CH487

It couldn’t have been more than fifteen minutes after he’d gotten back to work that he’d heard a knock on the door and went to check it out, finding Thera behind it looking far more exhausted than she had been when they’d parted, while Aso seemed a strong mix of curious and excited.

“Miss me already?”

“I need you to beat someone up for me,” She sighed, looking mentally drained as she asked.

“Uh, I think you’re probably better equipped for that than I am.”

“Yeah, but this pain in the ass is demanding you and honestly I think seeing it will feel pretty cathartic so if you don’t mind?”

“…Okay, yeah, sure. Explain on the way I guess.”

He locked the door behind him as he followed her out, hearing the details as he followed them.

“So you remember the guy who told everyone in town I’m a saintess and princess?”

“I didn’t meet him but yeah. I take it he’s back?”

“Yeah, he was at the guild and when he saw me started saying he’d keep coming back to prove himself or something unless he got to take you on in a duel.”

“What? Dueling isn’t legal here. That’s one of the better parts of this town. Let’s just complain to the guards.”

While it was a custom of lands that largely worshiped warrior gods, Stonewall was a mixed community. The laws were much more comfortable for all people compared to anything that leaned too heavily towards a single doctrine or philosophy and as far as he could hear, it sounded like they had an easy answer for not having to deal with it and getting him out of their hair, but Thera’s face was saying it wouldn’t be that simple.

“Ceselee came out when he was saying it and basically said she’d approve of it as a spar, not a duel so she’s going to supervise.”

“…That reminds me, I really should quit the guild. I can still go with you sometimes while you take your quests, I don’t need to be an adventurer to do it. Plus I’ve already gotten all of the available guild books and have taken the master job. There’s literally nothing else that place can offer me.”

“Well, you can talk to her about that when we see her.”

They continued on their way, not going to the guild itself, but the public training ground outside of town where a surprisingly large crowd had gathered, dozens of people seeming like they were waiting as one in particular came over.

“Well Ben, can’t say I’m not looking forward to seeing what you can do,” The guild master said cheerfully.

“I feel like allowing a duel under the guise of sparing is an abuse of authority. Where can I find the mayor? I want to make a complaint.”

“Oh, don’t be like that. This will be better in the long run for you. If you beat him up a bit then he might back down.”

“Okay, but I’m not a fighter! Why do you think I’m going to win?”

“Will you not?”

“…No, I’ll probably be fine.”

If the man had an awakened combat skill then he might be in trouble, but Ben’s attributes were high and combining the potential of both his mind skills and magic, he doubted he’d be in much trouble. Still, that didn’t mean he wanted to fight when it could just be avoided.

Ceselee though seemed to have no intention of letting him off the hook. “Great, this should ease things up with the other adventurers too so let’s get started-”

“Wait,” Ben spoke firmly, pulling her back as she tried to walk back to the crowd. “What are you talking about?”

“Ahem, a few just seem a bit unsatisfied that you’re a rank one,” She admitted after looking away. “I guess they think you don’t deserve it since your awakened skills aren’t combat oriented and a few are saying you’re just being dragged along thanks to Thera’s strength.”

“Okay, well they aren’t wrong. That reminds me. I want to quit.”

“No can do. Now come on, let’s get this started.”

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As they spoke the crowd had only grown as more people came after hearing word about what was happening. Given that Ben was one of two people in town at the first rank, it couldn’t help but draw in curious eyes, as well as a few that thought it might be funny to see him lose. He had no intention of denying any dissatisfaction about his rank though. In their place, he was sure he’d feel the same.

<Now Ben, I’m going to ask you really nicely to not kill this man.> His god requested politely, not having much hope that his plea would work.

What? Myriad, what kind of monster do you take me for? I’m not going to just murder a person.

<Tell that to Ather.>

I absolutely could because that ass is still alive.