As a Clergyman, Isn't It Reasonable for Me to Carry a Cross?

"You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say may be used as evidence in court."

"No, wait. Those armed thugs were all sent to the hospital, and you brought me to the police station?" Roland looked utterly incredulous. "Is there any justice left? Any law?"

"They're legally incapacitated and are currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation, as well as treatment for testicular injuries." The police officer in front of him looked solemn. "As for you, I suggest you find a decent lawyer."

Roland rolled his eyes. How could he possibly afford a lawyer?

"Of course, given that you were under threat at the time, we also need to take that into consideration..." The police officer made a gesture. "You can have a relative come here to bail you out first..."

"I don't have any money." Roland flatly refused.

"All right, then. We can only follow procedure."

Before long, Roland was sent to the Federal Detention Facility to be held in custody.

"What is this supposed to be..." Roland sighed repeatedly as he walked toward the detention cell.

"Look, it's a priest. I'll bet he got arrested because of a Little Boy. I had a friend in the choir when I was a kid who 'serviced' priests."

"Is that friend of yours actually you?"

"Hey, judging by the direction they're taking him, looks like he's going to 'that cell.'"

"Looks like he's either a penniless loser or someone who got locked up for offending the wrong person."

"Heh... Want to bet how long he'll last?"

"I'll bet ten dollars he won't make it to tomorrow."

"Don't say things like that. He may look weird... but he's still a person. He wouldn't be stupid enough to kill someone in here."

"That's hard to say. That guy doesn't look human at all... I mean, he doesn't even look like a mammal."

Before Roland even entered his own detention cell, he heard a group of inmates discussing him animatedly. Quite a few of them wore malicious smiles.

Just as he was wondering whether his cellmate would be some greasy pervert who enjoyed picking up the soap, a guard yanked open the door and shoved him inside at lightning speed. He immediately slammed it shut, as though afraid something inside the cell might seize the opportunity to escape.

"What the hell..." Roland looked into the detention cell. Several chairs stood in a row, and a burly man was lying across them.

"I've been here alone for almost a week, and you're my first cellmate." Hearing the door open, the burly man sat up. His voice was hoarse and cold, making people uncomfortable just listening to it.

"Hello." Roland swallowed and looked at the dense scales covering the man's body and his pupils, which resembled those of a cold-blooded animal. He already understood his cellmate's identity.

"My name is Waylon Jones. You can call me Killer Croc, too." Waylon introduced himself. "I got sent here for robbing a jewelry store. What about you?"

"My name is Roland. I'm a priest." Roland spoke. "I was acting in defense of others and accidentally used too much force."

"Oh? How much force?"

"I probably smashed thirty-two balls."

Killer Croc was deeply shaken. He had been in the underworld for quite some time and had met plenty of ruthless people. He was one of the most ruthless of them all, but this was the first time he had met someone who specifically targeted the lower halves of his victims.

"If nothing unexpected happens, your name should spread through Gotham City's underworld soon." Killer Croc said, "They'll probably call you something like 'Ball-Busting Kid.'"

"I'm not involved in the underworld... And what kind of ridiculous nickname is that?" Roland found a chair and sat down.

"You're already here. It's only a matter of time. You don't think any Church would accept a clergyman with a criminal record, do you?" Killer Croc laughed coldly. "If you can't find work aboveground after you get out, you can come find me underground in Gotham City."

Once, after Killer Croc had been defeated by Batman while robbing a jewelry store, Robin had told him, "You really aren't good at this. Think about it carefully. Don't most of Gotham's 'good thugs' have some underlings to help them with this dirty work?"

Although Robin had only been trash-talking him, Killer Croc had taken those words to heart. He began entertaining the idea of creating an "Underground Kingdom" in Gotham City.

"Thanks for the offer, but I probably won't need it." Roland said.

"Hmph. Just wait and see..."

After chatting with Killer Croc for a while, Roland had nothing else to do. Remembering the Goodwill Value he had obtained for subduing the controlled gunmen earlier, he simply activated the lottery.

[Hawkeye's Weapon: Cross Knife]

A flash of white light burst forth, and a cross appeared in Roland's hand.

"How am I supposed to use something this short..." Roland drew the knife. It was less than ten centimeters long. Although it looked quite sharp, it didn't seem suitable for combat.

Although Hawkeye had looked cool when he said, "It's a shame I can't find a knife smaller than this," it was a different matter when Roland himself held the knife. He didn't have Hawkeye's swordsmanship. If he really fought someone with this thing, he would simply be asking to die.

That said, the knife was well made. It would make a nice ornament worn around his neck. With nothing better to do, Roland idly toyed with the knife in his hand.

"0241, someone's here to bail you out." A guard knocked on the detention cell door. He completely ignored the knife in Roland's hand.

"Um, as a clergyman, isn't it reasonable for me to carry a cross?" Roland awkwardly explained.

"It's fine. Go tell your lawyer, and you'll be able to leave shortly." The guard didn't even lift his eyelids. He opened the door with his keys. "Come out."

"Brother Waylon, I'll be leaving first." Roland waved to Killer Croc. "See you again if we get the chance."

Killer Croc waved back. "If you can't make it out there, remember to come find me in the Sewers."

"Sure, sure..." Roland agreed absently.

After leaving the detention cell, Roland was taken to see a Lawyer. Once he signed two documents, he was escorted out of the Police Department.

"Thank you, but who are you..." After leaving the Police Department, Roland asked the Lawyer.

"My name is Donar. An anonymous employer paid a large sum of money to have me bail you out." Donar the Lawyer said. "I don't know his identity either, but he asked me to tell you that he'll come looking for you later."

"Why does that sound so strange..." Roland was confused. After exchanging a few polite words with the Lawyer, he left.

He had originally planned to take the Subway home, but because of the shooting earlier, the Subway had been sealed off by the police. Roland had no choice but to walk in the direction of the Church.

Although it was still morning, Gotham City retained its simple and wholesome local customs. Roland could only keep Kamaitachi active as he moved forward, dodging six separate altercations, and he still hadn't even covered half the distance.