The Nature of Compassion and Church Duty

“So you truly went and treated everyone over there?” Sister Lu Wei asked Sister Anto that evening, while they were in the camp.

“Those people… they aren’t even planning to leave this place, and they bear us ill will. In such a situation, couldn’t you have simply walked away? It seems a bit…”

“Asking for trouble?” Anto took a sip of water and shook her head. “Our purpose is to do good. Even if those on the other side harbor malice, that is separate from our duty to fulfill our responsibilities, just as the scriptures teach…”

“That’s why one shouldn’t entirely believe everything written in that book,” Lu Wei sighed. “Little Anto, you’re still too young; there’s so much you don’t understand. This world has never been one where kindness alone guarantees a reward. The scriptures claim humanity is inherently good, but in truth… people aren’t always so kind. Not everyone commits wicked deeds for a reason; some are simply malicious by nature. It’s fortunate that Knight Ilivy accompanied you this time, otherwise, who knows what they might have done.”

“Indeed,” Anto responded, gazing at the bread in her hand, then added, “Of course, I understand those principles perfectly… but they don’t apply now.”

“Oh?”

“Our presence here, this time, is as representatives of the Church, not as individuals,” Anto slowly explained. “As individuals, if we are insulted or subjected to harsh words, choosing whether or not to heal others based on our own preferences is a matter of personal choice, of individual freedom. However, when representing the Church, the scriptures we believe in and the inherent goodness the Church embodies must be upheld with all our might. Those common folk, in times of crisis, have never received proper aid. The kingdom cannot help them, and they have no one to lean on in this land. In such circumstances, the helpless become acutely sensitive. It’s like people trapped in darkness without light, who huddle together, adopting a hostile attitude towards everything outside, ready to lash out at anything—it’s that simple. Fear sharpens them, making them akin to frightened beasts. Have you ever encountered a wounded puppy?”

“A wounded puppy?” Lu Wei tilted her head.

Anto smiled. “Perhaps… a wolf. Covered in wounds, it perceives everything external as a threat. Suspicion makes it reject all overtures; it’s a method of self-preservation, an excessive defense. That village is just like that. If no one reaches out in such a moment, they will remain there alone until their demise, without ever reacting, walking a path straight into darkness. But to reach out means you might very well be hurt by that small beast—hurt deeply, painfully. Yet you know, if you don’t extend your hand, it will surely die. So, would you take that risk? Most people wouldn’t. Everyone fears pain; everyone knows such an act is thankless. But they all hope someone *will* do it. They hope for kind-hearted people.”

“The Church, then, was founded upon such ideals,” Anto said, looking outside and draining her water skin.

“That is why we must act this way. When people say the Church is exalted and aloof, they are mistaken. It is *they* who, finding nobility difficult to achieve, project that nobility onto the Church. And the Church, in turn, chooses to bear this nobility, undertaking tasks others deem thankless. Establishing churches in border villages, setting up welfare institutions in every nation, and at times even sponsoring various factions within the human world—this nobility is built upon responsibility. It is by shouldering responsibilities and performing acts of obligatory goodness that they earn faith and are regarded as noble.

“Yet later, when they forgot their responsibilities, concerned only with their own perceived nobility, when they realized the fervent zeal of their followers could be exploited, mistaking it for justice itself—when they began to declare all their actions as righteous, that was when they lost their true nobility. That is why the high tower collapsed.”

“Ah, I see… Anto truly understands these matters.”

“Perhaps… because I enjoy reading,” Anto responded with a smile.

“So… how should I put it? We must not view ourselves as inherently noble. The one thing we must always remember is that we were once granted glorious power because of our belief in truth and victory. But we are still human; even wielding power, we cannot be absolutely correct. Our task is to guide people towards the path of good deeds, not to use power to define ourselves as good or righteous. We must constantly contend not only with external forces but also continually refine our own character. This is the true source of the nobility others believe in. They watch us and choose to follow us precisely because they define us as good, and we, in turn, must constantly remind ourselves to walk the righteous path.”

“Little Anto,” Lu Wei said, a hint of surprise in her voice as she listened to her words.

“I feel as though you are truly an angel sent from the heavens.”

“…Is that possible?”

“Truly, those words you just spoke felt so philosophical, the kind that would be printed in a gospel and passed down through generations. Hearing them, I suddenly feel… as if I’m not even worthy to be a nun. I’m utterly ashamed.”

“…Are you making fun of me?” Anto chuckled, but Lu Wei replied earnestly,

“No, no! It’s just that, Antolia, you always seem to possess a wondrous power, a certain… how shall I put it? It’s like, if you were ever to be canonized as a Saint, countless people would surely follow you, wouldn’t they? If nothing else, I certainly would!”

“Ah, well…” Anto murmured, cradling her cheek in her hand, a helpless expression on her face before the bonfire. “Thank you, then.”

“I sense something in you, little Anto, that is the source of this charisma and inspiring influence. It’s also why people would want to follow you.”

“What is it?” Anto asked with a playful smile. “It’s not the Holy Light, is it?”

“No, not at all. Not everyone who wields the Holy Light is good, are they? Weren’t those haughty archbishops of old all powerful Holy Light users?” Lu Wei said, looking at Anto.

“It’s compassion, Antolia. Regardless of how powerful the Holy Light may be, compassion is a deeper descriptor than mere kindness. Indeed, to describe someone as kind speaks of a fine character, but compassion… that word implies divinity. It must be this quality people perceive in you, which makes them willing to believe in you so deeply. Compassion is more important, more sublime, than holiness itself.”

“…Perhaps so,” Anto suddenly chuckled. “Sister Lu Wei, you also speak quite philosophically sometimes.”

“Oh, come on now! I am your senior, after all, ooh-hoo-hoo~”