Mitch had no idea that the expression he unintentionally shower, the smile filled with greed and fervor, was mistaken for one of care. Even if he did, he would simply call it a "happy little accident".
"Fear not, child. I do not mean to harm you. My Lord, Khad Mitch, has sent me here to find and help you. You have been chosen to be His priestess in this mortal world."
He put his hand forwards in the most careful way he could imagine, and beckoned towards the little girl to take it.
"My name is Michael, Archangel Michael. I am the eldest of eight servants under the Lord, tasked with descending into this world and helping you become the ruler. He has told me that you shall henceforth be called Madeline, the All-Mother. Rejoice!"
Mitch had discovered another talent of his—bullshitting.
He had no plans coming into this, nor was Madeline the only Legio to catch his eye. She just happened to be the first. He had to put up an act, making it all seem predestined.
Luckily, Madeline was too caught up in the novelty of the situation to even notice anything wrong. With her limited knowledge of the world, it made sense.
Why else would all-powerful beings such as Mitch and Michael ever pay attention to someone as insignificant as her? She couldn't even protect herself, let alone conquer the world!
She took the hand and let herself be led towards the cave entrance.
"Have you eaten yet, Madeline? Although the Lord's blessing has healed your wounds, it cannot remove neither hunger nor thirst. Come, let us proceed to find something to consume!"
Mitch confidently strode out of the cave, trying to not show the annoyance he was feeling.
"Hahahaha! 'Have you eaten yet, milady? Come, let us proceed to the garden for your afternoon tea'. Cough, cough. Mitch, I didn't know you had such a chivalrous side to you. I'm going to die from laughing." Mitch could basically see Katherine wiping her tears.
'And I can't even say anything to refute her as that would look weird for Madeline. I have to keep using this noble and holy persona to make her believe I am actually connected to a God, and not just some con artist.'
He was fuming, mainly from embarrassment, but also from Katherine's teasing. All he could do was keep walking and act like he didn't want to jump off a cliff.
"You do know I can hear what you're thinking, right? I told you before, I am connected to your mind. It's not like I'm talking and you're hearing me with your ears."
He nearly tripped and fell, but luckily refound his footing and continued to walk as if nothing had ever happened.
'So all the thoughts I have had to this point have been heard by you?'
"Yup!"
'Even the one where I wanted to punish you by leaving you turned off for a week?'
"Especially that one! Don't worry, I will collect my debt in due time…"
Mitch felt like he was getting goosebumps, or he would have if he actually had skin and not an exoskeleton. 'I'll be sure to not do anything to piss her off in the future.'
He was unsure if Katherine heard that or not, but he tried to think of that in the quietest way he could.
Looking behind himself and smiling at Madeline, he decided to check her stats.
[Name: Madeline (Legio)]
[Title: All-Mother]
[Power System: Devouring—Body Strengthening (0%)]
[Skills: N/A]
[Mutations: N/A]
[Faith: Devout]
'My first devout. If only it was so easy to gather 2000 of them…'
"The Lord has given me instructions about what you shall and shan't eat to provide you with the best conditions available for conquering the world. First of all, you will be fed something that helps you lay more eggs. Fear not, I will help"
Mitch looked around and saw the forest they were located in. It was perfect for finding the first piece in his three-part puzzle of genetic abomination.
"What do I need to lay eggs for?" Madeline seemed to have digested all the information that had been planted into her head.
"The Lord has decreed that you will be His priestess, and the queen of this world. To become the queen, you need to fill this world with your children."
Mitch continued to scan his surroundings, looking for any sign of the animal that would help him begin his plan of world domination.
"But Michael, I don't wanna become the queen of this world. Why can't you become the queen?" Madeline stopped in her tracks and questioned Mitch, pulling him to a halt as well.
She might be only one day old, but she had a strong will and a steady gaze. It surprised even Mitch, and he wondered if it was an effect caused by his blessing or if he had lucked out with who he chose as his first follower.
Someone else was not as interested in Madeline's bearing as him, however.
"Hahaha, yeah Mitch, why don't YOU become the queen. You know this is not your real body, and that you could have made it female. Why didn't you do it, huh? Isn't it every man's dream to know how it feels like to be a woman?"
'Don't tease me Katherine, we both know why I didn't do it. I need someone that will stay on this planet for a long time. This world will probably not be the only thing I have to take care of. Therefore, having someone that will stay here permanently is optimal.'
He had started getting used to her tomfoolery, easily able to deflect it with logic and reasoning.
"Madeline, I know that you might not want to become a queen right now, and both me and the Lord apologize for that. But it is precisely because you don't want to become the queen that you have to."
"Let's ignore the part of me being male, the fact that you have the awareness, bravery, and intellect to refuse something He has decided shows that you are worthy of ruling this world. There is no other choice, it has to be YOU."
Although not happy with the responsibility forced upon her, Madeline could do nothing but nod her head.
Once again, bullshitting has prevented Mitch's plans from derailing.