Have you heard yet that this whole thing is being broadcast? [He asks, quietly as he looks into the distance and curls his fingers into fists at his sides.]

It's the 'format' of each round to open the areas in order. All areas close back off when a round ends. The same for why the barrier lowers each time those requirements are met.

The barrier always looks like it will fall, but it never has. No until this time and that's because of some of the mana flow from our souls to the town being cut off.