the mansion is the most suitable place?" Ninzhe spoke first.
"Not necessarily," Zhenin answered as he raised his left hand with his palm facing him.
Mengsk and Ninzhe noticed the triangle ring in his finger immediately. His blue skin perfectly contrasted the golden pair of triangles in the ring.
"This is the ring of miracles. It has two functions, the transform permanently or create something temporarily. This is why Nova's soul had to be taken by our god, or else, she'll disappear."
Mengsk gave an understanding look. Ninzhe had a surprised expression.
"Why didn't you just use that on me?" Ninzhe asked. His heart a little unrest.
"This is a quest item, god would kill me if I use this for my personal use. Besides, he gave me this after saving you, I didn't have that choice anyway." Zhenin answered.
The answer satisfied Ninzhe, and his heart calmed. He trusts Zhenin sincerely, but not blindly. When he heard about the effects of the ring, he felt like his brother forgot him. He did have to stay a day in the white space as Jack told him to wait for Zhenin to finish his mission.
Mengsk was about to stop the bickering, but seeing how easily they solved their problem, he stopped and felt at ease. For an elder, watching kids fight is a painful sight.
Feeling gratified at the twins, he spoke, "I don't have qualms with using my home to become god's church, but you putting the library first, you have a plan in mind?"
"Yes, actually," Zhenin answered. "We could gather people, tell them a new god has descended and is looking for followers, use the ring to transform the library into a church, and done."
It was a very simplified explanation, but Mengsk understood the rewards and repercussions.
"This is a double-edged sword," Mengsk told Zhenin.
"I know. But if those greedy fucks try to attack, we can also use that to our advantage. It should be able to help us prove that we are protected by a god.
"Zhenin. We aren't the only advanced beings on this planet."
Mengsk words quietened Zhenin.
Indeed, he had been banking on the fact that their physical strength increased. After thinking it through, he felt like this should be Jack's help for them. Thinking that his cultivation was god's work, he didn't even consider others becoming an advanced being.
But now that he realized it, the more he thought of it to be plausible. The instructions and the resources required it was something a mortal could easily do and acquire. There's no need for a god to give that.
Looking at Zhenin's pondering expression, Mengsk was very surprised. Beside Zhenin's straightforward attitude back when dealing with him, he had no other impressions about the boy.
It had only been four days since they met after all. If they weren't tied to the same god, one of them would've perished long ago in another's hand.
"Then, how about this."
Zhenin and Mengsk had their back and forth while Ninzhe jumping in occasionally, asking for specifics.
After devising their plans, the three of them got closer to each other. Even the experienced Mengsk started to look at Zhenin like a prodigy. "His only deficiency is experience. If he began to learn more about the secrets of the world, Zhenin's going to be one of the known characters in this dying universe," Mengsk thought to himself.
Even the twins began to think differently about Mengsk. Zhenin thought of Mengsk as someone stupid due to how he coped with his daughter's death. Yet now, his eyes are brimming with a thirst for knowledge as he stared at the elder bookworm. Ninzhe's forte is on his "talk to the blade" approach. Strategies are something he relies heavily on Zhenin, but even then, he could tell how much knowledge the old man has that even his smart twin felt awe.
Once the plan was finalized, the three decided to split.
Mengsk was unsure if the people he knew were still here, but he still knows a few people. If he could find them, it'd be a boon to their church. Zhenin decided to go back home to notify their roommate that they'll be moving out. He'll also take his parents' things with them.
Ninzhe followed Zhenin, if the plan doesn't involve using his weapon, he'd rather stick with his brother.
At that very moment, their stones began to glow faintly, if one didn't focus on it, it won't even be visible.