CH829

“Ben, what exactly are you doing to my guild?” Ceselee asked as she came out near the day’s end, after all of the work that he’d already dropped on her to find him building supports at the building’s side, with him looking innocent as he answered.

“Just some simple renovations.”

“You know, you should typically ask about doing those sorts of things first.”

“But if I did that, I would have been in some trouble if you’d said no.”

She looked at him blankly for a moment after that answer before shaking her head. “Why are you renovating the guild?”

“It just needs a new room if I’m going to solve the population problem is all,” He explained as he spent his mana, bringing down part of the old wall to the surprise of everyone inside before creating the new space it was attached to. “Speaking of, come on and give me a hand.”

“...Has anyone ever told you that not properly explaining your thoughts can be pretty obnoxious.”

“Once or twice but if I had to explain everything that went through my head I’d never be able to shut up. Now don’t worry, I’ll make this quick and it will be good for everyone, even if it takes some getting used to.”

He was already off before she could say any more, back to the shop and forcing her to follow as materials began moving the second he entered, flying through the air and being shaped under his power while he moved to enchant them, activating them all and forming a dozen new mini-gates to be used, feeling Ceselee’s eyes on him once he was done.

“I feel like I shouldn’t have just seen that.”

“Eh, it’s fine. I was kind of keeping the fact I make these things private but to be honest I’ve shown and told plenty of people and all of the gods of the world know which means there’s going to be a lot of their believers who do too and they all already know not to bother me. Anyway, mini-gates! Set up twelve ends in the guild and the other ends I’ll get Thera to drop off in the surrounding towns and villages. This way, the overabundance of demis can help with healing and adventurer work in multiple towns instead of everyone being centered right here. Good idea, right?”

“So you’re turning our guild into a miniature gate network?”

“Yeah, kind of but hey, it’s efficient. Plus, now if any of them have an emergency or we do too, there’s a way to evacuate. Also, the benefits of trade and commerce should be a little easier too, but… Well, I’ll let you worry about the finer details.”

“I kind of wish you’d worry about them before dumping them on me.”

“Nah, you got this. Anyway, I’ll help you carry the ends to the guild and then after I’ll go with Thera to start dropping these off. It will be great.”

She looked at each gate silently for a moment, torn between not wanting to deal with what a headache making so many places a single step away was sure to be with how useful they’d be to have around before sighing and accepting the truth of it, grabbing four of them in her arms to carry along.

“Next time just make sure to give me any amount of notice before you do something like this again.”

“Okay, yeah, I can maybe manage that.”

---

With one end of each left in the new wing of the guild, he found Thera after and the two of them went off, flying to the surrounding communities and dropping them off close to each guild or clinic they held, giving a few words of explanation to whatever relevant party they could find before flying to the next until it was all done, letting him close his eyes after such a busy day to go to see his god, with Myriad and Nare both waiting.

“Alright, the demidemons are rehomed, somewhat employed, and won’t be impeding on the livelihoods of the other Stonewall residents so I’d say all’s well that ends well.”

“I have one or two comments about how forceful you were getting some of that done.”

“They will be ignored. Anyway, I’ve given them all some money too and they can always come to me for more if they need it but there’s still a few who we didn’t find work immediately so I have an idea for that I want to float with you.”

“And now I’m worried.”

“Don’t be dramatic, you’re going to like it. Let’s get a couple of them to act as priests for your church in Stonewall and then once they’re all more accustomed to that, I can put a mini-gate between there and your one in Allfaith for them to serve in your church there too.”

“...Huh, you’re right, I actually do like that idea.”

The church would get visitors from time to time but most of the time anyone went, the building was empty. Both he and Sachel had their own tasks so neither of them would manage it, leaving it instead for those who wanted to pray or read any of the books Ben had filled it with to take care of themselves, but given the role of the building, having someone actually in there to act as a spiritual figure would only help the god, leaving Ben to nod in the end.

“They’re all devote, any one of them would be a good choice but we can discuss that later. For now, anything else I need to worry about? The world about to fall apart around us yet?”

“No, but I was going to talk to you about the fact that Amy was going to be free to come in three days. Do you think the demis will be in a good enough space by then for you to work with her?”

“Three days, huh? Yeah, I’ll make that happen, I don’t want to be held up too long and now that I’ve gotten both the guild and the clinic to help them adapt as well, things will be easier on me. Which means that once I’m done with her, I can move on to the tower and then… Okay, yeah, we need to do that. Modifying people’s souls. How long after I’m paid for my work can I hold off until I actually have to start?”

“Hmm, why?” Nare asked. “I thought you were going to hold off a bit longer?”

“When I’m done with the tower, I’ll begin some more attempts to reach the third tier but if I’m getting them to pay me in attributes, I really should get that before my awakening bonuses to reap the maximum benefits. So, how long would you say I can manage?”

Both gods thought for a moment but it was Nare who answered, sounding hesitant. “Many aren’t going to believe you’d succeed and others won’t want to spend their faith to raise your attributes until you’re ready to begin raising other peoples’ as well in case you somehow die first and their efforts are left to waste, but considering that risk and reward go hand in hand… It will be tough but you have a proven track record with your work. I’m sure we can get you your payment a month before you begin modifying the souls of the world.”

“Fantastic, I’m sure all of the gods are going to argue about payment too but can I leave sorting that out to you guys?”

“Considering that whatever you get is going to affect everyone you help, we’ll get you a good deal, no need to worry about that.”

“Fantastic, thanks.”

“Which only leaves the question of if you can actually get to the third tier in the next month.”

“Eh, I have an idea or two to try.”

“And they are?”

Ben smiled, knowing how deeply his god would be against the main thing he could think of to try and raise his connect to the third tier. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Pain in the ass.”

“Eh, everyone’s gotta have their secrets. Besides, I’m still working out some of the finer details. Succeed or fail, you’ll know eventually.”

“But since you’ll be attempting the tower first,” Nare cut in between their bickering. “Any idea for who you’ll be bringing as your last party member?”

“Ugh, I’ve been thinking about it.”

Since Delair was his apprentice, she wouldn’t be a bad choice and getting a tower blessing would be a tremendous benefit for the young girl but it wouldn’t be an immediate benefit for the wider world itself with the third wave feeling all too close and of the others he could think of who might benefit from the skill level, he didn’t actually want to bring them. No offence to Nare meant but he didn’t like his granddaughter or Xilly enough to want to help carry either to the top, leaving the question still on his mind.

But even if it would be better to get someone who could take advantage of the level rewards for one of their awakened skills, it’s not like that’s mandatory. I’ve done enough towers where I was only able to level one of my unawakened skills by this point too, so…

“Could you guys get in touch with Will for me?” He asked them. “He’s got a few awakened skills and is currently my only close friend without a tower blessing, he should be the best choice.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, he’s strong and if I’m going to help someone, it should be someone I want to help.”

Which means all there is left is helping Amy, finishing this job, and getting set up for the tower.