A Healer’s Plea Amidst Village Resentment

“Just so. Take these medicines as prescribed.”Anto rose to her feet, having ensured the stability of the family within the house.Approximately five hours had passed, and the fevers of everyone inside had subsided.With the aid of homemade cough syrup, the woman had ceased her coughing and, with her child, had finally fallen into a peaceful slumber.

“Do not worry; you will recover.”The nun said, rising to her feet.

The man, who had been watching her from the side, then approached.

“…Thank you, Reverend Sister. What you did just now was truly…”

“It is nothing,” the nun said with a nod. “It is merely my duty, considering the grave events unfolding here. For now, I advise you to avoid the forest. Sometimes, one may not perceive the danger, yet circumstances can swiftly escalate beyond all imagining.”

“I understand,” replied the man. “I will speak with the others in the village… Also, Reverend Sister, do you… have more of this medicine?”

“…If needed, I will endeavor to leave as much as I can.”After Anto’s reply, she rose and approached the front of the house.

And what met her gaze was… a gathering of people standing outside.

“This…”Before Anto could utter a word, Ilivy had already stepped in front of her.Many border villages, after all, held little welcome for members of the clergy.In some places, they would even tear down churches, channeling their resentment towards the Papacy onto the very structures.For common folk, rather than delving into discussions of good versus evil, their minds invariably gravitated towards the simpler distinction of villain and hero.Another equally straightforward measure was victor and vanquished, with the defeated inevitably cast as the wicked.Such was the most rudimentary mode of thought.

These people likely harbored ill will towards Anto.Ilivy, discerning the situation, positioned herself protectively before Anto.Yet Anto showed no particular surprise.She merely stood there, composed.

“…Everyone, listen to me, she is not one of *them*.”The man, seeing the tense standoff, immediately stepped forward and addressed them. “Village Chief…”

“Say no more,” the Village Chief stated. “Clergy are not welcome here.”

“We are not your enemies. We have come with the volunteer legion of Draynes,” Anto interjected at this point. “There are sick people here, many of them. The miasma within this village is exceedingly dense. This place is no longer suitable for habitation. If possible, I urge you to relocate, as other villages have done.”

“This is our village! We will not abandon it, no matter what. The King of Draynes’s legion, you say? When have those high-and-mighty figures ever cared for our lives? (Cough, cough…)” someone rasped. “No ghouls have reached us here… The wheat and grain outside the village are still being harvested. We have our livelihoods; we won’t leave. We won’t flee like the others! (Cough, cough…) The ‘Cross Devils’ have become the nobles’ dogs now, haven’t they? What a joke.”

“Do not use that term to insult the Sister!”Ilivy suddenly exclaimed.

The man, however, seemed to grow bolder, as if energized by her outburst.

“Oh? A knight, is it? So the Papacy’s knights haven’t all perished yet? Indeed, you never truly die out; you’re like ghosts haunting the borders. You damned Black-Robed Knights! I… I’ve seen others in armor just like yours, and you truly deserve to die! You protected nothing! You sent everyone to their deaths for your petty squabbles! Glory and light… are you even worthy? The Grand Crusade was nothing but a deception! You have no honor whatsoever!”

“Silence, now!”Ilivy, in a rare display of ferocity, snapped.

But Anto quickly restrained her.

“Calm yourself, Knight. Do not let anger strip you of your nobility.”

“…Mm.”With Ilivy behind her, Anto stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the assembled villagers.

“I am not your enemy. The borderlands are currently in peril, and the Border Legion is struggling to hold its ground. This place could become a battleground at any moment; it is extremely dangerous. Furthermore, the miasma has already spread here; once its potency reaches such a level, even your crops will become poisoned,” the nun stated softly.

“You may disbelieve me, or you may insult me… The legion is encamped just outside the village, and tomorrow we will advance further, not lingering here. We ourselves lack sufficient supplies, and if things continue this way, the village will soon become unsustainable.”Anto finished, then retrieved a medicine bottle from her satchel.

“…I do not represent the Kingdom of Draynes or the Papacy. I simply wish to aid those in need. I am already grateful that you did not intrude while I was attending to the family inside.”Sister Anto finished, then produced a piece of parchment.

“That old remedy will be of no use against the cough and pneumonia rampant here. Use this instead; it should offer some relief. However, it won’t be as potent as this bottle. If anyone reaches a critical stage, administer this medicine. Additionally, combine it with these ingredients, most of which can be found among merchants or in the wilderness.”Anto handed over her medicinal prescription, then continued.

“As for the rest, my assistance ends here.”

The Village Chief, observing the prescription she offered and her movements as she prepared to depart, clenched his jaw for a moment before speaking.

“Reverend Sister, may I ask your name?”

“…Antolia,” the nun replied. “I am a novice nun of the Border Church.”

“…It has been a long time since any clergy visited this village. The people here were once part of the conscripted legions—though ‘legions’ is too grand a word, for they merely served as human shields for the Knights of the Holy Hall. Many were wounded and settled here after the war ended, but the promised glory and other rewards never materialized,” the Village Chief recounted slowly. “The Papacy has long forgotten us old-timers completely. Thus, it is quite natural for some to harbor resentment towards the clergy… You are a healer, that much is clear; you bear no ill will. I apologize, our situation is indeed dire. Since this recent upheaval began, many have fallen ill… Though the village’s defenses have not been breached, it will inevitably crumble from within. We are grateful that you have come at such a time, especially since this is not even your duty. Kind Sister, tell me, has the Church truly not forgotten the people it swore to protect?”

“The Border Church continues to uphold its vows and duties,” Sister Anto replied softly. “Have other churches visited here, I wonder?”

“The Black Cross Brotherhood. They occasionally come to clear out demonic creatures, but they also demand ‘compensation’,” the Village Chief stated.

“Food and supplies—they call it compensation, but in truth, it is plunder. Those men have forsaken their faith and abandoned their honor. Therefore, the villagers here harbor some animosity towards the clergy. Please forgive us.”

“Now… could you perhaps offer some aid to these villagers?”