A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

The palace banquet ultimately concluded due to the demonic disturbance, and those who had contributed to resolving the situation soon gathered in small groups for an afterparty.
The venue was, of course, a tavern located within the vicinity of the holy city.

Originally a place to enjoy reasonably priced food and drinks solo as a way to unwind daily stress, the tavern had now become a festive gathering spot for clerics celebrating their triumphant demon subjugation.

Kwalkwalkwal, shoaaaahhhh—
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
“Puhhaah! Yeah, that’s the stuff!”

With the expression of a weary office worker visiting a bar after work, Hildegard downed a frosty mug of beer, foam clinging to her mustache-like lip contours as she exhaled in satisfaction.

“You know, I didn’t expect much from Rotaringian beer after hearing they preferred wine. But this tavern’s brew seems more than a match for the imperial varieties, wouldn’t you say?”

Munching on boiled salt peas, smoked ham with cheese, dried shredded fish jerky, and assorted nuts as side dishes, she appraised the tavern’s beer quality.

Having inadvertently abstained during her training regimen, Hildegard seemed immensely gratified to finally imbibe alcohol again.

“People need moments like this to find the motivation to keep living, you know? Just being constantly uptight is no way to truly enjoy life.”

Watching her down an entire beer stein like an ordinary glass prompted the muscular Ezio to regard her with exasperation.

“Uh…that’s some seriously heavy drinking.”

Concerned by her alcohol-fueled intensity, the monk queried the somber Conra sipping lemonade nearby:

“Is it really okay for her to drink like that?”
“She’ll likely be fine. That’s just her default setting. Although this rare indulgence might leave her a bit more intoxicated than usual.”

Observing Hildegard polish off another enormous stein, Ezio could scarcely comprehend such a spectacle as someone who avoided alcohol due to muscle loss concerns. Yet he refrained from commenting, her blissful expression seeming too content to disrupt.

‘Well, as long as she’s happy, I suppose.’

Ultimately, her joy represented the highest priority – a sentiment Ezio affirmed while savoring his thick protein drink before remarking about the vacant seat:

“By the way, Lady Chazelle seems to be running late?”
“Master did design this entire operation herself. She’s likely delayed handling the aftermath.”
“I see.”

Ezio nodded understandingly at Conra’s response.

“Come to think of it, the number of people who have learned from Master now totals three hundred. That will only increase further once the subsequent curriculum concludes.”

Seemingly lost in thought while idly sipping his lemonade, Conra abruptly spoke up – prompting a quizzical look from Ezio at his non-sequitur remark.

“That may be so. But what’s troubling you? Your expression doesn’t seem pleased.”

Sighing deeply at Ezio’s inquiry, Conra answered with a slightly more relaxed demeanor than his initially pensive state:

“No, it’s just…how should I put this? A sense of jealousy, or feeling slighted I suppose.”
“Oh?”
“Well, you know? I’m Master’s vessel and disciple, Conra. Thinking about hundreds more receiving the same teachings makes me feel…strange somehow.”
“I see…”

Stroking his chin contemplatively, Ezio acknowledged the youth’s sentiments with an understanding nod. The little tyke exhibited quite the independent streak. Then again, Conra had matured considerably over these few months – rapid growth spurts came with that turbulent transition into adolescence.

“Well now. In that regard, aren’t you still the sole inheritor of Lady Chazelle’s innermost mysteries?”
“Me?”
“Of course. Are you not the one learning her most profound esoteric disciplines – the true heart concealed beneath her martial arts and magic?”

Ezio referred to Sophia’s yogic and qigong foundations underlying quintessential techniques like Cosmic Dominion’s binding forces or the Sword of Epiphany’s fencing prowess – the innermost skills epitomizing her current apex.
Perceiving this, Ezio advised Conra:

“Sophia avoids formally inducting you into the clergy precisely to keep your future prospects undetermined beyond the Church’s boundaries. While I consider monasticism a viable path, novices inevitably sacrifice certain pursuits by fully committing.”

Recalling the clerics he had encountered alongside Ezio, the currently binge-drinking Hildegard, and the Church figures met thus far, Conra realized the monk spoke truly – each had indeed forsaken something significant by their chosen vocation.

His expression brightening, Conra’s spirits seemed renewed.

“There, a much more agreeable countenance.”

Ezio smiled approvingly before returning to his viscous protein drink.

+++++

Meanwhile, as they drank and conversed merrily, Sophia found herself in a rather different setting.
Accompanied by Cardinal Andrea Bonaventura di Vertone, First Paladin Seat, and Cardinal Alessandro Borromeo, the Grand Minister, she arrived at a certain chamber within the royal palace per a majordomo’s guidance.

As the majordomo announced their entrance, Cardinal Andrea slyly inquired of Alessandro:

“Hm, rather unexpected, is it not? The one who vehemently insisted the Church must never involve itself in national affairs has even accompanied us into the royal palace.”

“This entire affair involves demonic entanglements, does it not? Proactively intervening to delineate our jurisdiction prevents future constraints on our ability to maneuver. My fundamental policy remains unchanged.”

“Hm, is that so?”

Cardinal Andrea nodded sagely, apparently convinced by Alessandro’s circuitous rationale. Observing this, the latter casually asked:

“So what did you initially assume my motivations were?”
“Assume? Simply that this fellow’s time had finally come, nothing more…”
“Now what’s that supposed to mean?”

Inwardly sighing while observing their exchange, Sophia reflected on how aged men inevitably became increasingly childish – one an obstinate former knight, the other a Church elder she secretly respected. Yet here they bickered like unruly children.

She momentarily suspected Cardinal Andrea’s very presence induced such puerile behavior in others.

‘Merely standing nearby renders people immature. Truly a fearsome individual.’

Grateful their attention had shifted away, Sophia discreetly increased her distance from the two cardinals.

“You may enter.”

The majordomo’s words indicating they were being received concluded the prelates’ verbal sparring and Sophia’s attempt at distancing herself. Promptly reassuming solemn decorum befitting the occasion, the trio approached the door the majordomo held open for them – entering while making the sign of the cross.

“Welcome, honored guests from the Church. I am the sovereign claiming Rotaringhia’s Iron Throne.”

King Vittorio III awaited within, rising to receive the Church’s emissary party as they entered. The Crown Prince Eduardo stood beside him in attendance.

“I am the Grand Minister, Alessandro.”
“The First Paladin Seat, Andrea.”
“The Seventh Paladin Seat…ah, no need for my introduction after our previous encounter.”

From Cardinal Andrea’s curt informality to Sophia’s complete omission of propriety, Cardinal Alessandro at least observed bare formalities – though King Vittorio instantly discerned his demeanor exhibited scant deference to secular authority either.

Nevertheless, Vittorio nodded approvingly.

‘Excellent. Just as I expected.’

This embodied his precise anticipation of the Church’s stance. The measures he intended to implement could profoundly destabilize the kingdom – under such circumstances, an anchoring force capable of maintaining equilibrium proved invaluable.

Those foolish nobles had recklessly sought exploiting the Church within national politics, unaware such a formidable institution could never be so simplistically manipulated. The forthcoming negotiations with these three Church representatives would undoubtedly provide the Crown Prince Eduardo, the rightful heir apparent, invaluable experiential assets.

And on that day, a secret pact was concluded between the Church and the Rotaringian monarchy.