The Holy Child’s Arrival: A New Recruit and an Old Foe

That evening, Lu Mei and Sister Xi’er An arranged Anto’s room.

It was a chamber within a small wooden cottage nestled behind the church.

Though modest, it had been meticulously cleaned.

Its pristine tidiness evoked memories of Anto’s own shepherd’s hut.

The small yet well-appointed dwelling somehow radiated an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

“The other companions accompanying Knight Ilivy have been accommodated at the tavern.

However, Miss Antolia, you will stay here.

Aside from the main church building, this is the only space available as a guest room.

Should you find it unsatisfactory…”

Anto, grateful, replied, “It’s perfectly fine; this will do.

The space is vast and airy, and it feels quite comfortable.”

Lu Mei chuckled, “Isn’t it? After all, Sister Xi’er An and I have been keeping it clean all this time.”

Anto turned to her, then inquired, “I’ve always wondered, in such an expansive area, are you and Sister Xi’er An the only two sisters managing everything here?

This region is undeniably vast.”

“Indeed,” Lu Mei began, ticking off points on her fingers.

“For a long time now, the church has had to be self-sufficient.

Unlike the days when we received support from the Holy See, this border church now operates entirely on its own, much like a charitable organization.

Moreover, when the almshouse was first established, its purpose wasn’t solely to distribute relief meals.

More often, it bore the responsibility of treating the wounded.

However, due to a shortage of priests and sisters, we no longer provide medical care.

Therefore, for simply distributing aid, the two of us are sufficient.

At the main cathedral’s chapel, there are about four or five sisters who manage things, and then there are a few sisters at the children’s orphanage…”

“There’s a children’s orphanage here?”

“Naturally,” Xi’er An affirmed, adjusting her spectacles.

“The Demon Realm War left countless orphans in the world.

In the past, a significant portion of the church’s personnel came from children raised in the orphanage.

Lu Mei and I are examples of this.”

“Exactly, exactly!” Lu Mei exclaimed.

“We are truly children raised by God, and that’s precisely why we remain at the church even now.

However, because Bishop Rhys is quite lenient, many who grew up in the orphanage have since left to pursue careers in society.”

Lu Mei then looked at Anto, laughing aloud.

“You know, you might be the only Holy Light Awakener I’ve ever seen who actively sought out the church…”

“To be honest, I’m incredibly excited!

Though the Father used to teach us how to invite newcomers, you are truly a very new recruit!”

“Is that so?” Anto couldn’t help but chuckle at this, while Lu Mei leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“So, so, Anto, what have you decided?

You are an incredibly, incredibly talented Holy Light user, you absolutely could be a wonderful nun here!

So, won’t you embrace the Lord’s grace?

If you do, we’ll be good sisters, united under the one true God!

I promise I’ll protect you!”

“Ah, well, I still…” Anto stammered, clearly hesitant.

From the side, Xi’er An interjected, “Let Miss Antolia decide for herself.

All we can offer is persuasion and advice.

Let us leave for now.

Tomorrow morning, if Miss Anto is willing, would you consider joining us for morning worship?”

“Yes, I can,” Anto replied.

“Thank you, Sister.”

Xi’er An exchanged a knowing smile with Anto, then led Lu Mei out of the room.

****

As they walked back along the orphanage corridor, Xi’er An spoke.

“You mustn’t force others to accept burdens they shouldn’t carry, Lu Mei.”

“Oh, I know, but Anto truly is suited to be a nun!” Lu Mei insisted.

“Her character, her demeanor, and her talent—honestly, she’s like an angel fallen to earth.

I’ve never encountered anyone with such potent Holy Light aura…”

“I have a feeling she’s absolutely extraordinary.”

As Lu Mei spoke, Xi’er An nodded thoughtfully.

“That is indeed true.

It can only be said that this young woman Knight Ilivy brought back is likely no ordinary mortal.

Therefore, we should strive even more to show her the best aspects of the church.

To have such a colleague, I would… feel very honored.”

Recalling Anto’s appearance, Xi’er An spoke with her head lowered.

Lu Mei, sensing something, her smile gained a mischievous glint.

“You’re scolding me, but aren’t you thinking the same thing deep down?”

“Antolia is perfectly suited to be a nun, and you’re also super eager to see her in our robes, worshipping and praying with us, aren’t you?”

“Hehehe, me too!”

“…In any case,” Xi’er An finally said, “we mustn’t let her feel too much pressure.”

Meanwhile, in the cottage on the other side, Anto was engrossed in reading the notes left by his mother.

He diligently studied Holy Light incantations on his own, so absorbed that he barely noticed the arrival of night.

After a long while, a knock sounded on the wooden door.

Only then did Anto rise and approach the entrance, subsequently opening it.

“Is something the matter?” Anto peered out, spotting Ilivy’s figure.

She stood at the doorway, bowing to him.

“Lord Anto, I’ve come to check on you.”

“Was your day pleasant?”

“Have you decided whether you wish to remain here?”

“If possible, I’d like to stay here for a while,” Anto replied.

“The sisters here are not bad people.”

“Indeed, the sisters here possess unwavering, devout faith; their kindness is a true virtue,” Ilivy remarked.

Anto nodded.

“Therefore, having an excellent environment to study Holy Light incantations here is something I consider quite beneficial.”

“Furthermore, that person—did you seek him out today?”

“This is not someone one needs to seek out,” Ilivy stated, subtly shifting aside.

Behind her, a middle-aged man clad in black emerged from the shadows, stepping forward to face them.

The moment his gaze fell upon Anto’s countenance, he was momentarily struck dumbfounded by the astonishing beauty before him.

It wasn’t merely the exquisite features that captivated him; more significantly, the aura emanating from the stunning young man was indistinguishable from that of the Holy Maiden herself.

“Indeed… it truly is real,” he slowly uttered.

“The Holy Child, born of the Holy Maiden, truly exists.”

“Are you Rhys, the Border Bishop?” Anto questioned, his gaze fixed upon him.

“The one who once hunted my mother.”

“…Yes,” Rhys replied with unsettling calm, his honesty seemingly devoid of any consideration for Anto’s feelings.

“I acted upon the commands of the Pope and the Church, and I am ashamed of those actions.

However, I am truly honored to meet you today, Great Holy Child.”