Chapter 32

Later.

I was summoned to the castle again.

The private duel with the hero Riber had quickly become common knowledge.

Was it because I crushed the castle wall during the fight, which was too flashy?

The sound at that moment must have been loud, and the traces were clearly left behind!

But more than anything else... I had destroyed a part of the castle wall, which was undoubtedly a part of the castle...!

"Compensation? Is it about compensation!?"

I, a timid and petty person, could only worry about that.

I hoped the cost of repairing the high and thick castle wall, which was meant to keep enemies out, could be covered by my meager means...

There was no way it could be covered!!

"Do not worry, Ryuya..."

The king's voice, soothing me, sounded utterly exhausted.

"You are now the hero who saved the country. The hero who attacked you is at fault. We will bill the church to which the hero belongs for the repair costs of everything that was destroyed as a result of the fight. This will include compensation for the hero Riber's misconduct."

By the way, what happened to Riber after that?

I couldn't bear to see his pitiful and defeated form, so I left him lying unconscious and abandoned him.

Although I felt pity for him as a former comrade who had shared hardships, I couldn't bring myself to tend to him due to the subsequent friction.

I could leave him because I knew he was not in mortal danger...

"The hero Riber has already left. Rather, he was forcibly taken away by the church's people."

The king said this with a tone of exasperation.

"What a foolish man. Overconfident in his skills, he lost them. He can no longer continue as a hero. A hero without skills is impossible."

It seemed the king knew in detail what had happened that day at that place.

Riber, who had the skill to steal others' skills, <Skill Steal>, was indeed powerful and fully qualified to be chosen as a hero.

But now he no longer has it.

The final operation of <Skill Steal>, <Complete Deprivation>, permanently steals and makes the chosen other's skills one's own, but in exchange, one can never use <Skill Steal> again.

He used this last power against me, who had no skills.

As a result, he, like me, is now skill-less.

It was a pitiful solo struggle, mistaking the power of my level-up through training for a skill.

The decision to fight and the choice to self-destruct were both his own.

Although it was his own doing, I couldn't help but feel pity. Is it because I am too soft?

"Ryuya is not at fault!!"

Noem, who was naturally present in the audience chamber, said.

"The fault lies with that hero! To make one-sided demands and then attack when refused is no different from robbery! It is only natural for Ryuya to defend himself!!"

"What a fool, to even demand that I be handed over. Fools truly do not know their place."

Abinion, who was by my side, spoke as if he had seen the scene firsthand...

No, surely not...

"Yes, I watched from the shadows with Noem."

"But I told you to go home first!?"

"Even if you say that, I was worried. Even if you are invincible, it is the heart of a maiden to worry and feel pain."

Who is a maiden, you ghost woman?

"That applies to Noem here as well. Because we watched in hiding, we were able to explain the details to this pompous old man and prove that you were not at fault. No complaints, right?"

"Ugh...?"

So that's why the king knew the details.

I should thank Noem and Abinion...

"However... it is difficult to fully prove Ryuya's just defense with only the testimony of those close to him. The church can make any unreasonable demands. They will eliminate those who stand in their way and grow larger."

"Then they will come at us with the same tactics. They will learn the folly of opposing my master at the cost of their own destruction."

Alright, alright, Abinion.

Don't lead them to a quick and easy destruction. I want to resolve this as peacefully as possible.

Of course, I have no intention of making unnecessary concessions, and I understand that the fact that I beat Riber to a pulp is irreversible!

"Even without the incident with the hero Riber, Ryuya has already attracted the church's interest. After all, he not only stopped the demons but also destroyed them, ruining their reputation."

"Originally, demon control was... the exclusive domain of the church...?"

"Indeed, Ryuya's existence could undermine their value. To protect their power, they will surely try to provoke Ryuya."

"What a gloomy prediction."

I have no intention of getting involved in such troublesome matters.

On the other hand, I have no desire to get along with the church. Why?

They are a group that places skills at the highest level, and they would not get along well with me, who has no skills.

"Of course, our country will do everything in its power to support Ryuya. We already owe him a great debt, and we will not hesitate to help in return!"

"Sure, but... don't you have other motives as well...?"

"No, I don't!"

Abinion teases me.

"However... as it stands, there are limits to what we can do. Ryuya's affiliation is not clear. While he is officially a member of our country's adventurers, that alone is not enough. The royal family cannot justify intervening if something happens!"

"Then... what do you want me to do?"

"I want to ask you again! Will you accept a title and become a noble of our country!? If you do, your affiliation will be clearer, and our country will be able to act more easily. If harm is done to one of our own nobles, it will be a matter of national prestige!"

It seems we are back to this again...

I am grateful for the king's kindness... but, as Abinion says, there might be other motives...

I still wonder if I, a mere commoner who cannot use skills, deserve such a position.

After all, I am just a man who has come this far through relentless level-ups.

I don't feel comfortable being overly praised.

"Hmm... from the look on your face, it seems you are not yet convinced..."

"I'm sorry."

"What to do... I do not want to force you, but I am worried that the church will become more active if we do nothing."

"Let them be. If it comes to it, either my master or I will take care of the church."

Abinion interjects.

His words are terrifying, but it ultimately comes down to that. If they come at us with pure force, there is no one who can match me, who has a level over eight million, or Abinion, who is a transcendent being.

So I don't really feel the urgency of the crisis...

That's not good.

It's just complacency.

"The issue with Resleizer has not been fundamentally resolved. We were able to repel the insolent hero who proposed, but we don't know when another hero will come with the same demands."

The king, burdened with many problems, was at his wits' end.

"For the church, it is enough to infiltrate our royal family. Resleizer is a perfect target. I want her to be free from political strife...!"

No matter which way he turned, the king was only troubled.

He started to look pitiful.

I was about to easily offer to accept the title to reduce his burden...

"But I have a good idea to solve both problems at once!"

Abinion suddenly said something strange.

"As a divine spirit, I have existed much longer than you humans. My knowledge and wisdom are far greater!"

His confidence makes me uneasy...

But since he's offering, I'll listen.

"First, let's clarify the problems. The main issues are two: my master and the young knight."

Yes.

The "young knight" is Resleizer.

"Regarding my master, to prevent the church from provoking him, he needs to have a deeper connection with the royal family, but he is hesitant to become a noble."

"Y-Yes...!"

That's right...!?

"And the young knight, by marrying her, some people are trying to become related to the royal family and wield power. Both are troublesome problems. However, there is a way to solve both at once!"

What is it...!?

"If my master marries the young knight, it will solve both problems."