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

“Durandix, of all places… Back when I was at the Central Temple, we barely communicated with them—maybe once a year, if that, and now, suddenly, there’s frequent contact?”

“Beats me…”

“I never heard anything about this when I was at the Central Temple either.”

All three of them frowned, puzzled by the situation.

“If we knew exactly what was in those shipments, we might be able to figure something out.”

“Indeed. If only we will be able to confirm it.”

“By the way, how often do you see these magic carrier pigeons?”

At Meteora’s question, Chuli tilted her head slightly, recalling.

“Let’s see… about once every ten days. Sometimes three of them fly together. Magic pigeons fly higher than monsters, so they shouldn’t be in danger, but whenever I see them in a group, I can’t help but worry that something might go after them.”

“Magic pigeons flying in flocks… That’s not something you’d usually see within the country.”

Lionel’s expression darkened, and he crossed his arms.

“First, we have the stakes mysteriously shattering. Now, we have magic pigeons heading beyond our borders. I hate to say it, but nothing about this situation feels right.”

Meteora found herself nodding at his words.

“What a coincidence—I was just thinking the same thing.”

“Me too. But…”

Chuli let out a small breath and, for the first time, smiled faintly.

“At the Fourth Temple, I’m the only Saintess, and the only clergy left are three elderly priests who refuse to take a stance on anything. Just being able to have a meaningful discussion with younger people like you is already a relief.”

She truly seemed to mean it. Placing a hand over her chest, she whispered a brief prayer of thanks to the goddess.

“You’ve had a difficult time, Lady Chuli.”

“Perhaps not as much as you, who have been fighting monsters… But yes, ever since I discovered the stakes were breaking six months ago, I’ve spent my days filled with anxiety.”

Recalling those moments, Chuli placed a hand against her forehead and shook her head slightly. It must have been a period of unbearable distress for her.

“By the way, when did you first start noticing the magic pigeons flying that way?”

Lionel’s casual question made Chuli pause in thought.

“I think… I started paying attention to them about three months ago. They might have been flying before that, but I was so overwhelmed dealing with the stakes that I didn’t have time to notice.”

Meteora placed a hand over her lips, deep in thought.

“The stakes were confirmed to be broken six months ago. The magic pigeons started flying frequently three months ago. Lionel, you were stationed at the border around six months ago as well, correct?”

“Yeah. And the aid shipments stopped two and a half months ago—except for the last one, of course.”

“I was appointed as Chief Saintess three months ago… No, wait, I was exiled a month ago, so that makes it four months ago. It seems like a lot of major events have taken place over the past six months.”

“Agreed. Now that I think about it, Meteora—how exactly did you end up as Chief Saintess?”

Lionel asked with genuine curiosity, his eyes fixed on her.