Chapter 184: Mastering Barrier Techniques
“The magical power in the Plain has calmed… It seems the barrier has been completed…”
The Demon Realm, known as the Subnock Plain, had been a source of powerful monsters, but now its magical power had become a resource usable by humans. If people were to settle here and build a town… it would surely develop into a prosperous and peaceful city.
“Hmph… Were you all watching, you brats?”
“Ah, yes… It was amazing!”
“Amazing, you say? The important thing is whether you learned anything.”
Meitis struck the ground with his staff.
“The job of an old man is to pass wisdom to the next generation, so if you just stand there gaping, it would be quite troublesome. You need to study properly; otherwise, the effort I put in will be for nothing.”
“Ah… Yes, I understand. You’re right.”
Rest scratched his head with a wry smile.
Seeing is believing. He would demonstrate what he had learned by putting it into practice.
“Anti-Monster Field!”
Rest activated the spell, mimicking what he had seen. A pattern of light began to form above his head, constructing a magic circle. Compared to the one created by Meitis, it was considerably smaller, but a halo resembling an angel’s ring spun around him, forming a hemispherical dome.
“The range is at most twenty meters, but I managed to create a barrier that keeps monsters away. From now on, I should be able to move while maintaining the barrier.”
Rest’s barrier was constructed directly above him. He could feel the magical power being constantly drawn in. In exchange, unlike when he etched a magic circle into the ground, he could move along with the barrier.
“……”
Meitis stared in amazement at Rest, who had put his words into action. Then, with a somewhat dissatisfied expression, he waved his staff.
“Hmph!”
“Ouch…!”
The target of his ire was Lucas, who had slumped down, utterly exhausted. Lucas clutched his forehead, groaning in pain.
“Just like Albert, you’re a brat with no charm! Honestly, it’s utterly boring!”
“Um… I’m sorry?”
“Well, since the old lady has some time before returning to the Royal Palace, I’ll teach you a few barrier techniques. You better engrave them in your brain!”
“Thank you very much!”
Despite Meitis’s grumpy demeanor, it seemed he would indeed provide instruction. It was a rare opportunity to learn from the kingdom’s foremost barrier master. Rest bowed his head in gratitude for this unexpected stroke of luck.
“You’re amazing, Rest! And Grandma was so cool too!”
“As expected of Master Meitis… Even though he used magical tools, to create such a barrier all by himself…!”
Yuri clapped her hands enthusiastically, and Isis wore a look of admiration. The others also gazed down at the magic circle on the ground with keen interest.
“By the way… this barrier is layered four times, isn’t it?”
Suddenly, Yuri spoke up.
“There’s ‘Anti-Monster,’ ‘Fertility,’ and ‘Disease Prevention’… What was the last one?”
“‘Crime Prevention’… I believe it was,” Lübesse replied, immediately realizing he had spoken to a woman he disliked and turned his face away.
“Ah… right, that was mentioned.”
Andrew, who had been standing behind them, chuckled awkwardly. He then admonished Meitis, the one responsible for the barrier.
“Master Meitis… The details about the ‘Crime Prevention’ barrier are supposed to be confidential.”
“Hm? Oh, was it? I had forgotten.”
Meitis scratched his temple with the handle of his staff.
“It’s not something to hide, really… Goodness, times have changed. It’s hard for an old lady like me to live.”
“Ah… Prince Andrew. Is it something we shouldn’t know?”
“Well, that’s how it is… but I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”
When Rest asked with a troubled expression, Andrew spread his arms dramatically.
“The ‘Crime Prevention’ barrier literally prevents crimes committed by those inside it. It suppresses human malice and violent impulses, making it harder for crimes to occur. In short… it’s a barrier that interferes with the mind.”
“Interferes with the mind…?”
Rest’s eyes widened. Could there really be a spell that affects the minds of an unspecified number of people? Did such barriers exist in the Royal Capital as well?
“Even if the purpose is to prevent crime, I imagine most would find it uncomfortable to have their minds interfered with, right? That’s why the existence of this barrier is kept secret.”
“Well… that may be true.”
Even if the intention wasn’t malicious, the idea of being subjected to hypnosis or suggestion would be unsettling. Knowing about the barrier’s existence would surely leave a bad taste in one’s mouth.
“However… crimes still occur. In the Royal Capital and other towns.”
Lübesse interjected. If such a barrier existed, why hadn’t crime been eradicated from the world? Rest shared the same question in his mind.
“This barrier only has a limited effect on suppressing the malice that leads to crime… It doesn’t turn villains into good people, nor does it eliminate desires. It only provides a temporary relief.”
“If we allocated all the magical power from this Dragon’s Lair to that barrier, we might be able to eliminate crime entirely… but then, we might lose our humanity in the process.”
Meitis chuckled, shaking his shoulders in amusement.
Hearing those words made Rest realize why the existence of this barrier was kept hidden.
(I see… For instance, if the barrier’s effect were changed from ‘Crime Prevention’ to ‘Domination’ or ‘Charm,’ it could potentially brainwash everyone living in the town…)
Perhaps there had been instances of such things in the past.
“Regarding the ‘Crime Prevention’ barrier, it is forbidden to speak of it. Everyone, forget about it.”
“「「「「「…………」」」」」
At Andrew’s words, everyone nodded quietly in agreement.