Goria returned to Port Nyanzaru the very next day.
She brought back a large number of alchemical devices and threw herself into a frenzy of research as soon as she returned.
Soren had not told her about Cyric. As a mortal, she could not help with that matter anyway, and telling her would only make her worry.
Vivian had awakened in demigod form.
All the little girl lacked now was a portfolio. Once she had one, she could advance to [quasi-divinity].
Quite a few things had happened during this time.
First, the Goddess of Fortune had appeared in the City of Wealth, apparently because of the legendary Lucky Coin. Since Soren carried the Blessing of the Goddess of Misfortune, he was still unsure whether he should approach her. Then war had broken out again between the elves and the orcs, though on a much smaller scale this time. It seemed both pantheons had shown considerable restraint. The internal strife among the Drow had ended. The Spider Queen had presumably brought everything back under her control, and signs of unification were gradually emerging within the Underdark.
The situation in the Duchy of Rosado was more serious.
Just as Soren had guessed, the power behind the Red Dragon Duchess was indeed an Archduke of Hell.
And she was none other than the legendary Queen of Succubi.
The daughter of [Lord of Hell]—Asmodeus!
This was practically like stirring up a hornet's nest. Even the Lord of Radiance's church was now nursing a headache over it. Dealing with the Queen of Succubi would not be particularly difficult, but if doing so drew Asmodeus out, only the Lord of Radiance himself could handle him.
Right!
There was another benchmark for greater divinity. Besides the God of Death, Jergal, there was the Lord of Hell, Asmodeus.