A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

Observing Conra’s petrified, crestfallen expression, Maria felt a twinge within her chest. Such a visage ill-suited his countenance – one far better complemented by transparent, vibrant exuberance akin to radiant sunshine itself. That intrusive thought continually resurfaced, prompting her to resolutely reiterate her dismissal while steeling her wavering resolve:

“Please depart now. You no longer possess any reason to involve yourself further with my circumstances.”

He represented an inherently good-natured soul – a perception formed from the moment he treated her injuries before inviting her to share lunch. If apprised of Maria’s personal situation, she suspected he would undoubtedly insist upon rendering assistance.
Yet that very benevolence compelled her decisive severance of their fleeting acquaintanceship all the more urgently. Regardless of his overtures, Conra ultimately embodied an absolute stranger completely unentangled within her own realities. Relying upon his naive kindness by implicating him within her sordid affairs proved unacceptable.

However, her blunt rejection rendered the youth utterly despondent – as if he had never before experienced such outright rebuffs regarding his charitable impulses. Clearly unprepared for Maria’s unanticipated response, Conra seemed dumbstruck into speechless immobility.

A reaction the observing Porting Spirit Lugus-Artaios found utterly infuriating:

{Listen here, are you seriously hesitating because of what that little wench said?}

….

Conra’s continued silence only further exasperated his incensed divine spirit:

{Use that dense skull of yours for once! If you meekly heed her dismissal and withdraw, have you contemplated her subsequent fate once abandoning her to those brutes?!}

Lugus-Artaios left that nightmarish insinuation unvoiced, yet Conra instinctively envisioned their depravities – brazenly inflicting whatever depraved retributions upon the newly unprotected Maria their sadistic whims demanded, quite likely compounded by vengeful malice provoked through his own earlier intimidation tactics.

Yet the sovereign spirit Esras-Hermes offered a different perspective regarding that grim scenario:

{Nevertheless, the young lady’s words carry a grain of reason. You Porting Spirits consistently exhibit that solipsistic flaw in your thought processes.}
{But still…}
{Even if protecting her represents the immediate priority, what path would you advocate pursuing afterward? Conra accompanies his mentor on an endless sojourning pilgrimage – he cannot feasibly remain here indefinitely as her permanent safeguard. Perhaps avoiding further entanglements altogether could ultimately prove the most prudent recourse for her well-being? Unless you suggest she accompany us upon that perilous vagrant journey replete with untold hazards at every turn?}
{Nnghh…}

Unable to refute Esras-Hermes’ pragmatic objections, Lugus-Artaios fell into resentful silence alongside Conra – the profound truth behind that stark reminder precipitating his own acute hesitation.
Even unilaterally imposing his desired course by compelling Maria’s reluctant accompaniment, could he realistically ensure safeguarding her throughout their entire unpredictable odyssey? That insidious misgiving had thoroughly stymied any decisive actions.

‘No recourse remains…’

After interminable agonized rumination, Conra eventually dissipated his intimidating aura before dismissively depositing the two ruffians upon the filthy thoroughfare – their blubbering dissolved into pathetic puddles amid his former killing intent’s aftermath.
Observing their pitiful spectacle while inwardly debating how prudent abandoning them under such compromised circumstances appeared, Conra shifted his scrutiny toward Maria’s resolute facade.

Despite her exaggerated pretenses at nonchalant composure, his heightened perceptiveness detected her minutely quivering shoulders and trembling pupils betraying profound vulnerabilities she desperately strove concealing. Deliberately overlooking those tells, Conra posed one final appeal:

“You’re absolutely certain departing immediately poses no concerns? Those degenerates appeared exceptionally dangerous.”

Feigning aloof disinterest while responding dismissively, Maria nevertheless allowed a taunting sneer to crease her lips:

“Or what – were you perhaps intending to resettle here within this very city yourself? If so, I’d advise against interfering within matters you comprehend absolutely nothing about as an acknowledged transient passerby destined to promptly depart regardless.”

Her bluntly cynical implications – that rootless vagabonds could never integrate within civilized society – constituted self-evident inevitabilities Conra found impossible to refute through speechless silence.
Perceiving his acquiescence, Maria curtly nodded before turning to exit without further prompting from the silently observing youth finally exhaling a resigned sigh.

“If you insist upon that decision, then very well – I shall withdraw.”

Withholding any parting wishes for her safety, Conra simply departed – Maria’s shoulders instinctively flinching despite her resolute refusal to glance back as a stray moonbeam reflected wetly across her glistening eyes.

+++++

“…And that’s what transpired.”

Having heard her disciple relate that entire afternoon’s sequence of events, Sophia’s mentor instincts mirrored an exasperated viewer’s vexation after some melodramatic serial cliffhanger – distressed to the verge of apoplexy yet utterly powerless to intervene.

“So in other words, you simply abandoned that poor girl to her plight and returned here?”

The profound incredulity clogging her throat prompted incessant compulsive gulping as Sophia ruefully bemoaned:

‘This situation calls for a tavern, not a church…’

At least fortifying herself through potent inebriation could partially alleviate her overwhelming sense of disgruntled frustration. Scrutinizing her disciple between those convulsive swallows, she inwardly estimated:

‘Speaking of which, wasn’t he nearly twelve years old by now?’

According to his parents, Conra arrived during the late winter to early spring seasons – meaning this winter’s passing would herald his twelfth birthday sometime soon.

‘He certainly seems remarkably contemplative as of late.’

Reflecting upon the indiscriminately adorable antics punctuating their initial encounters, his recent maturation represented a startling metamorphosis into sophisticated philosophical introspection.
Involuntarily chuckling despite her vexation while regarding this child brooding with such profound consternation, Sophia inwardly sighed:

‘Kids certainly grow up quickly nowadays…’

Yet that moment of nostalgic sentimentality swiftly evaporated, the comedic aspects paling before her predominating exasperation recalling his recounted misadventures. Furrowing her brow sternly, Sophia addressed her disciple with brusque solemnity:

“Conra. I understand your genuine attempts at grappling with that complex situation honorably, and I truly value such precious personal growth experiences. However, one aspect perplexes me gravely – why in the world did you insist upon shouldering that responsibility solely upon your own shoulders without involving our entire traveling company?”

This fundamental oversight represented an unforgivable blunder in Sophia’s assessment – presuming sole discretion over prospective additions to their nomadic entourage rather than consulting its presiding mentor.
Did he honestly believe she possessed such callous indifference toward any potential wards he discovered during their mutual journey? If so, Sophia fully intended berating her pupil for that egregious lack of deference.

Perceiving those censorious undercurrents, Conra paled noticeably while stammering:

“Ah, um, regarding that matter…”
{Well, well – did I not warn you about precisely this eventuality? If only you had heeded my earlier misgivings…}

Attempting capitalizing upon that opportune rebuke, Lugus-Artaios blustered forth only for Sophia’s reproachful ire to equally encompass him:

“And who authorized you to prattle about matters beyond your jurisdiction?”
{N-No, that was simply…}
“Am I to equate your habitual recklessness alongside his eventual circumspection as morally equivalent? Had he defaulted to your advice, what disciplinary actions do you imagine I would have enacted?”
{Nnghh…}

Having decisively quashed the Porting Spirit’s self-righteousness with that stark reminder, Sophia immediately refocused upon Conra:

“Very well. You clearly remember that young girl’s residential location, I assume?”
“Y-Yes, of course.”

Despite his bewildered confusion at Sophia’s abruptly shifting trajectory, Conra automatically affirmed retaining that pivotal detail – the faintest glimmers of hopeful anticipation gradually coalescing alongside his comprehension of her implicit intentions.

Regarding his tentative optimism with an indulgent gaze, Sophia promptly arose while retrieving her discarded veil and donning her cloak – issuing her directive with firm resolution:

“Then cease this vacillation. We shall retrieve her promptly. How she ultimately responds can be determined afterward – but first, we must secure her present situation. Now take point and lead the way.”

Flourishing her freshly regained mantle while gesturing toward the dormitory’s entrance, Sophia instructed Conra to precede their advance.
Observing his mentor’s decisive commands gradually rekindled the youth’s formerly flickering determination into a blazing inferno emboldening his features with emboldened conviction.

Sophia spoke truly – deliberating potential outcomes represented an inherently unproductive exercise before first confronting their current pressing reality.
In any given exigency, the wisest recourse involved implementing one’s subjectively perceived greater righteousness during that pivotal moment rather than dithering amid endless hypotheticals.
What justifiable reservations could he potentially harbor when graced by such caring mentorship?

“Yes, Master! I shall take point!”

Following Sophia’s purposeful strides beyond the dormitory threshold, Conra clenched his fists with reinvigorated resolution.