After a two-week journey, the carriage gradually approached the border, and the surroundings gradually changed from bustling to lush and green, with dense forests and wide grasslands at times.
The closer Maggie got to the border city, the more inexplicable anticipation filled her heart.
Although mages can fight each other, and there are mercenaries and adventurers on the territory of the Temple of Light, it is still not as good as the border, which is full of monsters and unknown dangers.
Of course, resources have also increased exponentially.
Most resources grow and recover wildly in places untouched by humans, especially in areas occupied by monsters.
Not to mention the numerous ruins and remains, containing a wealth of legacy from legendary sorcerers.
If the struggle between the undead and the living can be considered a racial conflict, then the relationship between various races and monsters is one of absolute irreconcilable conflict.
If you see someone at the border with empty eyes, still breathing but unresponsive to the outside world, almost like a vegetable, then there is no doubt that their soul has been devoured by the demon.
Therefore, it was extremely cruel and bloody that Perkin was assigned to fight monsters at the slave auction.
Dangerous creatures like monsters shouldn't exist in Santa Fe City in the first place.
Even the undead are the race that hates monsters the most. If a monster targets them, the spirit that carries their consciousness will be quickly devoured.
Living beings at least have a physical body as a layer of protection, but the dead face them naked.
In other words, monsters pose a far greater threat to the undead than to living beings.
Fortunately, monsters can only devour souls when living beings are off guard, so they do not pose a significant threat to humans for the time being. Only some adventurers and mercenaries who have been lurking on the border and deep in the monster jungle for a long time will be affected.
Humans have attempted similar large-scale operations to eradicate monsters, but each attempt ended in failure because they could not find the monsters' origins; they seemed to appear out of thin air.
Unable to find their home base, they would randomly land and spawn along the border. Over time, any faction would get tired of this, eventually leading to the emergence of border cities.
Every year, once the number of monsters reaches a certain level, people are sent to deal with them in one go. The rest of the time, they are treated as ordinary beasts, suppressed occasionally, and left alone most of the time.
That's exactly what the Temple of Light did, and the kingdoms supported this plan, cooperating every year.
After all, the monster calamity couldn't really cause too much of a stir. Even during the years of the undead calamity, the monsters never truly set foot in human territory, only daring to continue lingering on the border.
But the moment Maggie actually saw the border town, her anticipation turned into unease.
She gazed into the distance, a lingering gloom clouding her heart.
In her eyes, she could see an indescribable sense of terror looming over the approaching border.
Unlike the gloom of a rainy day, the sky was still blue, but it still made people feel uncomfortable, even fearful.
This feeling became more pronounced as the carriage traveled towards the border town.
But apart from her, no one else noticed the anomaly in the border town. No matter who she asked, they all looked blank, and in the end, they left her with the words, "Isn't it just the sky? There's nothing there."
"Sister, are you worried?"
Nesser was closest to Maggie, and since they were face to face, it was easy for him to notice that something was wrong with her.
"No."
Maggie shook her head. She couldn't explain the source of this feeling, and saying it out loud would only cause her trouble.
The monsters in the comics are just minor enemies that help the protagonists gain experience during their adventures. Occasionally, a few mini-bosses may appear, but there isn't much else to introduce them.
Even in the latest volume of the manga, there isn't much information about the border city. It's clear that even though she's read the manga, she's not an omniscient person who knows everything.
"Sister, don't be sad. We can rest when we get to the post station."
Nesser seemed to believe him; he nodded, his tone filled with concern.
There are few cities near the border; most are post stations spaced at intervals, providing rest for adventurers. Of course, these post stations are built by nobles, and the fees are exorbitantly high.
"good."
Maggie smiled, her gaze sweeping one last time over the sky above the border city, where an ominous aura lingered, showing no sign of dissipating.
But this journey is necessary for her. According to the timeline in the comic, even if there is any danger in the border city, it will not erupt now. She is safe for the time being and there is no need to worry too much.
Having figured these things out, Maggie's heart gradually calmed down.
...
Maggie overestimated herself. She thought she could ignore the strange feeling Maggie had about the border city, but in reality, that was far from the case.
From the moment the carriage passed through the city gate and entered the city, Maggie felt an indescribable disgust welling up from the bottom of her heart.
It's entirely physiological. Just like when people smell the stench of a corpse, even those who aren't afraid of corpses will feel nauseous and want to run away.
This is a prohibition etched into human genes: the presence of the corpse of one's own kind means danger, and one must escape as soon as possible.
Maggie knew that she must be in a terrible state. The moment she stepped off the carriage, her face was as pale as paper, and she felt nauseous. The more she tried to hold it in, the more uncomfortable she felt.
However, she had to force herself to stand in front of the legion commander who belonged to the Temple of Light and was stationed in the border city for a long time. No matter how uncomfortable she was, she had to endure it.
Charles was dressed in a clean and crisp military uniform, the silver chain hanging on his chest gleaming in the sunlight, shining as brightly as his light brown eyes. His features were exceptionally handsome and delicate, and his skin was slender and fair, making him look nothing like someone who had been stationed on the border for a long time.
“Your Highness, I am Charles Somerset, the commander of the Holy Light Legion. Welcome.”
He stood ramrod straight, gave Maggie a military salute, and spoke in a clear, bright voice, completely different from the others in the temple, giving off a very pure feeling.
This is probably the advantage of being far from the center of power; there's no need for infighting.
Maggie was dressed in her signature saintly attire. Even though she was the new saintess, the legion commander would recognize her clothes even if he had never seen her before.
"Nice to meet you, Commander Charles."
Maggie nodded slightly, suppressing her discomfort, and smiled.
"The legion commanders of the other three kingdoms are not here. I think Your Highness may need to rest first and can see them later."
As Charles finished speaking, Maggie was slightly taken aback. Seeing his subtle, suggestive look, she immediately realized that he had noticed she was uncomfortable.
Such keen perception.
"good."
Maggie isn't a sentimental person; she doesn't need to refuse to rest when she can.
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