Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

"The Agarthans are on the move!　And it is the Agartha King Linos himself who commands it!"

Rucker stood up shouting. It was the report he had been waiting for.

It had been almost three days since the Agarthans had left the capital. The minimum time from the capital of Agartha to Hiyama was five days. As early as the day after tomorrow, they could cross swords with Agartha's army. Perhaps that army would arrive a little sooner. ....... Rucker ordered his entire army to be ready.

"All troops, wait nervously."

The messenger in front of him bowed and dashed out of the room like a hare.

It was three days later when the report came that Agartha's army had arrived at the foot of a mountain about ten kilometers to the west of Hiyama. Rucker immediately sent out scouts to check on Agartha's movements. What he received was a surprising report.

"......What, Agartha is scattering her troops?

Rucker shouted in a deranged voice at a military meeting he immediately convened. One of the commanders responded to his words.

"Yes, first of all, please take a look at the map.

With these words, the man spread out a map on his desk, which the commanders peered at.

"According to the information we have received from the scouts we have sent out in all directions since the arrival of Agartha's army, there are 3,000 troops on the grassland 10 km west of Hiyama, 3,000 on the grassland 10 km south, and 2,000, 2,000, and 1,000 between Hiyama and Durga, respectively. And we believe that there are still 5,000 troops on Mount Copas to the west of ...... as a backstop."

"So that would make 13,000 troops at the end of the day. ......"

One of the commanders mutters to no one in particular. Rucker nodded his head in agreement.

Why is the enemy scattering their troops so carelessly all over the place?

One of the young commanders opens his mouth. At these words, Sanena, the commander-in-chief, leans forward.

"Well, there it is. I can only assume that the Agarthans are trying to confuse us by expanding the front!"

"...... this war is not about that."

Rucker mutters in a low voice. There was an eerie light in his eyes.

"The question is where is Linos, the king of Agartha, and how do we attack him? If we get the head of the Agartha King, this battle is over.

"...... So, the strategy that the king was talking about is to target the king of Agartha alone?"

"That's right, Sanena."

Shall things go well?

What do you mean?

"If we defeat Agartha's King Rinos, can we safely retreat from Hiyama?　Probably there are commanders named Knogen and Rufana in the Agarthan army. With 13,000 troops, Agartha's army would have about 70% of its forces facing us. It is even possible that one of the princesses, Commander Matkal, may be in the army. Even if we defeat the king of Agartha, these one-man army of commanders will surely follow us. We will not be safe.

"Sanena, what are you trying to say?"

"I think the king's plan to attack the king of Agartha alone is a brilliant one. However, we must be prepared to face a severe blowback if we succeed in defeating King Agartha. Now, what shall we do? ......"

"When we raise the head of the king of Agartha, our army will probably be surrounded by the elite of Agartha. But rest assured! I will lead the way and open the way for you. I am sure that you have seen many times when I have opened a blood channel and escaped from a desperate situation. I will do it again this time. You can rest assured.

Sanena listened intently to Rucker's words, then slowly exhaled and nodded repeatedly as she opened her mouth.

"I am relieved to hear you say that. We have seen your bravery many times and know your strength better than anyone else. If the king leads the way in opening the blood channel, many of his soldiers will be able to keep their lives. Rest assured. I will be your Lord then."

Rucker wanted to say there was no need for that, but he swallowed the words involuntarily. Sanena's gaze was too sharp. I know exactly what he means. He is running the army of the Kingdom of Subkriner for his own love. You'll only lose heart if you keep doing this. Wake up soon. ....... That's what he must be thinking. But at that moment, all he could see in his mind was Vieille's smile. That angelic smile ....... Her petite but voluptuous body....... I want to have that smile, that body, at any cost....... To do so, I must raise the head of Linos, King of Agartha, at any cost....... Rucker's eyes once again lit up with an eerie gleam.

"Find the whereabouts of Linos, King of Agartha, at all costs! Then everything else will follow."

At his words, the commanders bowed their heads in silence.

A few hours later, Rucker received information about the Agarthan army one after another. The enemy was mainly infantry with very few cavalry. Rucker had assumed that Agartha would come with a formation mainly composed of cavalry. He immediately ordered his rearguard to examine the troops encamped in the rear.

According to the report, all of Agartha's infantrymen were wearing black armor and equipped with spears. There are two types of spears, one is a long spear and the other is a very short spear.

"Perhaps those with short spears are equipped with the new weapon that buried the army of Lord Viru of the Kingdom of Thana. They are ....... It seems that the troops stationed between Hiyama and Dorga are carrying them. Perhaps this is the main force that will attack Hiyama. They will attack from afar, and when they have reduced our strength to some extent, the long spearmen will rush in. Then, when the walls and moats are crossed and the gates are opened, the cavalry will charge in. ....... This is roughly how Agartha's strategy worked. A brilliant maneuver, even for the enemy."

At that moment, one of the commanders jumped into Rucker's arms.

"I say!　Our advance guard has just scouted Mount Kopassu and has confirmed the presence of Agartha's King Linos!"

"You found it!"

Rucker looks at the map spread out before him.

"The Agarthans are well positioned, but they didn't seem to think of defending themselves, did they? It is a wonder that the only thing they have placed in front of Mount Copas is the long spearmen. ....... The heavens are on our side!

Rucker looked up quickly and shouted in a voice that sounded like anger.

"All troops, go!　Avenge King Linos of Agartha! There is only one enemy, the King of Agartha!　Whoever captures the head will be rewarded as desired!"

The army led by Rucker rushed out of Hiyama's fort with great speed.

But a short time after he had left the fort, one of his messengers came after him in a great hurry.

"Wait for me, my king!　My King!"

Rucker stops his horse with an expression of disgust on his face. The messenger dismounted his horse and kneeled down in front of Rucker, breathing hard.

"Sir!"

"What's going on!"

"I have learned that the army deployed east of Hiyama is the army commanded by the king of Agartha himself!"

"What!　Are you telling me that the army on Mount Kopassu is a decoy?

Oh, my king!

Rucker is furious, and a new messenger appears and kneels down in front of him.

"I say!　The army deployed in front of Hiyama: ....... There they have found the king of Agartha, Linos. This is the army in front!

What?　There are three of Linos, King of Agartha?

Rucker's angry shouts echoed across the wide meadow.