In this world, there are massive "barriers" that protect the areas where people live from the threat of monsters.

It is maintained by the sacred power that the successive saints possess within themselves, and it spreads throughout the kingdom, enveloping the living spaces of the people.

The main effect of the barrier is to significantly weaken the monsters inside it.

For example, even a single goblin, treated as a weakling inside the barrier, will see its intelligence and physical abilities jump several levels once it steps outside, regaining its original ferocity and vitality.

They transform into formidable enemies that ordinary soldiers cannot stand against.

If even goblins are like that, the increase in strength for higher-level monsters is beyond description. That's why the world looks so different inside and outside the barrier. Inside is a relatively safe human territory, while outside is a dangerous zone where monsters roam, constantly facing death.

While the barrier itself had no physical walls or obstacles, its boundaries certainly existed, thanks to the prayers and power of the many saints over the years.

Skilled magicians, or those with senses as sharp as wild animals, can feel that line on their skin.

Baldus and his companions were traveling along a deserted road. Suddenly, Baldus voiced a casual question.

"Aria-dono, who exactly is this Darius-dono?"

During the journey, Baldus asked Aria about Darius. As if she had been waiting for this question, Aria began to speak animatedly.

"You know, Sensei is a truly amazing person! He found the three of us in the forest and raised us. At first, I couldn't do anything, but he taught me the joy of swordsmanship and praised me so much! I think it's because of Sensei's words that I have become this strong!"

Aria spoke of Darius as if she could see him right in front of her. Her expression had completely changed from that of the knight commander to one of someone talking about the person they admired.

"That person must be a wonderful person."

"Yes! Sensei, well, sometimes he is a bit spacey, and he is not very good at cooking. But he is kinder than anyone else, and he always puts us first. Even when I became the commander of the knights, he was happier than if it had been his own achievement..."

As they continued walking for a while, nodding in agreement with Aria, who was talking so happily, they finally saw the boundary of the barrier.

As they approach the boundary line, the magical energy filling the atmosphere gradually becomes more turbulent.

The tingling sensation on his skin made Baldus shudder involuntarily.

"...So this is the boundary of the barrier."

"Yes. It's been a while since I have been here..."

"How much will it be?"

"Hmm... It's been about a year, I think. Since becoming the Knight Commander, I have been so busy that I have not been able to come back much..."

Aria didn't seem to mind and spoke calmly.

Baldus once again turns his gaze towards the outside of the barrier.

While there wasn't anything explicitly there, Baldus had a high sensitivity to magical power as he could clearly see that invisible boundary.

Baldus took a deep breath and crossed that line with determination.

In an instant, he clearly felt the quality of the magic enveloping his entire body change drastically. Inside the barrier, the magic had been thin and calm, but now it was undergoing a significant transformation.

A violently rough magical power enveloped his entire body, and Baldus momentarily felt his consciousness slipping away.

(...So this is outside the barrier. I came here once when I was young―but it's still a terrifying place. Darius-dono lives in a place like this...? His blacksmithing skills aren't the only thing that's intriguing.)

"Baldus-san, we will be walking for a while from here, so let's do our best, okay?"

"...Oh, yeah, that's right."

Aria wasn't intimidated by this magic at all; in fact, she approached Baldus with a joyful smile. Seeing this, Baldus was once again impressed by this girl's mental strength.

Baldus composed himself and began walking in the direction Aria was pointing.

After a while, an ancient forest appeared through the dense trees. As Baldus stepped into it, he immediately noticed something strange.

"...Monsters, huh?"

"Yes, that's right. We're here for this."

Baldus cautiously reaches for the sword at his waist. His body stiffens slightly under the pressure emanating from the monster lurking in the shadows, watching him.

The pressure inside the barrier is unlike anything he has ever experienced.

However, Aria, next to him, had a relaxed expression, as if she were just taking a stroll.

The next moment.

"Gaaah!"

With a low, animalistic growl, a goblin leaps out from the bushes. Green skin, sharp claws and fangs, and bloodshot eyes. It was undoubtedly a goblin, but its physique was a size or two larger than those seen inside the barrier, and its eyes held clear intelligence and ferocity.

Baldus immediately drew his beloved sword. The pressure emanating from the goblin before him was equivalent to that of a dozen goblins inside the barrier. Even so, Baldus showed no sign of being flustered.

He just has to fight as always. That's what Baldus told himself.

The goblins charge at Baldus while screaming wildly.

That speed, which would be too fast for an ordinary person to even react to. But Baldus calmly assessed it and dodged it with minimal movement.

At the same time, he swung the sword he was gripping with both hands.

With a gruesome sound of flesh being severed, the goblin's massive body was split clean in two, and before it could even scream, it separated into left and right halves and collapsed onto the ground.

His years of experience as a former knight commander and his honed swordsmanship were more than enough to defeat even an enhanced goblin with a single blow. However, with that single blow, Baldus's arm went numb, and his hand holding the sword trembled slightly.

Chapter 14