A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

Having resolved the potential risk of leaving the presiding spirit unattended within the dungeon, the party calmly began exiting. Leaving was quite simple, as conquering the dungeon had naturally granted them free access to any floor.

What greeted them upon smoothly exiting, however, were three armed forces encircling the dungeon entrance in a tense standoff for some reason.

“Hey, does anyone know what’s going on here?”

Taking the initiative, Hildegard inquired while shouldering her halberd. But the response to her question was not a proper answer, but rather an arrogant rebuke from some ruffian:

“That’s for us to say, woman! How did you wenches even emerge from inside the dungeon?”
“Huh? Do you not know who I am?”

Though Hildegard asked in disbelief, if he was so unaware as to prompt such an attitude, there was no point engaging him further.

“Don’t answer a question with another question, woman. This dungeon rightfully belongs to Lord Franz Anton Friedrich von Badenbaden Zerbst, the legitimate master of Badenbaden. Regardless of the circumstances, your emergence from the dungeon constitutes a violation of this land’s sacred demesne laws.”
“What a ridiculous claim. Since when has this become the lord’s property? This area was originally under our Church’s joint administration even before the dungeon appeared. Thus, the authority to manage this dungeon resides with our Church.”
“You’re both mistaken! The legitimate rights to the Badenbaden territory have always belonged to our Lord Donatien Antoyne Gaspard de Aghno, Marquis of Ecclaties!”
“How dare a vassal house prattle on about Badenbaden’s lineage! Are you suggesting handing imperial territory over to Frangians?”

And soon, pandemonium erupted – the unruly spectacle of the greed-blinded. Hildegard darkly remarked:

“It seems we did well to clear the dungeon first. Judging by their idiotic ramblings, engaging them further would have only invited more trouble.”
“Fools who deem book-learning and penmanship dishonorable. Expecting anything sensible from those whose heads are filled only with vulgar brawling and baseless bluster would be foolish itself.”
“But they’re not particularly stronger or better fighters than us either.”
“What a dreadful thing to say!”

Sophia shuddered violently.

“Imagine if those blockheads could fight as well as us. How would that be?”
Contemplating Sophia’s words, Hildegard soon answered with a nauseated expression:
“That would undoubtedly be hell on earth. My apologies, I misspoke just now.”
“In any case, it seems we need to calm this situation first.”
“How do you intend to do that?”
“I know a handy technique for such occasions.”

As the two conversed, Conra, quietly listening, paled upon comprehending Sophia’s intent before sympathetically regarding the bickering armed forces. Noticing his expression, Hildegard asked with interest:

“Oh, do you have an idea what Sophia intends to do?”
“I’ve witnessed it once before.”

Conra vividly recalled the technique Sophia had used to silence the Brhymath lord’s underlings. Truthfully, even to his young eyes, it had been a rather shocking display – to subdue people with mere shouts, something he would have dismissed as nonsense had he not witnessed it firsthand.

Soon, Hildegard too directly witnessed the reason behind Conra’s apprehension.

Sophia’s internal energy cultivation, kundalini, Geas covenant, anointed status, and the “Martial” and “Heroic Ordeal” legacy blessings activated. Her astral muscles augmented lung capacity and overall vocal resonance while her astral brain produced a spell formula amplifying and projecting her voice. And then…

After that earth-shattering roar reverberated, only the nun knight party remained standing.

Hildegard let out an exclamation resembling a scream:
“Whoa, what was that just now! What was that just now! I don’t know what it was, but it was incredibly cool! Exhilarating! Awesome!”

Evidently, that previous shout had left quite an impression.

“How did you do that?!”
“Just some intense shouting training, along with spells to amplify the sound itself. Eventually, you’ll get there.”

Sophia casually fed Hildegard that dubious line. And regrettably, Hildegard fully believed her nonsensical explanation. Conra instinctively realized she would likely retreat to some mountain to practice shouting once they parted ways.

“By the way, shall we start the discussion now?”

Rubbing their hands together, Sophia and Hildegard stepped forward. As the black-and-white Frangian nun knight attire of Sophia and the blue-and-white imperial nun knight garb of Hildegard came into view, the greed-blinded finally noticed the Paladin insignias emblazoned on their forehead veils.

“P-Paladins! Wh-When did nun knights arrive in Badenbaden?!”

Even the previously arrogant Badenbaden lord’s representative belatedly grasped their identities from the surroundings, his complexion turning ashen. They realized, they could not help but realize – with just that single shout from Sophia, they had been forcibly reminded of the fundamental disparity between nun knights and common beings.

However, the restive murmurs only irked the nun knights seeking to swiftly resolve the situation. Ultimately, Sophia decided to personally provide a gracious demonstration of her expertise in silencing them volitionally.

“Silence, all of you.”

Though spoken calmly, her distinct voice reverberated as if uttered directly beside each murmuring person’s ear, piercing their eardrums.

“If you wish to keep babbling, then by all means, carry on.”

Sophia gave a benevolent smile, yet her words conveyed a different meaning to her audience:

‘If you cannot remain reasonably quiet and insist on prattling, I shall start by temporarily dislocating those useless jaw joints.’

Soon, everyone fell silent, focusing on the nun knights’ words. As Sophia stepped back, Hildegard took over:

“It seems you were all prepared for quite the squabble over the rights to this dungeon. Unfortunately for you, I must deliver some sobering news.”

Sobering news? They suddenly felt disinclined to hear more, reminded of the typical outcomes when the Church and dungeons intersected. And contrary to their wishes, Hildegard’s next words were a direct gut punch:

“I deeply regret to inform you, but we are scheduled to seal this dungeon forthwith.”

In blunt terms, Hildegard dryly notified them that while this dungeon had existed until now, it would no longer from this point onwards.

“How dare the Church arbitrarily decide such a thing!”

Suddenly, the Badenbaden representative who had previously mouthed off to Hildegard protested, likely seeking to redeem himself before his lord after being cowed. However, he had momentarily forgotten an even greater authority much closer was observing him besides his lord.

“Oh? Then what did you intend to do with a dungeon requiring the deployment of two nun knights just to access?”

As Hildegard’s piercing glare and overwhelming pressure turned towards the Badenbaden man, he immediately foamed at the mouth, convulsed, rolled his eyes back, and fainted – with some suspicious liquid seeming to seep through his groin area.

“In any case, besides this fool, does anyone else object to our proceedings?”

Hildegard surveyed the gathering. Everyone avoided meeting her gaze, only furtively evading her eyes. Hmm, it seemed there were no further dissenters. Hildegard nodded in satisfaction.

If any additional objections arose later, the local diocesan bishop or the Church itself would handle it. By then, she would have already departed for her next destination, so Hildegard had no obligation to concern herself further.

Undoubtedly, Sophia would share her view on this matter.