The heart of the city lies an albino edifice, supported by thick white pillars.

It reflected the sunlight with its glistening brilliant, the towering statue, assumed a form of a woman, a sword, and a scale in her hand, a piece of fabric wrapped around her eyes.

It was Aversia who was standing at the front of the church of law.

Darwyn made a slight gesture at the sight of his ever beloved goddess, paying respect and as well devotion and faith.

He could see clerics holding scrolls and tomes, running frantically. Well, who could blame them? The servants of the law were the one that determines who was innocent and who was not.

They served, not only Aversia but also the public by judging them, literally.

Their eyes were swimming as they waited for their cases to be held, reciting prayers to their goddess up above.

Darwyn gaited without paying heed to the loud clatter of his armor, swinging his hands near his hips.

He arrived at the entrance of the church, the clerics and acolyte surely noticed this massive man entering their worship place.

The white marble spread throughout the floor.

Clack clack clack.

His footsteps were the single loudest thing inside the hall, but even so, he did not stop, he has no reason after all.

Finally, someone from the church approached him with graceful steps, dignified even. A nun baring white clothes with the symbol of Aversia embedded in her chest.

“How can I help you?” She said with a polite tone.

“Where is the bishop of this church,” Darwyn grumbled.

If she didn't know any better, she would suspect that what she had heard was a growl of a bear. Her face expressing bewilderment, she answered “M-may I know your name first, sir?”

Then his helmet shifted into her as it let out another cold voice. “Darwyn.”

“Darwyn...Darwyn...?Darwyn!? You're Sir Darwyn!” The nun covered her mouth with her palm, trying to hide the avidness in her tone.

“Yes, I am sent here by the divination of our goddess, if possible, I would like to seek the assistance of the bishop of this church.”

“Y-yes! P-please, wait here!” She spun almost immediately, stirring the hem of her clothes as she ran away.

It didn't take long for the nun to return along with a stubby old man wearing a tall white hat.

“Sir Darwyn! I didn't think that you would visit a place like this!” The man greeted him like he was an old friend of some sort, even though the two has never seen each other before.

Seeing the bishop, Darwyn placed his fist near his chest, then kneeled before the man. Being a bishop means that the goddess trusted you, and you have a vast knowledge of the human law and the divine law.

Bishops are the one who was deciding if someone was guilty or not inside the court. And for Darwyn, being intelligent was far beyond his ability, that was why he respected people who have the brain to understand such complex things, like this bishop, or that certain wizard in his party.

“Oho! Please stand up! I don't know what Aversia will do to me if she saw her favorite disciple bowing his head to someone!” The bishop said jokingly—half of it at least.

He quietly stood up, his height was overwhelming the nun and the bishop who were practically looked like children before him.

Stretching his helmet down, he said “I am here for assistance.”

“Hoo, a divination perhaps?” The bishop said, deeply interested in the matter. To which Darwyn answered with a nod.

“I see, but calling out to our goddess is not a simple task you see...” He scratched the bottom of his chin while pondering on something.

“I'm sorry for the trouble.” Darwyn knew what he was asking. He was reaching out for Aversia for an answer, a greater goddess who was residing in the celestial plane.

“Don't be! I know how hard it is to interpret divination, and no one would blame for someone to ask for a little more. But you're aware of the price you have to pay right?” The bishop warned the paladin, reminding him of something dangerous.

“Yes. I am well prepared.”

“Hoho! I know you would say that. But don't worry eh? I heard that Aversia took a liking to you.”

“Hhmm... This is the first time I've heard about it.”

“Don't deny it, lad, if you are a woman, it would be you who will be chosen as the new avatar of Aversia!”

“I am not worthy of such a title.” He said in denial, shaking his head.

Darwyn earned the hearty laugh of the bishop as he pounded his knees. “Just as the rumor said! Humble and kind! A stone-like paladin of justice!” He was blissful at the sight of Darwyn.

Darwyn was the pride and joy of the law and church, not everyone knew what he looked like but all of them will react at the ring of his name.

Admired by the younger ones, trusted by the elders, that was the status that Darwyn possessed. Of course, he knew it too, very well.

That was why he has no intention even the slightest of weakness, he must stand strong, for the people around him rely on his back.

“Hhmm... So when will the preparation be done?” Asked the paladin.

The bishop looked up to him while raising one of his eyebrows, then said “It will take at least three... Two days... Come back here after two days and let's see what I can do.”

“Then I will do that.” He wheeled, facing the bishop and the nun with his back, then started walking, violently of course.

The scene had the nun and the bishop made a wry smile as they stare until he left the church.

“Interesting fellow indeed.” Said the bishop with a warm smile.

“Aren't you jealous? That our goddess took his favor?” The nun jabbed at him with her elbow.

“I would lie if I said that I wasn't jealous.” The bishop chuckled. “But the kid was hard to get angry at. I'm sure he will be a great bishop one day.”

“Or will he? The kid is charismatic, and I'm quite sure he has the looks behind his helmet. If I was raised different and didn't become a nun, I would've eloped with him.” Said the nun, thinking of the what-if situations.

The bishop made a dubious expression. “Eloped? Eloped as what? His mother? You might look young but your age—bu! W-what do you think you are doing to a bishop! You barbarian!”

He was met with a painful smack at the head by the nun, who was looking at him rather angrily. “No more of this nonsense, prepare to receive your punishment.”

“Just try it, I was a warrior-cleric back in the days, I killed witches far stronger than you!”

“You dare to call me a witch...!”

The church of the law once again spent another peaceful day even after the arrival of Darwyn.

***

How long had it been for him to witness the mass gathering of adventurer inside the Adventurer's Guild?

The air carried the familiar scent of wine and roasted meat, the comforting sound of banter, and the argument between members of the same party.

He stepped through the crowded hall with his usual pace. For some reason, the guild went quiet. Why? Of course, they were just amazed by the sheer size of Darwyn.

“Look at that man, he's kinda... How do I put this... Big?”

“Look at his shield, he's a paladin.”

“Kinda big for a bloke eh?”

He was used to this kind of treatment. Darwyn went to the quest board that was plastered with papers.

We need money. They do. Traveling was expensive, he has to buy another carriage, and another set of horses.

He has to manage the provision of his party, his equipment too, they will not fix themselves! It was the blacksmith duty to do that.

His finger ran across the board with precise movement, jumping from one quest to another, quickly evaluating what was the biggest reward with the lowest risk, just like always, for the past eight years.

With his skill, he could earn money in no time, well, that was the case if he ignored the small reward quest from a certain small village.

The reward was hardly enough to pay for the lodging, all it can provide was a small hot meal for a day.

Even so, without hesitation, his hand nimbly took the paper and head towards the reception area.

Slam! His heavy hand landed on the desk nonchalantly.

The receptionist couldn't determine if he was angry or not, but his action was enough to nearly destroy her business smile.

“This quest, I'll take it.”

“C-can I see your identification card, sir?” Facing the enormous man before her, she looked like a small pleading for her life. Her almost squeaking voice provoked small laughter from her co-workers, which made her blush a little.

Another slam! resonated within the guild, along with the golden card in his hand. Weirdly enough, the sound reminded her of war drums, though she has never heard one before.

“Ah!” Her pupils widened as she stared at the rare card that she thought she wouldn't see in her career as a receptionist.

“A-ranked...!” She was surprised, yes, but she did not raise her voice.

Carefully holding it in her hand, she returned the card with a bowing motion to Darwyn.

“T-this quest right? Um?” She then inspected the paper that was brought by Darwyn, blinking repeatedly as if doubting what she saw.

“This is an extermination quest... Ogre extermination?”

“Yes.” He replied, not moving a single muscle. The receptionist once again glanced at the paper she was holding, then paused as she was thinking for something to say.

“The new adventurer will handle this...Sir...”

“No, not with that amount of reward.” He pointed at the numbers written at the bottom of the paper with his bulky finger. “See,” he added, trying to convince the girl.

Certainly, the amount was the bare minimum, slaying giant rats were more profitable than this.

She bit her lips, then finally gave in as she exhaled loudly. Dealing with high ranking adventurers was always a headache.

“Please wait as I process the quest.” She exited the counter as she goes on to another.

Tap tap tap.

He tapped his finger at the wooden table, patiently waited for the woman to come back when suddenly, a beastman approached him.

“Greetings, Paladin, it is the most honor to meet you.” It gave him an exaggerated bow, tipping his green hat.

The beastman was tall with a feline structure. The fur was yellow with polka dots covering it.

“My name is Rakaturmik. A feline ranger, if you will.” His cat-like eyes closed and opened, then licked its arm with his red and long tongue.

“Hhmm.” Darwyn bobbled his head. “How can I help you?”

Rakaturmik fixed his leather armor and gave his bow a small tug before speaking. “You see. It is my plan to take that very quest of yours. But it appears that you have bested me in that regard.”

Rakaturmik coughed several times, “I wish to accompany you in this small journey of yours.”

Darwyn lowered his gaze down to his boots, then raised it up to Rakaturmik's hat. “Why?” He said.

A small nyaa escaped from the ranger throat. “The village that is in trouble, I have been in care to them for too many times. I am merely trying to repay them.” He said.

“Oh! Raka, do you know who is this?” A friendly greeting came from the receptionist who just finished processing the documents.

“This gentleman right here? I have no idea, but I have a guess that we will venture for some ogre slaying.” Rakaturmik, or simply Raka, applauded to himself, his mouth turning into a cat-like smile.

“Is that true sir?” The receptionist asked as she placed her hands on the table, leaning against the giant Darwyn.

“Hhmm... So be it.” He said as he turned around. “Let's go.”

“And so we shall!” Raka was in high spirits as his tail wiggled left and right.