A Village and a Barrier (4)

"What did you bury?" Apta asked, seeing Marco put something on the ground near the tree.

"This is a talisman. I told you, I'll set up a barrier, didn't I?"

"Oh, I see. That talisman is to create a barrier?"

"Yes, it is true. Since yesterday I've put them in two different places. And now, since I'm late because the lightning is raging in this area, I just put them down. I have two more to put down."

The two of them had walked at least 500 meters from the village and had now arrived at their destination. Marco had put two talismans in different places, and it was done by him yesterday. He needed and had to put two more talismans to create a barrier, which could protect the area from all monsters and demons.

But, judging by Marco's power to create a barrier, it wouldn't be able to withstand stronger monsters or demons and wouldn't last as long as the other barriers. The reason, it's because...

"I was able to create a barrier because it was taught by her. That girl, who saved me, is from a clan that often creates barriers in this country. Also, the clan is part of the President's family. Therefore, the clan was so famous. I was lucky to be taught by her. That girl was very nice to me. But, my skill in creating barriers is still below her. In other words, I'm just a student. Even so, I can still guarantee that this barrier will last for at least the next 10 years and be able to protect the villagers from the monsters and demons in this forest."

"Oh, I see. No wonder. So, that girl has taught you?"

"Without her, I might be just a wanderer who can only kill the monsters and demons in this forest. Without her, I probably wouldn't be able to help the few villages that needed a barrier to guard them."

Judging from his words, Marco seems to have often helped humans living in a village. He had often set up barriers to keep the villagers in a safe zone. That's something good about him.

"In this country, it is led by the President and often assisted by both sides."

"Both sides? What does it mean?" Apta asked as he watched Marco work.

"The families of each noble and the families of each clan. Both sides are helping the President to take care of this country. And those knights, who forced Mr. Kahfi to pay taxes, were orders from one of the noble families. They were knights, so it was easy to spot them as errands from noble families. After all, knights work for each noble family."

"Then what about every one of the clan families? Who did they tell?"

"So many, maybe you'll find one of them. Just like knights, they have something easily recognizable. If knights are easily recognizable by wearing armor, then they are identified by their weapons. Some use katana, machete, and shuriken, and even use skills to kill quickly. And in general, they are referred to as samurai and ninja."

"That girl who taught you…"

"Ah, she… she is from the Yamada clan."

"Yamada? You know a lot."

"Well, since I've been stuck here for 3 years."

After saying that and smiling at Apta, Marco who had finished placing the talisman in the ground decided to change places.

"I'm done here. Let's go to the last place."

"Okay."

They went back on their way.

Once there, Marco put the talisman he was holding on the ground. He dug the ground so he could put the talisman there. It can take up to 5 minutes to get completely deep.

"By the way..." Apta approached the tree and held it. "Those talismans are made of trees, aren't they?"

"Yeah, it's made of paper."

"But why don't you just stick it on the tree? Why did you have to bury it?"

"It's more effective when it's buried."

"The reason?"

"You know human nature, don't you? They are so greedy, that even making this talisman alone has to use one of the tree steps. What do you think will happen if I stick this on a tree?"

Apta thought for a moment, looked around, then looked at some of the trees that had been cut down.

"I understand."

"Well, I'm just scared when that happens. Honestly, I don't want this talisman to be damaged just because of the loggers' fault. So, I'd rather bury this talisman than stick it on a tree."

Trees will be cut down. Many humans need other living creatures. Like trees, they need several items to become a finished item. So if Marco sticks his talisman on a tree, and if a human suddenly cuts down the tree, the barrier he has created will be broken because of that. Therefore, the best option is to bury it.

It was a good decision Marco could choose and use.

"Well, I'm done. Time to use Barrier magic."

Marco walked, slightly to the side from the talisman he buried. Then, both of his hands simultaneously hit the ground hard.

"Earth, water, wind, fire, the four basic elementals please protect this world. Protect this world from bad creatures and cruel demons. Barrier: Kai!"

Apta could only see what Marco was doing. He saw that Marco was making magic, so a barrier could be created. And a moment later, after Marco finished casting his magic, Apta saw that slowly a transparent box-shaped wall was starting to zone inside.

Apta tries to touch the wall, and he can't even touch it—that means he can enter the zone within the wall. And by the naked eye, after he tried to touch it but couldn't, the wall slowly disappeared from his eyes—as if it was just an illusion.

"Okay, the barrier has been created. Neither the monsters nor the demons would be able to enter the zone. Indeed, the distance of the barrier zone I created isn't very wide, but at least it covers the village. For now, the village is safe, without even needing the help of those knights."

Apta thought a little when Marco said that. He thought that the reason why loggers made mistakes was that this barrier was invisible to the naked eye. Therefore, if the talisman attached to a tree was cut down by them, and then this barrier would be broken, it would not be their fault. After all, this barrier cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Apta approached Marco who was happy with the results he made, then asked, "What do you do after this?"

"Perhaps I will be in that village for a while. Dude, I thank you for accompanying me."

"Oh, I see."

"You?"

Apta only accompanied Marco, he had no intention of going with Marco and living in the village. So if you ask if he will live in the village with the other residents, it's obvious he won't.

Even so, for this meeting and accompanying Marco to put up a barrier to prevent monsters and demons from entering the village, Apta had obtained information about this country. He at least knew about the place he was currently living in. It was very good for him because the information provided by Marco was very clear. And that means the next goal is...

"Perhaps I should see the girl, the President."

The goal is still the same, to find the meaning behind the dream that haunts him. The cruel gaze of the girl, who has purple hair and purple eyes, made Apta believe that he had to meet her. That way, the dream will disappear and Apta will get the meaning of the dream.

But before that, there is one thing Apta needs to do.