Flora was currently leading the Sisterhood following the army on their expedition.
“Your Excellency, the Saintess, there are some injured villagers in the village ahead, and they have already been settled by the soldiers in front.”
“I understand. I will take the Sisterhood there shortly.”
After hearing the scout’s report, Flora ordered to pour the prepared herbal soup into the jar.
“Twice a day, a small bowl each time is enough to reduce the fever. If anyone experiences fever symptoms, they can come to drink this herbal soup. Understood?”
A mother holding a child standing beside Flora nodded.
The Sisterhood did not move together with the army but followed behind, treating and diagnosing the injured in places where the army had fought, preventing any potential outbreaks of plague and disease after the war.
During the fighting, many church Sisters and priests accompanied the army on their expedition, with these individuals primarily there to guard against possible plagues arising after the war.
Aside from improper handling of corpses, the hygienic conditions in this world were far from commendable. Additionally, Lind was concerned about the chaos that might be caused by the Demon Clan from behind, so he placed extra importance on health issues after the battle.
Most of the priests had medical training, but given that military doctors were still in short supply, and the army couldn’t remain in one place for long, Flora led the Sisterhood along the way to treat the sick.
This work could not be performed by ordinary Sisters and priests. Although they followed the army, the Northern Border was currently filled with bandits and thieves, and a group of sisters unable to defend themselves would merely be seen as easy prey by those bandits who viewed them as unarmed, lightly protected targets.
However, most of the sisters in Flora’s Sisterhood had rich combat experience, not to mention being fully equipped. Lind provided their equipment to standards similar to the Royal Guards.
The Sisterhood was not just made up of the original Sisters from the Cathedral of the Blessed Mother of Relief; it had now absorbed many Sisters from different regions, with numerous religious figures joining them along the way.
At the same time, they were protected by dedicated Lars Knights.
This configuration resembled a small army, and frankly, capturing a modest town would not be a problem at all.
Although the Central Church in the Royal Capital had restored Flora’s reputation while defying ancestral decrees, thus declaring her a Saintess without her having to set foot in the Central Church, Flora felt no particular emotion about it. After all, it was not the Sisters who needed the church’s endorsement to elevate their status, but rather the church that required someone of notable reputation to enhance the value of that title.
Moreover, Graywhite Territory would also bestow the title of Saintess, as evidenced by Isha, who was recognized by the religious authority there. In the Northern Border, hardly anyone paid attention to any Church-sanctioned Saintesses anymore.
Furthermore, Flora did not strive for such a hollow title.
Looking at the gradually stabilizing village, Flora took out her pocket watch and called over the newly joined clergy along the way, preparing to move on to the next location.
Some clergy from Doug Territory did not recognize the religious management style of Graywhite Territory, and one could even say they opposed it. However, there were hardly any bad individuals among those willing to follow the Sisterhood around, as these clergy only opposed religious policies, not the order brought by Graywhite Territory.
Among them were also some who aimed to mingle with Graythorn Territory or Flora, hoping to drink from the well of the new order soon to come.
However, according to the Lord Governor, those who were good should strive for survival. Currently, the territory was actively reinforcing principles, so Flora allowed these people to stay in these towns and villages to maintain order. Graythorn Territory operated similarly; one could scheme, play tricks, and take advantage of situations, but one could not be openly foolish.
These individuals collaborated with the officials to stabilize local order and sanitary conditions quickly.
By the time Flora left, a crowd from the village had gathered at the entrance and silently watched the Sisterhood depart.
Flora and the Sisters beside her kept turning back, mostly reminiscing about the days at the Cathedral of the Blessed Mother of Relief.
Many newly joined Sisters donned bird-beak masks alongside Flora. This mask not only helped conceal their scars but also effectively prevented infections when in contact with patients and deterred any inappropriate thoughts from local ruffians or refugees regarding the Sisters. Thus, it quickly became popular among the Sisters.
Throughout the journey, not only did the fully-armed Lars Knights and soldiers keep an eye on the Sisters, but even bandits trembled at the sight of Sisters wearing the bird-beak masks.
Perhaps due to this reason, a group secretly observing the Sisterhood from afar within the Doug Army asked, “Boss, are we really going to attack?”
Many in the Doug Army were only soldiers when it came to military pay; otherwise, they were essentially a band of thieves. This was one of the reasons Lind did not want to incorporate them.
“Me… attack this Sisterhood? Is this for real?”
The general, referred to as the boss, quickly refrained when he witnessed the sight of the eagle-eye spell.
He had previously heard from people who had escaped from the Bedang Fortress discussing a disguised military medical Sisterhood from Graythorn Territory. That Sisterhood had the ability to deploy strange weapons that could shred your shields and armor, then insert firearms into the gaps and fire.
Hearing this made the general’s scalp tingle.
“Why don’t we just go back to farming? I heard that now, wherever the rebels… the governor’s army reaches, land is distributed.”
“But boss, we’ve already looted the area once; can we really expect to receive land?”
“The North is so vast; there are sure to be places where no one knows us. Once we reach an unfamiliar area, we can surrender, and everyone can either farm or go home. If by chance some brothers get selected to become part of the governor’s army, let them not forget their brothers in the future.”
After all, most of these soldiers were forcibly conscripted and had no real loyalty to Doug. Just firing a couple of shots would count as doing right by Doug.
At this point, a small leader and staff officer stepped forward and said, “Boss, I have a plan.”
“I have observed how the governor’s army treats prisoners of war. Governor Lind has stated that Northerners should not fight Northerners; it is true. Even if you fire upon the governor’s army, as long as you haven’t excessively plundered or committed murder and arson, the governor’s army will not hold anything against you.”
The general shook his head. “Although our plundering might not be overly excessive compared to those real bandits (considering there’s hardly anything left to steal), the brothers are innocent, but what about me? What should I do? I have allied with those bandits and provided cover for the Demon Clan; I’ve heard that Graythorn Territory shows no mercy toward the Demon Clan. How could the Lord Governor let me off easily?”
The small leader and staff officer slapped his thigh and said, “Isn’t that exactly your advantage, General?”
