The Saintess’s Blessing

The undead surged forth from the black mist, while the warriors, forming a resolute formation, stood firm directly in their path. At this very moment, the battle ignited, the air filled with incessant roars and battle cries, the fierce resistance of war unfolding in an instant, a testament to their unwavering will.

The soldiers formed a living shield, a wall of defense against the encroaching enemy, their blades carving through the relentless horde.

“Don’t break formation! Everyone, hold the line! We cannot be separated! Fight with discipline!” Knight Commander Greer bellowed, his voice cutting through the din. He then raised his weapon, striking down an undead creature directly before him. These animated corpses knew no pain; they simply advanced, drawn by the scent of flesh and the warmth of the living, driven by an insatiable urge to prey upon others. Such had always been their terrifying nature. Anto had witnessed their ferocity before, but rarely with such terrifying proximity. The closest he had come was likely during his time in the sewers of Lindes.

This, however, was Anto’s true baptism of fire, his first time truly standing on the battlefield’s bleeding edge. He moved amidst the collective roars of the struggling soldiers, his nerves stretched taut with every passing second. The undead swarmed him, and though he erected a barrier of Holy Light, countless more assailed him from all sides. His initial Holy Light barrier shattered swiftly, giving way to the raw, brutal clash between warriors and the undead.

“Sisters, stay behind us! We’ll hold the front!” The shield-bearers, arrayed at the vanguard, braced their sturdy shields, forming an impenetrable barrier. Others continuously reinforced the defensive line, repelling the enemy’s relentless assault. These were highly trained soldiers, not easily broken or scattered by a mere touch.

Yet, a few stragglers, like venomous serpents, slipped through the cracks, relentlessly advancing towards the unarmed, fleeing civilians. It was then that Sister Lu Wei materialized before them, a defiant silhouette against the chaos.

“Hold them back! Hold them back! Get these refugees to safety!” Lu Wei cried, swinging her mace with practiced ease. As a nun who had undergone rigorous military training, she was arguably one of the most formidable combatants present. True to form, her mace connected deftly with an opponent’s skull, instantly incapacitating the creature and stopping its advance.

“Phew, Anto… Antolia, how are you faring over there?”

“Just a moment, I’m… I’m getting there,” Anto replied, taking a deep, fortifying breath. Lu Wei, shielding him fiercely, spoke with unwavering resolve. “No matter what, just keep bestowing your blessings. I’ll ensure your safety; not a single scratch will touch you!”

“Mmm!” Bolstered by her words, Anto’s resolve solidified. He lifted his staff, and with a surge of will, commanded the Holy Light to descend ceaselessly.

“Protect… please, Light, guard these people.” As he unleashed the light, he felt, as always, the swirling currents of emotion within the battlefield. Every single emotion: the stoicism of those enduring, the fury of the enraged, the fervor of the fighting, their shared agony. He sensed the fear and terror that enveloped those still standing defiantly at the front, biting back, and the profound powerlessness felt by those who, despite it all, continued to fight. He felt it all. He knew precisely what he desired. What he desired was…

‘To protect them. Every warrior here deserves protection. I want to see every single one of them still standing here after this battle. Alive and well.’ This unwavering conviction became the catalyst for the Holy Light’s power. A brilliant radiance erupted from his being, then coalesced into potent beams that showered blessings upon the warriors surrounding him.

「Blessing… Light’s Aegis!」

“What is this…?” A wave of astonishment swept through the ranks as everyone felt the immense power coursing through them, infused by such potent radiance. While some had experienced a nun’s blessing before, never had they encountered one so overwhelmingly powerful.

“Such power…” Knight Commander Greer stood before Sister Anto, marveling. He swung his battle-blade with a casual flick, effortlessly cleaving the undead before him in two. Under the profound blessing of the Light, the enemies seemed astonishingly fragile, a sight he had never witnessed before.

“This is the power of the Holy Light!” someone exclaimed, awe ringing in their voice. “Truly worthy of Sister Antolia… our very own Saintess! For her blessing… brothers, charge! Let’s hack these abominations to pieces!”

“Maintain the line! Don’t let a single one slip past!” This surge of power allowed the legion, previously caught somewhat off guard by the ambush, to regroup and rally their spirits. With weapons imbued by the Holy Light, they surged forward, cutting down their foes. The undead, once a frenzied, relentless tide, now seemed surprisingly vulnerable, crumbling before the radiant might of the Light.

Such was the power of the Light. Anto continuously channeled his light, bestowing blessings upon so many, and the immense exertion began to weigh on him. He knelt, half-crouching on the ground, as Lu Wei rushed to his side. “Little Anto… are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Sister Lu Wei,” Anto reassured her, his gaze fixed on the unfolding battle. “I can maintain this… for a while longer. This blessing must endure at least until this wave of attacks passes, until then…”

“But… but you can’t expend so much power all at once!” Lu Wei exclaimed, her face etched with alarm. Others might not comprehend the sheer physical toll of channeling Holy Light, but the nuns understood it intimately. Normally, bestowing a blessing upon a single individual demanded their full strength. To bless dozens of frontline warriors in an instant like this meant his endurance was entirely a matter of sheer luck. Lu Wei, of course, was unaware that Anto possessed the Holy Light Flame, a seemingly inexhaustible core of sacred energy. In her estimation, Anto was merely a gifted nun, not significantly more powerful than any other.

“Phew… that’s enough,” Anto gasped, squatting on the ground, utterly winded after unleashing the extensive blessing. While the Holy Light Flame granted him a nearly inexhaustible supply of sacred energy, such power was not without its cost. Each profound exertion left him deeply fatigued. Although his training typically allowed him to retain some reserves, the urgency of the moment had compelled him to unleash the full force of his power, his sole aim to hold the line and prevent a direct breakthrough. Individually, the undead were not formidable, but a breach in the defensive formation would spell utter catastrophe for any military unit.

Fortunately, such a disaster was averted this time. The bodies of the undead were cleaved by sharp swords. The sudden assault did not shatter the troops, and under the sustained offensive, the legion steadily pushed forward.

“We can beat these bastards! They’re… they’re retreating!”

“Hooray! Our first victory! The legion’s first victory!”

“Phew, it’s nothing, really, it’s just what we should do.”

“Oh, come on, you were so scared you almost wet your pants, hahahaha!”

“…” Knight Commander Greer’s voice boomed across the scene. “Clear the battlefield, and keep a sharp lookout for any stragglers. We’ll advance slowly to the front lines; there’s no need to rush. If we can withstand this first assault, then the subsequent ones will be no problem! We have every right to be proud of our bravery, warriors!”