Chapter 64: Ch. 63 – The Cult of Sera

“I’m sorry,” Momo blinked, feeling as if she might be going insane. “You want to… hire me?”

“Of course,” Sera said, sitting back down on her throne. The Nether fog kept Momo pinned to her seat on the table. “I had previously considered just killing you outright to make sure Valerica had no chance of outdoing me, but ten years in solitary confinement has made me rethink my previous methods.”

Thank God, Momo thought, her whole body loosening slightly. I’m safe.

“It’s obvious that Morgana thinks highly of you. Seeing as it is my goal to serve her, it’d be unwise for me to kill you without first attempting to onboard you. Of course, if you refuse, I will just kill you anyway.”

Nevermind.

“What would this hiring entail, exactly?’ Momo stuttered. She looked behind Sera, finding Nia and Vivienne barely listening. They were having some sort of heated argument in the corner. It was a whispered argument, but the passion was evident, with furious hand gestures flying through the air. Every so often, they’d risk a look back at Momo, and then the argument would resume.

“Oh, nothing you aren’t used to, I presume. Valerica is a softie, but even I will admit that her methods have their value. You’d be expected to perform the usual jobs of a minion: ordering around my sub-minions, defending my fort from attacks, preventing subterfuge. Oh, and occasional massages. My shoulders have rotted with age.”

“Right,” Momo nodded, her mind moving a mile a minute. She didn’t want to die, so she’d obviously have to go along with the proposal for now. Nam’Dal was large, but it wasn’t inescapable – she could find a way to sneak back to the Dawn. “I’d be happy to.”

“Hm. That’s what I thought,” Sera smiled. “Of course, this will require you to pledge your allegiance to me, and disavow Valerica. Don’t get any ideas about betraying me, either. You will not like where that leads.”

Momo gulped.

“I will have the city border guarded at all times, so if I see you try and escape, you will be swiftly dealt with. Of course, that shouldn’t be a problem. Follow my orders, and you will be greatly rewarded. Far past what Valerica and her humble ambitions could offer you.”

Momo nodded furiously, not wanting to appear reluctant in the least. Her acceptance seemed to register somewhere, because she promptly received a piece of parchment in her hands.

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