A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

For days, Toriento Bishopric had been teeming with people. Look here, people; look there, more people – crowds swarmed the streets.

It was only natural. With the impending Council, clergy from all regions under the Church’s influence had converged. Mercenaries and traveling merchants also flocked in to either serve as escorts or peddle their wares to the visitors.

Regardless of their reasons, this human influx spontaneously formed markets which in turn drew even more people into the streets.

For the bishopric’s residents, the Council presented a windfall. They could earn tidy sums by renting out spare rooms to the visiting clergy, while local merchants benefited from the increased customer traffic despite the itinerant vendor competition.

As the Council neared, many found cause to smile – their faces betrayed no shadows despite the gloomy times.

In contrast, the clergy assembled in Toriento bore grave expressions. Hailing from across the continent, they had borne firsthand witness to the miasma’s ravages – whether in the lands they served or during their journeys to attend this Council.

Apart from the Paladin knights constantly battling demonic forces on the frontlines, ordinary clergy seldom experienced demons’ true horrors directly. This incident offered them a glimpse, however partial, into that hellish reality.

Beset by inexplicable dread and doubt over their hitherto steadfast beliefs potentially being wrong, they nonetheless persisted in attending the Council. When uncertain of the proper course, the existence of a gathering to determine it shone like a torch in the night, a guidepost amidst their disorientation.

Though somewhat ironic that they would directly set that guidepost’s direction themselves.

Bishop Agnès Lefebvre and her entourage from Saint-Manieu Convent faced similar sentiments.

“I cannot fathom what lies ahead for this world…”

Possessing the most profound luminous force among the convent’s residents and a former nun knight herself in her youth, Bishop Agnès keenly sensed the insidious, inexorable malice permeating the continent-spanning miasma. The demonic source undoubtedly harbored an obsessive grudge against humanity itself – she could feel it.

In any case, the Council’s day had finally dawned. Though the official proceedings would not commence for a few more hours, she decided to head to the conference chambers early. Bishop Agnès had brought along several young nuns slated to become novice priests. Her timing proved unfortunate, for she chose to bring the convent’s precious seedlings during such perilous times for one simple reason:

Remaining by Bishop Agnès’ side was safer than the convent itself.

But since she had no choice but to bring the young nuns, she intended to ensure they gained as much experience as possible. For clergy more than anyone must dedicate themselves to the world, able to respond to all manner of situations while possessing myriad capabilities.

Though sworn to a destitute life devoid of wealth or connections, they must know how to procure funds when needed to provide timely aid. Despite living detached from secular authority, they must wield power to rescue others from injustice.

To protect people from beasts and bandits, martial skills were requisite. To nourish the starving and treat the ailing, knowledge of edibles and medicinal flora proved essential.

Thus, throughout their journey from Saint-Manieu to Toriento Bishopric, Bishop Agnès diligiently educated her nuns in such disciplines.

Yet above all, connections proved paramount. Living in this world necessitated various networks: with the powerful, the wealthy, the erudite, influential local personages of virtue and repute.

For clergy, such connections represented precious assets. But the most vital ties were with fellow travelers walking the same path – senior predecessors and juniors. For in the end, as priests dedicated their days to self-cultivation, virtuously serving the people, only those sharing their vocation could truly understand and support them.

It was unavoidable. Those who did not answer the priestly calling lived their own separate lives, inevitably diverging from the clergy’s path.

Bishop Agnès intended to utilize the Council as an opportunity for her nuns to forge connections and experience camaraderie. To help them familiarize themselves through introductions, arriving early at the conference chambers proved advantageous.

While leading her nuns toward the cathedral’s chambers, she encountered a familiar face.

“It has been far too long since last we met, Your Excellency.”

Blinking in surprise at the audaciously manifesting nun knight addressing her so casually, Bishop Agnès squinted before regarding her fully. There stood the graceful yet masculine nun knight, elegant countenance belying her brash demeanor and coarse speech.

“Good heavens, Sophia – Sophia de Chazelle! Is that truly you?”

Delighted by this unexpected reunion, Bishop Agnès warmly welcomed her.

“I had worried when you vanished after joining the Paladins, but you have blossomed into such beauty that I nearly failed to recognize you.”

Smiling at the bishop’s pleased greeting, Sophia responded:
“Five years have indeed passed since Your Excellency deceived this naive girl into joining the Paladins. I trust you have fared well in the interim?”
“Of course not, I’m practically a walking corpse! You, on the other hand, appear the picture of health – I’m relieved!”

As the two exchanged barbed banter laced with sly smiles, the nuns trailing behind thought:

‘So scary!’
‘I’ve never seen anyone speak to the Mother Superior like that!’
‘Come to think of it, was she originally from our convent?’
‘If so, does that make her our senior?’

Perceiving the nuns’ unease, Bishop Agnès swiftly introduced Sophia:

“This is Sophia de Chazelle, a former Saint-Manieu postulant now serving as a Paladin nun knight. Sister Chazelle, these are the nuns from our Saint-Manieu Convent.”
“Addressing me so formally feels strange. Would you not prefer calling me by name as before?”
“Oh, but I cannot! You are a Paladin knight now. In terms of rank, are we not equals? You are addressed as ‘Sister’ befitting a knight’s station, but should I not similarly address you as ‘Your Grace’ as protocol demands? Or perhaps I should call you ‘Your Grace’ instead?”

Surrendering with upraised hands at Bishop Agnès’ playful words, Sophia conceded:
“Very well, you win. Enough already… By the way, your companions seem quite young.”
“Times grow increasingly dire.”
“Indeed. Then you must have endured considerable hardships reaching here.”

Nodding her understanding, Sophia’s words prompted the nuns to silently agree:

‘The Mother Superior has always been like this!’

Having swiftly established rapport with the nuns while ignoring Bishop Agnès’ side-eye, Sophia continued undeterred:

“In any case, I too hail from the Saint-Manieu Convent. So I shall be your senior, while you will be my juniors. I hope we can interact comfortably.”
“The honor is ours!”

The nuns responded with flustered expressions to Sophia’s friendly overtures. The stately, pristine aura emanating from the approachable nun knight proved overwhelmingly stimulating for the young postulants, causing some to involuntarily blush – a sight Sophia found endearing before turning to Bishop Agnès:

“I should depart first to attend to Council preparations. What of you, Your Excellency?”
“Ho, so you will be representing the Paladins this time?”
“Circumstances have aligned thus.”

Offering Bishop Agnès a wry smile, Sophia received her reply:
“Then we should also proceed to the chambers.”
“Very well, allow me to secure you good seats.”
“I appreciate your hospitality and shall gladly impose upon you.”

Thus Sophia unexpectedly reunited with Bishop Agnès’ Saint-Manieu contingent, and they proceeded together to the cathedral’s conference chambers. This unanticipated reunion proved a delightfully stimulating experience for Sophia. Yet more acquaintances awaited her at the Council venue – some she had never expected to encounter again, setting the stage for several more joyous reunions to come.