Episode 51 - The Saintess is a Monk Holy Warrior
Within the church grounds in the Imperial Capital. Saintess Elfride, an elf waiting to join the army for the expedition in two days, was checking her gear while browsing the post Moderator had uploaded.
So, uh, that thing. The drinking water farm is now in the "Just Shop." That's it. (Hero and hero waving goodbye icon)
"From baguettes to drinking water now... Moderator has done the continent's races a huge debt."
The drinking water issue Moderator had solved. He had no idea, but due to climate change and pollution from corruption, the continent's lifeforms had been suffering from water shortages. Abundant clean water was a luxury.
It was standard to draw whatever scant water remained, purify it as much as possible, boil it furiously, and use that. But everyone had grown so accustomed to it that no one even complained anymore.
Elfride smiled, thinking of the problems being solved one by one.
"Just a little more... if we hold on a bit longer, everyone can live comfortably. One step forward."
Elfride murmured to herself while checking her gear. That earnest wish suited her current position perfectly.
But her expression didn't match. It brimmed with excitement, like she was looking forward to something immensely.
Elfride's current title was "Saintess," but when she first joined the church, she was a Holy Warrior. This was her first time joining an army since becoming a saintess, and it thrilled her to no end.
"Hng... Is it because it's been so long? The bandages won't wrap right..."
Elfride puffed her cheeks at the uncooperative bandages. Just as she thought to call someone for help.
"Saintess, it's Jane. May I enter?"
Jane, Elfride's guard knight. Gonic "Saintess'sPlaything" had come to her room at the perfect moment.
"Come in, Jane! I was just needing some help."
Elfride happily permitted entry. The moment Jane entered and saw the scene—scattered protective gear and bandages on her arm, looking ready to charge into battle—she squeezed her eyes shut.
"...Saintess. You are to stay in the rear. So why does our monk saintess look so eager to rush to the front?"
"Because I'm the face of the southern army! As a saintess, of course! I have to cheer on my brothers from the very front!"
Is that really all? With her history as a holy warrior, she had an extremely aggressive personality. And because of that, Jane always suffered the most.
As always, Jane began pondering how to dissuade her. It would've been easier if she used a sword like a regular knight.
But she was a monk who fought with martial arts, so Jane couldn't just let her go wild.
How did such thin, delicate limbs produce that kind of power? If her combat prowess were weak, persuasion would've worked.
If she were only at the level of a regular soldier who struggled against corpse golems, Jane could've shown her reality and talked her down.
But the saintess possessed greater might than even her guard knight Jane. No words came to mind to convince a human tank smashing forward wrapped in holy power.
"Hehe. I know what you're worried about, Jane. I don't plan to always stand at the front. I just want to be the first to leap into the toughest spots."
Did her thoughts show on her face? Elfride gave a wry smile and eased Jane's worries.
"I am a saintess. How could I forget my duties? This is just preparation to let everyone know who's got their back."
"Sigh... Understood. But absolutely, absolutely do not overdo it. I beg you, Saintess."
"Thanks, Jane. Now, could you help me wrap these bandages? They don't feel right after so long."
In the end, Jane gave up on full persuasion and approached to help with the bandages.
"But why wrap them already? The expedition is in two days..."
"Because it's been ages! I need to swing my arms a few times beforehand! Planning to head to the training grounds after wrapping up. Wanna come, Jane?"
At Elfride's bold reply, Jane squeezed her eyes shut again. This aggressive saintess clearly wouldn't stay meekly in the rear.
It seemed this deployment would be a tough one for Jane.
*
Rolling rolling rolling. Roll roll roll roll. The pups, in high spirits after a walk.
"No way, you guys were that thirsty...?"
I stared in bewilderment at the gallery users flopping like fish over the water news, with the frolicking pups in the background.
You should've said something if there was no water;; I had no idea since no one mentioned it. Thought you all had plenty. Why didn't you say anything?? (Hero and hero hook gesture icon)
I posted to get a clear picture of the situation. The replies flooded with real-talk demands.
"Sora, this is unfair. I did everything, and now I'm getting flamed."
This is an incident caused by Rain's lack of consideration. You brought it on yourself.
Sniff... hngh... Even Sora blamed me.
To me, who came from a world of endless water and plump bellies, this world was full of unknowns. Tears streaming inside, I checked the subjugation posts.
Can't we finish faster? We mages bomb with magic, knights and soldiers clean up. Yeah? If we just charge like mad, we could fertilize by winter planting, right? Am I the only one thinking this?
Truly a fantasy medieval world on the brink of ruin. The moment history turned against them, they united to tear it apart.
Was it 50 years of suffering that built up this grudge? Other rising posts were the same.
Empire gallery users drooling, waiting for march orders. Even posts worrying about mages' conditions turned out to be "heal on the way."
They wouldn't really charge first and think later, right?
"Sheesh. Like rabid beasts at history."
They talk big, but they'll absolutely obey imperial orders as soldiers, so no need to worry.
"Yeah, right? They have to."
I could only hope that madness channeled properly. With a wry smile, skimming posts, a sudden idea hit.
Wouldn't it be better to watch the expedition via broadcast?
"Oh, Sora. Is there a function for gallery users to share their live vision in real-time?"
Checking. Please wait a moment.
Sora, clueless about broadcasting, took a bit.
It exists. However, it consumes a lot of mana, so it can't be added until the scheduled upgrade period.
"Aigoo. Can't be helped... Guess we'll check with gifs this time."
Too bad, but this subjugation had no ties to me. Next time, before something big blew up, I'd grind the gallery hard to finish upgrades. I vowed it.