Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

I feel a soft touch on my lips and wake up. You want to stay like this for a while, but you keep your eyes closed and enjoy the sensation. Slowly something soft enters my mouth. I enjoy it as much as I can and open my eyes. There is May's beautiful face.

"It's morning. Master..."

May's body is warm. Just right for this chilly morning. I hugged her and enjoyed the touch of her lips once more, then got up from the bed. May got up and quickly put on her clothes.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"How can I help you?"

"I can't look at May's beautiful body anymore."

She giggles and silently takes on her newborn form, once again without a stitch of clothing on. Her reflection in the morning sun was as beautiful as a work of art. I can't help but gawk at her.

"Master...it's already morning..."

May's face looked troubled. I came to myself, hugged her, got dressed, and went down to the dining room with her.

After tucking into the breakfast that Peris had prepared for us, I got on the Ilimo and headed for the palace. When I arrived at the castle, about 100 knights were lined up at the gate. An old general in military uniform stands beside them on his horse. It is Lafayence.

"I'm sorry it's so early in the morning. Let's go."

The knights advance without breaking ranks. I drive Ilimo next to Lafayence.

"You handle that horse very well."

No, this is a very good horse.

"He may be small in stature, but he is a smart horse.

Irimo's horns and feathers are hidden from view, but still this general seems to be able to sense Irimo's good qualities.

"May I ask you something?"

Yes, sir?

"How were Aushe and his men defeated?"

"Why do you say that?"

No, we learn little from our victories, but much from our defeats. I thought it would be good for my future military strategy.

"Well, okay, but..."

I'll explain yesterday's battle. As for the gurions, I told them that they were attacked by accident.

"...I see. Muddy footing and a forest I've never been in before. Suicide. Perhaps Auchet and the others were upset by your surprise attack from the front. The vanguard collapsed and they retreated, but the dirt dug up by the horses' hooves turned to mud and made their footing unstable. Then came the flanking attack of the galleons. I'm surprised Aushe is still alive."

"Yes, I did not hear how they retreated, but I think it was a brilliant retreat.

"Did Aucher say anything about this?"

"...No, nothing in particular. He was so pale and breathing so hard he couldn't speak, so a man by the name of Knogen took his place.

"Knogen. He's good with soldiers. I see. So Knogen was in charge of the retreat. It was a blessing in disguise.

Nodding his head in agreement, the old general stares off into the distance with a forlorn look on his face.

"My Lord Linos, we must hurry a little. Is it all right if I drive my horse?"

"Yes, that's no problem."

Lafayence began to ride his horse at a ridiculous speed. The Knights followed him without any problem. I and Ilimo rushed to follow the general.

It takes a day to get from the capital to Krumphal's mansion on foot. It would take half a day on horseback, but Lafayence kept his horse going without slowing down or taking a break, and we arrived there in only three hours.

"General, there it is!"

Finally, Lafayence slows down. He is hardly out of breath, even though he has been riding all the way through. Surprisingly, the old man and his men seem to be up to the task.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Lafayence immediately went to the room where Auxier and his men were being held under house arrest. Quena told him that all three of them had not eaten since yesterday, except for a few mouthfuls of soup, and that they had hardly slept at all.

The suite was heavily guarded. I told Pius that the general had arrived and had him open the door. When I entered, I found the three of them sitting in the same place as yesterday, and Knogen alone sitting quietly and meditatively. They were surrounded by Pius's mercenaries.

After looking around the room slowly, Rafaience looked at Knogen, nodded, and quietly sat down in the chair in front of Auchet.

"Auche."

A jerk of his body, and slowly Auchet looked up. He looked exhausted and terrible. Auchet's eyes widened and his body trembled as he saw the old general.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah..."

"Don't talk. Lord Rinos told me what you said yesterday. What a stupid thing to do. Do you know why you lost this battle?

Auchet looks down.

"Knogen, do you understand?"

"...Is it because you did not analyze the current situation, and instead advanced your army unnecessarily?"

"Well, I'm not saying you're wrong, but that's not right either."

"Your Excellency..."

"Auxhe, you lost this battle because you had to lose it. You should have lost this battle, Auxier, but you lost it because you moved your army on your own initiative. You lied to me in your greed and moved your army on your own.

Gentle and admonishing, but with such weight in each word that Auchet looks as if he is about to cry.

"Your Excellency... I am so sorry for this mistake, even though I was with you..."

"Yes, Knogen. You are responsible for not stopping Aucher. But... You did well to let the men go. Perhaps by the looks of things you were in charge of the retreat. It's not an admirable thing to do, but from the looks of Auxhe, I suppose it had to be done. You did a good job. The retreat is commendable."

"Sir..."

Knogen is crying aloud. Auchet remains downcast.

"Auxhe, Knogen, let's go back to the capital. We must send the soldiers back to the capital. You can do as you wish with your future. Vizier Gremont said death or exile. I have been entrusted with the responsibility of disposing of you. This time I'd like to give you a lenient sentence. You may not agree with it, Lord Linos, but will you accept it?

Lafayence stood up quickly and turned to face me from behind.

"That's right," he said.

The Commander of the Northern Legion of the Heedata Empire bowed his head.

"I, myself, sincerely apologize for the mismanagement of my men.

"...I understand. Please raise your face."

"Thank you, Lord Linos. From now on, I will make amends for this. If you need anything else, please contact Lafayence here. I will do everything I can.

"Thank you. Though it was a battle, the soldiers of the Northern Army suffered heavy losses. My condolences to the fallen soldiers.

"Thank you."

Both Auchet and Knogen were crying. They were just crying. Jono and Glagorail looked on with pale faces.

"Well, Baron Jono and Baron Glagorail. You are Imperial nobles, not my men. But a crime is a crime. You will be escorted back to the capital and taken into my custody. I received a direct order from His Majesty when I left the capital this morning. His Majesty will speak to you directly.

Jono and Glagourail nodded, as if their strength had been drained from them.

The four men who had been under house arrest were once again taken into custody by the general. As usual, Auchet could not walk alone and was supported by Knogen.

While they were being held, I drafted an order for Kailik and Tohotsu to release the prisoners and handed it to Lafayence. Then the general, who was once again the man on the horse, said

"Then I will return to the capital immediately. I will see you at the palace, Mr. Linos.

With these words, he left. After I saw him off, I ordered Harpy to go after him. I don't think Lafayence will attack us again, but I'll keep an eye on the map with the Harpy just in case.

However, his fears were unfounded, and Lafayence stopped at Kailik and Tohotsu, thanked the townspeople profusely, gathered up his men, and left. In the meantime, the bodies of the soldiers who had been left behind were neatly collected.

"That's brilliant," Lafayence said. A soldier should be like that.

"General Lafayence is a renowned general. In fact, seeing his skills up close, I can see why so many people love him so much."

"He manipulates people with his emotions. We should learn from him.

"Yes, it is."

In the room where the generals had left, I sat with Pista and the others and talked like this, thanking them for the past two days of fighting.

A week later, Lafayence was hanging his head in front of the throne where the Emperor of the Hereditary Empire, Hereditary Sure Heat, sat.

"So, what happened to the two of you?"

Auchet has retired. He cannot serve in the army if he cannot walk or talk by himself. He will be sent to Quesherina immediately after his retirement.

"Hm... Quesherina. "Hmm. Quesherina." It's a warm place in the south. It's a good place for recuperation.

Yes. It will probably be difficult to heal, but I think you will have a quiet life afterwards.

And the other one?

Knogen has also offered to retire. But he is a threat to the Empire if we lose that talent..."

"You mean you imprisoned them like Jono and Glagorail?"

Well, as such, I have sent them to someone I know and trust.

"I see. The army can be exiled and be done with it, but not the nobility. It's not easy deciding who will succeed the Jornos and the Glagorires.

I'm sorry to hear that.

"But the Marquis de Berthaume was very good at what he did. I was thrilled to hear what you had to say. I will hear from the honorable Marquis in the near future, but he does not boast much about himself.

"Yes. We should never be enemies with him. In that sense, I admire Your Majesty's wisdom in marrying off the Princess Ricoulette.

No, I just happened to think she would be a good match for Licorette, so I went ahead with the marriage.

"She is loved by God."

"Oh, by God."

"He is a god of war, if you ask me. Do not be hostile to him.

"<>. That's very promising. The Marquis de Bertham and I are brothers in law. I'm sure your fears are unfounded.

"Ha ha."

Autumn was just around the corner, both in the Imperial City and in Krumfalu.