The Angel’s Radiance

“I…” Lu Wei slowly stirred awake, her eyes initially unable to open. Yet, she felt a profound warmth, a warmth unlike any fire, emanating from light itself. This sensation utterly dispelled the chill in her heart, along with the countless negative emotions that had plagued her. In an instant, everything was enveloped in this peculiar warmth, a feeling Lu Wei truly savored. She lingered on that sensation, that radiant warmth, before gently opening her eyes. The ceiling was wooden, somewhat familiar—it seemed to be the ceiling of a medical carriage. She lay on a white bed, unsure how much time had passed.

“Are you awake, Sister Lu Wei? That was quite a dangerous situation.” A medic sister approached, producing a freshly dampened towel.

“You returned safely from such peril. How do you feel?”

“I thought…” Lu Wei opened her mouth, slowly articulating her words. “I had already gone to heaven.”

“Regrettably, this is still hell,” the medic sister replied. “However, angels occasionally descend to the mortal realm.”

Lu Wei watched as the medic sister gestured to her side. Only then did she notice a figure slumped beside her. The figure appeared delicate, yet exuded a tenacious resolve.

“Sister Antolia rescued you from that forest,” the medic sister explained. “She looks so frail, but when she carried you back, she was so afraid you’d be hurt. She continuously used Holy Light to heal your wounds along the way, so we had no major issues with your care. However, she overexerted herself. Yet, she kept worrying about you. At some point during the night, she moved a chair here and stayed by your side. It seems she watched over you all night. This child… she’s incredibly stubborn.”

‘…Little Antolia.’ Lu Wei gazed at the figure beside her, an inexplicable emotion welling up in her heart. She had been so terrified then, that profound sorrow, that shadow, had utterly consumed her. She hadn’t known what to do, how to cope. But as Antolia embraced her and spoke those words, Lu Wei had fallen into a peaceful sleep, completely defenseless.

That warm radiance was Antolia’s light.

Lu Wei suddenly chuckled. The small figure beside her seemed to sense something. The little nun with golden hair lifted her head, her eyes still hazy with sleep, but quickly clearing as she looked at Lu Wei.

“Sister Lu Wei… are you finally awake?”

“Of course. I won’t lie in bed forever,” Lu Wei said, turning to Sister Antolia. “Thank you, little Antolia. Truly, if not for you, I really would have… died there.”

“It was nothing,” Antolia replied. “It’s because you, Sister, kept persevering, constantly holding on, that we were able to arrive. In truth, my role wasn’t that significant. It was Knight Ilivy, the Knight who led us back successfully.”

“Yes, but for me…” Lu Wei smiled. “Little Antolia truly is the angel sent from heaven to answer my prayers, isn’t she?”

“Perhaps,” Antolia responded with a smile. Then, glancing at the sun outside, Antolia turned and said, “Sister Lu Wei should rest well. I have things to do today. You should get plenty of rest, and leave the rest to me. Healing is the priority.” After speaking, Antolia put on her hat and walked out of the infirmary. She looked so fragile and petite, yet she possessed a resolve more unyielding than anyone. Watching her leave, Lu Wei couldn’t help but murmur:

“Holy…”

“Hmm?” The medic sister turned her head. Lu Wei, blushing, continued:

“Perhaps, this is what they call a saintess… Damn it, after this, I really don’t know how to treat little Antolia. She’s just too, too… *Phew*, I want to hug her so badly!”

“Then why didn’t you do it just now?”

“Because she’s too sacred! Adorably sacred!” Lu Wei exclaimed. “Damn it, my heart… it’s truly in a whirl. Oh Lord, if little Antolia truly is the little angel You sent to save the world, then it’s perfectly fine if I worship her, isn’t it? It really is, isn’t it?!”

****

In the military camp, news of Sister Antolia’s heroic deed spread by the next day.

“Sister Antolia followed the Knight into the forest late at night and rescued the injured sister—it’s truly incredible!”

“Some things simply can’t be explained. This can only be called a miracle, yes, a miracle. It means God doesn’t want to lose His faithful. Sister Antolia must have received a divine calling!”

“Exactly, perhaps it really is so. God has not abandoned His people. This is a true miracle. I’ll join the sisters in prayer during dinner today.”

“I heard that people who receive divine blessing will have vastly different combat strength. I want to become a loyal believer too!”

“A fair-weather believer?”

“I am willing to convert to the true faith!” Amidst such words, even if the soldiers couldn’t truly see God or wholeheartedly believe in the existence of deities, they had witnessed that power—the power of faith. The miracle it created was worthy of belief.

That morning, Antolia arrived at the field sisters’ cooking area to ladle out soup. The gazes around her seemed a little strange.

“Uh… what’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

“Sister Antolia,” someone beside her said. “After what happened, you look completely unfazed, which makes us think something *is* the matter, doesn’t it?”

“Ah, about that…” Antolia began, when the Sister Superior looked over.

“Antolia, your actions yesterday were very risky, impulsive, and even a little reckless. You completely disregarded your own life and the lives of others. Do you understand that? Do you realize what an immense harm it would be to this place, to us, if you hadn’t returned?”

Facing the stern words, Antolia lowered her head, then said, “I’m sorry, I know, but…”

“However, since you say it was something you did after hearing a divine calling,” the Sister Superior continued. “Then we won’t pursue it too much this time.”

“Oh?” Antolia looked up. The Sister Superior looked at her naturally. “Did you truly hear the words of God?”

“I’m not sure, but a voice in my heart told me I had to do it.”

“Then when people outside, especially officers, ask about it, answer earnestly,” the Sister Superior smiled. “Say you did it because you heard God’s instruction.”