The presence of clergy and clerics is indispensable in the battle against the Undead Beasts.
Not only is Holy Water essential for the subjugation itself, but any wounds inflicted by the Undead Beasts, no matter how small, must be purified. Otherwise, decay will inevitably spread from those injuries.
Under the king’s orders, the Royal Knights Order had set out, accompanied by clergy dispatched from the church in the Royal Capital. However, with even the smallest scratches deemed unacceptable, they initially found themselves short-handed.
Hearing rumors of this subjugation expedition, various clergy and clerics from the countryside gathered to offer their assistance. Among them was Emily, a cleric apprentice who had rushed to the battlefield.
Emily began her service in the war-torn lands less than six months after the expedition commenced.
The grotesque forms of the Undead Beasts, the back-and-forth nature of the arduous battles, and the rapidly advancing decay of unattended wounds combined to create an overwhelming sense of unease. The knights were weary, uncertain of when this situation would end.
Amidst this turmoil, the sight of a young woman with a delicate appearance selflessly purifying the injured was indeed a balm for the knights’ troubled hearts. Despite being an apprentice and somewhat clumsy, her earnest efforts and the smiles that spilled from her lips seemed to dispel the dark atmosphere, offering a glimmer of hope.
While the knights received Emily warmly, there were also moments of discomfort that she had witnessed. Kevin reflected on these experiences.
“Let me do it!”
With a clear, ringing voice, Emily rushed to the side of an injured soldier, whose wounds bore the marks of the Undead Beast’s claws. At first glance, it appeared to be a scene of devotion and warmth.
However, just behind her stood a clergy member who had been attending to the soldier’s wounds before Emily’s arrival, now left in a state of shock as he was pushed aside. Perhaps he thought it unnecessary to make a fuss since healing and purification would ultimately be achieved, and he wore a troubled smile while remaining silent.
This was not a training ground for apprentices; it was a battlefield. Although they had initially lacked manpower, by this time, there were plenty of clergy and clerics present, allowing for a more organized approach. From an efficiency standpoint, tasks should have been divided, and there was no need for Emily to run around alone.
“Well, it can’t be helped. She’s still young and probably too focused on her work to notice what’s going on around her,” remarked another cleric, an older woman who had been pushed aside during the purification process.
“She’s just trying her best, and she means no harm. So far, she hasn’t caused any major issues. I don’t mind,” she added, her calm demeanor reflecting her experience in serving the goddess.
In the chaotic battlefield, few witnessed the entirety of such events. As a result, what remained in the minds of those around was always the image of Emily diligently purifying the wounded and the soldiers expressing their gratitude.
Eventually, the knights began to refer to Emily as the Holy Maiden. This title was typically bestowed upon those recognized by the Grand Church in the Royal Capital, but in the bleakness of the battlefield, no one dared to dampen the hope that this name inspired, and no one voiced objections.
The knights’ admiration for her soon took on a fervent, almost religious quality, yet the higher-ups and clergy chose not to admonish it. In a setting dominated by men, the presence of a young woman seemed to serve as a deterrent against violent misdeeds, fostering a sense of reverence akin to faith.
Before long, after each skirmish with the Undead Beasts, long lines formed before Emily, all seeking her purification for their wounds. Since decay would only begin to set in after two days, many knights were willing to wait, believing that it was better to be treated by her than to rush.
“Well, I suppose it’s only natural that they’d prefer a young and beautiful girl over an old man like me,” chuckled a renowned elder priest who had rushed from a large church in the west, sitting on a boulder with an amused expression. Kevin thought it was a ridiculous sight, considering there were plenty of other clergy available to assist.
At first, Kevin had viewed Emily’s selfless actions favorably. However, he soon noticed that she would sometimes abandon the purification of lower-ranking knights or those with minor injuries to attend to others.
It was only natural for her to be concerned about acquaintances who were injured. Most of those she rushed to help were higher-ranking knights who had significant influence within the order and often praised her efforts.
Due to her sincerity, her youth, and her tendency to act on emotion without fully grasping her surroundings, she would prioritize familiar faces over those of lower-ranking knights whose names and faces she barely knew. If someone had only a minor injury, she could easily leave it to someone else.
With each instance, Kevin felt a chill settle in his heart. He was aware that part of this feeling stemmed from his own insecurities and jealousy, which is why he kept his thoughts to himself. Yet, from an early stage, he began to regard Emily with a cold gaze.
“The devotion of the Holy Maiden Emily has saved many soldiers.”
At first glance, this statement was indeed true. However, Emily did not possess purification abilities that surpassed those of other clergy.
More than two months later, as such scenes became commonplace, Elliott received the Holy Sword, and the tide of battle shifted dramatically.
At that moment, many knights passionately declared, “The Holy Maiden’s prayers have reached the goddess!”