CH333

Once Falk put a stop to Ben’s wanton acts of deforestation, they both began heading back to town. The shop would be opening later than usual, but given how often it was closed as its owner left to deal with different clients, that wasn’t a big problem.

No, the big problem was the unusually large crowd trying to make it into Stonewall since they’d been in the woods, a long line of carts trying to get in as the few guards on watch were busy alerting their supervisors of everything so that they could prepare for the unexpected influx of people.

“Huh, wonder what’s happening?” Ben muttered as his teacher gave him a funny look.

“Suppose you’ll see in a bit. Well, whenever we get back in.”

Usually it was much easier to get in and out, but the road was congested and they had no choice but to wait as traffic moved along, until they finally made it back into the walls to get back to the shop, finding the streets still packed for the entire way.

It was bothersome but Ben was able to ignore it easily enough, devoting himself to his thoughts on the way back, his language and magic studies, reflecting on the summoning spell that was consuming his life by that point, and also simultaneously making and breaking enchantments across his three mythril bracelets for the skill and job experience.

The only thing that stopped all skills and thoughts in their tracks was getting back to the shop and finding that it had been the final destination of not only them, but the town’s unusual level of tourists as well.

“Ugh, about what I expected,” Falk muttered when he saw what was going on. “I guess I should consider ourselves lucky they waited even this long.”

“You expecting guests or something?”

“They’re for you. Don’t forget which of us was outed as being an awakened craftsman. We’re just lucky they waited for us to finish up our main work. Or maybe lucky isn’t the right word for it since with this many showing up at once it seems more like they were told when it would be okay to arrive.”

“Uh, what?”

“They’re all yours so decide how you want to handle this, just keep my name out of it.”

An entirely unsatisfying explanation given, Ben followed as his teacher pushed their way through the crowd, chasing away any angry looks from them with the yeti’s glare as he processed what he was told until they were eventually stopped by a drawn weapon.

“Stop pushing through,” A regal man in heavy armour told them. “It’s first come first serve. Blame yourself for not rushing here sooner.”

Oh joy, I can already tell today is going to be fun. He thought sarcastically as he watched his teacher grab the blade of the sword pointed at him.

“Is it?” The yeti asked. “Well then consider pointing your blade at the shop’s owner a one-way ticket to the back of the line.”

The words weren’t loud, but the sentiment carried as everyone close enough to hear focused in on the two of them. Word of Falk hadn’t been spread as much, but many of those who’d come had at least gotten a description of Ben, finding him to be a match in an instant as shouts sprung up around them.

“You, we can offer-”

“If you work for our country, a mountain of gold-”

“Women or men, our church will provide-”

“Consider yourself lucky to have the chance to-”

“There could be no greater honor than joining us as-”

In the cascade of shouting voices as people pushed toward them, more and more trying to get closer in order to be heard, Ben slipped off one of the circular mythril bracelets on his arm, quickly making the best sound enchantment he could in the span of a few seconds and held it up to his mouth to shout through it, having his words amplified to be heard by all as he struggled to contain his emotions simmering beneath the surface.

“QUIET! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP AND MAKE A PATH SO WE CAN GET TO THE GODDAMN DOOR!”

None of the crowd had been expecting to be taken over in volume to such an extent but in their shock from the turn of events did as they were told, all of them parting to let Ben and Falk continue on as his god spoke up in his head.

<Ben, I can see you’ve got some feelings about all of this, but please, for me just try to handle this politely.>

Some feelings was putting it mildly. When he understood what was happening, he couldn’t escape the sudden rage filling him. When he’d arrived on the world, not one nation or faith had seen any value in taking him, but after all of his hard work in growing his skills without any of the support others were given, now they had the gall to try and take him for themselves? He didn’t expect to feel such a visceral reaction to it, but all of his minds were burning with anger that he tried to keep from his face.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Myriad, how many of the people here are from groups that either didn’t take me in when they had the chance or whose gods either voted to toss me into hell or remained neutral?

<A lot, and yes I know it’s unreasonable, but I am asking you to try and handle this calmly for me. Please.>

He could hear the earnestness in his god’s voice, Myriad’s intentions solely towards not wanting Ben to end up in any sort of trouble from acting out, so in the end he agreed, trying to meditate with half of his minds to calm down as the rest were focused entirely on dealing with the situation as he finally got to the shop door and turned to the crowd, pointing to a close man while the rest were still quiet and asking him a question for all to hear.

“You, tell me why you think everyone is here.”