Banishment is Fine: As a Genius Saint, I Can Shine Anywhere. - Chapter 4

“Wow! It’s an honor to have the Saintess visit our humble town! Please, stay as long as you like! And while you’re here, if you could bless some charms, offer prayers for the land, and—well, anything else you can do, really—it would be a huge help!”

The young girl’s voice is full of hope and gratitude.

***

The next morning, Meteora couldn’t help but let out an ironic smile at the town chief, who had approached her with his hands rubbing together in excitement. He wasn’t just full of ulterior motives; he was outright stating everything in her face. At this point, his honesty is annoying rather than refreshing.

Meteora had already planned to do whatever she could during her stay, so she simply nodded and agreed.

“Of course.”

“In return, I’d like to ask you to provide some provisions for the knights—things like potatoes and drinking water would be greatly appreciated.”

“Oh, of course, of course! And in that case, could I trouble you to start with some healing right away?”

“Certainly. Please gather the townspeople.”

Chuckling at the town chief’s lack of restraint, Meteora began channeling her healing power to each person who approached her.

It seemed that this town was near the Fourth Regional Temple, and the Saintess stationed there regularly visited to heal the people. Protective charms were also affixed at regular intervals along the town walls.

They weren’t particularly powerful, but the fact that they were replaced every month showed diligence. Since there hadn’t been any monster sightings in the area, the town’s defenses were more than sufficient for its situation.

(It looks like this town is properly cared for by its Saintess. In that case, it might be best if I don’t overstep.)

Even so, by the end of the day, news of Meteora’s presence had spread throughout the entire town.

At first, turnout was low. Only those with immediate injuries or illnesses came forward, while the rest just ignored the opportunity and even the knights’ who call them over for the healing

But once the word got out that Meteora had healed them instantly—and that she even relieved minor ailments like stomachaches and headaches—people began pouring in by midday.

“Wow! Big sis, you’re an amazing Saintess! The temple’s Saintess always says, ‘I can only take away the pain at best’!”

A young girl, whose stomachache Meteora had just healed, spoke excitedly.

“That’s why most people don’t bother getting checked unless they’re seriously injured or can’t walk properly.”

She spoke as if the regular temple Saintess was practically useless. Meteora smiled and shook her head.

“Being able to take away the pain is an impressive act for a Saintess and those charms around the town? She’s the one who writes them, isn’t she? She must be quite skilled.”

“Huh, really?”

“Yes. I’d love to meet her someday.”

It was a relief to know that a competent Saintess was serving this region, especially after seeing the abandoned Fifth Regional Temple.

A Saintess’s power peaked in their mid-twenties and steadily declined afterward. If this temple’s Saintess had maintained such skill well into her throughout the years, as the children put it, she must have once been an elite at the Central Temple.

“If we had been assigned to the Fourth Regional Temple, maybe we wouldn’t have such a hard time trusting the Saintesses,” Lionel remarked beside her, having listened in on the conversation.

After what had happened the previous night, Meteora couldn’t help but feel uneasy with Lionel standing so close.

However, Lionel acted as if nothing had changed. He continued giving sharp, efficient instructions to his subordinates while remaining by Meteora’s side like a dutiful bodyguard.

Unable to take it anymore, Meteora tried to push him away.

“You know, you could go patrol with the other knights.”

But Lionel easily countered her suggestion.

“If I move around, my men will have to waste time looking for me every time they need orders. It’s more efficient if I stay in one place.”

His reasoning was valid, leaving her awith no argument.

“Does my presence bother you?”

“Not at all.”

“Then there’s no problem.”

Meteora pressed her lips together in frustration.

She was too flustered to notice the amused smirk on Lionel’s face.