A Village Visit and a Healing Touch

As night fell, the legion set up camp to rest in a village along their route.Upon reaching this border village, the army distributed a series of tents and supplies, allowing the nuns to rest separately.

“Little Anto, let’s sleep together tonight! Ooh-hoo-hoo, we can discuss so many interesting things under one blanket!” Lu Wei, pillow in hand, approached Anto as evening descended.

Anto, however, offered a helpless smile, then shook her head.

“Ah… I think I’ll sleep alone, Sister Lu Wei. I’m more used to being by myself.”

“Why be like that? Don’t be shy!” Lu Wei chuckled, patting Anto’s back.

Meanwhile, Anto, having prepared her medical kit, moved to the other side.

“Besides, it’s not the time for such talk. I intend to visit the village to see if anyone needs treatment or assistance, and also to inquire about the road conditions ahead.”

“Oh… Anto-chan, you’re truly too serious. A little rest wouldn’t hurt, you know.”

“I’ve rested in the carriage for so long; now I need a good walk outside to stretch my limbs,” Anto said with a smile.

“Constantly resting in the carriage—it’s time to explore a bit.”

“Then, after I rest a bit, perhaps I can join you?” Lu Wei said, rising, when another figure blocked her path.

“Ilivy… Knight?”

“Please entrust the duty of accompanying and guarding Sister Anto to me,” Ilivy said, bowing slightly.

“This is Bishop Rhys’s request.”

“Is that so?” Lu Wei looked at the knight, a helpless expression on her face.

“Then there’s nothing for it, Knight. Please make sure to protect little Anto. She’s far too kind-hearted.”

“Understood,” Ilivy affirmed with a nod.

Turning to Sister Anto, Anto naturally saluted her, then set off with her into the village.

“You don’t really need to do this, do you? Being guarded by the legion is already sufficient; nothing will happen in a village like this,” Anto said softly.

Ilivy shook her head.

“Constant vigilance must be maintained; otherwise, any oversight could lead to grave mistakes. Lady Anto’s travels must always be accompanied by trustworthy individuals. Besides… I can be helpful.”

“Helpful?” Anto tilted her head.

Ilivy nodded.

“Physical tasks, like carrying things. Whatever Lady Anto commands, I will obey.”

“You won’t even agree to stay a little further away from me.”

“Because it’s necessary,” Ilivy replied.

Anto walked beside her, glancing around, then subtly inhaled the surrounding air.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to practice medicine in a village like this; this long-lost feeling is somewhat exciting,” she said, walking towards a door, then knocked.

“Excuse me, is anyone home?”

“There’s no grain for you here, don’t even think about it! Cough, cough!” Startled by the sudden sounds from within, Anto paused, then spoke.

“We’re not here to collect grain. Does anyone here need help? Is someone ill?”

“Cough, cough… What do you mean by that?”

“I am a nun from the medical corps,” the blonde nun stated at the doorway.

“You need help.”

“A nun… hah, the Papacy has fallen, and you’re still a nun.” The person inside opened the door.

“What exactly do you…”

Although he spoke with an unfriendly expression, upon seeing the beautiful blonde nun before him and the knight guarding her from behind, the man momentarily ceased speaking.

He then said, “What do you need? No one in my family believes in religion.”

“I don’t need anything,” the nun replied gently.

“I just smelled the scent of herbs nearby… It’s Linya Grass, likely gathered from the woods over there, used to treat dry coughs and lung heat. It’s quite a classic life-saving herb. May I ask if many people in your household are ill? I believe I can help.”

“You… understand herbs? Aren’t you a nun?”

“I am a member of the medical corps.” The blonde nun pointed to the red cross on her sleeve.

“Our aid, naturally, is comprehensive.”

“Can you… make my wife, children, and elderly father recover?” the man asked.

The nun nodded.

“I can also help you feel a bit better, sir.” As she spoke, the man finally opened the door, allowing Anto to enter.

However, when Ilivy moved to follow, the man eyed her attire, a hint of unfriendliness in his gaze.

Anto stepped into the room.

The moment she entered, a strong aroma of medicinal herbs assailed her senses; on the stove, a pot of herbal decoction simmered continuously.

Within the small hut, four figures lay scattered, constantly racked by dry coughs from their beds or blankets.

“Cough, cough…” “Cough… cough,” the sounds echoed.

Anto approached, sitting beside a rather haggard woman.

Observing her sallow face, the nun slowly opened her bag and began to retrieve the medicines she carried.

“This isn’t a good sign,” Anto murmured.

She first took out cough medicine, then used a spoon to administer it to the woman.

“This isn’t a simple cough; it’s a fever peculiar to the borderlands, caused by prolonged exposure to the surrounding miasma,” she explained.

As she finished speaking, the man immediately retorted, “That’s impossible… Alita has never left the village, neither has my father, and little Anna…”

“While it might not affect strong individuals, it easily manifests in the elderly, children, and the weak.” Anto turned to face him.

“Sir, you must have brought this ‘qi’ back from your prolonged farming or other outdoor activities. Its effect on you might be minimal, but…”

“Sister, cough, cough… Is there still hope?” the man immediately asked.

Anto nodded.

“It depends. I need to attend to all three carefully. I can’t use Holy Light directly, as they’ve all been feverish for a long time; powerful light might send them away before it dispels the miasma. I must first bring down their fever, then slowly tend to them… Knight Ilivy, could you fetch me a bucket of water?”

“Understood, Sister Anto,” the Knight said, turning to leave.

Anto, meanwhile, went to the elderly man and the child, feeding and tending to both with the same medicinal liquid, then began preparing another concoction, mixing her Holy Light with other herbs.

“There’s no need to worry, no need to worry,” Anto said softly, stroking the forehead of the child, who was coughing and feverish to the point of delirium.

“You’ll get better soon. Drink this medicine, and you’ll be well very quickly. Don’t worry, God will protect you. Be a good child.”