Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

Meanwhile, at the fortress of Hiyama, Rucker was holding a council of war with his generals.

"I never thought we would be able to open the castle without bloodshed," said Rucker.

Rucker's face was not smiling despite his victory, which saw the fall of Hiyama, a strong fortress, without losing a single soldier. On the contrary, the wrinkles between his brows deepened. The commanders in the room, perhaps sensing his feelings, simply kept their eyes fixed on the king in silence.

"So, what are you going to do now?

It was the commander-in-chief, Sanena, who opened his mouth. He spoke to Rucker in a matter-of-fact but all-but-absolute manner. The atmosphere of his speech suggested that he was prepared to end this battle at the cost of his own life.

"I'll wait."

"What ...... did you say?"

"Wait. Wait until Linos, King of Agartha, of the army of Agartha, comes."

"Awe. ....... What happens if the Agarthans don't move?"

The young commander opens his mouth involuntarily. Rucker gives him a sharp look.

"I will move. Your territory is being overrun. What will you do if you don't let this shame pass? And if we hold them here, Durga's fate is sealed. Agartha must eliminate us at all costs.

"Awe, my king, Yata wishes to say that if the Agarthans themselves do not move, and if the nations of Niza, Heedata, and Lamaron send their armies to surround this hiyama, we will fall. However well-stocked with food we may be, they will not be there forever. ......"

"Sanena, don't tell everyone!　I understand!"

Rucker brushes Sanena's words away with his hand as if he were swatting away a fly or a mosquito. He stood up quickly and stared at the commanders with bloodshot eyes.

"Do not look away from the movements of the Agarthan army. He will move. He will move!

Not a single person contradicted Rucker's words.

The first time I saw Rucker's words, I was surprised to hear them.

"I'm terribly sorry. I'm a little distracted."

Vieille quickly brushed her hair and muttered a few words. The atmosphere was indescribably strange.

"I really, physiologically dislike that man. ....... His face....... His body odor....... Oh, no......"

"There's nothing to hate that much, is there?　See, well, what the hell. Aside from looks, body odor can be managed with perfume. ....... If you like, I can give you some of my Soleil's perfume.　I've heard they're pretty popular."

"I will only accept your kindness."

......Vieille's eyes scare me. If I drag this story out any longer, I'm going to get really pissed off. I cough and try to change the subject.

"But you're going to attack Hiyama when you're trying to kill me? This is not the capital of Agartha, is it?"

"I must say, Master Rucker, that you are a man of extraordinary generalship."

Vieille had regained her usual expression. He has charming eyes ...... but behind those eyes he is not smiling at all. In praise of such an expression, she continued with more words.

"Master Rucker is the spearhead of our Crimean Nation's army. He does not simply charge blindly, but he instantly spots the enemy's weak points and charges toward them. Many of his retainers are also very brave, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is thanks to him that our army has been able to keep on winning so far. For our Faith, he is a highly esteemed general, along with Mr. Viru of the Kingdom of Tana. He would never misjudge the enemy's strength. The reason why he did not attack the city of Agartha is because he did not expect to win.

"For a man who hates ...... you, Vieille, you watch a lot."

"Yes. That's not the same thing.

"Is that what it is?　So, why Hiyama?"

"Hiyama is the keystone of Dorga's defense ....... If we can occupy it, it won't be too difficult to take down Dorga.

"Well, if we surround them from the land and the sea, the dolgas will be helpless, but Rucker is attacking alone, isn't he? I don't think that strategy is going to work.

"However, the king of Agartha cannot just leave Rucker like this, can he?"

"Well, you know."

"It's the love-crazed Mr. Rucker. There is a possibility that he will launch an attack on Durga to lure the king of Agartha. If that happens, the innocent people of Durga will be inconvenienced.

"......"

"I understand the feelings of the King of Agartha."

Vieille has a bewitching smile. Seeing my silence, she continues to say more, as if she thought she had hit the bull's-eye.

But please don't worry. I think there is little chance that Mr. Rucker will attack Dorga.

"Oh, I see."

Yes. Rucker wants only one king, the king of Agartha. This battle is for the purpose of defeating King Agartha himself.

"Well, you want my head, not Hiyama's or Dorga's. ......"

"He thinks that the king of Agartha is in the way to get me. Therefore, Master Rucker will surely take a strategy to attack the Agartha king's main camp with his elite. It will not be a battle of legions against legions, but a battle against the king of Agartha alone.

"...... vieille"

"Yes."

"You just called Rucker a great general, didn't you?"

Yes, I said that.

I guess a great general is a bit more unpredictable than one might think.

"What?"

We, Agartha, have won this battle. I'm sure Rucker will lose every battle he has with us and lose everything.

"Did you say ...... that you won?"

"Yes, we won. You Crimiana's tend to go for the general's head, don't you? I'm done with that kind of fighting. It's supposed to be a war of armies now. You can say you have won only when you have conquered the enemy's army. It is folly to aim only for the general's head when you have an army with you. A good example is that Ville. He lost his army after he fought only for my head. As a result, Ville, the king of Thana, is now a powerless being.

Vieille rolled her eyes in surprise at my words, but then she smiled the bewitching smile I had seen earlier.

"My information is useless to the king of Agartha. For sure, the king of Agartha will win against Master Rucker.

"Well, that's not important. I've got one thing on my mind.

"Is this a concern ......?"

"Oh. As a man, I can't help but understand how a woman who loves a woman ...... hates her, but can't give up on her. I have a feeling that I want to do something about such a pure boy's feelings, so to speak. If possible, I would like to have a drink alone with him and discuss it with him."

The smile faded from Vieille's face, replaced by an expression of disdain.

"Well, I can understand your feelings. I'm not going to tell you to go out with Rucker at any cost. Well, you've come all the way to Agartha. Have a meal and go home. Bring back some fried goldenrod as a souvenir."

Thank you very much for your kindness.

After saying this and bowing, Vieille turned away and left the room.

"What are you going to do with ......?"

As soon as Vieille disappeared, Matkal opened his mouth. I leaned back against the throne and let my gaze drift to the ceiling.

"I guess I'll have to go."

"As I thought. You're going to Hiyama ......?"

"Well. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take a nap on Mato's lap in the meadow near Hiyama, instead of going to the front. ......"

Matkal's face instantly turned red.