booknovelhub
Chapter 160: Theresa, The Virtuous
Chapter 160: Theresa, The Virtuous
With a final, defiant cry, the knight surged forward, her cross-pressed cape billowing out behind her, and swung her mace toward the first Abyssal Harbinger. The heavy weapon crashed into its form, sending arcs of holy light splintering through the air, sanctifying the very ground beneath her feet. Her whip lashed out, each strike a deadly arc, infused with an aura so potent that even the ethereal shadows of the Harbingers seemed to falter.
In her presence, the land itself seemed to bend to her will, purged and consecrated with every blow she delivered. The Harbingers recoiled from her light, their dark tendrils reaching out in desperation only to be driven back by the brilliance of her faith.
"For even the darkest night," she declared, her voice ringing over the battlefield that we have no part of, "Cannot outlast the dawn!"
And with that, she tore into the Harbingers, a one-woman vanguard against the nightmare, her every strike a proclamation of defiance, her every word an anchor of hope.
Verina was watching, awe-struck. "She's... unstoppable."
The knight moved from one Harbinger to the next, her whip lashing with expert precision, each strike tearing away pieces of their smoky forms as if peeling away layers of shadow. Her mace crashed down with a thunderous finality, each blow breaking apart the Harbingers, leaving hallowed ground in her wake.
As she moved, holy light pulsed from her, flooding the battlefield and sending waves of calm through our bastion. The thick, smoky despair that clung to the air dissipated, replaced by a strange, almost peaceful clarity.
I glanced around, seeing that even the bastioneers looked uplifted, their fear momentarily forgotten in the knight's radiant presence.
Then, as quickly as it had begun, it was over. The last Abyssal Harbinger shrieked in defiance, but the knight's whip silenced it with one final, decisive strike. It burst apart in a blinding flash of light, leaving nothing but hallowed ground where it had stood. The battlefield fell silent, save for the soft rustling of the knight's banners in the breeze.
The knight turned toward us, her gaze steady, and approached with an unhurried stride. She stopped just outside our bastion's entrance and removed her helm, revealing a face that was both stern and gentle, framed by that stark white hair and marked by the glowing golden tattoos.
With a bow, she addressed me. "I am Dame Theresa, a member of the Sisters of Aegis of the Anthropocentric Order. I come in offering both peace and unquestionable protection!"
Her voice was deep and resonant, laced with warmth, and I felt her words settling like a balm over our nerves.
There seemed to be some rather overwhelming glint of excitement and curiosity in her eyes that I couldn't make it out yet.
While she was not so far away like last time, I finally managed to open her detail screen.
—
[
Theresa
]
[Human, Female, Age 34, Sisters of Aegis]
—
Abilities
—
[
Sacred Ground
: This individual can consecrate the area around her, transforming it into hallowed ground for a limited time. While active, this ability creates a sanctuary that repels dark entities, weakens malevolent powers, and soothes the wounds and spirits of allies within its radius. Those in the area feel a surge of calm and courage, while any unholy beings are struck with an overwhelming urge to retreat]
[
Divine Fortitude
: Through unwavering faith, this individual is completely resistant to any evil influences, charms, or temptations. This immunity allows her to remain steadfast against corruption, dark magic, or even the psychological tactics of her enemies. Her presence acts as a beacon of light and integrity, inspiring purity and resolve in those around her]
—
Highlighted Traits
—
[
Boundless Compassion
: This individual's empathy knows no bounds, compelling her to see the good in others even when it's obscured. This compassion allows her to connect deeply with both friends and foes, often leading to peaceful resolutions where others would resort to conflict. However, her unyielding kindness can sometimes leave her vulnerable to deceit, as she struggles to recognize true malice in those she seeks to help]
[
Unshakeable Faith
: This individual's devotion to the Light is absolute, giving her the strength to persevere even in the face of insurmountable odds. This faith is both her armor and her guide, allowing her to perform her duties with a serene calm that few can rival. It also enables her to resist any form of doubt or hesitation, though it can make her seem uncompromising or stubborn to those who do not share her convictions]
[
Inspiring Presence
: This individual's presence uplifts and invigorates those around her, instilling courage in allies and encouraging unity in times of strife. People feel drawn to her warmth and integrity, finding in her an embodiment of hope and resilience. While this trait makes her beloved among her allies, it can sometimes create an unapproachable aura that others find intimidating or difficult to relate to]
—
[<{
Biography
}> {
Inventory
} {
Health
} {
Needs
} {
Social
} {
Log
} {
Info
}]
—
I also did a quick scan on the rest of her tabs to know her better.
The amount of enhancement in her body and statuses were just staggering! It was a buff on top of buff on top of buff upon a mountain of list of many things, even to the most minor of blessing from a small litanies.
And if the information in her Health tab was correct, then nearly her whole body was covered by the visible golden scripture that was inked to her dark grey skin.
Make me curious if she would just essentially glow in the dark if she were naked.
The weird thought aside—seeing her log, she didn't seem to be traveling alone. I wonder where the other one was?
Aside from that, I need to address the elephant in the room.
"Anthropocentric Order…"
The info-dump gave me jack shit about the existence of the branches within the Anthropocentric Order, let alone what the Sisters of Aegis meant.
I glanced at Kuzunoha, whose wisdom surpassed that of any among us. She observed Theresa with a measured gaze, nodding slowly.
"Kuzunoha," I murmured, "What exactly are the Sisters of Aegis?"
She glanced at me, her eyes gleaming with that characteristic glint of hers whenever she was about to relay a well-stored fragment of wisdom. "Ah, the Sisters of Aegis," she began, folding her arms with a thoughtful nod. "They're a rare breed of knights, unique to the Anthropocentric Order—a half-humanitarian, half-military branch of female-only warriors dedicated to spreading hope and protection."
"Interesting," I mused, watching Theresa's figure more closely. "Not exactly what I'd expect from an order under the Anthropocentric banner."
"Indeed," Kuzunoha agreed with a smirk. "They're… different from the other factions you might have heard of. Unlike the Inquisition, who spread their authority as relentlessly as flames spread in a drought, the Sisters of Aegis are much more intentional. Their purpose is less about enforcing doctrine through fear and more about safeguarding and elevating humanity in a way that inspires devotion rather than dread."