The Witch’s Failing Barrier and a Call to Arms

Northern villages were inherently perilous, especially within the nocturnal forest.

When the Demon Realm’s army first emerged from the rift, led by their monstrous forces, half of the human lands had been ravaged, transforming into desolate deathscapes within three months.

Tens of millions had been reduced to skeletal remains and reanimated corpses, serving the demon kings’ commands.

Even though the legendary Hero King ultimately banished all demon kings, the scars of that war had irrevocably altered the world.

The number of demonic creatures lurking within the forests had long become incalculable and indescribable.

“The border watchtower has sounded its horn,” someone announced, rising from their seat within the tavern.

“Are those fiends attacking the watchtower again? This marks the third time this month,” Old Jack grumbled, taking a swig from his bottle.

At that moment, someone nearby inquired, “Given that those monsters are invading, why do none of you seem afraid?”

“What’s there to fear?” someone replied with a burp, adding, “For those monsters to reach us, they must pass through the northern woods.

Within those woods, the Witch Lady protects us; her barrier repels the lingering demonic creatures and enemies in the forest.

There’s no need to be afraid; rest assured.”

‘A witch, then…’ someone mused from a corner table, hearing the name.

The figure beside them remarked, “Let’s pay a visit to this Witch, and while we’re at it, check on Mr. Eric.

You mentioned he’s proven to be an utterly incompetent messenger.”

“Indeed, we should first ascertain his situation, as we’ve been to this town before, yet nothing came of it,” the cloaked gentleman stated, stretching as he rose.

“However, the intelligence we’ve gathered indicates that those individuals are searching here… and not just a simple search.”

“Heh heh, don’t those foolish natives just love to engage in such fruitless endeavors?”

“We have to go through all this trouble to come here and deal with their affairs; it’s truly bothersome,” a young woman on the other side said, taking off her large white hat and setting it aside, revealing her long green hair.

“Why can’t the Council just directly eradicate the entire Rose Convent? Wouldn’t that be simpler, Tikka?”

“Because of the Hero King’s rules,” the young man, named Tikka, replied, “Otherworld Travelers must coexist harmoniously with the natives.

We cannot overly interfere with their systems; these are the rules, Mula.”

“Such tedious rules… it’s like playing house,” Mula scoffed, draining the wine from her cup.

“All in all, not interfering on the surface and not interfering behind the scenes are two entirely different matters, which is precisely why Council Hunters like us are dispatched.

These natives… they should just live peacefully under our leadership.

Honestly, restless and eager for trouble? Such a pointless endeavor.”

“Nevertheless, we should also keep watch outside the village,” Tikka said, finishing his own cup of wine before wiping his mouth, placing some coins on the table, and standing up.

“The taste was quite good.

Thanks, proprietor!”

“Farewell, guests.”

As the two rose and approached the door, it suddenly burst open, and a white-haired old man, clad in a red, robe-like nightgown, stumbled into the tavern.

“Phew! I made it!”

“Eric…?” Old Jack, the tavern owner, recognized the newcomer.

After all, a disheveled old man looking so peculiar and comical in pajamas was a rare sight in this village.

“You cur! Not even an invitation to your wedding anniversary!”

“Hand over your finest liquor!”

Before Old Jack could react, the white-haired elder had already snatched the wine glass from his hand and gulped it down.

“Gulp, gulp… Ugh, I’m alive again.

I truly don’t know how I ran this far to bring you all this news… Anyway, you saw the smoke signal from the watchtower, right?

Please have the village elder ring the bell and gather everyone in the village!”

“Always overreacting… so jumpy the moment he arrives,” someone muttered.

“The watchtower’s smoke signals aren’t a new thing, and we’ve never seen monsters actually attack the village.

Did you eat some hallucinogenic mushrooms in the forest?”

“Heh heh, I wish I were delusional… but the Witch’s barrier is failing.”

“This assault from the abyss is unusual, so please gather everyone quickly!”

“What…? The Witch’s barrier…”

“Master Eric,” a voice from behind him suddenly interjected, “are you speaking the truth?”

“Someone still calls me Master here?

Ah… isn’t this Tikka, the Council’s rising star adventurer?

What brings you to this small border village?

And this is…”

“So this is the Master Eric you spoke of?” Mula said, tilting her head as she looked at him.

“He’s just a decrepit old man.”

“Indeed, I can’t deny that much.

Are you his apprentice, then? A half-elf?”

The Council maintained its own operational system for Otherworld Travelers, essentially a simple yet effective master-apprentice structure where those already adapted to life in this world guided and educated newcomers.

“Eric, what exactly has happened?” Tikka asked, looking at him.

“Are you certain you haven’t concealed any information from the Council all these years?”

“Is this really the time for such questions? I am utterly loyal to the Council,” Eric chuckled.

“Now is not the moment for that.

I need to set up a barrier outside the village.

Can you lend a hand? A simple yes or no.”

“In a crisis of this magnitude, the Council’s duty is clear,” Tikka declared, glancing at Mula.

“We’ll go support the watchtower.”

“What? No way, if we go to support them in something like this, we might not come back,” Mula frowned.

“Acting without even understanding the enemy’s strength is incredibly reckless.

It’s irresponsible with our own lives.”

“If the watchtower falls, hordes of corpses and dark creatures could invade, creating a breach in the border’s defenses, and then even more people would die,” Tikka explained.

“I’ve taught you this: kindness and compassion are our only footholds in this world.”

“Alright, alright, but we should also report that a dangerous situation has arisen here,” Mula said, pulling out a crystal.

Tikka then looked at Eric, “We can discuss anything else later.

For now, we must address the immediate crisis.

When we return, you’ll have the drinks ready, alright? Don’t think of escaping this treat.”

“Heh heh, then I’ll trouble you to return alive first,” Eric chuckled in response.

Tikka merely watched him without further comment, then led Mula out of the village.

Simultaneously, the village alarm bells began to clang, shattering the night’s tranquility completely.

****

In the border city of Linders, the doors of a somewhat dilapidated church swung open.

A priest, observing the approaching figure, bowed respectfully.

“Welcome to Linders, Knight Sister of the Rose Order.”

“Bishop Rhys has already conveyed news of your arrival via letter.”

“Greetings, Brother,” the long-haired young knight replied, walking forward and bowing.

“Please allow me to stay here for the night.”

“Everything is prepared,” the priest assured her.

“Furthermore, the map to Sinka Village is ready.

You may depart tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your assistance, Brother.”

“It’s nothing at all.

This church’s upkeep relies entirely on Bishop Rhys’s willingness to provide subsidies.

We are, after all, brothers and sisters; it is only right that we do these things,” the Brother said, bowing.

“May the Holy Light guide us.”