Nidhogg POV:
I could feel the fear coming from each one of the hostages we took. I could see by the looks of absolute terror from some of them, that they met the mana threshold requirement to see me. Others could only feel my presence, but from it they could tell it, wasn't anything good.
Leaving the hostage area, I made my way over to the throne room where I knew all the Fullbringers were waiting for me. Entering, the confidence was oozing from each of them, as another successful mission was accomplished. It was the first time in months that any of them were given the chance to prove themselves, so a lot of them were eager to do so.
Sitting on my throne, I wave my hand, signaling them to begin the reports.
"I have a question, Lord Nidhogg." Achlys starts.
"Go on."
"I don't mean to question you, but I don't understand why we took the initiates as hostages. Then brought them here to our planet."
"It is fine. There's a clear difference between insubordination and learning. The answer is simple. We need witnesses." I give a vague answer, looking at each of them. The ones who were clear strategist like Montgomery and Odin started to understand where I was going with this. Gerald and Achlys, who were clear killers lacked fundamentals to understand this strategy.
I start to explain the plan, then I realize that if I'm now going to lead an organization with terrorist intentions, I'm going to have to do this proper. "Make sure the hostages are secure and gather all our troops to an area. I'm going to address them."
Surprise goes through everyone's faces before they head off to follow my orders. I wave the Shrine Maiden to my side.
"You and the others have impressed me. Tell the others to serve me better you don't have to bow every time you see me." She bows, "Your orders will be relayed, my lord."
While waiting, I take the time to figure out how I was going to appear before the masses. This was without a doubt, a cult. Behind every good cult, was a clear purpose and a leader. I needed to make things clear to everyone how we'll operate for the time being. A manifesto of sorts.
I was beginning to appreciate the Fullbringers in their efficiency as they assembled the troops within half an hour. The Shrine Maidens directed me to a balcony where I overlooked thousands of members of the Midnight Covenant who immediately bowed when I appeared. Some lacked the requirements to see me, but read the room when others bowed. Thankfully everyone was able to hear my voice though. With the Fullbringers standing behind me, I begin.
"My Midnight Covenant. My ever faithful. How you have improved these months. How you have toiled. Now, I'm proud to see you wear my insignia. But what does it mean to wear it? What does it mean to be a part of the Midnight Covenant?
To the church, they'll immediately recognize us as an enemy. To those who abhor the church, we'll be an ally. But what of those who remain neutral? What do we do to them? The churches approach is to kidnap and torture those in an attempt to brainwash them to their side. We'll take a subtler more effective approach of brainwashing. Propaganda. We'll reveal the churches secrets and share them to the worlds. We'll turn them to our side as expose them as the worms they are.
Among us, we have the initiates, those who wish to serve the church. But instead, they'll serve us. Our next mission, is to finally announce ourselves to the worlds. We will let the Midnight Covenant be in the mind of every person. Get with your squad leaders for more information.
I turn, as the area is filled with nothing but cheers and applause as I exit. The Fullbringers follow me into the next room. "What are your orders?" Gerald asks.
"The tactic I employed here is something I like to call, 'hook, line, and sinker'. We gather the hostages to a planet, preferably a low ranking one. Take them to a village, and "mistakenly" allow one or two to escape. They'll no doubt run back to the church who will in turn deploy fierce reinforcements in order to not lose face.
They'll go to the village, trying to negotiate for the hostages release. This will be a farce, as they'll have no intention on bargaining with us. Therefore, they'll proceed to indiscriminately kill anyone in the village not on the churches side. We will record them in the act of doing so, then as they successfully save their initiates, we come in with a second group and kill them."
"Brilliant plan, Lord Nidhogg." Gerald says with a bow.
"Important things to note, the first team should be our weakest members as they are sure to get wiped. Figure out among yourselves who will be on the second team. Oh, and one more thing. Nameless, step forward."
I watch as he nervously steps before me, bowing at my feet.
"You finally got your shit together and figured out how to not be a waste of my efforts. I can sense the light magic within you. Tell me, what can you do?" I inquire.
Bowing his head further he responds, "While using the dark magic, any spells that seek to harm me will heal me instead. Healing spells will harm me. While using light magic, those that wish to harm me, will inflict it on themselves instead."
"From this day forward, you are no longer nameless. You will be called, Karma. Now, begone, for I hunger. Don't disappoint me."
I don't bother waiting for their response, jumping into the demon realm to begin hunting to alleviate my hunger. Lucky for the demons, my attention was fully on the church for the time being. I'll get time for revenge on them later.