Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

"Oh, those guys..."

Knogen, the messenger of surrender, brought the surrender text to Pius, which was quickly delivered to me by Harpy. I clicked my tongue as I looked at the names on the letter. I had not expected them to come with an army to take the territory we had abandoned, just because it showed signs of recovery.

"First of all, we have to see the defeated generals, don't we?

"Yes. It would make sense to bring the three of them here, but it's too far from here. As Pius said in his letter, I'll have to go myself.

I put Gon on my back and rode down to them in the Ilimo. We set up a ward to hide us and watch the situation from the air. The Imperial Guard is completely surrounded by Pius's troops, Geryon, and the Sea Peoples' troops, and even higher in the sky, invisible to the Imperial Guard, are the harpies flying around. We are so surrounded that there is not even a space for an ant to crawl through. I asked Ilimo to get off a short distance from the battlefield, lifted the warding, and headed for them.

"Pius! You kept me waiting!"

"Master Linos, we have been waiting for you. The three who surrendered.

Jono, Glagorail, and Auchet were all held in a slumped position. Auchet, in particular, was pale and looked like a dead man. I took one look at them from above the irimo,

"I can't talk to you here. The three of them will meet at the Hotel Krumphal. Send word to Quena that they can use any available room."

Ha! One of Pius' men replied and started his horse.

"Isn't the hotel basically full?

No, we always leave a room or two open for the worst case scenario. Otherwise, the staff can't get around.

As I am talking with Gong, a man steps forward.

My name is Knogen of the Imperial Guard. My name is Knogen of the Imperial Guard and I thank you for your kindness to us. Normally Auchet, Deputy Commander of the Order, would be the one to answer you, but as you can see, the situation is as you see it. I am truly sorry to be rude, but I would like to accompany you as your escort.

"Kuh... kno... n... don't... do... anything... selfish... to... me..."

Auchet mutters under his breath.

"I don't think I can talk to this piece of shit. Fine, Knogen. I'll let you come with me."

"Thank you."

"Pius, take these four with you."

Auchet could not walk alone, so Knogen helped him with his shoulders.

The scene of the commander being taken away was indeed a shock to the soldiers, and they were very upset. I walked in front of the soldiers.

"Silence! Attention, all of you!

In an instant, the line is formed. They are well trained, as one would expect.

"This is Linos, who controls Krumphal. You attacked our hall. That's why we had to take defensive measures. My condolences to the fallen soldiers, but such is the way of the battlefield. We charge those who started this battle, but we believe that you are following orders and have no hostile intentions toward us. You will be processed to return to the capital. Stand by for further instructions!"

I instructed Marcel and Karlos to take care of the Knights' soldiers respectively. The soldiers obeyed and led them to the towns of Kailik and Tohotsu.

"Ferris, Ruara, you did well!"

"Ahem. It's no big deal. By the way, Mr. Linos, you're amazing. You were so cool.

"Master, you dazzled me like a god."

"Don't be flattered. I want you to go back to the house and guard Rico and the others. And you too, Geki. Go back and get some rest. The harpies will continue to watch the skies. And when you do so, please make sure that Kylique and the Knights of Tohotsu are quiet. If you see anything out of the ordinary, let me know right away. Thank you!"

Everyone's pulling out. I stopped Ferris, who was about to take off,

"When you get to the pavilion, make zenzai for the harpies and the gurions. Make a little extra, will you? We want to eat too."

I'm on it! Well then!"

"Sister, you're hurting me! Please don't be rough with me!"

"Shut up! Stay quiet or you'll fall!"

Gaping, the two disappeared deep into the forest. I headed for the Hotel Krumphal with Ilimo.

"Now, why on earth did this happen?

"..."

The surrender meeting that began in the hotel suite was filled with a somber atmosphere. All three men were lying on the floor with pale faces.

I'm going to appraise these guys for the sake of trouble.

"...I got the gist of it. You guys did all this to steal the harvested crops of Krumphal territory, didn't you? Stupid people. Do you know how many people have been inconvenienced by your stupid desires? I don't know any other word to describe you except idiot.

"...You, you, you don't understand!"

Auche mutters, as if trying to squeeze out.

"Are you stupid? I don't even want to know about the man who left his men to die and then survived so long that he couldn't even die!

Auchet looks at me with murderous intent.

"The reason for this war you have started is to steal the harvest of Krumfal. If you don't agree, say so!

All three of them are downcast and trembling.

"I take silence as an affirmation. You are so brazen! The lands you abandoned have been restored, and now you want to take their harvest. What kind of a train of thought does one have to go through to come up with such an idea? I pity the dead soldiers too much. Knogen, what is this army anyway? How did you manage to gather so many soldiers?"

"We belong to the Army of the North, the soldiers under the banner of Vice Commander Auchet."

How much damage?

I estimate that about half of them were killed or wounded.

"So you let that many men die in the field. That's a real piece of shit.

"You shouldn't treat us so rough. If I wanted to, I could easily strip you of your identity.

"Jono, that's not a threat. I'm not interested in status. I'd rather be free of it. Deprivation? Ha, we'd like to ask you for a favor!"

Jono bites his lip and looks down.

For the time being, I have decided to put the three under house arrest at the hotel, and have Pius and the others take charge of their security. I head for the capital to report the situation. On the way, I stop at the towns of Kairik and Tohotsu to check on the condition of the knights who are being held captive. There seems to be no serious problem, but they all look gloomy, as if they were shocked that their colleagues were overrun by demons.

I tried to leave some food for the soldiers, but my aunts refused... There are more than 200 of us, but we'll feed them good food! I headed for the capital, a little grateful for the smiles on their faces.

Arriving at the palace at dusk, I asked the Prime Minister to make an appointment. After a short wait, the Prime Minister and His Highness Weiras arrive. I reported to them about today's events.

"The Imperial Guard? That's absurd."

"It's true... I wonder what it is..."

"It's true. First of all, I think we have to send the soldiers back to the capital.

"That's right. The commander of the northern army is Lord Lafayence. He should be informed. Someone go get Lord Lafayence."

The Commander of the Royal Knights arrived unexpectedly quickly, since his office was located in the palace.

"Oh my God... Auchet..." he said. I didn't think he was thinking of that..."

The corps commander looks quite shocked. He has the appearance of a nice guy with neatly coiffed silver hair, but a big shadow has been cast on his face.

"I understand. Rafaience here sincerely apologizes for what happened. Tomorrow I will bring Auxier and his men home."

Please do not punish the soldiers.

Of course. Many soldiers were lost because of Auxhe. Perhaps the most important victims are the soldiers.

Jono and Glagorail were also taken into custody, and tomorrow morning I would return with Lafayence to Krumfal territory.

We leave the castle and ride back to the house on Ilimo. I thought everyone had returned, but no one had returned yet. I continue to ride the transfer wards and move to Krumphal's mansion. Riko, Gon, Ferris, and Ruara were there.

"I made zenzai! Everyone was very happy.

"My sister Rico helped me. She's very good at what she does.

Only here is peace and quiet. I explain what has happened so far and what will happen tomorrow.

"That's a lot of work. We're staying here today. We don't know what will happen.

"Rico, are you sure you can handle this by yourself?"

"Ferris and Ruara will be fine. Gon will be there if we need him.

"Okay, well, I'm counting on you."

I hugged Riko and went back to the house.

Peris and May were waiting for me in the dining room. When I saw their faces, I remembered that I hadn't eaten anything since lunch, and I was suddenly hungry. I took Peris's advice to cook something, and for the first time in a long time, I stood in the kitchen with them. May helped me with the cooking. We talked about the day's events, and in no time at all, bread, soup, salad, and fried golden chicken were ready. The chicken is running low. I hope to hunt for it again when I visit the Jukan Kingdom again.

After a hearty meal, I took a bath with Mei and went to bed with her.