A Sister’s Embrace

As they entered the borderlands, Anto’s features softened, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she felt the familiar wind, a sensation she hadn’t experienced in too long.

Their procession differed significantly from that of ordinary marching troops, primarily because the King himself was providing the funds for the support team’s equipment.

Naturally, Bishop Rhys seized this opportunity to make lavish requests, as he wasn’t spending his own coffers.

He procured three substantial carriages for the nuns, designed for both transporting supplies and passengers.

These wagons, though simply modified, were remarkably versatile.

Each featured a cabin capable of seating ten people on either side, and in the rear, eight rudimentary stretcher beds were installed for the easy accommodation of the wounded.

Such comprehensive vehicles vastly expanded the scope of resources and capabilities available to the rescue team.

“Anto, you seem quite fond of this place,” Lu Wei remarked suddenly from her vantage point by the window.

Anto paused, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. “Fond of it? Do you mean the carriage, or perhaps…”

“The borderlands,” Lu Wei clarified, a gentle smile gracing her own lips. “Have you not noticed the subtle curve of a smile at the corners of your mouth whenever you gaze out?”

‘Is that truly so?’ Anto mused, taking in Lu Wei’s words.

Without warning, Lu Wei reached out, gently poking Anto’s smooth cheek. “Oh, wow, it really is bouncy! What a wonderfully soft texture.

I’m genuinely envious of your beautiful skin; the winds of the North are notoriously harsh, often leaving skin chapped and dry.”

“It’s not entirely like that,” Anto replied, her gaze drifting back to the world outside. “Though many perceive the borderlands solely as vast snowfields and relentless winds, they also boast lush forests and serene lakes.

While danger certainly permeates this region, it undeniably possesses a profound beauty.”

She sighed softly. “I never imagined I would return here so swiftly.”

“Your village, Anto, it wasn’t ravaged by the Legion of the Undead, was it?”

“Precisely. Everyone successfully repelled their assault,” Anto affirmed. “Sister Lu Wei, do you not venture to the borderlands very often?”

“I seldom leave the royal capital,” Sister Lu Wei admitted with a carefree shrug, “but I suppose I, too, am a borderlander at heart.

My parents, it seems, were part of a similar legion during the most brutal period of the border wars.”

“A borderlander?” Anto echoed, studying Lu Wei’s appearance.

Her vibrant orange-red hair was certainly not a common sight among the people of the borderlands.

“Perhaps half? At least, I consider myself half,” Lu Wei clarified. “My hair comes from my mother, I believe.

She was a Talmaran from a Western Kingdom.”

“That would be Talmar, a city-state bordering the Dwarven Kingdom, known for its people’s exceptional skill in blacksmithing.

Their distinguishing features are red hair and somewhat darker complexions.

My mother was a nun from that region.

I never had the chance to meet her, but I’ve been told she possessed a personality remarkably similar to my own, and was, moreover, a deeply devout individual.”

“Perhaps it would be more accurate to say… you are similar to *her* in personality, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh, what does it truly matter?” Lu Wei waved a dismissive hand. “In any case, she must have been a rather ordinary nun, wouldn’t you say?

I never knew her, but I heard she met my father on the battlefield.

He was a borderlander, always proclaiming that one day he would reclaim his homeland and take her there to see it.

And he did, eventually.

Yet, after giving birth to me, she rested for less than a week before gathering her belongings and returning to the fray.

You’ve witnessed it yourself, haven’t you?

When war descends, if a child’s parents face peril, orphaned children are often sent directly to the Church to be raised.

Many have done so this time as well, haven’t they?

Some even entrust their children to the Church as they depart, confident that the Church will nurture them into righteous and selfless individuals.

My mother, I believe, shared that conviction.

Thus, without a second thought, she returned to the battlefield to seek out her man.

The outcome? Another child in this world raised by the divine.”

Lu Wei spoke of this profoundly somber topic with an almost casual lightness, making it difficult to reconcile the image of the cheerful, vivacious, and impassioned nun before Anto with the reality of her being an orphan.

Yet, it was undeniably true; after all, most children raised in orphanages often chose to dedicate their lives to the Church once they came of age.

“But I haven’t yet heard you speak of your own family, Anto,” Lu Wei interjected, tilting her head inquisitively. “You’ve never once brought it up, you know.”

“Have I not spoken of it? Perhaps I simply forgot,” Anto replied, her gaze once more fixed on the passing scenery outside. “My family… I’m not entirely certain if I can even claim to have one.

My father abandoned my mother, and much like yours, she came to this place alone, gave birth to me, and then departed.

However, she entrusted me to an old acquaintance, a dear friend who raised me.

She was a truly good woman, at times reserved, yet capable of profound kindness.

She imparted so much wisdom to me.

Later, a teacher arrived — a rather irritable magician who had initially come to the village to assist with building a waterwheel, but ultimately chose to remain.

Everyone in the village was always very kind to me.

My days were spent learning to prepare herbal remedies and occasionally tending to sheep.

Life in the borderlands could be solitary, perhaps, yet the days flowed swiftly, one blending into the next, and before I knew it, I had grown up.”

“Then we truly are alike, aren’t we?” Lu Wei said, a soft smile gracing her lips as she tilted her head. “I often felt the same way in the orphanage, as if one moment I was a child, and the next, I had inexplicably grown up.

But Anto, you haven’t quite reached adulthood yet, so don’t try to act too mature, alright?”

‘Pretend… am I truly?’ Anto wondered, her head tilting in genuine confusion.

Lu Wei nodded in confirmation.

“Little Anto, you are always striving so hard.

Perhaps you haven’t even noticed, but ever since you arrived, you’ve been constantly striving to meet everyone’s expectations.

It’s precisely because of this that everyone cares for you so deeply, and continues to place their unwavering faith in you, just as they do in Rhys… But… Little Anto, you are not yet an adult.”

At this, Lu Wei suddenly reached out and clasped Antolia’s hand.

“Sometimes, just for a little while… allow yourself to be more like a child, alright?

At least when you’re with me!

Hmm… yes, that’s it.

Since neither of us has parents, why don’t you simply think of me as your elder sister?

Come on, say ‘Sister Lu Wei’ once more!”

“Sister Lu Wei,” Anto began, a wry smile playing on her lips as she tilted her head. “By all accounts, now that I have taken my vows as a nun, we are already sisters, serving the One True Lord.

There’s truly no need to act as if we are…”

“All the more reason to call me ‘Sister,’ then!” Lu Wei countered, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. “So, just relax a little, alright?

Nobody minds.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if you were just a little… more playful, like a younger sister?”

“Ah, well… I…” The golden-haired nun lowered her gaze, her brow furrowed in a slight frown, a blush rising to her cheeks as she spoke with a touch of embarrassment.

“Then… Sister Lu Wei, could you perhaps fetch me some honey biscuits?

I’ve been sitting in the carriage for quite some time, and I’m feeling a little drowsy.”

“No problem at all! My dear sister!”

“That address is truly mortifying…” Sister Anto murmured, burying her face in her hands with a helpless sigh.

Meanwhile, Lu Wei, looking utterly pleased, retrieved the jar of honey biscuits.

“Hehe, now *this* is how sisters ought to interact!”