The Captain’s Rebuke and a Sister’s Resolve

After breakfast, Anto packed her belongings and headed to the company she had been assigned to. Captain Vincent was already there, as were the others. Seeing Anto approach, they looked somewhat surprised.

“Sister Antolia, you truly gave us a fright yesterday.” Someone immediately stepped forward, their voice laced with concern. “Honestly, how could you go into the forest alone at night? It was incredibly dangerous. Even for you, doing something like that is far too reckless…”

“It’s fine, I’m perfectly alright,” Sister Anto replied, a faint smile gracing her lips. “I’m ready for action at any moment.”

“…You won’t be joining us today, however.” Captain Vincent interjected at that moment. “We’ve requested a different sister to accompany our squad.”

Anto froze, stunned by the unexpected declaration. The Captain simply walked over and stated, “You don’t need to come.”

“Captain, could you tell me why?” Anto inquired, her voice steady despite the shock. The Captain regarded the sister before him, his face devoid of any discernible expression.

“There is no ‘why’ to speak of. If you insist on a reason, it’s quite simple: I do not require an auxiliary sister who disregards orders.”

“Your tendency for arbitrary, independent actions will, sooner or later, jeopardize the entire team.”

A ripple of surprise went through those nearby. The Captain’s words were undeniably harsh this time, yet Captain Vincent remained unyielding in his stance.

“I cannot tolerate an uncontrolled sister within my ranks, regardless of your strength.”

“As I’ve stated before, in this regard, you are a soldier. If you refuse to follow orders, I will not command you.”

“Sir, isn’t that a bit extreme?” one of the soldiers interjected, stepping forward. “Little Anto meant no harm; she was merely trying to…”

“Silence!” Vincent roared, his voice cutting through the air effortlessly. “Do not interrupt at a time like this, or I will discipline you as well.”

Faced with such an unyielding Captain, the surrounding soldiers dared not utter another word. After the black-robed monks had driven them from the forest and they returned to the watchtower, Captain Vincent received news that Sister Antolia had ventured out with the Knight.

He immediately prepared to lead his men back into the forest, but it was already too late. Many of the living dead and ghouls outside had turned rabid, and they had been fighting relentlessly until Anto’s return.

“Is that clear? You are dismissed, Sister Antolia,” Vincent declared, his icy expression unwavering. He turned, issuing his commands. “Everyone, prepare! In twenty minutes, we resume border operations. No delays will be tolerated!”

Facing the impassive crowd, the Captain continued, “Those with ears, what should your response be? Do I need to spell it out further?”

“Understood!” With that single word, the warriors responded in unison. They donned their battle attire, gathered their weapons and personal effects, then set off in a mighty procession under unified command.

****

Anto stood rooted to the spot, a lingering sense of resentment stirring within her, though she found herself unable to voice it. Her unwavering determination to save others was her choice alone. The Captain, unaware of her true identity or her mastery of the Holy Flame, undoubtedly viewed her actions as a reckless gamble.

Yet, in truth… She was anything but reckless. Anto clenched her fists, just as Ilivy approached.

“He is a good officer, but his reaction was perhaps a little excessive,” Ilivy remarked softly.

“Perhaps,” Anto conceded. Ilivy, carrying a bucket of water, continued, “Lord Anto, the temporary bathing area has hot water and other necessities ready for you. After spending the entire night in the medical carriage, you truly need a good rest today. Please, after you’ve washed, go to the tent and recuperate.”

“Alright,” Anto replied. It was only when Ilivy reminded her that Anto realized she was indeed in no condition to go out again. Having used the Holy Flame yesterday, she hadn’t fully recovered; not only was repeating that immense power impossible, but even wielding ordinary Holy Light felt draining. Perhaps a good bath and a long sleep truly were in order.

“Very well, I’ll go prepare myself,” Anto said, heading towards the tent to change. The bathing area here was a small, specially constructed wooden hut, built specifically for the sisters. Given her unique circumstances, Anto couldn’t bathe with the other young women. Thus, she typically sought opportunities to enter alone, with Ilivy keeping watch—a method both cautious and effective.

‘So many things to consider this time,’ Anto mused, as warm water cascaded over her clean body in the shower. Her mind raced, reflecting on her actions. The white-haired girl who had shielded them in the night, coming to their aid, remained persistently in her thoughts. Was it her gaze? Her actions? Or something else entirely? The girl possessed an aura that drew her in, though Anto couldn’t quite pinpoint its nature.

‘Could it be… the scent of light?’ Anto chuckled to herself, a touch of self-deprecation in the sound. ‘No, it’s not that. The Black Monks… what makes them different? That monster, that aura… it was once a monk, wasn’t it? For a monk to be corrupted into such a state, it’s truly…’

As the water ceased its flow, Anto emerged from her thoughts. She grabbed a towel, dried her body, and then stepped out of the shower.

“I truly feel refreshed, Knight,” Anto declared.

“It is indeed a pleasure, Lord Anto,” Ilivy replied. “Then you should go wash as well,” Anto suggested. “Like me, you didn’t get much rest last night. Take this opportunity to lie down for another night and catch up on sleep. That way, in the afternoon, we’ll have a chance to look at the forest again.”

“Go back to the forest… Lord Anto, do you intend to approach the Black Cross?”

“They must have a reason for guarding that area; perhaps they even need assistance,” Anto explained. “Moreover, there’s that girl. She protected us from so many monsters; I want to ensure her well-being. She also emits a strange aura, one I can’t quite describe at the moment, but I want to go and examine it properly. I wonder if that’s permissible…”

“That is Lord Anto’s decision,” Ilivy responded naturally. “I have only one option: to obey. Nothing else.”

“Thank you, Ilivy,” Anto said, stifling a yawn. She then returned to the tent and lay down on the soft mat.