Personal History

       The term "Knight-Errant" embodies both the countless romantic legends of the Old Kingdom era and the deepest fears of the Republic’s common folk. Traditionally, knights, predominantly male in those days—were expected to spend much of their time away from home, engaged in adventure, socializing, hunting, tournaments, and warfare. Yet, only those who cast aside all worldly affairs to serve the Goddess Tarab with wholehearted devotion earned the title of "Knight-Errant"; their exploits, ranging from righting wrongs and protecting the innocent to traversing the heavens and the earth, were staples of traditional literature.

       To a commoner who had never left their village and had dropped out of school after just two years, however, "Knight-Errant" held but one meaning: "bandit." While the Republican Guard opened its ranks to destitute knights, there were still those who failed even to qualify for military service. Ordinary people lived in constant dread that these desperate outcasts might turn their weapons, ostensibly wielded in the name of justice against them.

       Yet, in this modern age where the deeds and legends of knights-errant have all but faded into oblivion, there has emerged a figure who represents the ultimate embodiment of the archetype: Angela. Her story began to spread by word of mouth amidst the turmoil following the Space Race, as the Republic’s economy plunged into depression. Her exploits gained widespread renown against a backdrop of parliamentary squabbling and frequent government paralysis. In an era where moral standards have eroded, and the Republic’s superiority over the Old Kingdom, despite the latter's material advancements, is difficult to conclusively prove, some lawmakers have made a bold claim: they argue that Angela’s sanctity, surpassing that of any knight-errant in history or legend, serves as definitive proof that the Republic’s righteousness far outshines that of the Kingdom era.

       Angela’s widely celebrated acts of kindness range from the saintly, moving enough to bring tears to one's eyes, to the awe-inspiringly powerful. Yet, what truly stirs the heart is her unwavering persistence in doing good: rescuing children from raging floodwaters, punishing marauding bandits, delivering calves during difficult births, shielding women from harassment, and carrying the blind on her back across long distances, the list of her good deeds is endless. Once her travels brought her to the Republic's capital, no one doubted the authenticity of her many acts of benevolence. In any setting, Angela’s demeanor was serene, poised, and graceful; her smile, pure as a lily, captivated everyone. She was a patient listener, and the mere act of being heard was enough to dissolve the troubles of those who sought her aid. Her words, profound and inspired, offered instant clarity to the confused; the mentally ill grew calm in her presence, and severe ailments, conditions that had baffled Earth’s medical science, were healed simply by her touch and words of comfort.

       Angela’s arrival breathed new life into the Republic’s moribund traditional religion; some hailed her as a messenger of the Goddess, or even the Goddess Tarab incarnate. Many, drawn by her renown, offered her their wealth and pledged their service, much like those she had aided during her earlier travels. Yet, Angela kept only what was essential for her own needs, bestowing the rest upon the needy; such detachment from worldly desires only further elevated her standing.

       Angela’s origins were hardly mysterious: she was the third daughter of a minor knight. Though she had lived an unremarkable life, graduating from a boarding school, her subsequent years were a blank slate; she simply described herself as having "traveled the pilgrim's path." Given that the old kingdom's religious sites had largely devolved into tourist attractions, one might say she had been traveling on a shoestring budget. It was during this journey that she awakened a powerful EGO ability and resolved to dedicate herself to the ideals of chivalry.

       Some proposed that Angela run for the legislature or even the executive branch, but the saintly woman never sought office herself. Others wished to bestow honors and medals upon her, yet such gestures seemed inadequate to truly reflect her virtue or the power of her example. The outcome was both surprising and entirely logical: through the efforts of Deputy Commander Morrigan, Angela was appointed Commander of the "Świdnik" 1st Colour guard Regiment, the unit charged with guarding the capital.

       Angela’s saintly, dignified bearing made her the perfect figurehead for this elite guard unit. Her presence in the capital was a source of pride and prestige for the Republic's dignitaries. More importantly, Angela was actually clueless about tactics and administration; consequently, the practical management of the warband fell into Morian's hands. Morian proceeded to build a faction of her own, turning the warband into her personal fiefdom, while using Angela as a figurehead to operate, borrowing the "Saintess's" prestige to bolster her own reputation.

       Was Angela aware of Morian's intentions? Perhaps she was or at least Morian believed so. Morian often detected in Angela’s admonitions and words of comfort that this "Saintess" was not as naive or worldly-unwise as she appeared. Yet, Angela never refused... which meant there was no need to stop.