The edirashem rolled to a stop in front of a statue of the lupine beastman demigod, Regallis, who was buried up to his torso in sand. He was frozen in time, neck craned to the sky. Fresh fruits and other tributes sat around him, and no one dared to steal any of the offerings. This demigod was another one of Arenade's divine coworkers. Kanae wondered what kind of being he was. Hopefully, not anything like Threcia or Marrowyn.

Inhabitants of the caravan descended and set up shop around the forewagon. Those who owned their own vehicles unlinked from the edirashem to find space a little farther away. The area became its own bazaar, and citizens from Vanuis ventured from the city to browse new goods.

Kanae stood in front of a standing mirror dressed in a light. Several of Zayn's servants took her measurements and jotted them down onto a piece of paper. Meanwhile, the man himself watched from behind. He nodded with approval each time the servants whispered something into his ears. When they finished, he quickly shooed them out of the room

"Perfect. I cannot wait to see you in a wedding dress, my dear. Oh, how beautiful you will look." Zayn caressed Kanae's cheek with the back of his hand and smiled.

"So… How long are we going to be in Vanuis for?" Kanae asked.

"Hard to say. Preferably, not too long. My edirashem's next destination is Avanesse. We will stay there until the Meeting of Sands," he explained with a strained look.

Unfortunately for Zayn, Kanae had other plans. Once they were done here in Vanuis, the capture of Arnault Pyrelle was next on their list. She also needed to deliver the magical armaments to Rasheena and her resistance. Of course, there was zero chance in hell Zayn would willingly agree to any of that. Which meant that a little heavy-handed convincing was needed.

The readily-available sex had been nice. But their marriage predicated on a ruse, and all farces came to an end eventually.

"If Maraag's Crossing showed me anything, I can't keep you cooped up in here." Zayn sighed. "You will likely escape the manor one way or another again. However, I know our love is strong. I know you will come back to me. Which is why I won't mind at all if you venture out into Vanuis. Just… stay close to your adventurer friends. Rumors abound that there are rebels lurking about."

"Don't worry about me! I can't wait for the wedding~" Kanae smiled.

"Ouuughh! It can't come any sooner! Just one more. Just one more for the road!" He picked her up like a fleshlight and fucked her to satisfaction.

After Zayn had his fill, he pulled his pants back up and hurried off into the city. Trembling, Kanae laid face down in bed as fresh cum leaked from her pussy.

"Uu… That guy really doesn't hold back…" Kanae pushed herself up by the elbows just as something tapped the balcony door. It swung open, and Alicia and Claudia revealed themselves from Magical Stealth.

"Peeyew! It reeks like cattle milking themselves off after getting edged for a week!" Claudia pinched her nose shut.

"That's mildly specific!" She sniffed herself, recoiled, and casted Prestidigitation to clean off the spunk and smell. "Did the others leave yet?"

Alicia nodded. "Believe it or not, Petyr and Riley have set aside their differences to travel to the Church of One together. I must confess, even I'm impressed by high elven faith. The guildmaster left behind all her consortium members to guard the shipment. Edina somehow roped Renya and Kris into following the necromancer, Riben Crow. I suspect she still intends to steal Necronomicon."

Given how much wealth Edina had now, it came as no surprise to Kanae that she convinced Renya to help. Kris though, the explorer was neither crowned nor a fighter. They better not let any harm come to her…

Kanae dressed herself in the Matron's Regalia and set off towards Vanuis together with Alicia and Claudia. People in the outer city lived in small buildings packed tightly together. It reminded her of Radevic with all the criss-crossing clotheslines. The trio had to be careful or risk getting tangled while flying through.

Citizens lounged inside their homes next to the window, smoking from a pipe. Street vendors butchered local fauna. One lizardfolk yanked a snake out of a woven basket and skinned them to be roasted on a spit. Hungry passersby waited with coins in hand as the flesh charred to a crispy finish.

Some things transcended culture and borders. Like a good fight between two human men inside a pit surrounded by drunks. Spectators tossed coins onto the ground at their feet. The larger of the two fighters threw a fast hook, connecting with the other man and knocking him out cold. Cheers erupted even louder, and the victor claimed his prize— all the coins that had been thrown into the pit. Brothels were a surprisingly common sight. Prostitutes strolled up and down the road in little clothing, hooking the arm of the first man that took interest in them. Others walked out of public view and into dark alleys to do the deed.

"Vanuis is bigger than I thought. Where the hells are we even supposed to start?" Claudia asked in exasperation.

"Well, we had a bigger group than this, but the others went to do their own damn thing! Let's go down and ask someone," Kanae suggested.

They descended into the city streets. People parted away in haste— not out of fear though. Everyone did so with deference, heads bowed and eyes full of adoration. Their whispers didn't escape Kanae's ears either.

"Succubi?"

"They bless us with their presence!"

"I'd give my left nut to have that blonde-haired one step one me…"

Hmm. Kanae didn't exactly need to hear that last part. At the very least, the people of Vanuis were receptive to succubi. Did that mean the Cult of Lust and Depravity's influence reached here, too?

"You there." Alicia stepped in front of an elven man pulling a cart full of tomatoes. "We need a moment of your time."

Panic and awe washed over him. "Y-Yes, mistress? Anything! Would you like some fresh tomatoes? Free, of course, for the lovely succubi. Or… Or would you like me to whip out my penis?"

"What? No. We heard rumors about a brand new religion cropping up in the city. We would like to know more about it," she explained.

"Erm… Is this a test of faith? You must mean those Eminence pansies. We're told to leave 'em alone. Let pagans show themselves, you know? Worry not, mistress. I threw a couple of tomatoes at them when I passed by. Ha!" He spat a loogie on the ground and cackled.

Kanae blinked in disbelief. By Eminence, he must mean the Eminence of Sin. They really did take root in Savir. However, it sounded like her beloved followers were being persecuted here. That made her blood boil, but she expelled any urge to act out through a heavy sigh instead.

Suddenly, the tomato merchant dropped a fist-sized fruit into their hands. He pointed towards the open gates that led into inner Vanuis.

"Here you go, mistresses. If you want to have a go at them. If not, they are quite the delicious treat out in the desert. Free of charge! May you walk in lust and depravity, mistresses!" He flashed a smile before leaving in the direction of the edirashem.

"My followers… are being harassed?" Kanae crushed the tomato.

"Awww. What a waste! It really is tasty. Mmmm~" Claudia gobbled up hers and squealed.

"Come on. I need to see what's going on with the Eminence of Sin," she implored.

They flew past the unguarded gates into the beautiful, sand-swept city of Vanuis. Enormous temples loomed over them, each with their own distinct architecture and statues of gods they were dedicated to. Unlike the cathedrals in Lograin and Aidenhall, however, the Church of One's place of worship was modest in size but still grand in its own right.

Branch religions and lesser known denominations had small churches sitting underneath the shadow of larger ones. The streets were mostly clear, and it was the most open space Kanae had seen that didn't get turned into a marketplace. Instead, groups of people in religious garb tended to their temples and sweeped the promenade.

At the far eastern section of the city, a large mosque with domed spires and rooftops enjoyed the most real estate. Congregants walked into a pool of water, submerging themselves completely before being allowed to enter. Monks guided them through a field of grass and finally disappeared into the sanctuary.

"Um. Kanae, I believe I found your believers." Alicia nervously directed their attention to a cathedral of The Many.

Rather, what was happening in the courtyard of the cathedral. A dark-skinned harpy woman was giving a sermon to a small band of people, who were all kneeling in prayer. They were covered in spoiled produce. The perpetrators, Vanuis citizens and clergy from the other churches, hurled rotten fruits and vegetables.

All the while, the little congregation continued without pause. Kanae drew near enough to hear the woman's sermons over all the insults— a chant of the Eminence of Sin's tenants. Her simmering rage boiled over the tip.

"Stop," Kanae ordered and casted a Mass Charm over the crowd. "Now, eat what's in your hand."

Compelled to obey, everyone shoved decaying food into their mouths.

"Oh, gods… I left that on the counter for weeks— URK!"

"This ronoa milk is so chunky… This is worse than I thought! My eyes, they stings!"

The bullies vomited their brains out. Their torture finally came to an end when Alicia waved them away. Many dispersed, and the rest clutched their stomach and raced off into churches. Presumably to look for a toilet.

Covered in filth, the grateful woman approached them with a brave gait. Her followers joined her timidly.

"The last people I expected help from were succubi of the Cult of Lust and Depravity. My thanks though. But they weren't much of a bother," the priest said.

"Are you telling me, you didn't mind having rotten food thrown at you?" Alicia squinted.

"Not at all. In fact, I welcome it! Ahhh~ to be publically humiliated. I almost climaxed when a banana struck my bum," she recalled fondly, and the others behind her nodded in agreement.

"Hahaha! Masochists. My kind of people!" Claudia grinned.

The priest's maroon plumes were coarse and dusted with sand. She had short, unkempt, and very curly hair. Her worn face hid a fierce devotion that, if she had lived anywhere in the Commonwealth, would have earned her a ticket to Sisterhood. Too bad life in Savir forced her to temper that faith for fear of being persecuted any worse than she already was.

Although at her matronly prime, she displayed none of the weariness of being a mother. However, calloused hands and fingers demonstrated a life of physical labor. Those same hands became animated all at once and wiped the mess from her face.

"Where are my manners? My name is Quinnsera. I haven't been officially exalted, but I lead this humble flock as high priestess of the Vanuis Branch of the Eminence of Sin." Quinnsera bowed low and smiled.

"I knew it!" Kanae exclaimed, feeling more at home now beside her followers. "I'm Kanae. Kanae Toyomi, a founder of the Eminence of Sin! Do you recognize me?"

Quinnsera stared at Kanae for a good long second, then bent down to pat her on the head.

"Aren't you a cute little succubus?" The woman giggled. "I have no doubt you will mature into a beautiful succubus one day. But the real High Priestess Kanae is a grown woman. Her bosom is bountiful like the great dunes of Savir. She possesses a body that can tempt even gods! But her home is in the Commonwealth. What I would give to see her in person…"

"Ahhhhh! This is so frustrating! You. On your knees," Kanae commanded.

"Eeep! Y-Yes!" Quinnsera obeyed and dropped down to eye-level.

Kanae brushed the sigil on her wrist, bringing up a menu to display Quinnsera's Sisterhood conditions.

Sisterhood Conditions
✓	Must be deeply loyal
✓	Must be female or have an affinity to being female
✓	Must have already had sexual encounters with
✓	Must themself desire this transformation

 

"This… This is…" Quinnsera choked.

"Open your mouth." Kanae compelled the harpy to do so, and leaned over to let a drop of saliva drip from her tongue.

Quinnsera threw her head back and drew a sharp breath. Her eyes flashed pink from a surge of magic. Smooth horns grew from her forehead, curling downwards reminiscent of a ram. A tail sprung out from the bottom of her back.

The Eminence followers, who had just been listening to their priest's sermons minutes ago, gawked at her transformation. She went from a harpy to a half-succubus before their very eyes.

"What happened? My body… I'm so… inexplicably horny… Who are… you?" Quinnsera winced and lifted her gaze.

"One of the conditions for Sisterhood requires that you be 'deeply loyal'. So, how would you reconcile that to make sense?" Kanae asked.

"High Priestess Kanae! I'm terribly sorry for not recognizing you!" She prostrated herself on the ground, as did the others behind her. "B-But why are you so small?"

"I don't mean to be a killjoy, but we might wanna take this somewhere more private. We're getting unwanted attention," Claudia whispered and eyed some clergy throwing glances their way.

Quinnsera urged them up the steps and into the cathedral. Their footfalls echoed through the mostly empty interiors, occupied mostly by clerics dusting the statues of Regallis, Glentir, and Threcia at the very front.

There were no pews. Instead, small cushions and square rugs arranged in front of the statues to serve as seats. Only a few worshipers were around. For such a large cathedral, it was somewhat disappointing to see it so empty.

"Where is everyone?" Alicia asked.

"Converted." Quinnsera frowned, her wings and tail drooping. "Did you see the mosque in the east? That's the Duststorm Tabernacle, where the clerics of every religion and cult, no matter how small or large, gather once a month to hold a united service. Disciples of the Cult of Lust and Depravity have taken over it. Countless people have started going there instead, and the other churches lie empty. The Priesthood of Three, who once presided over this cathedral, had gone there to appeal for order, but… They haven't come back, and no one has heard back from them…"

"I don't understand. Why haven't they come for you? Trying to spread the word of the Eminence of Sin must be blasphemy to them," Kanae said.

She spun around with a pleading look. "Well… That's probably because we're made an example of, as you saw earlier. Sometimes, we retreat here for safety. The clergy of The Many welcome us with open arms, but… Please, help the city, High Priestess! Vanuis used to be a burgeoning, diverse city of worship. Now, everyone seems to have forsaken the other gods.

Kanae, Alicia, and Claudia exchanged glances. They knew that if the Cult of Lust and Depravity were here, then this must be the work of Queen-Mother Zariah's daughters. It had Jhene and Elaine's stink all over it…