Chapter 8, Barrier

Garl asked: "What is that?"

I have never ridden in such a smooth carriage before" He asked, "Buddy, how did you get it to run like this

In the supermarket, John experienced the joy of casually taking items in a place filled with goods ... Of course, one still needs to check out before leaving

Evan parked the car at the intersection, waiting for the traffic light, and quietly said, "This is impossible"

Evan smiled and said, "Are you joking?"

The core of the barrier lies within my tomb; if, after many years, the barrier decays and is destroyed, I shall be awakened once more from the realm of the dead. Aldo's words seemed to carry a certain magical rhythm, resonating like a breeze sweeping through the hearts of men. I have entrusted the scepter to my successor; as for myself, my only remaining mission is to guard the barrier.

The last two men sat down to rest in the café on the first floor

Afterward, they went shopping for clothes together. Since it was not the weekend, there were not many customers in the men's clothing section, so there was no need to queue. After leaving the clothing area, Aibeng wanted the injured person to rest while he went to the supermarket, but he was firmly refused.

The greatness of the barrier lies in its relationship with humanity, much like another ozone layer, although those living within it have long since become accustomed to it.

Evan forced a smile: "Are you trying to comfort me with this? No, thank you. Many people are still afraid of caterpillars and mice, but I guess most of them are young girls who haven't graduated from middle school."

Mr. Good and his companions raised their heads and discovered a massive archway before them, which had been tightly sealed. However, at the moment the man with golden hair stood there, it slowly began to open on both sides. A soft, ocean-like blue light emerged from the gap, and each person could feel a tremor that resonated from their very souls

Young women dressed in various colors gracefully walk by, while hurried men walk along, holding small boxes like those of Galna and speaking quickly to someone. A child chases after a balloon vendor, only to be forcibly taken back by his mother, after which he bursts into loud cries.

I am Leo Aldo. The man's voice remained soft, yet the few words he spoke caused people to hold their breath. "Which number are you?"

Mr. Good solemnly accepted it, yet his gaze did not leave the face of the man before him. The elder inquired respectfully, "Are you His Excellency, Archbishop Aldo of Rio?"

"So, have you lived for thousands of years?" Louis asked

They took the elevator together, and each time the elevator ascended, John felt a bit anxious, fearing that this small house might fall from such a great height

The air here cannot be described as good, as Evan explained, due to industrial pollution; however, there is no smell of blood, and the entire world operates peacefully under the influence of that invisible protective membrane... This is an era they could not even dream of back then

Mr. Charles Good, he is our archbishop

However, he did not hold the scepter in his hand for long. The man turned his head, raised the scepter with both hands, took two steps forward, and handed it to Mr. Good, softly saying: "But I am no longer the one who holds the scepter."

"It is the core of the barrier." Archbishop Aldo, walking ahead, explained without turning back, "It is located in my tomb chamber."

In just half a day since Gal and the others left, Evan had already become quite familiar with the so-called "Mysterious Priest" by addressing him by his title. This was because the other party was not mysterious at all; he was lively and curious, often bursting out with humorous metaphors, and was cheerful and quick to laugh. When he smiled, his pale complexion and unusually deep-set eyes became approachable, almost resembling an innocent college boy.

This is the core of the barrier

Mr. Good stood up, and the several hunters who had been leaning against the door spontaneously made way. The man, who looked exactly like a statue, walked in calmly. With his steps, a sudden commotion erupted from a cabinet in the archbishop's office, as if something was desperately banging on the cabinet door

Who is Mr. Good

Your ... ... tomb? Louis came to his senses, having walked all the way here, and it was evident that the eyes of this historian were no longer sufficient.

"Is it because of my fear of blood that my grades are poor?" John asked

Evan pursed his lips, looking extremely frustrated: "This is really ridiculous, isn't it? If it weren't for Mr. Good's kindness, I believe I would have been fired long ago"

Everyone he saw appeared to be so happy

This older child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder simply refuses to sit quietly and wait for others

Indeed, Evan seems to have been somewhat infected by his happiness. After a while, he asked again, "Must you also hate me for me to become an extraordinary person?"

Evan parked the car in the underground parking lot beneath the mall, walked around to the other side, opened the car door from the outside, and assisted the unusually spirited injured person out.

John was captivated at the very first glance of this world

They traversed a long, dimly lit corridor, descending several hundred steps deep underground. Upon reaching the ground, each person felt a tremor, as if an inaudible sound had directly touched their souls, emanating from the depths of the earth

John finally fell silent, his entire being almost pressed against the car window—there was so much newness that he couldn't even blink, and he had long forgotten to ask anything.

That is a traffic light, the red light indicates that those walking in our direction must stop, while it is the turn of those crossing to proceed. When the light turns green, the situation reverses to prevent collisions

Evan said: "Look, the brake, the accelerator—just press this thing down, and the car will have the power to run, a steering wheel, automatic transmission, very simple, and soon you will master it too"

Evan's smile gradually faded as John's remark reminded him of Louis's scathing evaluation of him, suggesting that this strict instructor believed that the Temple's acceptance of even a useless person like him was largely due to the circumstances of peacetime

When I was an apprentice at the temple, there was a classmate who initially fainted at the sight of blood. John shrugged, but later he became an extraordinary person

"634th, Charles? Arno? Good." Mr. Good set down the scepter, placed his hands on his shoulders, and with great difficulty retracted his round belly, performing an ancient greeting. "The great figures who established the most glorious era, the scepter will forever remember their brilliance. It has been in my hands for twenty years, and I have never seen it so agitated—so, great ancestors, are you a warning from some prophet, or an illusion left behind a thousand years ago?"

John pondered carefully for two seconds: "I don't think I can move such a large iron object with just one foot."

Considering his injuries, Evan did not make him walk, but thoughtfully drove around the hilly area. John was delighted to sit in the running "bread van"; as soon as he got in, he couldn't help but touch everything around him. When the car started, he was momentarily stunned, then leaned against the window, curiously watching the scenery rush by outside.

Got it! John punched him on the shoulder, and both of them laughed at the same time

John nodded, he thought for a moment, and suddenly said: "You know... actually many people have a tendency to faint at the sight of blood"

Then you must be very impressive Evan's voice was somewhat muffled

More enchanting than the exquisite porcelain in the Bigeer family's kitchen, more captivating than a box filled with various flavors of chocolates in the living room, ... more alluring than those transparent glasses as clear as crystal, machines that can cool or heat at will, small boxes that allow conversations from miles away, and glowing mushrooms ... and so on, all combined evoke a sense of longing.

"I originally thought it was impossible," John said, "because I actually disliked him quite a bit. However, he really became an extraordinary person. When I heard the bad news, I felt utterly unable to eat—hey, why did we stop? Oh... what are those round cakes lined up? They are glowing red!"

Continuing on, John spent the remainder of his journey in astonishment. The vehicle had already driven out of the semi-mountainous area and entered the city center. They walked on a wide, dust-free road, flanked by numerous high-rise buildings that he could only see by craning his neck. Colorful glass occasionally refracted light onto the ground, flashing by in an instant. Outside the department store hung a massive advertising screen, where a blonde model was promoting cosmetics to the audience, amidst the bustling sounds of people all around.

The man who called himself Leo Aldo smiled gently, yet much like the statue placed in the courtyard, even when he smiled, there was always an inexplicable hint of sorrow in his brows and eyes, his smile fleeting: "I am merely a guardian spirit of the 'barrier', Mr. Good, please follow me"

John whistled and said, "This is truly a great idea"

The newly appointed Swordbearer? The man turned his head to glance at him, as if recalling something, his gaze softened, "No, child, no one can survive for a thousand years. I have merely infused a part of my life and soul into the barrier, my body lies in eternal slumber. As long as the barrier remains intact, I shall not awaken... There is no sound, no sensation, and no light. By definition, those years I should also be considered dead."

"This is wonderful," he said, leaning against the passenger seat. "You have a truly great place here."

The archbishop's staff seemed to be drawn by some force, swiftly flying out of the cupboard and landing precisely in the arms of the blond man. The blond man was taken aback, and a hint of tenderness suddenly appeared on his otherwise indifferent face as he gently brushed his fingers over the staff: "It is good to see you, old friend"

Arrived. Then he paused his steps and announced softly

What?" John widened his eyes, then held that expression for a moment, unable to suppress a laugh, "Of course I am.

The temple has endured for thousands of years, having undergone several minor renovations, albeit only in areas accessible to visitors. The true core of the temple remains untouched by anyone, harboring countless profound magical arrays left by generations. Many of these have now been lost to time, and recklessly intruding would undoubtedly be perilous

"My grades have always been poor, I might be the dumbest student," Evan revealed a hint of embarrassment under his clear gaze, "Instructor Megert asked me to go back and retake the exam. I might be the only hunter in the history of the temple who has to retake an exam after the internship period has ended"

Mr. Good had others wait in the office while he took Gal and the limping Scholar, supported by Louis, to follow the suddenly appeared blond man into the center of the temple, which had not been touched by anyone for many years. The man seemed to be completely familiar with the opening and closing of all the magical formations, as if he were simply walking into his own backyard.

He suddenly asked in a low voice: "I heard Instructor Megert and Gal say that you used to be a sword-wielding priest, is that true?"

John turned his head to look at him

"During this special period, I am merely acting in this capacity," John said. "I had originally planned to resign after the war ended, but before I had the chance, I inexplicably found myself here"

Mr. Good opened the cabinet, and an intense light immediately filled the room. Michelle exclaimed softly, "The Archbishop's staff!"