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[choicely]

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[choicely]

In other words, the Duchess herself. Are they all loyal to her, then?

I always thought it was the other way around. Religion into fervor and blind devotion.

[princess_of_ida]

I believe so. They know no other way... until us.

You're not wrong, but neither am I. Two ends of the same thing. Fanaticism on both ends.

[choicely]

Not that many of us are doing much to challenge their belief system.

[ in fact, she'd argue they're more inclined to follow it, in many instances. ]

That hardly makes me feel better about it.

[princess_of_ida]

It starts with a search for something to believe in, in purpose, and turns into a search for control. Lots of propaganda in the middle.

You know, I'm not sure there's a need to change their belief system. It serves them, for the most part.

[choicely]

Not changing, necessarily. But some have no qualms about embracing it almost blindly.

[princess_of_ida]

Of course not. That's what indoctrination does. Come now, Yennefer, this can't be a surprise.

Though I never did ask about the gods of your sphere.

[choicely]

I should have specified. Some among our number. I didn't think the Duchess's pitch was all that convincing.

The deities one serves are largely dependent on which kingdom you come from on the Continent. I've never put much stock in any higher power.

[princess_of_ida]

Those among us that come from places where there is no magic were shown a miracle when the Duchess resurrected people. And don't forget how many people are sycophants when given the opportunity. And then there are those of us using this for our own gain. That's why I agreed to go.

I only know one religion. I was never devout, but I did believe. And then I met God.

[choicely]

Well, those with ulterior motives are notably different from the ones who have no problem indulging in debauchery at every opportunity.

Given how they're denoted, I assume that means there's only just the one?

[princess_of_ida]

Indeed. You've met him.

[choicely]

He's here?

[princess_of_ida]

Yeah. John Gaius.

The King Undying, Necrolord Prime, His Celestial Kindliness, King of Nine Renewals, Emperor of the Nine Houses, Lord of the Sharpest Edge.

I can go on. He's also my boss and I am His Loyal Hand. Most of the time.

[choicely]

What the fuck.

What the fuck.

He's God. Your God.

[princess_of_ida]

[There was a very long pause.]

You fucked him, didn't you?

[choicely]

What makes you say that?

[princess_of_ida]

The reaction. Also, he's a giant slut and you're hot.

[choicely]

So it was only a matter of time?

[princess_of_ida]

It was a matter of time before he tried. I will admit, he is an attractive man. In fifty years when he stops treating me like a daughter, I might go there myself.

[God did have a thing for blondes.]

[choicely]

Attractive, certainly, but he knows how to use it to his benefit.

At least between God and myself, one of us has the advantage there.

[princess_of_ida]

You can just call him John. He gets weird about being called God unless he wants to flex his authority. And really, he's not that great of a god. Before we ended up here, he fucked off on a bender and left me to hold the Empire together.

...don't tell him I told you that.

[choicely]

Left all of it on your very capable, shapely shoulders, did he?

[princess_of_ida]

Gilded Fist. Someone had to do it.

He also knows that feeding my ambitions is a way to keep me mostly in line.

[choicely]

And what does the rest of you not in line do?

[princess_of_ida]

The rest of us lyctors? They're all dead except for one that's a traitor and another that's been missing. The Imperial Heir isn't good at governing anything other than her sword.

Honestly, everyone should fucking thank me for covering for God.

[choicely]

We should all go one right after the other and worship you properly in close succession.