Assignments and Departures

Thus, after a single day, the support teams and accompanying nuns began to receive their assignments to various companies. Aside from those designated for essential medical posts, the majority of the nuns were dispatched to active duty alongside the troops. Anto was no exception.

“Miss Anto, you have been assigned to the Third Company.” The Sister Superior’s words were met with an immediate burst of cheers from the Third Company’s soldiers, while a profound silence fell over the other units. “Damn it, why do those lucky bastards get her—”

“Haha, it seems the heavens truly favor us!” The men of the Third Company laughed, their voices ringing with triumph.

Following the support corps’ arrival at the outpost, they were swiftly integrated into companies that had suffered significant personnel shortages. The support corps effectively merged with the Border Legion, or rather, the volunteers were specifically deployed to fill the gaps within the border army’s ranks.

The newly formed companies presented a fresh sight, with seasoned border veterans and fresh support soldiers now serving side-by-side. There was little friction between them; as denizens of the borderlands, the first lesson they learned was that unity was paramount to survival. Indeed, survival was the foundation of all else.

“Welcome, Sister Anto, to our company!” A spontaneous cheer erupted from several soldiers within the ranks. At that moment, a heavy-armored knight, resplendent in his full plate, stepped forward. “Miss Anto, please rest assured,” he vowed, “I pledge the oath of a border knight that I will stand before you, serving as your most steadfast shield.”

“Get lost, you knight boy! Little Sister Anto doesn’t need a hothead like you for protection!” The knight was promptly shoved aside, and then several familiar figures advanced, speaking in unison:

“It seems fate has truly destined us to be your guardians, little Anto.”

“…Artisan Uncle?” Anto gasped, a wave of surprise and delight washing over her as she recognized the man who had once been the artisan foreman, now standing before her with his assembled brothers. The Artisan Uncle himself was clad in a complete suit of armor, fully armed alongside his men.

“Well then, there’s no need for further delay. Let us repay the kindness bestowed upon the orphanage right here. For the journey ahead, we shall take full responsibility for the Sister’s safety. There will be no issues.”

“Heh heh, we are little Anto’s most steadfast supporters, quite unlike these fickle young borderlings who merely pay lip service to loyalty! We are her true fans!”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

“You…!” The young heavy-armored knight rose to his feet, glaring fiercely at the group. “Don’t imagine that knowing her longer makes you superior! I will protect Sister Anto, Lady Anto, better than any of you!”

“Heh heh, then just try it. A newborn calf fears no tiger, does it? You think *you* can protect Sister Anto? Heh heh.”

“We shall see!”

“Then we shall see indeed!” Anto watched, a peculiar mix of pressure and joy welling within her, as the group who moments ago had seemed as close as brothers now openly vied for her attention. These were true comrades, she realized. While they were eager to protect her, she, in turn, felt an equal responsibility to ensure their safety.

“Lady Anto,” Knight Commander Greer interjected, “each nun is to be assigned a personal guard. Bishop Rhys has already approved this arrangement. As for the selection of your guard…”

“My choice has already been made,” Anto stated, glancing to her side. Knight Ilivy advanced, positioning herself beside the nun, and added:

“It was agreed.”

“I shall be responsible for Sister Anto’s safety,” Ilivy declared. With those words, she stepped into the formation of the Third Company. As they observed the fully armed Papal Knight now among them, the surrounding soldiers cast peculiar glances her way.

“Hmph, a Papal Knight…”

“Is that a Papal Knight stubbornly clinging to Sister Anto?” It was evident that while the reputation of the nuns and the Draynes Church had been somewhat restored, the honor of the Papal Knights had not recovered from the myriad blows suffered during the Great Crusade. The ingrained prejudice and misunderstanding among common soldiers, particularly those stationed at the border, persisted. Anto understood this perfectly. Yet, she chose not to elaborate, simply stepping forward to address the company.

“Knight Ilivy,” Anto began, “is my trusted comrade and companion in battle, just as each of you are. I hope you will not object to her presence, for she is both reliable and entirely trustworthy.”

“…Well.”

“Since the Sister herself has spoken…”

With these words, the sixty-man company swiftly completed its assembly. Their immediate future no longer entailed merely holding their ground and awaiting reinforcements; instead, decisive action was now on the horizon.

“Here at the border, combat isn’t always confined to defending watchtowers. The strength of these dark creatures wanes considerably as noon approaches. In the mornings, our duty is to venture into attacked villages, searching for survivors and crucial supplies, and to clear any Undead lurking around the outpost. They are typically quite weak during daylight hours.

“However, once night descends, and the sun dips below the horizon, we must retreat to the safety of the outpost and fortify our position. The Undead of the night are a vastly different threat from the shambling corpses of the morning. Furthermore, some dark entities only emerge under the cloak of darkness.” The Company Commander explained this to Anto, standing close by her side.

“Our current orders are to proceed to a village that fell yesterday, to gather supplies and search for any survivors. We anticipate finding some salvageable items, as even with our current provisions, sustaining the outpost remains paramount.

“Sister Anto, we ask that you remain prepared by our side at all times. Should any unexpected or extreme situation arise, we will endeavor to ensure your immediate evacuation. Understand that as a Holy Light wielder, your importance to the kingdom’s outposts far surpasses ours. Therefore, when that moment comes, do not hesitate, nor feel any guilt; this is our voluntary sacrifice.”

As the commander spoke, Anto nodded, her expression resolute. These individuals had endured prolonged warfare on the borderlands. Their accumulated experience and the sheer brutality of combat had forged them into the most unyielding soldiers upon this earth. Consequently, unlike ordinary troops, they possessed a profound understanding of their purpose and an unwavering commitment to collective unity.

“And now, we depart,” the commander announced. Around him, the soldiers meticulously prepared their gear; they had anticipated this moment for what felt like an eternity. As the first rays of sunlight pierced the forest’s boundary, illuminating the land, the outpost’s bridge and main gates slowly groaned open. The commander then issued his directives.

“All units, assume marching formation! Flank teams, maintain constant vigilance around us! Scout teams, clear the path! The rest of you, proceed to the designated location with utmost speed to execute your mission! Swiftness is the essence of warfare; we have no time to squander! Everyone, advance now! Form ranks and move out quickly!”

“Understood!” the soldiers roared in unison, snapping to attention. “For the glory of the border!”