The man who had knocked on the door was Aldrin.
“The messenger? Where is he?” Alaric furrowed his eyebrows.
“He is still downstairs chatting with Sir Henry and the others,” Aldrin replied.
“Alright. Tell everyone to get ready. We are leaving now.”
“Yes, my lord!” Aldrin bowed and left to deliver his message to the group.
Meanwhile, Alaric closed the door and looked at Yvanna. “You should get ready as well. We will return to House Paxley’s estate for the sacred duel. We can’t let the cleric wait.”
“I understand.” The elf nodded her head.
“Let’s chat again after this matter is over.” He smiled lightly.
“I’ll take my leave first. Just leave the food there. Someone will come to clean it up.” After saying those words, he left to gather his stuff.
Soon, everyone in the group gathered outside the inn.
“My lord, we should leave now.” Suggested the messenger, a middle-aged man with tanned skin.
Alaric nodded. He then made a hand signal and said. “Let’s go!”
***
Outside the main mansion of House Paxley, a temporary battle platform was set up for the sacred duel.
At this moment, Baron Nathan was chatting with a kind-looking old man dressed in a white cassock.
“Your Excellency Anton, it’s my greatest honor to see you in my humble home!” Baron Nathan spoke cautiously.
He was on edge because the person sent by the church wasn’t an ordinary cleric, but a bishop!
Usually, the church would only send a deacon or a priest to officiate a sacred duel, but for some unknown reason, they sent a bishop.
Why did they send this person of all people?
Baron Nathan was scared that they would be punished for sending a criminal as their fighter in a sacred duel.
“Don’t be so tense, my lord. I only came here to officiate the sacred duel.” The old man chuckled when he noticed the baron’s tensed face.
“Hahaha! I have embarrassed myself. Please forgive me, Your Excellency.” Baron Nathan awkwardly laughed.
Suddenly, the sound of chains being dragged on the floor echoed.
Oh no!
Baron Nathan quickly turned his head and saw something that made his heart sink.
It was his good son, Liam, pulling a man who was tied in thick metal chains.
That damn bastard! Why did he bring that guy here?! How can I explain this to the bishop?! Dammit!
“Hm? What’s going on here, Lord Nathan?” The bishop immediately identified the man in chains.
“Ah, this… Actually…” The baron wiped off the sweat on his forehead while thinking of a good explanation.
“Are you perhaps sending that guy as your representative for the sacred duel?” The bishop asked as he stared intently at the baron.
The old bishop’s gaze was so intense that it made Nathan feel like something was gripping his heart.
“Y-Your Excellency…”
His words were cut short when the servant announced the arrival of the challenger.
“Lord Alaric of House Silversword has arrived!”
Everyone turned their gazes at the cobblestone pavement.
Leading the group was a young man dressed in leather armor with a metal breastplate.
He looked dashing, but what made him special was the dignified temperament he exuded.
Alaric jumped off his horse and landed gracefully.
The first one he noticed in the crowd was the old man dressed in a white cassock.
Bishop Amari Anton?! Why is he here?
This old man was no ordinary person. He was one of the highest-ranking priests in the church!
Rank 6 in the Astanian Dragon Leaderboard, Bishop Amari Anton…
Alaric’s expression abruptly turned serious.
From what he could remember, the bishop was a 3-Ringed Beast Soul Master. This means that he had already strengthened his soul mark three times!
Unlike Knights who advance by breaking through their physical limits and expanding their mana, Beast Soul Masters had to strengthen their soul mark to advance in a process called beast soul integration.
This was done by absorbing the mana within the beast soul crystal through their soul marks. Once successful, they would inherit a trait unique to the specific beast soul crystal they had absorbed.
Alaric glanced at the old man’s wrist and noticed the 3 unique symbols on his soul marks.
So he is already a 3-Ringed Beast Soul Master around this year.
I wonder what kind of powers he inherited after undergoing three beast soul integrations.
Alaric bowed to the old man and greeted him respectfully. “Greetings, Your Excellency. I apologize for being tardy.”
“It’s fine. I just arrived here too.” The bishop smiled gently and waved his hand.
Alaric then cupped his fists at the baron. “Greetings, my lord.”
Nathan nodded at him with a forced smile.
“Since everyone is here, should we begin the ceremony?” The baron cautiously asked for the bishop’s opinion.
“Hm… What do you think, Lord Alaric?” Bishop Anton stroked his beard as he looked at the young Knight.
“I will follow the baron’s arrangements.” Alaric nodded.
Hearing his response, Baron Nathan immediately gave a cue to his retainers.
Before the sacred duel starts, a short ceremony would be held for the representatives. This was to give them a chance to offer their prayers to Aru.
The bishop summoned the representatives from each side.
Alaric was the first one to approach the old man and offer his prayers to Aru.
“Please hear my prayers, Aru.” Alaric muttered as kneeled before the old man.
The bishop calmly placed his hand on Alaric’s head and prayed with his eyes closed.
___
Mission: Sacred Duel
Difficulty: Easy
Defeat the man known as ‘The Butcher’ and prove your faith before the benevolent god Aru.
Rewards: 150 Battle Points, 30 EXP, 5 Stat Points
___
Alaric opened his eyes.
It was then that he saw his opponent for the sacred duel.
It was a man who was over nine feet tall, with a body covered in scars and bruises. He was a literal giant!
With a glance, Alaric could already sense the formidable power he possessed.
The bishop’s eyes flashed with a glint when he saw this man walking towards them.
The giant kneeled before the bishop and prayed in silence.
Everyone watched the scene with bated breaths.