A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

The Council held every five years was considered an immensely important event for clergy serving the Church.
As the Great Ascetic’s teachings could be interpreted differently by each person, and local churches inevitably absorbed indigenous beliefs and customs as they took root across regions, there was consensus on the need for a forum to address various issues arising over the past five years.

Of course, the Council did not solely debate doctrines. With such a rare gathering of those who seldom met face-to-face in this vast human organization, it would be a pity to limit discussions to just doctrine and canons.
Thus, the Council also handled matters unfolding across the continent related to the Church – political, administrative and judicial issues, as well as matters concerning demons, witches, dungeons, prophecies and revelations.

However, it was surprisingly uncommon for Paladin knights to attend these Councils, not due to lacking qualifications, but because their few numbers were constantly deployed across the continent, seldom affording them the opportunity.
For this reason, the Paladin representative typically attending was the First Knight Commander cum Cardinal who oversaw reports from Paladins at headquarters, rather than those happening to pass near the Council’s venue.

Yet upon receiving the urgent report from Aghno, the current First Paladin, Cardinal Andrea Bonaventura di Bertone, sensed this incident required testimony and counsel from those present at the scene.
He immediately issued summons for Sophia and Hildegard to attend the Council before notifying the Church’s State Secretariat overseeing this Council’s proceedings of the Paladin attendees.

The burly, dignified elder knight’s procession prompted clergy at the Secretariat to respectfully make way. Though his demeanor had mellowed somewhat since becoming a Cardinal residing at headquarters, this gruff, formidable-eyed knight still unsettled most before him.

After briefly informing a Secretariat clerk of his purpose, Cardinal Andrea ascended to the third floor where Cardinal Alessandro Borromeo, the State Secretary and fellow Cardinal, had his office.
Reaching the office door, Cardinal Andrea rapped lightly before announcing himself:

“It’s me, Andrea. Is Cardinal Alessandro present?”
After a brief pause, faint sounds emanated from within before a leisurely voice bade him enter.

Immediately heeding the summons, Cardinal Andrea carefully opened the door and strode inside to find a rather diminutive yet kindly-faced priest seated at his desk – unlike Cardinal Andrea, but with an equally piercing gaze. Arranged neatly on his desk were various documents awaiting his decisions, approvals and counsel.

As Cardinal Andrea entered, the seated Cardinal Alessandro rose to greet him.

“Come in, it’s been too long since you’ve sought me out. Seeing as we’re both aging fellows, shouldn’t you visit more often?”
Guiding Cardinal Andrea to a table along the room’s side, Cardinal Alessandro remarked.

“While I’ll overlook everything else, I cannot let that ‘aging fellows’ comment pass. Are you not aware that over a decade separates our ages?”

“Aing, tsk tsk. Getting hung up on such trivial matters will hinder greater achievements. Is that befitting for one of Cardinal rank?”
Clicking his tongue as he set out a tea set, Cardinal Alessandro brewed the water as he spoke.

As the water heated, the two Cardinals passed the time exchanging mundane banter. Once the tea steeped, Cardinal Alessandro poured two cups before asking:

“So then, what brings you here?”
“Some might wonder what business I’d need to seek you out for.”
“Isn’t that simply the truth? Your brusque manner is well-known even within Church headquarters.”

Swallowing a disgruntled grunt at Cardinal Alessandro’s blunt remark, Cardinal Andrea finally stated his purpose:

“I presume you’re aware of the anomalous phenomena observed recently.”
“But of course. To overlook such a grave disturbance would render my Cardinal’s title forfeit.”
“A report has arrived from the scene, but the content is rather grave, so I’ve decided those involved should testify at the Council.”

“Hmm? For Paladin knights, who rarely attend Councils, to provide testimony suggests this is no ordinary matter.”
“Naturally. See for yourself.”

As Cardinal Andrea presented the missive, Cardinal Alessandro initially raised a skeptical brow before unfolding and reading its contents. However, his furrowed brow deepened into a pronounced crease as he progressed through the report.

“…If this is true, it is indeed a grave matter.”

The missive contained many extraordinary terms: Domain Horizon, Archdemon, Declaration of War, Dread Drake, and the dispersed miasma of malice.

“That’s not all. Since those anomalies, reports of bizarre incidents have been flooding in from across the continent. Our knights have become even busier than before as a result.”
“I’ve heard as much. It’s kept our State Secretariat quite occupied as well.”
“Incidents of corpses rising and vengeful spirits exacting revenge are occurring everywhere. In one place, a newborn strangled the midwife and its own mother before fleeing. Elsewhere, whole populations of plants and animals underwent inexplicable mutations, rendering entire areas impassable. And then…”

“And then people’s very natures became problematic.”
Recalling the conspicuous surge in crime rates across the continent after the miasma’s release, Cardinal Alessandro covered his face with his hand.

From petty thefts and brawls to heinous crimes like murder, arson and robbery – the undeniable spike in incidents directly or indirectly linked to the miasma.

Under such circumstances, the Church should have actively intervened by presiding over purification rites, but political issues ultimately hamstrung their involvement.
Secular rulers did not wish for the Church, which enjoyed popular support, to interfere in secular affairs. Allowing the Church’s involvement solely due to rising crime rates could potentially enable spiritual authority to supersede secular power.

“The critical concern is whether this may take root like a cancer, undermining humanity’s unity.”

What had been the driving force allowing the Great Ascetic to expel the demonic races from the mainland? Certainly, the Great Ascetic’s own peerless abilities and formidable luminous force played a part. But the accumulation of resentment, hatred and karmic burden the demons had amassed while still human also significantly contributed.

It was the demons’ karma that enabled humanity to unite under the Great Ascetic’s leadership and ultimately banish them from the mainland.

But what about now? Under the Church’s policy of non-interference in secular matters, each ruler governed their territories unilaterally. If this miasma the Archdemon released truly hardened human hearts and tainted destinies, then when facing a mighty foe again, could humanity still muster unified strength?

Cardinal Alessandro could not definitively affirm such doubts.

Suddenly, he recalled Cardinal Andrea mentioning Paladins attending to “testify” at this Council.

“By the way, what sort of people are these Sisters Sophia de Chazelle and Hildegard Ritter von Wolfstein attending this time?”

At Cardinal Alessandro’s query, a faint smile crept across Cardinal Andrea’s typically dour countenance – enough to pique the former’s interest.

“They are among the Church’s most promising future leaders. Especially Sophia de Chazelle – even I have yet to glimpse the depths of that child’s potential.”

Cardinal Andrea’s confident assertion prompted an intrigued smile from Cardinal Alessandro.

“Oh? Is that so? You’ve certainly piqued this old man’s curiosity.”
“I assure you, once you meet them, you’ll be amazed.”

+++++

Held once every five years, this year’s Concilium (Ecumenical Council) took place in the Toriento Bishopric of the Kingdom of Rotaringhia.

The Toriento Bishopric lay not too distant from the Church’s central headquarters in Ravenna, Rotaringhia’s capital, yet was conveniently situated near the Alb Mountain trade routes leading to Frangian and the Holy Griffon Empire. Thanks to this geographic advantage, the Toriento Bishopric boasted a history of always being shortlisted as a potential Council venue.

Sophia, Hildegard and Conra hastened their journey towards the Toriento Bishopric. Though a considerable trek from the lowland town of Aghno to Rotaringhia’s Toriento Bishopric, they did not rush their pace.

More accurately, they could not afford to hurry.

“We should have more thoroughly eliminated that miasma back then.”
Sophia gritted her teeth as she muttered regretfully. Hildegard nodded in vexed agreement.

“Damn it, this is probably what compressing a year’s worth of incidents into a single month looks like?”
“Uughhh…..”

As for Conra, he could only emit intermittent groans, his body and spirit utterly depleted.

During their southward journey to Toriento, the party keenly experienced incident after incident erupting wherever they passed. What vile demons, monsters, aberrations and bandits infested their path?

Particularly the case involving the crimson-shrouded infant born only to strangle the midwife and its own mother left an especially foul aftertaste. For Conra, unaccustomed to such horrors, it cost him many sleepless nights.