Thrown Out of the Hero Summons for a Worthless Haggling Skill, He Struck a Deal With the Dragon novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: The Temple Steps

"I can only read a bargain when somebody offers it to me," Ryota told Asako at the kitchen table, over two cups of barley tea. "The oath tomorrow isn't offered to me."

"Then it doesn't work." Asako wrapped both hands around her cup. "Then I just swear whatever they say."

"Or you don't swear."

"They'll ask in front of the whole city, Kishibe-san. Next to the Sword Saint." She laughed, and it wasn't really a laugh. "I teach five-year-olds. I've never said no to anyone in a cape."

She turned the strawberry hair tie around her wrist.

"My daughter's learning to ride her bike without the little wheels," she said. "I promised I'd be there on Sunday to let go of the seat."

Ryota had nothing to say to that, so he refilled her tea.

"Stand where you can see me," he said. "Ask me anyway. Out loud, in Japanese. Let's see what happens."

The Temple of Oaths stood at the top of the upper city, all white columns and gold doors.

By mid-morning the square below its steps was packed shoulder to shoulder.

On oath days the inner gate stood open to everyone, and half the Lowmarket had come up to see the heroes.

Ryota stood in the crowd at the foot of the steps with Gautier beside him and the archer brothers behind.

The four heroes stood halfway up in their silver breastplates.

Corisande stood two steps above them with her hand on her sword, and her eyes found Ryota in the crowd and stayed there a moment.

Priests carried a black oath-stone out of the gold doors and set it on a stand.

Lord Morvaine stepped up beside it in his gray robe.

"The heroes of Ardesca will swear the Oath of Guidance," he told the square, in his quiet voice that somehow carried. "So that the crown may guide them safely to the Day of Ash."

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