The Ascetics of the Black Cross

“It seems this is the way.” Anto led his squad deeper into the forest for reconnaissance. The team moved forward, and soon they discovered a place that resembled a campsite.

“Someone was here not long ago,” Tikka deduced, observing the still-glowing embers nearby. He then turned to Anto.

“Can we still catch up to them?”

“We probably can, but their aura feels… strange,” Anto replied, crouching to observe his surroundings. “There’s a peculiar sensation here that I can’t quite pinpoint. Despite being deep in the forest, this campsite shows minimal signs of alteration, and the miasma is almost nonexistent. It’s quite unbelievable.”

“There’s nothing unbelievable about it. The Black Monks have their own methods of divine protection,” Randall stated from his position. “It’s likely these protections allow them to conduct their hunts within the forest.”

“Moreover, I’ve observed the surroundings; this is a standard small hunting camp. They’ve been here for a considerable time, evident from the state of the camp’s timber and the surrounding erosion.”

“You’re surprisingly knowledgeable about this,” Mula, the sharpshooter, remarked with a hint of surprise. “I thought you were merely a bard living in the city, freeloading off the Prince’s money, indulging in daily feasts and debauchery.”

“Firstly, Miss Mula, the sort of person you’re describing is not a bard,” Randall responded with a smile. “That’s a court jester. Of course, I aspire to be one, but for now, I remain a bard. I linger here solely because the border offers the richest material for my art. I frequently visit these frontiers, and battles often erupt during my stays. Otherwise, there would be no hope for Draynes if its representative were merely a useless wastrel who only strums and sings.”

“So, what other knowledge do you possess that could aid us now?”

“If you truly need knowledge, I believe their current situation is far from ideal,” Randall explained. “These individuals might be ascetics.”

“Ascetics?”

“Yes, it’s a concept,” Randall said, turning to Knight Ilivy. “The Papacy Knight should understand this concept better than I do.”

“Some people believe that when their sins are too grave for atonement, they seek physical suffering to find solace. This was one interpretation of asceticism in the past,” Ilivy explained. “However, in this era, asceticism has evolved. Members of the Black Cross Church, feeling the sinfulness of their own flesh, choose to engage in continuous, near-suicidal actions in this border region.”

“They might be resisting tides of enemies that are fundamentally insurmountable, or hunting in these perilous forests. They don’t care if the enemies here are powerful or formidable; they simply choose to fight relentlessly. Either the crisis passes, indicating divine protection, or they die, returning to the embrace of the Lord… That is their mindset. Such a hunt is, in itself, a reckless act of bravery, which they consider an honor.”

“But bravery alone cannot be counted as honor,” Randall interjected. “Those who fight here will find their minds clouded by the constant miasma, losing clarity. As they battle in such a place, their bodies will also change due to the dark corruption.”

“Perhaps a resolute heart can sustain them at first, but in the end, they will inevitably be consumed by darkness. This is their only fate.”

“To do such a thing is simply foolish,” Mula said, gritting her teeth. Tikka remained silent, looking at Anto before speaking.

“What do we do? What’s your decision? We’ll follow your lead.”

“They… are merely a group who have lost their faith, retaining only their convictions,” Anto mused, gazing at his surroundings. The image of the girl lingered persistently in his mind.

“It shouldn’t be too late now. Even with the encroaching darkness, timely healing with light will suffice. I must save them. I cannot watch them march alone towards self-destruction.” Anto looked towards the forest. Randall spoke.

“That’s a noble thought, but I must warn you, Anto, they might not care about your intentions at all. There’s no point in trying to save a group of people determined to die.”

“They might not care about me, but I care about them,” Anto asserted. “At the very least, I must go and speak with them. They shouldn’t end up like this. They are a force we can unite, not one to be pointlessly squandered.” Anto rose to his feet.

“Besides, even if we encounter danger, I have the most trustworthy teammates by my side. I’m not afraid of any unforeseen mishaps, because you are all here.”

“Oh, little Anto is quite sweet,” Mula said with a smile. “Don’t you worry. I’m always thinking of ways to escape danger. When the time comes, big sister will take you and run.”

“We won’t have any problems on our end, little Anto,” Tikka added. “I’ll handle both the rear guard and the vanguard. Knight, you just focus on protecting Anto, and that will be enough.”

“Understood,” Ilivy replied, then walked a few steps. “Lord Anto, thank you for extending your help to them.”

“It’s my duty,” Anto replied with a smile. “Besides, if I don’t try, how will I know if it’s impossible? One must act to truly understand if something can be done; inaction yields no results. I believe that even in this age, there are still those who believe in that light. Since I possess the power of light, their faith in me is not a trivial matter.”

“But before that, we cannot let them die like this. If they die, then truly nothing will have meaning. There is meaning in living—that is what is important, the only important thing.”

As Anto spoke, he walked step by step towards the forest, his team following him. Despite being only five people, Anto felt that this team possessed immense power. He wasn’t sure why, perhaps because he himself was filled with confidence, and this confidence had influenced those around him. Even in such a perilous forest, they could make the most composed decisions. Anto’s demeanor was like a banner; wherever he stood, people would follow. This was the evaluation King of Draynes had given him, and indeed, it proved true.