Banishment is Fine: As a Genius Saint, I Can Shine Anywhere. - Chapter 1

Two weeks ago, this place was a village with about twenty residents. Now, it’s completely ruined, and the air is cloudy, filled with a thin purple haze.

The well was still there, but the water was just as Lionel said—rotten. An oily substance floated on the surface, and it smelled terrible. The water, polluted by the haze, remained toxic even after boiling or filtering, making it unsafe for drinking, bathing, or using for laundry.

The water is tainted by the haze, so the ground is also poison. Plants are withered, and the toxins seeping from the ground have even begun to corrode the remains of the buildings.

Walking here is dangerous. Only the charm I placed under the insole of my boots keeps me safe.

“By the way, have you sewn charms into your gear as well?”

“Yes, but we received them when we left the capital three months ago.”

“In that case, it’s time to replace them.”

Charms don’t last forever. Those drawn by less skilled holy women only last about a month, and even the best ones only last about three months.

“I’ll draw new ones when we return to the temple.”

“Thank you. My subordinates are all normal humans, so they need it even more.”

“Normal humans” is an interesting expression. It reminded me that Lionel has extraordinary leg strength.

“Are you a superhuman, Captain?”

“Your question suggests you already have an idea.”

“Well, yes.”

Lionel is likely a superhuman enhanced by a priest’s magic.

Holy women are better at healing and protecting, while priests are better at enhancing and cursing. To gain extraordinary abilities like Lionel’s, one needs a priest’s enhancement magic.

However, enhancement magic requires a personal sacrifice, so I wondered what Lionel gave up for his abilities.

Despite this, he looks like a normal human and seems healthy. It’s best not to ask about such serious matters.

Meteora concluded this in her mind.

“Enhanced humans aren’t highly regarded by holy women, right?” Lionel said, seeing Meteora’s silence.

“Did a holy woman tell you that?”

“Not exactly…”

“Many people dislike altering their bodies with magic, but fighting monsters like these requires enhancing the body for safety.”

Without Lionel stabbing the winged monster from earlier with his sword, it would have taken much longer to defeat.

“You think logically,” Lionel said, glancing at Meteora while watching for approaching monsters.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is. I thought young women, even holy ones, were emotional and noisy. But there are exceptions.”

By that logic, Meteora had similar thoughts about Lionel.

She had treated many knights before. Some were rude and demanded quick healing, while others joked inappropriately once healed.

Compared to them, Lionel was straightforward. Though a bit blunt, he expressed his thoughts directly, which made conversations with him less tiring. His bravery in being the leader in charge against monsters was also admirable.

Just as there are different types of holy women, there are different types of knights.

It was an obvious fact, but meeting him confirmed it for her, which was an unexpected gain.