Gevagens could be seen causing a commotion as we exited the dungeon and some Gevagens were laid out across the floor.
[Objective #2.5 is in progress!]
My body was recoiled by the dome-shaped barrier. The dome sent a powerful shock down my arm, leaving a mark on the palm of my hand.
"Let me take a shot!" Alexei cried, eagerly launching a piercing arrow—but it didn't leave a crack.
[You are not permitted to entered area.]
Objectives must have barriers to prevent any sort of intrusion among irrelevant Gevagens. It'd be odd for that to be the case in this situation. The objective was occurring in the same proximity we were, so why were we blocked off?
["Stop getting distracted by such little things. Objective barriers cannot be broken."] Oblivion said bluntly.
I replied with a heavy sigh and informed Alexei. Her expression became defeated.
"Let's get a move on to Maldorai. We've still got time before the other Gevagens return from the dungeons."
Alexei nodded in agreement as we began making our way to the next destination.
I wonder what this Maldorai place had in store of us. Hopefully it was nothing like whenever I first arrived in Oorlog. The mere thought of that catastrophe makes me quake.
["Maldorai really brings me back."]
'How so?'
["Just some of the old trials and tribulations this place brought me during my Journey. Things should still be going smoothly, so stop thinking so much, Shunya."]
'You were a Gevagen?'
Oblivion remained silent.
This sword must have been a Gevagen and somehow turned into a weapon after death. Would that happen to me if I were to pass during my Journey? Before I could ponder that thought, Alexei broke the silence.
"That scarf you had was a pretty decent item and would be a waste if you just trashed it, Iron."
I threw the cloak at her without a second thought. I had already planned on giving it to her since she's an archer with a poor defense stat. Its ability would greatly aid her in battle too. The cloak vanished as Alexei quickly stored it gleefully.
_______________________
The handsome, in-shape man drew the blade of the terrorist's longsword out of the latter's chest. His glossy silver hair drenched in the blood of his attackers. His hollow eyes darted toward at the gasping man who began begging for his life.
"L-listen! I only worked with these guys because—!" His pleading was cut short, and so was his head.
A youthful man carrying a heavy sack full of herbs, trudged from the shadows of the crowded trees and called out, "Angstige, you done here? Those guys left some pretty nifty items."
"Why are you here? I ordered you to keep surveillance over your father. You know the consequences if Spire captures him."
"Quit nagging. Beul is taking care of it while I restock on herbs for our medicine. You know how the weather gets around this time."
Angstige's narrowed his eyes and his expression hardened. "My slob of a brother is watching that man? Why that fool?"
"Gosh, set aside your grudges for once. Knowing you, you'd risk father being up for grabs."
Angstige groaned at his words, finding some truth in them. Suddenly, his head shot up with a spike of pain ripping through his cranium.
"What's wrong?"
"Gevagens are entering the range of the seal."
_______________________
After an arduous walk, we stepped onto the stone terrain holding the expanding village's architecture and people upon the land. Well, village would be putting it lightly.
Countless people entering the various apartments, shops, restaurants, and housing. The loud bantering and the heavy footsteps of residents. Merchants' shouts grabbing the attention of anyone they could. Drunkards instigating a brawl outside of a nearby bar.
"Iron… This place…." Alexei spoke as she was enthralled by the spectacle.
This place was truly its own province. A province that radiated its peace. A province that could paralyze anyone foreign to this degree of beauty. A province where the people shone brightly, them being the torch of hope that extinguishes all despair. Maldorai, the mediator of Honokaido.
"Let's get a move on, Iron! We've totally got to explore this place!" Alexei elatedly squealed as she snatched my hand.
Before we could progress any further however, we were brought to a halt by someone who looked to be a young adult holding a heavy sack of items.
"Hey, you two! You guys don't look familiar… Ah, do you have some sort of business here in Maldorai today? I would be thrilled to show you around."
"We're here to find a blacksmith to forge a sword out of some material we found from a dungeon."
"A blacksmith you say? Lucky for you, I know of a perfect location. He's the best blacksmith who's ever lived. May I get your names before you enter?" The young man pulled out a white notepad and a pen seemingly out of nowhere.
"I'm Kairon, and—."
"I'm Alexei!"
The young man stares at us blankly before commenting, "You two come off as quite the contrasting pair." He briefly chuckled, then added, "You can call me Merchant Gulhart. I've granted you temporary entrance to Maldorai." Without delay, we began sauntering forward following his introduction.
"Whaddya mean only temporary?"
"You two are Gevagens, correct? Here in Maldorai, Gevagens aren't welcomed due to our past history with them, especially the ones of Honokaido. Visitors such as yourself who aren't trying to invade us, are given access to Maldorai though."
"People want to invade a place like this?"
"Yup," He said with weary sigh. "The older Gevagens residing in Honokaido take a shot every few years, having their Journeys end here each time."
Me and Alexei's eyes widened at the implication. I had little to no sense of aura slithering through this area like back at the center, so could that even be possible? My perception may just be poor at the moment.
"Sack man, why do they want this village so much?" Alexei uncouthly asked.
Children eagerly came to Gulhart's side with coins in hand. The children chimed in one after another, each individually making interesting request. The children requested swords, medicines for their families, and toys—each one shouting over the other.
"Hey, one at a time you guys. I won't be able to fulfill your wishes if I can't write them all down, and put those coins up." Gulhart calmly handled the bombardment as he pulled out a different notepad, it now being orange. His tone softens as he crouches to level himself the children. "You first."
He finished writing the list in a matter of seconds.
The final child shifted his gaze between Alexei and Gulhart and asked, "Is that your wife, Heer Gulhart?"
Gulhart jumped and replied, "You're a comedian, child." Gulhart balanced on his feet while watching the child waddle off. He displayed an awkward grin once he turned to us. "I apologize for that instance. Wasn't expecting people searching for me at this time."
Leaning closely, Alexei whispered, "So is the new nickname Santa Claus?"