The Black Cross’s Intervention

“Continue this way,” Anto urged, steadily unleashing his power. Under the pervasive glow, no creature of darkness could remain unfazed by such radiant light.

Bathed in the brilliant radiance, the enemies ceased their advance, utterly unable to draw any closer.

Knight Ilivy’s light-infused blade cleaved the air before them. As the young man’s sole personal guard, she would not permit any entity attempting to breach the curtain of light to advance even a single step.

Yet, within the glow, the shadowy figure on the other side appeared monstrously vast and grotesque.

“Light… Light…” it continued to utter, advancing step by step. This particular monster seemed to possess a greater tolerance for light than typical creatures of darkness.

“Ilivy,” Anto said. The knight, already positioned before him, replied, “I can hold this creature back. Lord Anto, with your remaining strength, you can surely return to the watchtower, can’t you?”

“What are you saying at a time like this?” Anto countered, holding Sister Lu Wei tighter. “We must leave this place together.”

“No, the entity before us is an incredibly powerful foe,” Ilivy stated. “Lord Anto, your Holy Light Flames are not an inexhaustible resource, and your body cannot sustain such continuous exertion. I cannot guarantee your safety, or Sister Lu Wei’s, if I must rely on your blessings while fighting it. Therefore…”

“I can still persevere,” Anto declared resolutely. “I can lead all of us out of here. You must trust me.”

“…” Ilivy listened but offered no reply, her thoughts fixed entirely on the monster ahead. The creature stared towards them, raising its long blade with an arm so grotesquely twisted it was barely recognizable.

If they were cornered here by such an entity, there would be no hope of survival in a forest where beasts continually gathered.

Anto’s exhaustion was already critical; while defeating simpler magical beasts was manageable, confronting a monster of this caliber was utterly beyond his current capabilities.

In this dire moment, Ilivy’s only thought was to fulfill her duty and protect him.

Even if it cost her life.

“That’s mine,” a voice suddenly interjected. “…Holy Hammer, unfold.”

At that very moment, a light distinct from Anto’s flared to one side. Within its brilliance, a shadowy figure, wielding a colossal war hammer forged from pure light, leaped down from a tree.

“Boom!”

The war hammer struck the ground, unleashing countless reverberating shocks that instantly annihilated numerous shadowy figures.

Within the radiant light, Anto and Ilivy glimpsed the slender, diminutive figure. She was clad entirely in black, wearing a hat adorned with a black cross. Her silver-white hair was styled into twin ponytails, secured on either side.

Her attire, though somewhat soiled, fit her perfectly and exuded an aura of grim determination. She was a warrior, and the iron hammer in her hand emanated the unmistakable essence of Holy Light.

“…Black Cross,” Anto murmured upon seeing the figure.

This was the Black Cross, spoken of by countless people in the borderlands – those who had renounced their Holy Light vows, yet fulfilled their duties on these snow-covered plains in a different guise.

“Is this… a Sister of the Black Order?”

“I suppose so,” Ilivy responded, her gaze fixed on the newcomer before she stepped to shield Anto.

“However, do not place too much faith in them; they are not like ordinary people.”

Behind Ilivy’s protective stance, Anto watched the figure. The massive weapon in her hands seemed weightless as she wielded it, yet it inflicted undeniable damage all around her.

Facing the colossal, terrifying creature, the young woman displayed not a hint of hesitation. She charged forward, her sacred war hammer meeting the foe head-on. The impact sent the monster flying a great distance, and without a moment’s pause, she struck again, sending it even further away.

“…Now’s your chance.”

At that moment, the young woman turned, facing Anto and Ilivy. Anto clearly saw her appearance then: a slender, petite female, her delicate features seemingly at odds with the heavy war hammer in her hand and her warrior’s attire.

She appeared no older than thirteen or fourteen, yet her face held a composure far beyond her years. What Anto perceived in her eyes was not that of an ordinary child; this young woman was a warrior, a true warrior.

“You two, you can leave that way,” the young woman said, pointing in a direction. “The enemies there have been cleared; you can take that path. I can hold back the entities here while you make your escape.”

“What about you?” Anto asked, stepping forward. The young woman paused, surprised by his concern, then replied, “…You needn’t worry about me. The priests are nearby, and with all this commotion, someone will arrive soon. No one should approach this dark forest lightly. You should leave this place.”

“But…”

“I will stand here,” the young woman stated naturally. “I will always be here.”

With those words, she turned and walked towards the encroaching darkness.

Alaiya asked, her gaze falling on Ilivy, “Was that light just now released by you, Sister?”

“…” Anto paused at her words, then, watching the young woman’s retreating back, replied, “Yes. But I…”

“That light… it was beautiful,” Alaiya said, looking forward. “Return to where you need to be. Someone has taken over here now.”

“Lord Anto,” Ilivy said, taking Anto’s hand. “Let’s go.”

“…Sister, what is your name! I… I am Anto. Anto Colmensin!” Though being pulled away, Anto still managed to ask the question. The young woman from the Black Order, who stood blocking the path ahead with her heavy hammer, turned back upon hearing him.

“My name is Alaiya.”

****

— “So, this is how you returned?”

Before the watchtower, facing Knight Ilivy, whose armor was damaged, and the weary Priest Anto, everyone’s suspended fears finally settled.

Seeing Sister Lu Wei, the girl Anto carried in his arms, many felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

“My goodness… you truly returned,” the Sister Superior murmured, gazing at them.

Initially, when news spread that Anto and Ilivy had defied orders and ventured out together, everyone had feared the worst possible outcome. Now, seeing them back, words seemed utterly meaningless.

“Hold her gently,” Anto instructed the nuns who rushed forward to embrace them. “She has been through too much fright.”

“Yes… this must be divine will, wouldn’t you say?” a nun asked. Anto pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

“Indeed… perhaps it truly was God’s mercy that allowed me to find her. Yes, that must be it.”