The Nun’s Radiance and the King’s Arrival

“No one in this world is inherently nobler than another.” The nun’s words plunged everyone present into a profound silence. After a considerable pause, a young nobleman broke the quietude, resuming his speech:

“Truly, Sister Antolia, you are a remarkably kind and upright nun. Draynes Church is genuinely blessed by the arrival of such a virtuous talent as yourself. Perhaps the divine truly sent you here? You might wish to say as much… but truthfully, few here worship your God, for we are all mere mortals. Lacking such compassion for all beings, you surely don’t intend for us all to attend church services, do you? Or, like those from the former Holy See, promise us passage to ‘His Kingdom’ after death?” Confronted with these words, clearly intended to belittle and challenge her, the holy and beautiful nun did not falter. Instead, she responded with serene composure:

“I am not privy to the existence of the deity being worshipped. However, my actions are simply what I choose to do. When I see those in need, I offer assistance. When I witness someone being bullied, I step forward to intervene. When I encounter injustice, I speak out loudly. If these acts require a ‘deity’ to prompt people into action, if the responsibility for kindness is placed solely on believers, then salvation itself loses all meaning. Compassion is a virtue inherent to humanity; one cannot claim a lack of faith as an excuse to withhold mercy. That would be a truly shameful pretense.” Antolia lifted her head, a smile gracing her lips, and declared:

“Therefore, I am not one who calls upon everyone to convert to His faith in the church. I merely wish, as a human being, to do every good thing I am capable of. It is not the church that guides people toward a bright future, nor is it faith alone. It is through one’s own strength that one helps more people. When truly everyone chooses to act in such a way, His Kingdom will long cease to hold meaning, for the earth itself will become paradise.”

“This…” Everyone was utterly captivated by the nun’s words and demeanor. They had encountered various priests before—some supplicant, others lofty—but rarely one like Sister Antolia. She possessed none of the traditional superiority towards divine faith common among conventional clerics. On the contrary, she presented herself as an equal, her speech seldom invoking the name of God, just as she had stated; she did not claim to understand the divine, nor would she presumptuously speak on His behalf. Her pronouncements were naturally delivered, stemming not from divine authority, but purely from a human wellspring of kindness. This radiance felt all the more precious. It was not a sermon, nor a demand for others to act in a certain way; rather, it was an evaluation based on her own convictions. This prompted the nobles present to involuntarily reflect on their own conduct. Even though she had not explicitly asked them to introspect, merely witnessing such a luminous presence compelled them to begin examining their own actions.

“Actually… I apologize for my shallow remarks just now…” The gentleman suddenly spoke. “This… if I have the opportunity, I will certainly go to the church to properly confess such thoughts of mine. My sincerest apologies, I am truly sorry. Please, Sister, do accept my apology.”

“If it’s through proper procedures and channels, then there’s no issue.” Antolia now displayed a smile. “However, I am currently only a novice nun and do not possess the authority to hear confessions. For such matters…” She glanced at Bishop Rhys on the side, a faint smile gracing her lips. “It would likely require Bishop Rhys’s approval.”

“…Bishop Rhys.” Someone immediately approached. Rhys stepped forward, extending a hand as he spoke: “Baron Pinol? Is there something you require?”

“I actually noticed quite some time ago that the church hasn’t been renovated in years. In fact, I’ve long harbored a desire to assist the church in constructing new areas and… thoroughly redecorating it. Especially the welfare facilities, of course.”

“Ah, well…” Rhys paused, momentarily stunned, before continuing: “But didn’t you say before that there were no materials or compensation—”

“Those are no longer an issue, Bishop. My… my ancestors and parents were all devout believers, and truthfully, so am I; I’ve simply been too busy to attend. Consider this a benevolent act, as long as… hehe, if Sister Antolia could occasionally visit my domain to preach from the gospels to the villagers, that would be wonderful, haha.”

“Oh, my…” Rhys murmured. The very nobles who, in the past, would avoid him like beggars now flocked to him, offering resources and good deeds with eager smiles, giving him the distinct impression he had stepped back twenty years in time.

“This young woman is truly remarkable,” Pierre commented at that moment. “She understands how to project her charisma. She doesn’t preach goodness like others do; simply her presence there is an embodiment of virtue, like a monument, an exemplar. The power of example is formidable indeed.”

“…She is a nugget of gold, a true treasure,” Pierre stated at that moment. “This is a little too… incredible, Rhys.”

“Indeed it is,” Rhys could only respond with a wry smile. “One can only attribute it to Sister Antolia’s power. She undeniably possesses an ability to instill hope in people.”

“So then, don’t you feel that having her undertake such tasks is perhaps a bit premature?” Pierre inquired. Rhys, momentarily taken aback, then turned to look at him: “What do you mean?”

“Do you truly believe that, upon witnessing her power, the King would willingly allow her to be used as a pawn against him? Especially at a time like this.”

****

As the music shifted, a figure clad in crimson robes descended step by deliberate step. In that instant, the entire atmosphere of the palace transformed. All eyes converged upon the slowly approaching presence. In the land of Draynes, no matter how great one’s personal charisma, it could never eclipse the majesty of the true ruler of this domain—a profound truth, for his hands wielded ultimate authority. His white hair, beard, and the wrinkles etched upon his face betrayed his advanced age, yet the outline of his skeletal frame still revealed the magnificent warrior he once was.

A warrior, a leader above all generals. This was Anto’s immediate impression upon seeing him. Unlike the kings and nobility of the central regions, the rulers of the borderlands—both their ancestors and themselves—were warriors who defended the human world’s frontier. He, in particular, was the warrior who, during the darkest ages, led Draynes in resistance against the tide-like demonic legions. Even in his old age, the spirit of a warrior remained unyielding within him. Just as it did in Anto.

“The sole monarch of Draynes, our esteemed King, arrives now!”