Banishment is Fine: As a Genius Saint, I Can Shine Anywhere. - Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5:

Mitea arrived at the temple.

“Well then, this must be the Fifth Regional Temple.” 

Stepping out of the rickety carriage, Mitea stretched her arm while holding the staff to loosen her stiff body.

The coachman, looking scared, asked, “Saintess, is this alright?”

She nodded and paid the fare.

“Thank you for bringing me all the way here. I know it was a lot to ask.”

“No, no! You wrote many charms and blessed my pregnant daughter. We are truly grateful.”

Despite his gratitude, the dreary and dark atmosphere of the remote area made it clear he didn’t want to stay long. As soon as he received the fare, he quickly returned to the driver’s seat and headed back at full speed.

“I understand. The unpleasant atmosphere is truly intense.”

Frowning at the purple haze surrounding her, Meteor walked towards the temple ahead. Once a well-maintained temple, now its outer walls were mostly collapsed, and the pillars leading to the sanctuary were cracked and broken. The roof barely remained, looking like it could collapse any moment.

Feeling uncertain about whether any clergy or saintesses were stationed here, she readjusted her bag and started climbing the steps to the entrance.

Suddenly, the doors burst open from the inside, and armed knights rushed out.

“Let’s go! Don’t let the monsters advance any further!”

“Yeah—!”

About ten knights charged out with battle cries. She quickly stepped aside but raised her voice, sensing they were heading to a fight.

“Wait! I’m coming too. I’m the newly assigned saintess here.”

However, the leading knight merely glanced at her and snorted.

“You’re just an incompetent saintess who can only heal minor scratches, right? Stay back; you’ll just get in the way!”

—Ticked off.

The knight’s words hit a nerve with Meteor, and she retorted angrily.

“How dare you! Do you know who I am?”

“No time for talking! Where are the horses?”

“Tied up around the back!”

The knights completely ignored Mitea and proceeded to leave.

But before they could reach the horses, a heavy flapping sound approached from somewhere.

“Damn! It’s a flying monster!”

The leading knight shouted, drawing his sword immediately.

“Get ready for battle! Lower your stance!”

The knights reacted swiftly. Seeing them all looking up, she raised her face too.

And there it was—a terrifying winged monster flying towards them.

“What is that!? It’s as big as a house!”

Mitea’s mouth fell open in surprise. The flying creature was huge as it flew towards them with a loud flapping sound. It had a face like a large dragonfly, fangs protruding from its mouth, and a body resembling a hornet.

It wasn’t a creature anyone would want to see up close. Mitea muttered, “Gross.”

“It’ll blow you away with its wings! Everyone, lower your stance!”

The knight who had been giving orders shouted loudly. It seemed he was the captain.

As the monster approached, it flapped its wings even more vigorously, drowning out the captain’s voice.

With a loud whoosh, the sound of the wind roared, and she quickly dropped to the floor. A gust of wind rushed overhead, making her coat and skirt flutter wildly.

And what’s with this tingling air!?

As her eyes stung, she heard the captain’s voice: “Its scales are poisonous!”

“You could’ve said that sooner…”

She gripped her staff tightly and raised her head. She saw the knights aiming their bows and shooting arrows at the monster.

But the monster flapped its wings powerfully, releasing poison and gusts of wind. Most of the knights were blown away and rolled on the ground, except for the captain, who rolled to the side and then, quite literally, jumped onto the temple wall.

“What…?”

Her eyes widened in amazement.

The captain quickly climbed up the temple walls and pillars, and in no time, he was higher than the monster.