A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

And so the demonic subjugation incident within the Ravenna palace banquet hall that had stirred considerable commotion among the city’s influential figures eventually passed. In accordance with the agreements between the king and Church, the events of that day were repackaged to suit the king’s narrative before disseminating outward. Armed with those rumors, the king proceeded to act decisively.

Masterfully manipulating gossip to dismantle the kingdom’s various factions while formally appointing the Crown Prince as heir apparent, the king’s adroit maneuvering prompted even Cardinal Andrea to grimace in admiration.

“Truly, the priestly path suits me best. Had I blindly followed my clan’s wishes to become the Duke of Bonaventura, my life could have taken a drastically different course – the thought still sends chills down my spine.”

Whenever visiting the Grand Minister Cardinal Alessandro, Andrea would inevitably grumble and indulge in such uncomplimentary gossip about the realm’s power players.

In any case, with their educational mission among the Thetis Sea region’s clerics concluded, their next destination involved the Western Lands. Yet before finalizing their travel itinerary, the foremost issue centered on determining their mode of transportation – whether to journey overland or by sea.

“The advantages of an overland route seem self-evident. Simply considering travel distances, it proves far shorter than sailing. Moreover, the territories we would pass through are ultimately under Frankish or Imperial control – naturally appealing for someone like myself primarily based within the empire, or for Sophia who primarily operated across Frankish domains.”

Hildegard’s argument carried valid points. Although passing through the Alb Mountains again represented an inconvenient detour, it hardly posed an insurmountable challenge for their superhuman entourage. Her reasoning seemed to resonate among her companions.

Until Ezio, or Ezioklasse Emmanuele, interjected with a counterpoint:

“However, the overland route presents one significant issue – an excessive number of cities and territories we must traverse directly. Leaving aside the demonic miasma permeating the continent, are not Paladins like yourselves inherently beings whom the celestial deities and divine spirits closely observe? Regardless of ignorance, we will undoubtedly encounter no shortage of incidents along that path. Does the shorter physical distance truly matter then?”

Hildegard pursed her lips, conceding Ezio’s astute observation. Particularly in her assessment, while she herself might prove unaffected, the Sophia awaiting their consensus decision certainly qualified as the incident-attracting type. Precisely because she possessed the evident capability to resolve such occurrences.

Seeming to notice Hildegard’s contemplative sidelong glance, Sophia – who had been listening to their discussion with her chin propped on one hand – tilted her head inquisitively:

“What’s wrong? Do you have something to say to me?”
“No, nothing in particular.”

Immediately averting her gaze, Hildegard muttered evasively. Voicing her actual thoughts would undoubtedly provoke Sophia’s ire or dejection.

“Therefore, the merits of a sea voyage emerge here. While necessitating periodic port calls, the number still pales compared to traversing all those territories, villages and cities overland.”

“So your real intention is?”
“I simply wish to experience more varied environments now that we’ve descended from the mountains. Surely sailing along the coastline would prove far more enjoyable?”

As expected, Ezio revealed his candid motivations in response to Hildegard’s probing – prompting an inward sense of admiration from the quietly observing Conra. Just how could someone possess such an audaciously thick skin? Evidently, the ascetic lifestyle of near-nudity within the Alb Mountains monasteries required extraordinary mental fortitude.

Moreover, Ezio not only blatantly exposed his personal desires, but even dragged in an austere associate to bolster his case.

“Consider this – did not Lady Chazelle mention this young squire also ventured forth to experience the world? For the sake of that very experience, ought he not accumulate seafaring journeys aboard ships?”

Swept into the discussion against his will, Conra’s mouth fell open in shock. Wait, why implicate an uninvolved bystander?! Regardless of the youth’s indignation, the crucial point involved how Sophia’s demeanor shifted more receptively the moment Conra became referenced. Abandoning her previously disinterested, chin-propped posture, she straightened up and began contemplating the matter seriously.

“Hm, I can certainly empathize with those perspectives.”

In any case, their heated debate over determining the optimal travel method continued until a sublime radiance coalesced behind Sophia and Hildegard – the divine spirits Jibril and Ariel manifesting.

[……!]
[……!]
“Oh? You’re saying this trip should proceed via Hiberia and Caledonia?”
“Hm, is that so? Then we shall proceed accordingly.”

Hildegard and Sophia reacted somewhat differently upon receiving the spirits’ whispers. The former responded with bewildered questions toward Ariel, while the latter simply nodded in seeming anticipation of Jibril’s counsel.

Having generated her primordial spirit by sacrificing her fourth astral muscle and brain alongside an unorthodox shortcut to complete that fourth binding, Sophia had gradually developed insights bordering on precognition ever since.

Although paling compared to genuine divine foresight, she could access a similar form of prelimited pre-cognizance.

Fundamentally, divine spiritual counsel carried significant weight whenever Paladins determined their actions. Moreover, with both spirits conveying identical recommendations that aligned with Sophia’s own premonitions, the decision to travel by sea became inevitable.

As their council concluded, Sophia arched a sly smile toward Ezio, whose envious gaze flickered between her and Hildegard.

“You seem to desire a divine spiritual contract yourself?”
Momentarily stunned by her remark, Ezio ultimately sighed resignedly.

“Is there any cleric who does not wish for such a covenant?”

Acknowledging his candid envy with an amused chuckle, Sophia reassured him:

“Is that so? In my view, you have no need to envy us so.”
“How can that be?”
“Because a divine spirit will undoubtedly find you before long as well.”
“Truly?!”

Ezio seemed considerably startled by Sophia’s emphatic declaration, eagerly questioning its veracity. She calmly reaffirmed her assertion with a nonchalant nod.

“Divine spirits naturally manifest before anyone who cultivates their luminous power beyond a certain threshold. Your current level has already surpassed that benchmark some time ago. A spirit suited for you will appear shortly – no need to feel overly anxious about it.”

Clenching his fist resolutely, Ezio responded gratefully:

“If your words prove true, then I, Ezio, shall have received immeasurable beneficence from Lady Chazelle. My luminous power’s elevated state derives entirely from your guidance.”

“How can you attribute that to me? It merely represents the fortuitous convergence of Father Emmanuele’s inherent qualities alongside his dedicated cultivation. Do not make such unnecessary claims.”

Already sensing impending exasperation, Sophia hurriedly waved her hands to dissuade him. She had merely intended to offer reassuring advice, not prompt unsolicited displays of gratitude. Suddenly recalling the Alb monastic brotherhoods’ renowned characteristics, she sighed inwardly.

“The Alb monastic priests and nuns are indeed famed for their earnest sense of obligation. Our expressions of gratitude become exceptionally tenacious and dogged.”

Ah yes, that’s right. She had simply forgotten amidst her frenetic pace recently. No wonder her primordial spirit had vehemently shaken its head before she could even voice those words – clearly foreseeing this very situation. Clicking her tongue ruefully, Sophia could only lament inwardly.

+++++

Hiberia, a land situated at the westernmost reaches of the Thetis Sea, represented a gateway connecting that inner sea to the distant Atlas Ocean. Meanwhile, Caledonia remained an island nation separated from Frankish territory by a strait – necessitating seafaring transport to reach those territories.

Despite Sophia’s beloved warhorse Chaungreigh openly displaying its displeasure, their party ultimately secured passage aboard a ship bound for Hiberia.

“Endure it for a while longer. As one who presumes to be my steed, you ought to manage at least this much, should you not?”

Alternating between coaxing reassurances and thinly-veiled threats, Sophia finally convinced the reluctant Chaungreigh to board. As the ship departed the harbor amid the rhythmic crashing of waves against its hull, Sophia beamed contentedly – the exhilaration of their new journey caressing her cheeks like a gentle zephyr.

Approximately three days later during their voyage, Sophia’s party arrived at the major Frankish port city of Marseilles along the southern coast.