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''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.