Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

For a moment, Rucker's breathing stopped. He almost shouted "Mr. Vieille! There was no way that Mr. Vieille could be here. He thinks back and straightens his back again.

"Is this ...... the princess of the king of Agartha?

"Princess ......?　No, I don't have a daughter this big. My wife is from the village of Soleil.

This is Lysia, from the village of Silures. We have decided to send her out of the village to study. I have been thinking a lot about how I can get her to serve a good master.

Soleil opens her mouth while turning her glamorous gaze alternately to Ligia and Rucker. Rucker swallows his spit while watching her.

"So, who do you want to serve, ......?"

"Yes. ......"

Lizia responds to Rucker's words in a firm and resolute manner. Looking at her sideways, Linos wonders in his heart how she could look so much like Vieille with just a change of hair color and costume. He wonders where she has learned that she has even acquired Vieille's habit of tilting her head slightly when she replies.

Rucker in front of me was trying to look calm, but his eyes were swimming from time to time. It is obvious that he is upset. Then, there was a knock at the door, and Kunogen and some other soldiers entered the room. In their hands, they are holding something that looks like a meal.

"We can't offer you any hospitality, but if you like, you can have some of our food. Please don't mind my tedious serving.

With these words, he places the dishes on the table. There are dishes that I have never seen before. And beside him, a beautiful white porcelain pot and a sake cup.

"Come on, Ligia. Please pour Master Rucker a drink. This is the sake we make in the village of Siljus. Please savor it.

At Soleil's urging, Ligia stood up and went to Rucker's side. But he is panting, his face tense, as if he is trying to squeeze the words out of his mouth.

"No, no, I don't ...... drink. ......"

"I would not hesitate. I have heard that Mr. Rucker has a great deal of knowledge about alcoholic beverages. Our Siljus makes a drink: ....... We would be very pleased to hear your thoughts on it.

"Oh ...... oh ......"

Like a somnambulist, he takes the cup in his hand with a dazed look on his face. Ligia slowly pours the sake into the cup. Rucker looks at her in amazement and brings the cup to his lips.

Rucker's core felt hot and ...... hot. Immediately after that, he felt an indescribable aroma in his nostrils. It is a strong, but delicious sake. It has a slight sweetness. Just the kind of sake that ...... likes. I can drink as much of this as I want.

Ligia pours more sake into the empty cup. Rucker drinks it slowly while keeping his eyes on her. Then Ligia pours more sake into the cup. Rucker again pours some more into the cup and brings it to his lips.

"Ligia, if you let her drink that much, Master Rucker will collapse.

I beg your pardon.

"No, no,...... it's a good drink,....... I ...... don't get drunk on this much. Don't worry ......

"But, Master Rucker, you are blushing."

"Hey, this isn't ...... booze, it's that ......"

"Well, are you embarrassed by Ligia's beauty?"

No, no, no, that's not what I meant. ......

"Uh-huh. Honest lady. ......"

Lizia, who was watching the exchange between Soleil and Rucker, giggles.

"It's funny ......"

Rucker had a memory of that smile. It was a smile that Master Vieille only showed when he was talking with the King of Agartha. The smile that leaked out unexpectedly when they were whispering something together. ....... How many times has Rucker been healed by that angelic smile? I want to get that smile....... The smile he had imagined day and night is right in front of his eyes. His heart beat faster.

"Well, if you would be so kind, would you like to serve in my subcliner kingdom?"

I couldn't help but say it out loud. Rucker looked away from Ligia, thinking that he had said something wrong. He was now a prisoner. A man like that had no right to say such a thing.

"Thank you. But ......"

Soleil clammed up. That's true. There is no way I would send my precious countrymen to the place of those who have lost a battle. But why did the King and Queen of Agartha let themselves pass by this Lysia? Just when I was beginning to have such doubts, Soleil continued to speak.

"As for Ligia, we have also received an invitation from the Church of Crimiana ......."

"Oh, yes. It would be best if you would serve under His Holiness the Pope.

"That's why it's not Mr. Vieille, but Cardinal Raiergaert."

"What?　Raiaggart?

Yes. I heard that he is a man who serves close to Mr. Vieille. I heard that he was in charge of security for dignitaries at the recent conference. This man has asked me to send Lizia to his service. ....... I have been eagerly invited to study abroad, sleeping and waking in Ryagart's residence and learning various things at Aphrodite's."

I won't let him!

Rucker found himself holding Ligia's hand. She involuntarily pulled her hand away and looked down. Soleil is looking on with a smile.

"Actually, I came here today to ask you about Mr. Ryagart. Lizia is like a little sister to me. If possible, I would like to send her to someone who will take good care of her. ......"

Rucker, breathing hard, explained how the man, Raiaggart, was a mean, effeminate, petulant man who took advantage of the authority of the Pope, Vieille. He told them how the kingdom of Subclina under Rucker's rule would be beneficial to Lysia, and even said that if they came to Subclina, he, as king, would take responsibility for taking care of them. Already, Vieille had disappeared from Rucker's mind. As he talked, Rucker became intoxicated by his own explanations and began to develop his own theory on how a man should be. Soleil and Lizia continue to look at him with kind eyes.

"Well, I'll accept your terms!

"What?"

Rucker turns his attention to Linos, watching the two roll their eyes in surprise at the sudden mention.

"Now I am a prisoner. I would like to know your conditions for my release and return to my country.

"Terms ......?"

Territory or money?

No, I'm not interested in either.

"Don't tell me ...... my head?"

No, no, I'm not thinking about that at all. No, you can leave whenever you like. It is true that Hiyama was taken over by you, but our loss is practically zero. We do not expect you to make amends in any way. You have already lost several of your men, and I am afraid to say this, but your relationship with ...... Vieille will be at a distance. With that much penalty, there is nothing in particular you want from me. I hear that you have a retainer waiting for your return. Knogen!

A voice came from Linos, and immediately there was a knock at the door and Knogen entered.

"Knogen, where are King Rucker's men?"

Yes. The Commander-in-Chief, Lord Sanena, along with several of his retainers, have been waiting off the port of Hiyama for some time now."

Please hurry and return to your beloved family. No, I have kept you here to consult with you about where to send Ligia here to serve you. I'm sorry to take up your time with such a trivial matter, but it seems to me that this Ligia should be placed in your service. Please take good care of her. I dare say this is what I'm asking for."

With that, Linos stands up.

"I will wait for your return and send Ligia to you. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Rucker nodded slowly, his eyes rolling back in his head.