Laite froze, trembling as he squeezed out a sentence.
“Sir Knight, what do you mean?”
The Order Knight squad leader didn’t waste words.
“Messiah City, a key strategic city on the front lines, is under siege. The Empire has issued an emergency order, requiring all nearby Order Knights to organize whatever reinforcements they can within two days.”
“But we’re not combat personnel…”
“An army isn’t made up solely of combatants. Our unit lacks priests, and such personnel mainly come from the church. We won’t conscript too many—it depends on the situation. Everything is in accordance with regulations, Father.”
Laite was speechless.
He looked down at the people beside him: the young Selina, and Milia holding her child with a worried expression.
After a moment of silence, he spoke to the soldier.
“I’ll go with you. I know a little about healing magic, and I have some medical knowledge. Even if my mana runs out, I can still do my best to treat the wounded.”
“I’m sorry, Father, but Messiah City is in imminent danger. Efficiency comes first. Forgive my frankness, but your leg will likely become a burden to you,” the knight said bluntly.
“On the battlefield, we can’t constantly look out for you. A priest with a bad leg would be our weak point. We need priests to maintain combat strength, not to maintain a priest’s healing ability.”
He glanced at the other members and asked, “Are there any other members of this church?”
“Unfortunately, it’s just us. Two sisters returned to their hometown years ago. Perhaps you could try the church in the neighboring town.”
Milia shot Laite a complicated look, then averted her eyes.
Selina remained silent.
“We don’t have time. You’re not in our selection, so we have to choose between these two sisters. Report their mana levels and what level of healing spells they can use.”
“By the way, this is an order,” he added.
His gaze first fell on Milia, who was holding her child.
“M… mana level one, healing spells level one too.”
As she finished, the baby in her arms suddenly started crying, and she quickly soothed him.
The quiet church was left with only the child’s sobs.
Selina glanced at Xiao Baoluo, then realized the knight was watching her, waiting for her answer.
A choice between the two.
She and Milia—one had to be suitable.
But they had never been to war.
For this squad, either would do; they just needed the right fit.
Her current mana level was third tier, and her healing spells were also third tier—basically the upper limit of this small church.
To advance further, she would have to go to the central church.
In every respect, she was the best choice.
But going to war meant an uncertain fate.
Selina had her own selfish desires, but after seeing Xiao Baoluo, she understood what she had to do.
She met the Order Knight squad leader’s eyes and parted her small lips slightly.
“Mana level three…”
“Mana level one, healing spells level one…”
The moment those words came out, Xiao Baoluo stopped crying.
The entire church fell into a terrifying silence.
Everyone was wordless.
A confused gaze turned to Laite—the words had come from his mouth.
Milia didn’t look at him.
She held Xiao Baoluo tightly, her face expressionless.
“No one is more suitable than me. Take me. Sir.”
The silent silence was even more horrifying.
The knight didn’t shift his gaze; it remained fixed on Selina.
“What’s your name?”
This time, Laite didn’t answer for her.
She replied directly, “Selina.”
“You’re our priest now.”
“Sir!!! She’s only fourteen!!!”
Laite suddenly exploded.
He threw away his crutch, stumbled over to the knight, grabbed the gap in his armor, and pleaded earnestly, “Let me go in her place. She still has a bright future. She’s my only granddaughter. Please, let me go!!!”
The parishioners were stunned.
They had witnessed everything from the start.
No one expected the usually revered old priest to lose his composure like this, begging the knight.
“Full of lies…”
A knight behind the leader stepped forward to pull the old man off, but the leader waved him to stop.
“Lies cannot hide from the Order Knights, but I understand your feelings. Reason tells me this child is our best choice. She has no right to refuse. But my emotions swear to you—I will protect this fourteen-year-old child with my life.”
“That is a promise. An Order Knight never breaks his word.”
The squad leader knelt on one knee.
Laite’s hands loosened, and he knelt down to meet the knight’s eyes.
The knight removed his helmet, revealing a fierce face covered in scars yet resolute.
“I promise you—I will protect her with my life. In the name of Keerman Aoluo, founder of the Order Knights.”
Silent silence was usually unsettling, but at this moment, it brought everyone immense peace.
The parishioners, who had retreated to various corners of the church, were no longer afraid.
They gathered around the kneeling knight and made a gesture toward him.
They spoke in unison.
“May the Goddess bless you.”
He stood up.
His tall figure made him stand out among them, and he put his helmet back on.
“Allow me to introduce myself. Kante Airuiba, captain of the Third Squad, Second Company, Seventh Order Knights Corps. Mana level seven, the core of the squad.”
Selina looked up, her eyes fixed only on this knight.
She introduced herself as well.
“Selina, mana level three, healing spells level three, temporary priest.”
Under Laite’s dejected gaze, Selina showed a rare faint smile.
She had never been a flower in a greenhouse, never meant to be protected.
Though more than ten years had passed, the talent etched into her soul could not be erased.
The various techniques from her previous life in the game did not come out of nowhere.
As long as her physical fitness reached the standard, she should be able to recreate that combat prowess.
In this life, Selina’s body was not as frail as before.
She often read, but she also exercised regularly, ate lightly, and had no artificial additives.
With deliberate training, she could likely match a minor officer in the Imperial Army.
Just as she was lost in thought, Kante suddenly spoke.
“Time is tight. You have half an hour to pack your bags and some food. We leave immediately.”
Selina and Milia exchanged glances and hurried to the backyard to gather their belongings.
Laite seemed to have aged considerably in an instant.
With the help of the parishioners, he sat down on a bench.
What no one knew was that he had long regarded Selina as his own daughter.
As people age, they fear loneliness and solitude.
One by one, the church members had left, filling him with a little dread.
He was afraid that one day, this church would have only him left inside.
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