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 recoiled from the dome-shaped barrier. It 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 enter the area.]

  Objectives must have barriers to prevent any sort of intrusion from irrelevant Gevagens. It’d be odd for that to apply here. The objective was occurring right where 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 turned 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 for us. Hopefully, it was nothing like when 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 died during my Journey? Before I could ponder that thought, Alexei broke the silence.

  “That scarf you had was a pretty decent item. It’d 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 poor defense stats. Its ability would greatly aid her in battle, too. The cloak vanished as Alexei quickly stored it gleefully.

  __________________________________

  The handsome, well-built man drew the blade of the terrorist’s longsword from the latter’s chest. His glossy silver hair was drenched in the blood of his attackers. His hollow eyes darted toward 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.

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  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 herbs for our medicine. You know how the weather gets around this time.”

  Angstige 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 that held the expanding village’s architecture and people upon the land. Well, village would be putting it lightly.

  Countless people were entering various apartments, shops, restaurants, and houses. The loud bantering and heavy footsteps of residents, merchants’ shouts grabbing the attention of anyone they could, drunkards instigating a brawl outside a nearby bar.

  “Iron… This place…” Alexei murmured, enthralled by the spectacle.

  This place was truly its own province. A province that radiated peace. A province that could paralyze anyone foreign to this degree of beauty. A province where the people shone brightly—torches of hope that extinguished all despair. Maldorai, the mediator of Honokaido.

  “Let’s get a move on, Iron! We’ve totally got to explore this place!” Alexei 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 don’t look familiar… Ah, do you have some sort of business here in Maldorai today? I’d be thrilled to show you around.”

  “We’re here to find a blacksmith to forge a sword out of some material we found in a dungeon.”

  “A blacksmith, you say? Lucky for you, I know the 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 pen seemingly out of nowhere.

  “I’m Kairon, and—”

  “I’m Alexei!”

  The young man stared at us blankly before commenting, “You two come off as quite the contrasting pair.” He chuckled briefly, 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.

  “What do you mean only temporary?”

  “You two are Gevagens, correct? Here in Maldorai, Gevagens aren’t welcome due to our history with them—especially the ones from Honokaido. Visitors like yourselves, who aren’t trying to invade us, are granted access though.”

  “People want to invade a place like this?”

  “Yup,” he said with a weary sigh. “The older Gevagens residing in Honokaido take a shot every few years, having their Journeys end here each time.”

  Alexei and I widened our eyes 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? Maybe my perception was just poor at the moment.

  “Sack man, why do they want this village so much?” Alexei asked uncouthly.

  Children eagerly came to Gulhart’s side with coins in hand. They chimed in one after another, each making interesting requests—swords, medicine for their families, 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 away.” Gulhart calmly handled the bombardment as he pulled out a different notepad—this one orange. His tone softened as he crouched to level with 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.” He rose to his feet while watching the child waddle off. He offered an awkward grin once he turned to us. “I apologize for that. Wasn’t expecting people searching for me at this time.”

  Leaning in closely, Alexei whispered, “So is the new nickname Santa Claus?”