Refusing My God’s Advances

"You are just here to observe for now. I want you to understand just how hard these dungeons are for normal people. I am sure you can tell, but this party is about the same level as the bear they are fighting. Even so, they are still struggling," Aria explained, and I relaxed a bit.

I had been comparing myself to the likes of Daryle and Mary. I couldn't help that I wanted to be stronger than them. Still, it was refreshing to see other people struggle so much after today. If I was facing that bear, and our levels were the same, I would overpower it easily. Yet, five adventures were trying to do the same thing, but the roles were reversed and the monster held the advantage.

"Typically, to beat a monster your level, you would need a party at least this big. This even applies to Mary and me," Aria explained, and I frowned.

"Have you ever faced someone stronger than you?" I asked, and Aria nodded.

"One of the few times that I was able to actually have fun, but our fight left a scar on the world. A four-mile-wide crater that wiped out an entire city. The city had been mostly empty at the time because of an evacuation, but many people still died. I have complicated feelings about the event, but since then I have kept my powers in check."

The comment at the end gave me a better insight into Aria. I had kind of seen her as the type that would go out of her way for anyone, but that might not be right. Considering how everyone treated her like a monster, maybe she doesn’t really see others quite as humans. That could be the reason why she felt complicated about her actions killing people. It was a scary thought, but I completely understood it.

"I am guessing that is when you are not being asked to participate in the war?" I asked, and Aria nodded as the group continued to fight the bear.

"Yes, but that is not the only reason," Aria said, but then turned her head to me, and then bowed it to me. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"A favor?" I returned, raising my eyebrow. This was the first time that Aria had really asked me for anything, so I wasn't likely to say no.

"My father's mind is being poisoned by many of his close personal and advisors. Normally, I would be asked to perform a healing role, since that is one of the few ways I can use my magic without causing a disaster, but there was no request for Mary or me. While I could maybe understand myself, Mary is Reshan's greatest weapon," Aria explained, and I nodded in agreement.

"So you want me to weed the castle? Pull up all the problems?" I asked, not liking the sounds of things.

"Yes, if it is not too much to ask. I am sure that my father might even try to turn you away when you go to help. I wish I could just go and help, but I have been painted out to be a monster that everyone in the kingdom is scared of. I think that will be one of the biggest hurdles in this war. Even if we can win, the East and North will keep sending spies, and planting people to infect my father's mind," Aria explained, and I stopped myself from running my hands through my hair.

If this was Garland, I would have refused before he had finished speaking, but with Aria, it was different. For one, she had a beauty that was close to rivaling Elara, Mary's grandmother who was above a goddess. Two, she had never asked anything of me. Three, did I mention she was heartbreakingly beautiful?

"I will do the best that I can, but don't expect miracles out of me. I am not really what you would call a people person, nor am I really good at being formal or delicate with people," I warned, but Aria just smiled at me as the fight in the cave finished.

Both of us turned to find the other party of five staring back at us with wary looks, but Aria put up her hand and waved.

"Don't worry, we are just here as observers," Aria said, and waved for me to follow her into the cave, but then switched to a lower voice. "Not all adventurers are friendly, and many won't hesitate to do what we just did, and then swoop in to kill the party and steal their loot."

I nodded as we approached the group that still looked on edge. This world felt more like the Wild West, but I guess it wasn't hard to believe that people would act like this.

"My name is Princess Aria Grenadier of the Reshan Kingdom, and the man beside me is the summoned hero, Leon. He was having a bit of trouble because his progress in the dungeons hadn't been as fast as he would like. I wanted him to see a normal party of adventures and your struggles so he could get a better appreciation for the challenges that most people face in this world," Aria explained, and the group started to relax a bit.

"Princess Aria? Are you the legendary Summoner of Reshan?" one of the adventurers asked with wide eyes.

Aria nodded. "Yes, that's me. But today, we're just here to observe and maybe offer some advice if you'd like it."

The leader of the group, a burly man with a scar across his face, stepped forward and extended his hand. "I'm Gruff, the leader of this party. We appreciate the offer, Princess. We've been having a tough time with these dungeons lately."

Aria looked at the hand, and I saw the worry cross her face, so I shook his hand as she continued to speak. "It's no problem. Everyone faces challenges, and it's essential to learn from each other. This is Leon, the hero I mentioned. He might have some insights too."