Chapter 145
Chapter 145 of "Chaotic Craftsman Worships The Cube" opens presenting twists: Thera and Ben looked at each other, trying to silently communicate whether or not they... Keep following!
Thera and Ben looked at each other, trying to silently communicate whether or not they should walk down into the earth, but the village elder went down and without much other choice they both followed.It didnât go down far and there was a source of light, although faint, and despite the seriousness of the situation and just how uncomfortable it seemed, the moment they reached the bottom and saw Sachel, Skoe, and Ralia, Thera burst into laughter.
The village head gave her a surprised look but Ben ignored it, he kind of understood where she was coming from. While Sachel and Ralia had just been sitting down on the dirt floor, looking kind of sad until theyâd noticed whoâd come, Skoe had been bound to the wall by thick and powerful plant roots, his legs, torso, and each of his four powerful arms was secured to keeping him from moving.
âOkay, getting to enjoy this made the four hours of waiting worth it,â Thera said, causing the elderly dryad to drop just enough of her negative attitude to cast Ben a questioning look.
âThera has a bit of a complicated history with them,â He told her with a shrug as Sachel spoke up.
âBen, what are you doing here?â A bit of light had returned to her eyes as she saw them and her voice was tinged with hope.
âMyriad asked me to come help you out so I made my way here, but seeing as how you could have been freed after a couple months or just paid a fine if you wanted out it seems like it was a waste of my time. Why exactly didnât you just pay?â He asked, wanting to get to the heart of the matter before deciding what to do.
Unfortunately, it seemed the reason was entirely practical. âDo you really think we all have that much money?â She asked, which was a fair point when he thought about it. Just because heâd managed to gain an unreasonable level of wealth in a short time didnât mean everyone would have that much saved up. âAnd as for being stuck here, do you think youâd be able to deal with being stuck in a dark pit for two months? Weâd really appreciate the help.â
She looked at him with pleading eyes and Ben sighed. A part of him thought this whole thing might be partially his fault for converting her, but a greater part was saying she should have known better to go into an area she wasnât allowed. Even if he was the apostle of her god, he wasnât her keeper. Still, Myriad sent him to help so as long as they were agreeable he would.
âHuu, okay. If you guys agree to pay me back over the course of the next two years Iâll pay to get you guys out, does that sound reasonable?â
Sachel and Ralia quickly agreed while Skoe seemed like he was trying to but couldnât from how tight the roots binding him were.
He cast a quick concerned look to the man, but he wasnât dead so he figured it was fine and turned to the village head. âOkay Iâll pay, letâs get this over with.â
She looked shocked he actually agreed to spend so much but pulled out her card and tapped it against his, receiving the funds heâd transferred over while Ben couldnât help but feel heâd been a little scammed with the cost.
With that done she walked over to Skoe, placing a hand on the roots that bound him and after a few minutes, they were loose enough that he could walk out. Once that was done they all quickly left the dark, damp hole in the ground and Ben let himself be thrilled to have finished up everything so easily. They would need to find somewhere to sleep for the night, but heâd done what Myriad wanted and they could get home while Sachel and her friends focused on finding some other way to complete her trial, at least that was what heâd hoped.
âAlright, youâre all free to go so be on your way and donât come back,â The elderly dryad spoke, and Ben was more than happy to agree.
âDonât have to tell us twice, come on guys letâs-â
âGrandmother, please! I just want to help!â Sachel told the woman desperately while cutting him off.
Ignored by his god, he instead got front row seats to the fight breaking out in front of him.
âThe moment you abandoned our god you lost your place in the village. Outsiders arenât allowed in our forest so either rejoin the faith or leave.â
âNobody here has any fighting skills! If you donât let us in then what will you do?â Sachel asked desperately as if begging the woman to let her help, but was only met with scorn.
âWeâll manage alone, as we always do. If youâre so determined to cling to whatever god convinced you to turn traitor then we donât need you.â
âWeâre all a part of the same world, we need to be able to ask for help if we need it!â
âBecause thatâs worked so fucking well in the past, hasnât it!â The elderly woman screamed back, before regaining some control of herself. âDryads depend on dryads and youâre already barely that. As far as Iâm concerned our relationship was severed the moment you abandoned Jagal.â
There was so much venom in the old woman's voice it was enough to stun everyone. That is, everyone but Ben, who stepped between the two and had gone deathly quiet, trying to contain his rage.
âApologize.â
âWhat?â
âYou went too far. Apologize for saying that.â
He wasnât planning on backing down, but neither was she, and instead waved him off dismissively. âI donât expect outsiders to understand. You got what you came here for so get lost, I have a village to look after.â
He held his tongue for a moment, just long enough to think through what to say next without just swearing at the woman for a while. As good as that would feel, it wouldnât be constructive.
âWeâre just not allowed in your stupid forest right? Thereâs no rule against us staying here?â
âAre you really going to stay just to be a pain in the ass?â
âNo,â He told her with a shake of his head. âSachel will solve whatever stupid problem your forest is having without ever setting foot in it, and then after youâll apologise to her and invite her back with open arms.â
The old woman let out an angry chuckle, more than ready to kick them all out should a chance come along. âFine, but the moment any of you walk into the forest, you're getting locked up and Iâm sending off for some templars to deal with you.â
âExcellent, as the apostle of Myriad, I fully intend to hold you to that.â
With that he turned around and marched off, not waiting to see the old woman's reaction as he started talking to the air.
âHey Myriad, give me the quest for earning a large amount of faith from non-believers, Iâm going to make these jerks love you.â