lol You sound surprised.
Yeah, it'll work. It is reasonable to think that the villagers would believe something was keeping the animals away from them, since they know they are out there, but the most dangerous thing that finds its way into the village uninvited is a field mouse, or equivalent. I think they would probably believe it is maintained by some superstitious action of theirs, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't believe it existed. But I like that they think of it more as a wall than as a gradient. Ultimately, I don't really care so long as it is logical.