Chapter Seventeen: The makings of a true HERO.

Sweat starts to quickly form down Franky’s face as his body temperature increases, the area around the woman increasing in intensity, even the air, which was a nice cool temperature is starting to feel like an oven.

Wiping the sweat from his face, Franky leans forwards, watching as the lead robed individual takes a step forward, his robe signifying him as an [Inquisitor] of the church of Odin.

“I am [Inquisitor] Joseph and I demand you step aside, we have business inside the divers guild.”

Though his posture is steady, Franky notices the rather large number of droplets of sweat pouring down his face.

The women lifts an eyebrow, looking at Joseph as one would an annoying insect.

“The [Guild Mistress] has left for a meeting and will not return for another week. I have been entrusted to make decisions in her place for the time being.”

She frowns, looking at the sweating man,” and I decide you and your people will not be entering the guild… Now leave.”

The [Inquisitor]’s face takes on an even darker shade of red as he attempts to control his anger. His hands form into fists as he looks at the women who just stares at them, unmoving and appearing bored.

___

Confused at the reason why the church is defensive, Franky whispers and activates his [Analyse] skill on Joseph and then the women with the fiery red hair.

Joseph Selenos.

Level 137 [Inquisitor].

Level 57 [Noble]

One of the higher leveled inquisitors of the church of Odin, he left his noble family at a young age, quickly rising the ranks in the church, becoming a force to be reckoned and respected.

Calidi Flammenwerfer, the Scorching Star

Level 217 [Lancer Archmage]

Level 189 [Magmamancer]

One of the most powerful individuals in existence. Calidi had gained the title of Scorching Star after jumping several thousand meters into the air, mimicking a star, and then landing upon a Wyvern nest, turning the entire area into a molten wasteland.

Frankie's eyes widen at the realization that their fear is completely warranted, especially considering the sheer devastation this woman can do to the entire city.

“We will not leave. I have orders to enter and retrieve a certain individual,” he moves his hand to his side, opening an enchanted pouch, taking out a long slender staff.” And I will get into that guild one way or another.”

At those words, the Paladin's unsheathe their swords, the heat lessening off their bodies, but still not completely gone as the [Inquisitors] aura attempts to protect them.

“Shit,” Franky curses, quickly taking off his robe, a heavy thing considering the protective metal within. Immediately turning it inside out, the crest of Odin’s [Inquisitor] is revealed, an eight-pointed star with an eye in the middle.

Putting it back on, Franky runs towards the door, taking a deep breath before opening it, hoping his acting classes will come useful.

_____

Joseph sends his mana through his body, preparing it to cast his spell and skill. His staff glowing softly in response, awaiting his call for it to activate the powerful dormant ability within.

The sound of his paladins unsheathing their swords brings him some confidence, hoping that they would be able to stop Calidi with their defensive skills before he can attempt to bring her down. Overall, Joseph has little confidence in himself and his men's ability to defeat her, but he has been tasked to retrieve the [Hero], a sacrifice he is willing to make for the church.

And then the doors open, a young man walks out, the mark of Odin’s [Inquisitor]s on his chest.

With seemingly strength and courage, the young man walks forward, an angry scowl across his face as he makes his way towards them, sweat clearly present, but seemingly ignored.

“[Inquisitor] Joseph!” he yells, walking forwards with his head held high, a posture reminiscent of [King]s can be seen as he continues to walk towards the Churchmen.

“What is the meaning of this! I left for three hours to get some much needed training and the first thing I find when I finish is a horde of [Paladin]s looking for me?”

The young man passes Calidi who gives him a interested look, but ultimately she chooses not to interrupt.

The young man shakes his head,” I have told the [Archpriest] where I will be and what I will be doing,” the young man stops before Joseph, waving at the [Paladin]s behind him,” and you seem to find it fitting to bring a significant force to the divers guild when it could have easily been done with one or two people?”

The young man shakes his head.

The [Inquisitor] gives the young man a confused look. He opens his mouth.

“I was un-”

“SILENCE!” the young man yells out, interrupting the [Inquisitor] mid-sentence.

“I do not want to hear your excuses. When we return to the palace, we will then talk about your punishment.”

Joseph’s eyes open, widening at the sheer disrespect he is receiving, mimicking authority the child does not possess. But before he can answer, the young man turns around, his eyes focusing on the women, an amused smile on her face.

“Now then.”

The man steps forward, hand moving to his chest,” Acting Guild Mistress Calidi Flammenwerfer, I, Franky Sasco, would like to apologize on behalf of the church for the disrespectful way they had attempted to attain me.” he bows forwards for a couple seconds before straightening his back.

His eyes move downward, stopping only to admire her rather large chest and sexy curves before they move toward the cracked ground.

“Of course, I will make sure that you are properly compensated for the damage that has been done to the property.”

Calidi Flammenwerfer snorts, gives Franky a long look and turns around,” No need,” she says, walking towards the Divers Guild, her hand waving in the air, causing the ground to shake and the damaged stone floor to quickly fix itself.

Watching her leave, Franky turns around, moving towards the [paladin]s.

Joseph, angry, opens his mouth to tell the [Hero] he cannot be ordered around, that such disrespect would not be forgiven. That his treatment was unjust. That the [Hero] has no such power.

But he stops as he looks at Franky’s face, the young man is covered in sweat, an exhausted fearful look permeates his face as his body starts to slouch, the confidence he had moments ago gone, replaced by something akin to fear.

________________

That was horrible. Just making eye contact with her had been exhausting. It took everything I had to stay calm, to show a sense of understanding and apology.

I shake my head, wiping the sweat from my face on my robe.

Funny, Quasi was the one who had convinced me to take acting classes. Who knew they would come in handy...shit. Did he know?

I frown, taking a quick peek around me.

Over Twenty [Paladin]s surround me, most of their faces covered by helmets, but the few without are showing signs of gratitude as I walk alongside the [Inquisitor], who stays silent, not saying a word as we make our way towards the palace.

The whole situation had disgusted me, that the fact two powerful forces were to attempt to fight each other, in the middle of a city with innocents. It was truly mind-boggling.

But then maybe that was the point, to make that threat, to force the women to back down… still, it was clearly failing. She hadn't seemed phased at all.

Finally, as we enter the nobles quarters, I turn to Inquisitor Joseph,” Were you really looking to fight with her? Were you truly going to attack her?”

Joseph, curious, turns towards the [Hero], giving an answer without hesitation.

“If it is to make sure you return unharmed, then I would attempt to defeat her.”

I stop, the [Paladin]s stopping as well, turning towards me, with curious looks.

“So what you are saying,” I start moving my hands, waving them around me,” is that you would be willing to send all of these men, to fight an individual that could turn this city into a wasteland, wasting their lives, killing an enormous number of innocents in the process… to save me?”

I shake my head, pointing at the paladins.” Each of these men came at your call, accepting your guidance and leadership, believing that you would make sure they will return to their families, their loved ones. They follow you, trusting you to make the best decisions…” I stop looking at the grim faces of the paladins as they listen to my every word,” and instead of making a proper plan, of obtaining information, of doing this whole ordeal respectfully...”

I raise my voice, hands tightening to a fist, my anger coming out,” You instead attempt to bully your way into the guild, willing to take any number of losses of good men and women just so you can come out the victor. That's pathetic.” I say, his face turning read, his posture turning aggressive.

But I ignore it, my words coming naturally, my back straightening, a feeling of confidence mixing with my anger” You are a pathetic piece of egotistical shit,” I look at him, his eyes widening at my direct insult,” a man who is willing to sacrifice anything is a man who knows nothing of the world. You are pathetic!”

His eyes widen, teeth clenching as he looks at me with a murderous glare.

”YOU WILL BE SILENT.”

A feeling of pressure, an order battles my mind, attempting to subjugate my will, but I stand firm, my anger still everpresent, barely allowing me to notice the screen that pops up at the side of my vision.

The Skill [Inquisitors Orders] has been resisted.

I ignore it, taking instead a step forward, my height similar to his own, my body seemingly moving on its own, mind focused upon the here and now.

“Make Me,” the wind starts to twirl, to form, to howl, reacting to my will.

The [Inquisitors] hands start to glow, mana forming around it as his anger starts to boil over. He lifts his hand… but that is all he gets to do.

“[Earthen Chains][Earthen Chains]”

The two female [Archmages] which have been following behind, immediately activate their spells, causing chains of stone to rip out of the ground, quickly slithering towards the Inquisitor, wrapping around his body and limbs, forcing him to the ground.

A thud is heard as the [Inquisitor] strikes the ground, a surprised expression on his face as a stone chain quickly covers his mouth, not allowing him to neither move nor activate skills or spells.

At that realization, Franky finds that panic quickly starts to settle in on the man's psyche as he realizes that he literally cannot move, that he had been completely hindered and at the mercy of the [Hero].

The [paladin]s stand weary, unsure what to do. They had been told that the [Hero]’s safety is the utmost priority, that any threats should be quickly killed. It was only their lack of being a magic class that did not allow them to react to the formation of mana on the [Inquisitor]’s hands, something the two [Archmage]s had immediately sensed and reacted to.

Several thoughts travel through my mind, some telling me to end his life. Another telling me that this situation is wrong, that I should apologize for my outburst.

But then the feeling of confidence, of power, it thrums, telling me something else. Guiding me...

I look towards the two [Archmage]s, twin women who hold their arms out, hands glowing as they supply mana to the spell, making sure that physical strength alone will not allow the [inquisitor] to break free.

“Let him go, remove those chains,” I say, staring at the two females who give me a confused look. At the same time, The [Inquisitor] stops as he hears those words… those orders.

“He has attempted to attack you.” one calls out.

“He could have killed you,” the other explains as well.

I feel so calm…

“It will be fine. I will deal with it.” I say naturally, confidently... authoritavely.

The two Archmages share another look and then slowly the earthen chains starts to unravel, traveling back into the stone ground from which they came.

I look down, the [Inquisitor] looking at me, a very confused expression on his face, completely devoid of the anger he had been harboring before.

_____

The [Hero] stands tall, his form seemingly glowing as all eyes turn to him, a feeling of respect and power emanating from his stare as his eyes bore into the [Inquisitor], into the man's soul.

The [Hero] opens his mouth… and speaks.

“In life, we all make mistakes, some we notice afterward, others we notice during… and then there are some we do not notice.”

The hero pauses, his face lacking any emotion.

“It is the last one which is the worst. It is the most dangerous as it means you can repeat the same mistake over and over again. The cycle repeats itself indefinitely.”

He pauses, the air around the [Hero] starts to converge seemingly around him, making his clothes shuffle to the wind's tune.

“But if you're lucky, then you may be blessed with someone who will notice your mistakes for you, someone who will point them out.”

A smile slowly forms on the [Hero] face, the air starting to slow, turning into a light breeze.

“Joseph Selenos, your mistake is that you did not notice how arrogant you have become. How much your focus had been on the strength of the church and not by its teachings.”

The [Hero] pauses, his blond hair moving softly, glowing seemingly in the sunlight.

“But that's the thing about mistakes, they can always be fixed.”

The [Hero] extends his arm downward, towards the [Inquisitor] who is on his knees, looking up.

“If you want… nay… believe you can change...”

The hero pauses once more.

“To become better... take my hand for I have already forgiven you.”

The [Inquisitor] looks up and catches a glimpse. Not of a man named Franky with the [Hero] class, but a Hero named Franky.

Tears start to form down Joseph’s eyes as he extends his hand taking the [Hero]s arm, getting pulled up.

“Thank you,” Joseph voices softly, a feeling of euphoria washing over him, respect, yearning, so much feeling that he barely holds it. But he holds it, relishing the feeling, memorizing it, all while his eyes fervently trained on the [Hero].

Nodding towards the man, the [Hero] taps him on the shoulder,” Now Joseph, let us go back to the palace, I am sure many are worried about my wellbeing,” he says, turning around and heading towards the city’s center.

The [Paladins], [Archmages] and the sole [Inquisitor] watch as the [Hero] walks forward, his form strong and majestic as he exits the circle of [Paladin]s, moving towards the palace.

Only after a moment do they finally awaken from their stupor, starting to follow the [Hero], their eyes glistening with utter reverence.

_______

Tired would be an understatement as Franky trudges forwards, doing his utmost best to keep from slouching, the whole ordeal had been… mesmerizing to say the least.

He had had an epiphany, a moment where he knew what to say, what to do, how to act. It was both invigorating and extremely exhausting.

Currently, he wants to just fall down and pass out, but the fact that a small group of extremely powerful people is following him, as well as the confused looks of several [Nobles] as they watch him pass by, keep him from disgracing himself after such an ordeal.

Luckily, the only thing keeping him from falling asleep is the ecstatic feeling of the several levels and skills he had obtained. He calls them up mentally.

Level Up x 17

You are now a level 26 [Hero]

New Skill Obtained: A Hero’s Moment.

Some people move the hearts and minds of people through the use of power, others through bribery, and even some through wits.

But you move the Hearts and Minds of the people from your sheer presence.

Hidden Stat unlocked → Charisma: 431

New Passive Aura Skill Obtained: Heart of a Hero

The strength of your aura changes, allowing your personality, your being, to increase its strength.

---Willpower Increased by Charisma Score.

***********************

[Archpriest] Bernard looks up, his eyes staring at the [Grand Counselor] who continues to stare out the window, giving him a great view of the city in its entirety.

“And he immediately passed out in bed when he returned,” the [Grand Counselor] says, not even turning around.

“Yes, on his return, the [Priestess] who was designated to taking care of him found him passed out on the floor,” Bernard explains, staring intently at the Counselors back.

The counselor does not move, his eyes still focused forward.

“I see.”

The counselor finally moves, just an inch, his head moves down, towards the courtyard below.

“ It is good that the fight with Calidi was avoided, I would not want to reveal any of the [Ascended] so early. The time would not have been right.”

Bernard stays silent, one leg on the floor as he kneels, listening to the [Grand Counselor]’s thoughts. Indeed, [Ascended] is a class obtained by the most powerful and loyal of a god's servants. Such people gain abilities and strengths which can even rival that of Named Individuals, but the cost for creating and training them is significant.

Which is why churches will keep such people hidden, not wanting anyone to discern how many such beings a church may have at their disposal.

“You were right Bernard, that [Hero] is dangerous.”

At those words, Bernard looks up, slightly confused.

“Sir?”

Finally the Chancellor turns, making eye contact with Bernard, a surprising look of annoyance on the mans face.

“His potential is exceptional, possibly more than the other three [Hero]s. Something I was not able to see before. At this point, I am having thoughts of removing him.”

Bernard did not miss the hidden information. As the [Grand Chancellor] of Odin, he is gifted with several abilities allowing him to discern people, their personalities and even their future potential.

The fact the chancellor had made a mistake is something akin to impossible, unless a god interferes of course.

But no god but Odin himself can see into the city of Aesir.

“Do you wish for me to end him?” Bernard asks.

The Chancellor looks down towards his [Archpriest], seeing the loyalty and dedication.

“We cannot… Odin has been incapable of figuring out how many [Hero]s have been summoned by Zeus. It seems they are keeping such a thing a secret from his eyes, making it difficult to discern if we have more or less. If I knew they have less than four, then I would agree that removing him would be the best option.”

Bernard stays silent, understanding the significance of these words.

A fully leveled and trained [Hero] is equivalent to several [Ascended], and if the Olympian gods have even a few more, it could spell trouble for the Aesir gods.

“Until I am able to find out more information, I will need Franky to be watched closely. The two skills he has gained recently make him very dangerous…” he stops, frowning,” And make sure to send [Inquisitor] Joseph on a mission, any mission. I do not want him to have any more contact with the [Hero].”

The Chancellor turns around, looking again through the window, activating skills, allowing him to see several hundred miles in the distance.

“You may leave Bernard.”

Bernard finally stands, straightening out his robe as he turns towards the door, opening and closing it behind him.

The whole situation puts a weird taste in his mouth. Not because of the [Hero]s, which is a completely different situation, but the lack of information from the Chancellor. Something is clearly going on, something that is forcing the chancellor to use his skills in the far distance instead of on the city. It would have been child's play for the chancellor to find the [Hero], easily bypassing the [Witch]’s wards and figuring out that the [Hero] was unharmed.

Instead, the [Seer]s informed [Inquisitor] Joseph that they had lost connection to the [Hero] in the divers guild.

Which resulted in a small but powerful group to be dispatched to attempt to retrieve him.

And such a thing would have worked if the [Guild Mistress] was available, as she would have allowed the church inside in fear of retaliation.

Unfortunately, the fact that a named being had been hired to run the guild in her place was something extremely unexpected.

Even worse was the specific named Individual which was hired. Calidi Flammenwerfer is a battlemage who prides herself in striking fast and excessively hard. Her class of [Lancer Archmage] is an upper-rank second tier class which is a combination of [Grand Lancer] and [Battle Archmage]. Though not at the level of a Tier three class, its strength alone greatly allows her to meld magic and skill effectively.

But what makes her a named person is her other class, [Magmamancer], another upper tier two class which is a combination of [Geomancer] and [Pyromancer]. The class allows her to manipulate the environment, turning swaths of land into a burning molten mess, all fully under her control. Combine that with impressive mobility with her other class, powerful enchanted items, and you have an individual who is extremely effective at taking down any target.

Bernard shakes his head, removing those thoughts, instead focusing on his own job: to make sure that the [Hero]s are trained and leveled properly.

But he frowns, thinking now about Franky and how significantly faster he had gained levels than the other [Hero]s… an annoyance he finds displeasing considering the other [Archpriest]s, which are responsible for the other heroes, keep asking him what he is doing to increase Franky’s level so fast.

“How am I suppose to tell them I am doing absolutely nothing.” Bernard whispers, passing a hallway and finding himself quickly leaning over the edge, watching another [Hero] as she duels with a [Paladin], who easily counters her every attempt to strike with a sword.

The girl, apparently twenty-two years of age, comes from a tribal world completely lacking in magic. She had initially been hunting for her people, looking for prey to kill, but instead found herself being summoned.

“[Analyse]” Bernard calls out, activating a skill which sends information about the [Hero] directly into his head.

Annette Stalker

Level 7 [Hero]

Level 3 [Mage]

Level 15 [Warrior]

Bernard frowns, remembering what the [Hero]s had told them. That they have constant access to the system and that information is obtained by invisible floating boxes instead of directly to their head.

Unfortunately, obtaining new classes still requires them to see a city stone.

Sighing, Bernard turns away after watching the the [Hero] get beaten into the ground again by the [Paladin].

“I guess I should get something to eat,” he whispers to himself, trying to distract his tired mind and the situation he finds himself in.