A Farewell to Arms and Hope

“Sister Antolia, are you truly leaving today?”

Early in the morning, as Anto arrived before the monastery, carrying her packed bags, a large crowd of people had gathered there, comprised of women, children, and the injured from the orphanage.

“Ah… I’ll just be away for a while. The border requires the Church to establish a Holy Light Aid Team, and naturally, I must participate. Didn’t I already mention this yesterday…?”

The sister spoke, carrying her bags, while around her, other sisters also organized their gear. The attire they wore today was unlike their usual habits; it was a special uniform, more akin to military wear than a nun’s habit, serving as the standard for the specialized Church Aid Team. In addition to lightweight armor specifically designed to protect crucial joints like knees and elbows, the upper body was also shielded by a reinforced cuirass. A military-grade utility belt encircled their waists, featuring multiple pouches for medicines, bandages, small surgical instruments, and the Holy Light Scripture, among other items. The black nun’s overcoat itself was specially crafted with silken trim and cross embellishments, while a white rectangular cloth, emblazoned with a red cross, adorned the front of their long skirts. Completing the ensemble was a half-military style nun’s coif, a combat nun’s habit that blended practicality, aesthetics, and protection.

“This attire was standard issue for the Holy Crusaders during the Demon King’s War,” Rhys remarked, stepping closer to Anto. “With more abundant supplies, we could have prepared even better. That was an era when all monks and nuns had to learn battlefield medicine and rush to the front lines. I never imagined I would one day have to organize such a team again.”

“It will be alright, Bishop,” Sister Anto replied respectfully, “I will bring everyone back.”

The Bishop stood before the monastery, the area teeming with people. Residents from the slums had arrived very early, and the orphanage inhabitants had also risen early, all to bid farewell to the angel in the hearts of the people, and to this departing team.

“There certainly are many people… I never expected so many to come see us off.”

Sister Lu Wei, with her short orange hair, dressed in the aid team’s combat nun’s habit, sighed in wonder as she patted the person beside her.

“Don’t worry, Sister Xi’er An. During our absence, just take care of things here without worry. When I return, remember to reward me handsomely, alright?”

“You should know that those who speak like this before departing for battle rarely return,” Xi’er An said, clad in her ordinary nun’s habit. “Do you truly wish to answer the Lord’s call so readily, Sister Lu Wei?”

“Ah, well… not really,” Sister Lu Wei quickly clarified. “In any case, just don’t worry about me! Just understand that much.”

Sister Lu Wei had naturally been selected to join the aid team, but when Xi’er An also applied, she was rejected by the Mother Superior.

“Come here.”

Xi’er An looked at the carefree Lu Wei, who seemed almost naive, and said with a complex expression. She then stepped in front of Lu Wei, reaching out to re-tie her cravat and straighten her clothes.

“This demeanor of yours… it’s precisely this demeanor that makes one uneasy. The battlefield is unlike here. You, a fool like you, must not act foolishly in such a place. Remember, you are a rescuer, not a warrior. Do not stand at the very front. Do not attempt to be reckless with your life…” Xi’er An spoke, standing before Lu Wei.

“I will pray here, but I want your assurance.”

“…Mm.”

Facing Xi’er An’s intense gaze, Lu Wei finally nodded. “I will be careful… By the way, Sister Xi’er An, are you planning to pray for me every day? I feel that would be a great honor, you know.”

“Hmph,” Xi’er An said, turning her head away. “I’m not praying for you alone; I’m praying for all of you.”

“Oh, come on—”

Lu Wei and Xi’er An leaned close, chatting and laughing. Anto watched them, a smile gracing her lips, when suddenly, another voice carried over.

“Yo, Sister Antolia! Are you ready to depart as well?”

Anto turned upon hearing the voice, seeing several people, all familiar faces.

“Uncles? You’re also preparing—”

Upon seeing their attire, everything became clear. The worker uncles who had been diligently repairing the orphanage had now donned the kingdom’s military gear. They were gathered on the other side, clutching the weapons that had been distributed to them.

“Naturally,” the leading artisan uncle said with a smile. “We actually signed up for the volunteer corps a long time ago. Our work repairing the monastery these past few days was also in anticipation of this very day.”

“We are the reserve army, seasoned veterans with ten years of service. That’s a level those newly conscripted lads can’t hope to reach. This time, the aid team will be fighting alongside the volunteer corps to reclaim the border, so we’ll all have to look out for each other on the way.”

“Mm… Please guide us well!”

The nun revealed a radiant smile, and behind the team, the older men immediately erupted into excited, contented chatter.

“She smiled, she smiled! Wow, the nun’s smile alone makes me feel like my life is complete.”

“Ah, we’ll get to monopolize Sister Anto’s blessings all the way there! Thinking about it, it’s such a huge win!”

“Let the city’s officials and young masters be envious! The nun will be our light throughout the entire journey!”

“Is it really alright to say such things? You’re a married man!”

“What’s the problem? My wife is also a fan of the nun!”

“…” Listening to the words of the old soldiers, the artisan uncle shook his head and sighed. “These old fellows, each one more mischievous than the last. Nevertheless, they are all trustworthy warriors.”

“Sister Anto.”

Suddenly, he spoke. “I am one of those who retreated from the border. Back then, our village held out for a long time, but no reinforcements arrived. Ultimately, we were forced to abandon our village, abandoning everything. When we arrived here, with nothing left and the grim atmosphere of the city, it was inevitable to feel despair and dejection. But you, sisters, reminded me. Even at such a time, you were still selflessly helping us, making us realize that we were not burdens, but living, breathing individuals. You showed us that there were still things we could do. Today, we too will go and do what we can, to reclaim our own land. In the village, I lost my beloved. Now I must go back. During this time, I entrust my daughter to the care of the monastery. In case I truly cannot return, I hope she can grow to be as outstanding a person as you.”

“Do not speak such disheartening words,” Sister Anto immediately responded. “The monastery still needs you all to return for repairs. Do not treat this as a final farewell.”

“The monastery’s roof, at least, no longer leaks,” the artisan said with a smile. “Next, we should gradually add back the old decorations. However, that won’t be free, you know. It’ll cost money.”

“Is that so… Then how about you remember to give us a friendly price?”

Anto tilted her head, smiling, and the warriors behind her burst into laughter at this. Even though they clearly understood the brutality of the war they were about to face, at this moment, everyone was using their smiles to dispel the fear in their hearts.