A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

To provide some context, the continental dioceses are broadly classified into ten regions.

Those visiting the Holy City of Ravenna hailed from various locales across the southwestern Hiberian Diocese, the Rotaringhian Diocese housing the Church headquarters, the southern Francias and southern Holy Griffin Empire, alongside the eastern Hellas, Anatolia, Kemet and Akhsum Dioceses situated around the Mediterranean or along the Alb Mountain trade routes.

In total, some three hundred clerics had converged upon Ravenna, official representatives dispatched from churches across the continent. Their diverse apparel and appearances shared only the Church crest emblazoned upon their cassock breasts and veils/zuchettos – a fish motif symbolizing the Great Ascetic’s devotion encircled within a radiant wheel.

This influx of three hundred crest-bearing clerics proved no small matter even for the approximately 40,000 residents of bustling Ravenna, especially given their foreign origins and varied tongues.

Before the dais, those three hundred clerics awaited in prearranged seating – an inauguration ceremony preceding their three-month curriculum under Sophia’s tutelage. After preliminary proceedings, Sophia ascended the dais, surveying her awaiting pupils.

“What a magnificent spectacle you present.”

Beholding the assembled Mediterranean clerics alongside thirty prelates previously instructed during the Council, Sophia expressed renewed awe.

An utterly unimaginable scene in her past life. Despite arduous efforts and fortuitous blessings to acquire such esoteric knowledge, none to transmit it to remained – rendering this a novel experience even for Sophia.

Suddenly, a warm smile graced her lips as her inner spirit and kundalini stirred, her Mastery of Rhetoric heritage power activating as she began speaking calmly:

“I am delighted to greet you, fellow travelers of this shared path. I am Paladin Seventh Seat Sophia de Chazelle, one who has also devoted herself to the priestly calling.”

Unexpectedly, Sophia’s voice did not resound thunderously, instead retaining a gentle, serene cadence. Yet peculiarly, it reverberated directly beside each of the three hundred attendees’ ears despite her tranquil delivery.

“I shall not elaborate on what you must learn, for you shall awaken to that understanding over the next three months under your instructors’ guidance. However, to inspire you, allow me to reveal a glimpse of your ultimate objective.”

Sophia scrutinized their respective expressions – some betraying curiosity, others skepticism, perhaps even indifference. Yet she did not fault them, for who could transcend such attitudes? The unseen remained unknown, the unfelt unrealized.

Just as the most convenient tools proved useless to the inexperienced, even precious wisdom felt unnecessary without firsthand comprehension.

Hence this demonstration’s necessity.

At some point, the assembled became aware of an opalescent golden radiance emanating from Sophia, expanding evenly throughout the chamber until even the furthest reached felt its warmth. In that instant, any present capable of wielding the luminous force experienced the same revelatory impact as the Toriento Council prelates.

As the miasma staining their luminescence sloughed away, they underwent an indescribable exhilaration and liberation. Having glimpsed this path, regression proved unattainable.

Sophia’s inauguration performance catalyzed profound dedication – they embraced the grueling Profound Muscle Training and Profound Brain Cultivation regimens wholeheartedly to master the Immovable Bright King Technique, their zeal astounding even the previously instructed Hildegard.

“I understand, but their passion is truly staggering.”
“Of course,” Ezio replied, projecting his own golden radiance from his palm matter-of-factly. “Once aware of attaining such light, not coveting it would seem the greater oddity.”

He then attempted maintaining the radiance while striking his signature “enigmatic poses” – the golden aura temporarily cloaking his muscular form like a gossamer film before flickering and dissipating as he clicked his tongue ruefully:

“Tch, I still cannot fully manifest it.”

Ezio habitually channeled the luminous force to envelop his physique, now researching how to incorporate the Immovable Bright King revelations into his techniques.

“The heightened consciousness while posing seems to disrupt my imperturbable equilibrium. I still have far to go…”
“Do not be overly disheartened. You did grasp the core technique itself within a mere fortnight.”
‘Surely that counts as remarkably swift progress,’ Hildegard began reassuringly before noticing the impressively muscular Alb Mountain ascetic’s rapturous expression, lips curled euphorically as he clenched his fists:

“Sublime! That the path towards the Great Ascetic’s yearnings still spans such an immeasurable journey fills me with infinite potential to persistently tread onwards.”

Rendered speechless by the scantily-clad, outlandishly posturing ascetic’s muscular exuberance, Hildegard unconsciously retreated several paces.

+++++

Even as instruction progressed, Sophia remained vigilantly observing the Royal City’s unfolding turmoil. Encountering Joseph Hiltmann, a distant relation operating an information parlor in Ravenna from the former Strasbourg proprietor Paul Hiltmann, proved an unexpected boon.

“The Church does employ informants, but they seem rather naive regarding politics – utterly inept in that domain.”

Recalling his cousin’s past predicaments that he had once mocked, the Ravenna informant Joseph now yearned to berate his former oblivious self – clearly some foolish arrogance had blinded him then.

‘Demons meddling in the royal succession? Such perilous affairs hold no appeal whatsoever.’

The worldly pragmatist pursued a long, slender lifepath diligently avoiding two treacherous entanglements: demonic affairs and political intrigues concerning the elite upper echelons.

Yet this crisis encompassed both factors, rendering its hazards self-evident – too daunting for a common burgher’s constitutionally timid disposition.

‘Yet having learned of it, I cannot simply abandon this den I have tended for over a decade through sweat and blood.’

If demons truly influenced the kingdom’s succession conflict, no refuge could guarantee his safety. Suppressing his churning dread, he could only endeavor to contain this crisis before it escalated further.

“So my task involves gathering intelligence on the factional claimants and backers, the ailing king and his circle, the courtiers monitoring these power plays – then relaying it all to Sister Chazelle, is it?”

Repeatedly blinking as if denying this outrageous reality, Joseph drew a satisfied nod from Sophia:
“Precisely. Your family does seem quite capable indeed.”
“But Zephyra! Surely such critical matters warrant consulting larger, more reputable operations? A humble parlor keeper like myself would only falter under such monumental burdens.”
“By protesting thus, you have already confirmed your competence. I understand you have discreetly cultivated connections among the palace staff and officials.”

Sophia’s casual revelation prompted Joseph’s bulging, incredulous reaction:
“How did you uncover that?!”
“You proudly displayed it upon these very walls – the case histories of assignments you deemed publishable, excluding confidential engagements. Even this condensed glimpse reveals enough to extrapolate your clients’ identities and necessary investigative methods, does it not?”

As the informant inwardly raged at her galling insensitivity to discretion norms, Sophia remained undeterred:

“In any case, success shall earn commensurate recompense.”
“…What manner of recompense?”

The deflated informant’s feeble query revealed his conflicted desperation – unofficially handling Church affairs seemed unlikely to garner institutional backing, yet could he refuse considering the potential rewards?

Perceiving his turmoil, Sophia chuckled before deliberately concealing her presence directly before his eyes. As he gaped bewildered, she rematerialized, offering:
“Allow me to impart this skill. How does that sound?”

What choice did he possess? The Ravenna informant Joseph Hiltmann could only vigorously nod acquiescence.

After contractually exchanging appropriate compensation for services rendered, Sophia departed pondering her plans while securing this capable asset:

‘With a proficient informant’s aid combined with the cardinal’s Church intelligence for cross-verification, I should discern that demonic trail I sensed.’

But if that malign presence manifested, how should she proceed? Direct intervention seemed unwise upon reflection.

These factions already entertained notions of co-opting Church authority for their political machinations. If demonic interference in their squabbles was exposed, they would undoubtedly attempt implicating the Church to obfuscate the truth.

In that case, openly demonstrating the Church’s legitimate powers and influence from an official platform might prove the wiser recourse – not merely displaying individual Paladins’ formidable might, but the full extent of the Church’s mobilizable resources and sway, instilling appropriate wariness.

“And this also provides an opportune live combat scenario for my students.”

As future clergymen destined to engage demonkind on formal battlefields, merely relying on elite Paladin vanguard knights would prove insufficient against overwhelming demonic hosts. Granting preliminary archfiend war experience seemed prudent preparation. Such calculations began formulating within Sophia’s mind.