Well, namely 'on charge' as mentioned three of the group members are clearly unfit to general society and are desert dwellers/natives by default. So they can leave anytime they feel like it (albeit as usual for devil worshiper there is fine print that the members cannot abandon the party in middle of desert or dangerous situation). The thing with being boss for Cardinal Pride is that he knows civilization, laws and also as coming from lawful based society he would keep everything fair in the group and he would abuse his power. Also he has smattering of social skills and in general has good politic sense of things.<br/><br/>However overall his plot is to build empire as well so this sense Cardinal Pride and Mahsati have something in common, albeit he is not that interested on elements of matriarchy or elven lands or such, but being prime concern whatever power rises in desert will be influenced by Asmodeus and he being Asmodeus priest be top of the food chain (albeit he holds some loyalty to his home country but he would not conquer desert under name of his kingdom but under name of Asmodeus and he being Asmodeus herald). Of course top of food chain can consist of the PC's who rule the new empire as sort of council (Mahsati can be queen where as Cardinal Pride covers role of head priest). Considering in pathfinder there are rules how establish and run of kingdom so we can use that.<br/><br/>Also I edit my above answer as Cardinal Pride indeed would wish establish outpost/base of operations in desert (in a oasis/major crossroad) and hire soldiers and minions. As all means gain more treasure. The gold would go for that.