CH425

After a nauseating trip of rushing through the skies to get to the gate, they finally landed, rolling through the streets on solid ground, letting both Ben and Sachel recover while Sonya for her part managed to enjoy traveling like that as much as Thera always did, wearing a bright grin as the experience only lightened her mood.

Like niece, like aunt I guess. At least it seemed to help take their minds off things for the time being.

While he’d been materializing seed after seed on the way there to pass the time and get experience for both his skill and job, the rest of them had been carrying the weight of what they’d be walking into.

While Thera hadn’t experienced any major hardship in the earth tower beyond the strain of overwork, she’d watched Ben suffer through it and couldn’t help but worry there’d be a repeat of the experience, while Sonya and Sachel both couldn’t keep away the concern about whatever they’d be walking into. Both of them knew as well as any other resident of the world that trials were tests from the gods for mortals to prove themselves, with great rewards coming at the cost of great dangers. Neither really believed they were prepared, both of them could only put their faith that Ben was judging things accurately without putting too much faith in any of them.

They were all obviously trying to mentally prepare by the time they got to the gate when Ben got off, handing Thera his card as he did.

“Here, if you guys want to get lunch it’s on me, I’ll be there in an hour or three.”

“Okay, where are you off to?” Thera asked, eyeing him curiously.

“Couple final things to finish and gotta grab our last party member since I don’t even know if she got the letter with the invite. I shouldn’t be long.”

“Alright, in that case we’ll meet you at the tower.”

They parted on those words, Thera taking the other two through with her to the magic towers as Ben instead went off to first find a prospective future coworker, taking the gate to Anailia.

He walked the now familiar streets, his many visits there giving him a good idea of much of the area, while his god helped guide him the rest of the way to a rather unassuming building as he let himself inside, walking confidently and with purpose like he belonged there past the secretaries taking appointments until he found a succubus hard at work with another, her hands on both the woman with her and the brace on her arm as a few minutes ticked by.

“Alright, and it looks like you’re done,” She said, giving the one with her a smile and receiving thanks in exchange. “Make sure you don’t take it off if you leave the city but otherwise enjoy your trip.”

The client walked out the door, giving Ben a smile as Valaria finally noticed him, almost freezing as she did from trying to process the fact that her apostle was so unexpectedly before her and trying to figure out what to do, ultimately falling to a stiff bow.

“Honoured apostle, it’s lovely to see you again.”

“Good to see you too, and seriously there’s no need for formality. Just call me Ben.”

“Of course, Ben, I wasn’t expecting you, is there anything I might help you with?”

Become the high priestess of my faith so I can do even less.

<You are actually the worst.>

“I have some business in the area so I wanted to stop in to chat,” He told her, putting on his best salesman face. “I remembered the last time I saw you, you felt like you were struggling with the reason you converted a bit. I wanted to see if you were doing better.”

She visibly relaxed when he said that, the look in her eyes quickly changing to gratitude.

“I am, talking with you at the time really helped, thank you.”

“Ah, I didn’t do anything, you would have been fine on your own eventually, but I’m still glad to hear it. Actually, Myriad has told me plenty of excellent things about you. I hear that you’ve not only been acting as someone for the other believers to talk to but also managed to get a church built in Anailia, it’s very impressive.”

“It’s the least I could do,” She said, looking away as she got the praise. “And I was well compensated for it since I managed to complete my quest as a result.”

“It’s a well earned reward,” he smiled. “And on a similar note, I might have a chance to grant you further rewards.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“I couldn’t possibly-”

“Valaria, I insist. You would make me look like an ungrateful apostle if you decline,” He laughed. “Besides, it’s not a guaranteed thing. In the next couple days, Myriad will ask you to go through the gate to the magic towers. There’s something small you might be able to help with and hopefully you’ll be paid off accordingly.”

“Well, if you’re sure…”

“I am,” He spoke firmly. “And as a final thing, as shameful as it is to say, I believe that you’re more acquainted with many of the other believers than I am. If you would select two more who you think have been doing enough to deserve a reward and discuss it with Myriad, bring them along too when the time comes.”

As he finished his bit, he noticed an incubus waiting behind him to get in, so he spoke again before she could respond.

“Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your work. It shouldn’t be long so give it your best shot. I have confidence in you.”

He walked away with that, his god whispering in his mind as he did.