[ He raises an eyebrow quizzically at her statement, but he doesn't ask further or press. Instead, he focuses on the latter half of what she says. ]

Doing "something" here seems to be rather concretely defined. Earning merit is the euphemism that the Sheriff prefers. I have earned some in surgery. I imagine others have earned it through murder. Either way, it comes through blood. Is that a "something" you truly want to undertake?