"That human boy, he's the most arrogant human I've ever met!"

In the underground sanctuary of the Ice and Snow Goddess Church, the proud Snow Elf Bishop snorted, biting her teeth lightly, complaining bitterly.

"Please believe me, I'm not slandering him."

"Many of our church members have been fooled by his appearance, thinking he is truly a noble and devout Paladin."

Many naive believers were deceived by Herbert, just believing he was a noble knight with manners.

That is not the truth!

"But I'm different, I can feel his true thoughts!"

Perhaps it was due to the presence of her close friend, or because the girl in front of her made Laila feel at ease, she poured out the words she had long hidden in her heart.

"He does indeed have a beauty not inferior to an Elf and exudes a holy aura... but those are mere illusions, masks to hide the truth!"

"Arrogance."

"Beneath that hypocritical face lies absolute arrogance."

Ever since that day, Laila often recalled the details of her conversation with Herbert, constantly replaying her responses back then.

"He seemed to be seeking our cooperation, but in fact, he was preparing from the start to intimidate me through that Saint, trying to make me lose face!"

"If he had revealed his identity from the beginning, told me the intent of that Saint, how could I have refused?"

"There's only one explanation for his actions! He did it on purpose!"

Yes.

All of it was calculated.

He was constantly trying to set traps for me.

Every step was luring me into his snare.

A terrifying human!

A man with deep schemes.

Made me lose face in front of the Goddess, almost losing Her favor!

And after hearing this, the Divine Favorer Yunier blinked, curiously asked, "So you're saying, you hate him? You think he's an untrustworthy human? A person of low character?"

Hmm?

Laila, immersed in her anger, snapped back to reality, blinked quickly, and hesitantly said, "Uh! No, I don't quite think so."

"Oh?"

Yunier blinked, suddenly interested, asked, "Didn't you just say you hate him?"

"..."

Laila's lips moved, hesitated for a few breaths, and slowly said:

"I do indeed dislike his attitude towards me, and his character is truly arrogant, but not to the point of being lowly, that... really is not the case."

"From a personality standpoint, he's proud, I even suspect he looks down on us..."

Thinking of the mocking gaze in the other's eyes, she couldn't help but bite her lip, unwillingly said:

"Although this makes me uncomfortable, to be honest, he does have the right to be arrogant."

She paused for a moment, gently explaining to the confused two:

"You don't know, during this time, the cultivators Herbert brought have been continuously helping the people of the Frost Crystal Kingdom."

"Herbert personally purchased a large amount of food and clothing supplies, distributing them for free to the needy through the cultivators and helping them treat diseases."

Even for this Snow Elf who never lacked money, she understood this was definitely not a small expenditure.

"Moreover, Herbert's actions were not to gain those people's faith, he didn't even need their gratitude."

"Wait, no return expected? How can you be so sure?"

Joanna asked proactively, feeling that Laila seemed to have been fooled by Herbert, why keep explaining on his behalf?

"Because..."

Laila smiled bitterly, helplessly said: "Those who were helped simply don't know Herbert's name, only knowing the Mist Monastery is helping them."

Providing food, clothing, and accommodation for over a thousand people, such expenses can easily ruin a small noble.

Yet after paying such a high price, he asks for nothing.

Not many even know he performed such charitable acts.

"The reason for his actions, I... I can't figure it out."

Laila truly struggled to grasp Herbert's intentions.

Was it really just about doing good, expecting nothing in return?

Is it really just to let them survive?

Or is this a way for a Paladin to fulfill their vows?

But bear in mind, even a Paladin of pure character rarely behaves this way.

Most of them take the Poverty Oath, leaving nothing for themselves beyond what's necessary, distributing it to the poor.

This makes it difficult for them to amass large fortunes, preventing such actions.

Unless some particularly powerful Paladins convert the wealth obtained from hunting Demons into resources, distributing them to those in need.

But such cases are exceedingly rare.

There are too few noble Paladins like Herbert who are wealthy and willing to share.

Yunier listened for a while, then asked, "Then do you mean to say he is actually kind-hearted?"

"Kind-hearted? Uh! Perhaps, not quite..."

Laila shook her head abruptly, more resolute than before.

He kind-hearted?

That's ridiculous!

"Herbert is the mastermind behind this kingdom turmoil, he orchestrated everything, leading us into the plot."

"He is the greatest executioner."

"In this turmoil, at least a thousand people died because of him, including the royal heir and his kin."

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