The Blazing World

After these numerous discussions, the Empress considers the Blazing World’s religious beliefs. Deciding that these are incorrect, the Empress resolves to convert the people to her own religion. She plans to build churches and instruct a congregation of women. The women quickly adopt her religion and become incredibly devout.

The bird-men tell the Empress about a burning mountain. When exploring the mountain, the worm-men have discovered that it is made of a stone that bursts into flame when wet. The Empress asks the worm-men to bring the stone and the bird-men to bring her a piece of the sun. The bird-men cannot bring a piece of the sun, but they will bring a piece of another star. Pleased, the Empress commissions two chapels. One is built with diamonds and the burning stone and the other with star material. Both chapels are illuminated even at night and rotate slowly. The Empress preaches about sin and punishments inside the chapel built of burning stone and about repentance and salvation in the star-stone chapel. She thus converts the rest of the inhabitants to her religion without violence or force.

The Empress wonders how she can learn about what is happening on her old planet.