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

“You understand, right? The closer we get to the border, the more monsters will appear. We might face five of those creatures that attacked us just now.”

“Yes, I know, but we can’t neglect the stakes. If they’re damaged, we need to repair them, and if that’s not possible, we’ll have to replace them further inside.”

The stakes placed at regular intervals along the border are crucial for maintaining the pure water and air produced by the Sacred Tree. They are imbued with the protective power of successive generations of saints and adjust the distribution of the Sacred Tree’s power throughout the country. They also serve as a barrier to keeping the Sacred Tree’s power within the nation.

That’s why, if the stakes are broken or missing, the power of the Sacred Tree won’t be evenly distributed, leading to contamination of the land and making it easier for monsters to enter from outside.

The Holy Nation of Satarian is surrounded by mountains on three sides, but the northern part is home to a forest teeming with monsters, which has historically led to frequent damage and displacement of the stakes.

Normally, a saint would be dispatched every year to reinforce the protective power… But with the increased monster invasions and resulting injuries, the saints have been preoccupied with tending to the wounded.

The north has a reputation for being infested with monsters; so many saints have said they’re too afraid to venture there. If this has led to the current state where monsters can invade freely, it’s hard to deny the negligence of the temple and the saints.

I wish that the high priests back at the central temple could see this disaster.

Anger welled up within Meteora. Thinking of the villages that had already disappeared only made her more furious. Lionel, sensing her anger or perhaps simply agreeing with her assessment, nodded.

“Defeating the monsters that come in is important, but we also need to focus on preventing them from entering in the first place. If it were any other saint’s suggestion, it would be dismissed as too difficult, but with a self-proclaimed genius saint, we might just pull it off.”

“It’s not self-proclaimed; it’s a fact.”

“Anyway, water. Securing water is the top priority. After that, we’ll look for another base and patrol the border. We’ll seal off any monsters that have entered and repair the broken stakes. Got it!?”

“Ooh—!”

The knights responded to Lionel’s words with raised fists. Despite being at the border for several months, they hadn’t lost their vigor, which was remarkable.

I have to do my best, too.

Gripping her staff tightly, Meteora renewed her resolve.