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

The miasma (the purple haze) here is really terrible, isn’t it? Meteora lightly waved her staff, purifying the surrounding air.

When she also cleansed the air around the knights, they sighed in relief.

“Ah, it’s easier to breathe now. Thank you, Saintess.”

“This is nothing. But… it must be hard for you to stay in such a place for a long time.”

The knights, who were Lionel’s subordinates, smiled wryly and said, “That’s right.”

“But if we don’t hold the line and stop the monsters here, they’ll reach the central region.”

“Our families are in the central region.”

Despite the danger of their mission, their gazes were firm when they spoke. Meteora nodded once.

“Then, to ensure that your families don’t have to weep over the dead bodies of their sons and husbands, I will properly imbue the amulets with protection.”

“Thank you very much!”

The knights all expressed their gratitude together, and Captain Lionel sighed, “Such simple-minded fellows.” However, his mouth was smiling, so he probably didn’t mean it.

“Still, the pollution caused by the miasma is truly severe. This should be within our borders.”

Meteora turned her face in the direction of the capital, which was called the Central.

Though it was quite far away and only faintly visible, beyond the haze stood a gigantic tree that reached up to the clouds.

That giant tree, known as the “Sacred Tree,” is the guardian deity of our Holy Kingdom of Satarian.

In this continent, where monsters lurk, the “Sacred Tree” is said to be the only salvation given by the gods to humans.

The entirely white “Sacred Tree,” from its roots, trunk, and branches to its lush leaves, produces pure water from its roots and releases clean air from its leaves. Within the range of the “Sacred Tree’s” power, humans are not affected by the miasma. So they can drink clean water and cultivate fertile land for farming.

Additionally, the bark of the “Sacred Tree” has a strong purification effect, particularly powerful against monsters.

Generally, it is forbidden to damage the “Sacred Tree,” and even peeling a small piece of bark requires careful preparation and caution.

The gem embedded in Lionel’s sword hilt is made from the bark that was carefully collected.

If they can weaken the monsters to some extent and render them incapable of counterattacks, they can absorb the monsters’ miasma and seal them, as Lionel did.

This is very rare and is only given to the truly skilled among the knights.

Since Lionel carries it in his sword hilt, it indicates how exceptional a knight he is.

Normally, such outstanding knights would be assigned to guard the central area or serve as temple knights, but some prefer to come to the miasma-ridden borders.

Meteora is similar in this regard, but that is a different story.

Anyway, with Lionel and his knights, Meteora completed the task of placing amulets around the area.

When they returned to the temple, the knights who had gone to place the amulets or charms in the opposite direction had just returned as well.

“The village that was relatively intact three days ago is now half-destroyed. It seems to be on the monsters’ path.”

“The water in the well that was safe five days ago is now contaminated. The pollution is spreading.”

The reports from the knights were all discouraging. Lionel nodded with a serious expression.

“If the well is unusable, we’ll have to move the base closer to the central area. Fortunately, we placed charms nearby, so the monsters shouldn’t come close.”

“That’s the only option.”

Meteora hesitated for a moment but then boldly stepped forward.

“If we can secure water, I would like to head to the border. Do you think it’s possible?”

“The border?”

She nodded firmly.

“I want to check the condition of the ‘Stakes.’ If the ‘Stakes’ are functioning properly, monsters should not be able to invade the lands where humans live.”

The knights exchanged glances and nodded in agreement with Lady Meteora’s observation.