A Station Change

Reviled Chaff-

It was with grave joy that I learned that you and your case had been assigned to me. As I understand it, the previous tempter squandered the years of effort made by demons far more terrible than either of us. He was removed, of course. 

Now, I relish most forms of danger, but the danger we now face nearly defies comprehension. How could that worthless creature have let the people on your new station decide to bring in one of our enemy’s ministers? Didn't he see the warning signs? Undoubtedly not. Most likely he mistook an aspiration for something greater in the minds of those humans as a lack of contentment. He probably even flamed it, assuming that it would lead to wicked ends. I would call him fool, but I do not want to disparage those fools who do well at their craft.

You, however are receiving a great opportunity. As you properly apply the weapons at our disposal we might gain an advantage and return the situation to its natural state of futility. Of course, reinforcements are being reassigned as well, but your direct task is to assail the minister himself. Should you do well your promotion to a role like mine would be next. Stay focused and this can be yours.

I know nothing of your minister so in your next report you must tell me everything you can about him. In this way we can plan our attack more carefully and ensure our success. Since humans are very like us the minister will undoubtedly feel pride at his position. Play upon it. Kindle his pride until it burns like vanity. Once vanity is burning within him, transform it into conceit. Conceit will set his tongue on fire as our enemy knows only too well. Why he gave those lower beings the ability to communicate, placing within their bodies one of our greatest weapons is indeed a mystery. Since it is so easily turned to evil, use it. Let his vanity and conceit produce thoughtless and careless talk. In so doing you will cause hurts to develop, which will drive a wedge between him and the mindless fools who follow.

Use those hurts carefully, however. Do not just let the hurt alone. Help it become a festering wound. If a hurt between two people is not allowed to fester and properly scar, it will only draw the aptly named sheep into a more trusting relationship with their shepherd. When they determine that they must speak about their hurts, as they surely will, let them bleat to one another. They must be made to feel that the minister is not one of them. Keep him an outsider. Highlight what is different about him.

Finally let me remind you of what reflection upon your predecessors errors should have taught you. Moving forward you must be both cunning and subtle. Subtlety alone allows one of our adversary’s angels to turn your evil impulses for good. Cunning is critical. Use it shrewdly and twist aspirations into unreasonable, unattainable desires. Then you will make their hearts sick and more readily distract them with empty pleasures. Do well in this and we will win more souls to our dark feast.

With despair,

Dross