I, the “Clock User”, Was Kicked Out of the Craftsmen’s Guild for Being Incompetent, but at the Dungeon’s Depths, I Awakened My True Power – Even Though I Was Told to Return Because They Couldn’t Handle the Work, It’s Too Late Now, and I Will Live Freely as an SSS-class Adventurer V10C16

 Translated by Hamster

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### Volume 10: Reunion

**16: The History of the Kingdom**

"So, here's the 'Why and What' Kingdom History Quiz for Alice!"

After the meeting, back at the inn, after some time of discussion among the three excluding Alice, Karim announced this at night.

"...Um, Karim?"

"In other words, we're prepping Alice for the upcoming knighting ceremony so she doesn't go wild. We'll review the kingdom's history and how it affects Cyclo's actions!"

"I see! I'll do my best!"

"Well, it was just Karim who came up with this silly format, though."

Cyclo complained to Karim while sticking a paper labeled 'Noble' on his forehead. Karim had 'Commoner' written on hers, and Mist had 'Church.'

The three looked somewhat foolish in their getups.

"Then, let's start!"

With Karim's shout, an impromptu skit began.

"...Once upon a time, there were countless city-states in this region. The relationship between nobles and commoners was like this:"

"I'm a noble. I can read books and have lots of weapons."

Cyclo showed off his role as a noble, following Karim's narration.

"And I, a commoner, was just messing with the soil."

Karim then played her part as a commoner.

"With such a situation, the power of the nobles was incredibly strong. Then, the Skill Selection Cult was established. At that time, nobles thought—"

"We won't give power to the commoners! Enough is enough!"

"That's how it was."

"I see..."

Alice took in the information from Cyclo and Karim's performance.

"Then, the church came up with this idea:"

"Let's spread our faith quietly."

"Commoners, not knowing why, began joining secretly because it seemed advantageous. So at first, it was treated as a heretical cult spreading among the common folk."

Next, Karim and Alice acted out the situation of the Skill Selection Cult.

"But one day, a certain noble realized:"

"Could we win wars by strengthening the commoners with this religion?"

"Therefore, the Heinburg Kingdom made the Skill Selection Cult the state religion, got stronger, and went on to wage many wars."

"Wow, I didn't know that!"

"Alice, that's just... your knowledge of history is too skewed."

Cyclo was astonished at Alice, who knew about alchemy and magic but was clueless about basic historical knowledge. Meanwhile, Karim continued the story, undeterred.

"But halfway through, the nobles realized something:"

"...Isn't this country becoming the church's country instead of ours?"

"Therefore, they stopped focusing on external wars and started an internal conflict between nobles and the church."

"This is the origin of the current reformist and conservative factions among the nobility."

"Ah, Cyclo! That was supposed to be a quiz!"

"...Do we need a quiz?"

Cyclo received a protest from Karim.

"Well, let's get back on track. On one hand, an internal conflict started, but on the other, commoners couldn't just keep farming. Why is that?"

"Yes! They got caught up in the conflict between nobles and the church!"

"Buzz! Wrong!"

Alice kept getting the quiz questions wrong, but since it was expected, no one corrected her.

"Actually, the commoners became wealthier due to the wars. This led to them having more leisure to start new things, develop new technologies, and do all sorts of other activities. As a result, there was rapid economic and technological development."

"The experience of both glaring at each other with the church and realizing that a strong populace leads to a strong country, plus various other reasons, led the nobles to allow commoner activities, which is considered a major factor."

"Wow..."

Alice was impressed by Karim and Cyclo's explanation.

"Here's a question! So, the Heinburg Kingdom has developed economically and technologically while maintaining an old political and class structure, making it somewhat mismatched. In this context, if you openly oppose the Skill Selection Cult, how do you think society would view you?"

"Um, they're always causing trouble... if they're chased out, that's fine with me?"

"Buzz! Wrong!!"

As expected, Alice got it wrong, and all three watched her.

Then, Mist answered in Alice's place.

"People would naturally resent you. This country now relies on the advantage that everyone can use skills for its development. They know that expelling the church would make everyone poorer."

"Correct, Mist! That's great!"

"Ehehe... I joined Master when he was studying by reading books."

Cyclo had been studying at Lord Deimos's mansion in Northfolia to gain the knowledge needed for his knighting. Mist, accompanying him, had also acquired some level of education.

"Grrr... losing to Mist..."

"Don't worry, Alice. It's only natural."

"Ugh..."

Cyclo, while seemingly consoling Alice, further pressed her.

"So, Alice, we are in a situation where we can't get along with the Skill Selection Cult. But you can't just say, 'Get out!' to their faces."

"Even at the knighting ceremony and the following party, no matter how much you think it's for Master's sake, you must never show hostility towards the church. Do you understand?"

"...I understand, I'll behave..."

Pressured by Karim and Mist, Alice reluctantly accepted the request.

Thus, they managed to keep Alice's potential for chaos at bay, at least for now. However, Cyclo still questioned whether teaching her through this skit was necessary.

TL Note: I will be calling Skill Selection Church to a Cult due to context as they see it negatively , as they can refer to "教" (kyō) can refer to both "cult" and "religion"/"church," but in this context, the organization is explicitly called a "cult" due to its nature, practices, or perception within the story. "Cult" implies a more negative or controversial religious group, which might not be accurately conveyed by using "church."

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