A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

When Maria failed to return even as night fell, Conra’s mounting agitation intensified with each passing hour. Simply submitting her remittance quota should have represented a relatively expeditious errand facilitating her prompt homecoming.
Unable to endure his disciple’s fidgety pacing any longer, Sophia eventually clicked her tongue chidingly:

“You’re utterly frantic. Does her absence truly perturb you that profoundly?”
“Master, surely some incident must have befallen her? Her continued disappearance feels decidedly abnormal at this juncture.”

Observing Conra’s grave countenance accompanying that anxious restlessness shifting his weight from one leg to the other prompted Sophia to stifle an amused chuckle before proposing:

“It appears we’ve no alternative remaining. We must venture forth ourselves to investigate her whereabouts.”
“It does seem that course is unavoidable now, Master.”

Regarding Conra’s solemn response, Sophia posed the pivotal prerequisite for initiating that prospective search:

“Very well. But do you possess any inkling where we might uncover that young lady’s present location?”

Momentarily pausing at her query, Conra contemplated tentatively before proffering:

“Perhaps summoning the spirits of flora and fauna through druidic invocations could aid our tracking efforts?”
{Unfortunately, your faculties remain insufficiently developed for communicating efficiently with this foreign realm’s indigenous spirits. Attempting such summons would prove futile here.}

As Esras-Hermes systematically dismissed Conra’s proposal outlining its inherent impracticalities within unfamiliar environs, the crestfallen youth swiftly proposed an alternative approach:

“Then what about alchemically formulating reagents for heightening my psychometric sensitivities toward detecting her spiritual resonances…?”
“And how promptly could you synthesize those components?”

Unable to meet Sophia’s skeptically arched gaze prompted Conra’s sheepish silence – an apologetic surrender his mentor acknowledged with a resigned headshake.

“I had hoped witnessing your own initiatives for resolving this conundrum. But it appears you still require further guidance, Conra.”

Regarding him with the same affectionate indulgence one would a precocious yet inexperienced child, Sophia divulged her proposed stratagem:

“Listen closely – I possess an alternate approach worth attempting…”

In essence, Maria likely absented herself for submitting those evening dues – meaning whatever predicament arose either preceded or followed that obligatory delivery.

“In which case, raiding their outpost may yield some illuminating insights.”

Sophia stated that determination flatly. Yet Conra expressed lingering reservations through his skeptical squirming:

“But what if such incursions fail unveiling anything substantive?”

“An impossibility. Whether directly or indirectly, they remain inextricably embroiled within that girl’s disappearance – or at the very minimum, turned a willfully blind eye. Perhaps those individuals you previously encountered served as proxies operating under superior directives.”

Sophia reasoned that given their particularized reconnaissance all the way to Maria’s specific residence, those unsavory types undoubtedly operated under certain overarching hierarchical oversight rather than stumbling across a random nameless urchin’s abode unawares.

“Even if completely uninvolved, negligent oversight alone warrants severe reprisals within these sovereign territories. If necessary, we can simply torture them into revealing her location.”

“Indeed.”

Convinced by Sophia’s rationale, Conra nodded reverently while silently admiring her decisiveness. Regardless of their culpability, decisive repercussions remained an utterly justifiable recourse under such unacceptable circumstances. What more pragmatically prudent methodology could exist?

“So which location should we target for this raid?”
“Conra, when previously surveying these environs from that bell tower vantage, you undoubtedly noticed which specific structures represented the slums’ most substantial edifices relatively proximate to the wealthier civic districts, did you not?”

Leveraging his prodigious navigational instincts, Conra immediately visualized the location conforming to Sophia’s criteria upon hearing her parameters.

“One moment…ah yes, I recall just such a building! I can lead us directly to that precise vicinity.”
“Excellent. Then let us depart promptly.”

With those words, master and disciple commenced their march toward Niu de Corb – the slum’s most opulent architectural centerpiece where they intended conducting their imminent raid.

+++++

The spectacle of a hooded nun accompanied by an armed youth unexpectedly materializing within those lightless back alleys represented an inherently ominous vision.
Twin pairs of eerily luminescent eyes sweeping omnidirectional surveillance across the dilapidated neighborhood before fixating upon a particular destination – all while steadily advancing without the slightest hesitation or furtiveness – intensified that profoundly unsettling impression.

“State your purpose here!”

The sentry guarding Niu de Corb’s entrance blocked their path with profound wariness toward those unidentified interlopers’ dubious intent.

“Ah yes, we’ve arrived searching for someone specific. Might you render some assistive cooperation in that endeavor?”

Sophia’s genially guileless query prompted the gatekeeper’s contemptuous sneer dismissing that overt ruse:

“If you seek missing persons, you should visit the civic registrars rather than trespassing here unbidden.”
“Oh, but I believe we’ve arrived at the correct destination after all. Please stand aside momentarily.”

Those condescending rebuttals catalyzed an instantaneous sequence – that insolent refusal’s recompense arriving simultaneously alongside Sophia’s palm strike blasting him into unconscious oblivion while her leading foot obliterated the entrance itself explosively.
Striding through those shattered remains with the reverberating cacophony of debris impacts resounding throughout the lobby providing percussive accompaniment, Sophia briskly infiltrated Niu de Corb’s interior.

“Intruders!”
“Under attack!”
“Who dares initiate these hostilities – the city militia, or rival organizations?”

Frenzied shouts accompanied the sudden chaotic commotion as startled denizens started flooding both the structure’s interior alongside adjacent buildings seeking that incursion’s source.

“Hmm, it certainly has been quite a prolonged interim since imparting any physical reprimands.”

Muttering that perfunctory observation, Sophia launched herself forward the instant after voicing that declaration – her silhouette spontaneously manifesting directly before their defensive perimeter in a near-instantaneous flash.
Those unfortunate rearguard sentries simply registered Sophia’s backhands and slapping palms impacting before they tumbled horizonward through dizzying aerial somersaults from those casually deflecting impacts.

Despite the utterly unnatural spectacles of their incapacitated comrades defying logical physics through those inexplicable trajectories, Sophia mercilessly capitalized upon their stunned immobility – a veritable lioness amongst shepherded lambs as she systematically neutralized every assailant within her vicinity.

Meanwhile, Conra demonstrated the absolute pinnacle of martial ki projections accompanying his own incapacitating maneuvers. Unlike Sophia whose mastery over inverse physical cultivation represented the apotheosis of transcendental physicality, Conra’s inverse strengthening remained limited to its second inner binding tier.
While Sophia overwhelmed adversaries through shockingly visual impacts accompanied by decisively incapacitating concussive force, her refined physical prowess enabled exquisite control over that deployed momentum – delivering emphatic subduing strikes rather than lethally traumatic impacts.
Conra, still progressing along that developmental path, could not replicate such exacting force modulations. Yet his drastically heightened sensory perceptions facilitated a different compensating proficiency altogether.

“Aaarrgghh, my arms! My legs!”
“I’m utterly entangled – unable to break free!”

Deftly implementing every aikido joint-locking and contortional technique Sophia had instructed alongside supplemental esoteric ki manipulation skills enabled Conra to contort adversaries into grotesquely unnatural full-body binds akin to human knots or chains.
Those spontaneously proliferating living effigy displays appeared even more bizarrely disconcerting compared to Sophia’s deflecting impacts sending targets airborne.

As Conra systemically restrained and entangled every would-be threat through those unconventional methodologies, a progressively increasing buffer zone steadily expanded outward around his environs – opponents reluctantly backpedaling to avoid approaching within that steadily enlarging perimeter lest succumbing to similar ignominious immobilizations.
Indeed, witnessing such unnatural bodily violations stripping away any self-autonomy understandably provoked genuinely existential terrors within even the most stalwartly resolute psyches rather than bravado or false bravado.

Yet Conra found himself disadvantaged compared to Sophia whose enlightened transcendence allowed surgically precise tracking and subduing any number of opponents through sheer unfettered willpower regardless of their evasive maneuvers or dispersal attempts.
While clearly overwhelming these assembled ranks, the youth’s more limited faculties potentially enabled certain crafty adversaries from slipping his attention amidst the frenzied chaos.

‘There…!’

His psychic focus alerted Conra toward a single silhouette surreptitiously attempting slipping out a concealed rear exit unnoticed. Instinctively pinpointing that specific individual as his highest prioritized target, Conra abandoned conscious volition while reflexively sprinting in pursuit.
Having already achieved moderate mastery over the ‘Salmon Leaping’ footwork techniques pioneered by ancestral Erenian warriors alongside Sophia’s tutelage within ascending lightness skills, rapidly overtaking that fleeing figure represented a relatively trivial feat.

Watching the pursuing Conra spontaneously manifest airborne directly overhead before descending in a deceptively casual flourishing crouch prompted Adrien Guillermo’s begrudgingly incredulous smirk.

“For a human to exhibit such inhuman agility – are you truly some feline or avian creature rather than a mere mortal?”

Hiding his discomfited shock behind that derisive quip, Adrien eyed Conra speculatively from beneath narrowed lids as the youth retorted frostily:

“Are you this establishment’s proprietor?”
“Indeed I am. And what ‘business’ compels you miscreants toward such egregious violations of private property?”
“We’ve come searching for a missing person.”
“Is that the full extent justifying this reprehensible pandemonium? If so, you should have arrived during daylight hours through properly sanctioned channels rather than at this indecent hour shrouded by ambiguous shadows.”

Reproaching Conra’s apparent lack of propriety prompted that abashed yet equally brazen response unabashedly acknowledging his blatant impropriety:

“Our urgency necessitated expediency. So despite any regrettable improprieties, your obligatory cooperation remains unavoidable.”

That apologetically contrite countenance directly contradicting his impenitent audacity momentarily staggered Adrien into genuine uncertainty whether he had registered that rejoinder accurately.

“Utterly incorrigible insolence!”

Grimacing begrudgingly, Adrien nevertheless nodded curtly while retrieving the slightly curved epee sheathed at his waist.

“Very well, I shall grant your blunt sincerity warrants equal reciprocation. If you desire my assistance, first prove yourselves worthy adversaries by overpowering me through sheer force.”

Srrnng – the crisp metallic whisper accompanying that unsheathed blade while steadying his composure through its familiar uncompromising weight.
Raising that upright epee toward Conra alongside a low balanced stance while supporting its guard with his opposite palm, Adrien signaled his readiness.

Observing his opponent’s preparations, Conra promptly unslung the spear slung across his back – evidently possessing zero compunctions regarding engaging this unforeseen skirmish through mutually assured violence.