"I am well aware that this idea is not easy to achieve, so... I need the help of others."

Herbert's gaze was firm, staring intently at the goddess.

"You know as well, I am different from other paladins."

"As long as I can achieve the ultimate goal, I don't mind what means I use."

The Ice and Snow Goddess nodded silently.

This was indeed a rather special paladin.

With the things he did in Frost Crystal Royal City, he didn't seem like a holy professional at all.

But more like a demon.

Manipulating people's hearts, whispering seductions behind the ears of nobles, pushing them step by step into the abyss.

Yet in his decisiveness in action, he sometimes seemed more like a demon.

Kill, kill, kill.

No hesitation, no delay, presenting death in the most brutal way to those people.

Could such a person be a paladin?

Sorry, but indeed...

Those massacres didn't make him fall; instead, they made the holy power on him become sharper after it was honed.

The Ice and Snow Goddess initially thought Herbert was a Punishment Paladin, a type long unseen.

If the traditional image of a paladin was more like a shield guarding justice, then a Punishment Paladin was more like a sharp sword piercing evil.

Though paladins like this existed, it had been nearly hundreds of years since a strong one had appeared.

Because a sword too sharp would cause unease in many, fearing one day it might be turned on them.

So, people would rush to break these paladins before they could grow strong.

But now, after hearing Herbert's thoughts, He hesitated.

Would someone with such thoughts really be the kind who only attacks and never defends?

As the goddess pondered, Herbert continued to elaborate on his ambitions.

"I will build a town in the Misty Mountains, accepting demons... and humans willing to come."

"My tentative goal is the coastal area ahead, where there are abundant fish catches, enough to meet the food needs in the early stages."

"As for fresh water, there's no problem; the freshwater lake is sufficient."

"Building materials are ample, whether timber or stone, quite sufficient for constructing houses."

Herbert's desire to establish his base here was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

He had considered it before deciding, especially referencing information from the Secret-Keeping Institute about the Misty Mountains' past.

A developed civilization once existed here.

Although time has erased its name, at least three epic strong figures and a suspected saint were mentioned in the remnants of their records.

The civilization was destroyed when the relics of the Divine Kingdom appeared, now completely abandoned.

But as a former gathering place of life, it was richly endowed with natural resources.

Though the recorded mines lay deep within the Misty Mountains, there were a few areas on the outskirts that could be explored.

One could say that without this mist, a new civilization, equipped with those legacies, could rapidly become robust again.

However, the mist conceals too much, turning it all into a mere fantasy.

Except for him.

A man who would not lose his way, who would not be harmed by the mist.

With him there, it would not just remain a dream.

Yes.

Herbert would make this place—great! Once! Again!

Thinking of this, Herbert lightly coughed and shook his head, bringing up the main point: "I can solve all other problems, but... this place lacks medical supplies."

"There will surely be injuries in the future, and relying on me alone won't be enough; at least several trained priests are needed to prevent the situation from worsening."

This place wouldn't only house the strong; some weaker ones were already arriving, and injuries and illness were inevitable.

He couldn't stay here forever playing doctor; in the early stages, it was manageable, but as numbers grew, it would be like a drop in the bucket.

Doctors were a must.

But slowly training them was too late, so he had to find ready-made ones.

That's how Herbert set his sights on the Ice and Snow Goddess's Church.

Miss, please send some priests!

The Ice and Snow Goddess pondered for a while and then shook her head, saying, "That's not a difficult request... But are you sure you want to choose here?"

"In this mountain range?"

This forbidden mountain range, even He was unwilling to come here.

Can you really ensure the safety of others?

"Right here."

Herbert nodded gently and said firmly: "Right here, I will create a pure land."

The natural concealment of the mist, coupled with Nenasha's guidance, truly made this the most suitable place for Herbert.

"..."

Seeing Herbert so determined, the Ice and Snow Goddess finally lifted Her head helplessly, agreeing to his idea.

Since betting on his future, there must be something on the table.

Even though parting with some priests pained Him, He could afford it.

"I can agree to your request, but you must protect their safety and provide adequate benefits."

"Naturally."

Herbert knew what He worried about and promised: "I will request again once everything settles."

Currently, it's just an idea, not even with a foundation yet, and even if the Ice and Snow Goddess sent people, he wouldn't know where to place them.

The project hadn't even begun but already attracted investment...

After making the promise, the Ice and Snow Goddess suddenly thought of something and asked: "Will anyone come?"

In such a remote and perilous exclusion zone... would anyone willingly come?

"Maybe."

Herbert smiled slightly at these words and said softly:

"If no one is willing to come, that's actually better, indicating no one in the world is unable to survive due to persecution."

"Because this place was meant to be the final refuge for those with nowhere else to go."

Herbert explained, though one thought remained unsaid.

And even if no one volunteered, once he became powerful, he could follow his predecessors' example and go out to capture them...

It would be exhausting, but it would be his choice.

Just as Herbert's thoughts were wondering, he suddenly felt a whiteness before his eyes, as the swirling wind and snow obscured his vision.

What?

When the snowstorm receded, the petite figure had disappeared...

Instead, there was a huge feline beast, pure white and two people tall!

!!?

Herbert instinctively took a step back, trying to make out its full form.

The beast was slender, resembling an oversized lynx, with tufts of light gray fur at the tips of its ears, yet the tail's length suggested a snow leopard.

It descended gracefully on the ice, watched Herbert's reaction, and smiled with pride.

Herbert didn't react at first, but seeing that proud look, he realized.

This was... the Ice and Snow Goddess?

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