Leave a Comment / Reincarnation into a barrier master / By IX
“Y… You’re not speaking clearly. Say it again. Which city has fallen?”
The voice came from Emperor of the Lamaron Empire. He was desperately trying to maintain composure, but his voice was trembling. Seeing his state, the Empress Dowager also spoke up.
“Yes, I’m afraid I missed it as well. Which city in Agarta has fallen?”
The Empress Dowager’s face also tried to feign a composed smile, but it was a forced expression.
The chamberlain took a deep breath, glanced at the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and spoke again.
“I report to you that the fortress city of Galbi, a stronghold of the Empire, has fallen. It was captured by the Agartan army.”
The chamberlain reported in a calm and deliberate tone. As the report continued, the blood drained from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s faces.
“… Galbi… has fallen?… Unbelievable…”
The Emperor couldn’t accept the reality and was in a state of stunned disbelief.
“… Summon General Carius.”
The Empress Dowager’s commanding voice echoed through the room. Trembling, the chamberlain managed to squeeze out a response.
“Understood… I will… inform Lord Konig as well…”
“That is unnecessary!”
The Empress Dowager’s voice, resembling a scream, reverberated throughout the room.
“Do not let Duke Konig launch an attack on Agarta as it is! If Galbi has fallen, then Agarta must have attacked with their entire army. That means Agarta is empty right now! Launch an attack! But first, Galbi! We must retrieve it at all costs! Summon General Carius immediately!”
Intimidated by the Empress Dowager’s fierce demeanor, the chamberlain hastily fled the scene. The room was filled only with the sound of the Empress Dowager’s heavy breathing, and no one dared to speak.
After a while, General Carius appeared.
“I heard your urgent summons and have come.”
“Go to Galbi.”
“Huh? Your Majesty, I’m afraid I don’t understand the meaning of your words…”
“I said go to Galbi!”
The Empress Dowager stood up involuntarily and screamed. There was no trace of her usual plump and composed smile, only an elderly woman with raised eyes and deep furrows between her brows. Emperor, who observed this scene with swimming eyes, struggled to speak as he addressed General Carius.
“G-Galbi… has fallen. Agarta… reported that they captured it.”
General Carius’s gaze changed. The nonchalant atmosphere he had moments ago vanished, and the face of a man who had endured countless trials and tribulations was present.
“Galbi… It’s just a stone’s throw from the imperial capital. If it falls, the capital is in danger. However, if we are to attack there, our army of ten thousand under my command won’t be enough. We need to recall the defense army of the capital, thirty thousand strong, and the forces that have been sent on the expedition to Agarta.”
“U-understood. Do as you please…”
“No, we won’t!”
Interrupting the Emperor’s words was the Empress Dowager. She continued speaking while glancing at the Emperor, who was stunned into silence.
“We will allow the defense forces of the capital to accompany you. We will not recall the Agarta expeditionary force!”
“Why is that? That fortress city is sturdy. The only way to conquer it is with a large army…”
“Agarta must be empty!”
General Carius was momentarily caught off guard, but he quickly regained composure. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he continued to speak in a persuasive tone.
“You are right, Agarta may indeed be empty. However, Your Majesty, what we need most now is not Agarta but to recapture Galbi. If we continue like this, even if we manage to capture Agarta, we risk losing the heart of the empire, the capital itself. I implore you to understand this point and please, please, reconsider the expedition to Agarta. I, Carius Sheema, humbly and respectfully request this.”
“No, we will not. The expedition to Agarta will not be canceled.”
“Empress Dowager! If the reinforcements from Hideita arrive at Galbi, it will become even more difficult to retake it! The forces currently occupying Galbi are estimated to be no more than three thousand. With an army of a hundred thousand surrounding it and launching a full-scale assault, even the most formidable city can be conquered. Please, I implore you…”
General Carius bowed deeply. No one uttered a word. Then, he heard the sound of rustling silk in his ears.
“Why do I have to repeat the same thing multiple times? I detest such wastefulness.”
Saying that, the Empress Dowager turned on her heel and left the room.
“General, that’s how it is. Lead the defense forces of the capital and retake Galbi. This is an imperial decree.”
The Emperor glanced at General Carius, who continued to hang his head, then quickly followed his mother, the Empress Dowager, out of the room. The court ladies also left the room one by one.
Alone in the now empty room, General Carius slowly raised his head. Looking up at the ceiling, he let out a deep sigh. The general was gazing into the distance, simply staring into the distance.
On the other hand, the Lamaron army, after traversing several mountains and camps, finally reached the border of Agarta. They were left breathless by the sight before them.
There, a river unlike anything they had seen before stretched out.
General Konig, the commander-in-chief of the Agarta expeditionary force, raised his voice in frustration without attempting to hide it.
“What is this! What happened? I never heard anything about the Ilvezi River becoming like this!”
Gritting his teeth, he stared at the transformed Ilvezi River. No one uttered a word. At that moment, the casual conversation of soldiers from the following units who had just arrived caught Konig’s ears.
“Oh, as I expected.”
“The weather has been warm recently. I had a feeling, but it looks like the river has swelled.”
Without a word, Konig headed towards the soldiers. The soldiers were taken aback by the approach of the commander-in-chief and lowered their heads. Quickly drawing his sword, Konig pointed its tip at the two soldiers.
“I tolerate those who waste their words, but that does not mean I tolerate idle talk. Answer my question. How did you know about this river swelling?”
“W-We… we grew up near this river. The Ilvezi River swells every spring due to the melting snow. The water flow becomes swift, so it’s dangerous. When we were children, we often got scolded by the neighborhood aunties. But this water is said to be very good, and perfumes made from this water are superb…”
“Enough!”
The soldier who was desperately speaking had his throat pierced by Konig’s sword and died instantly.
“I allowed you to answer my question, but I did not permit you to babble.”
In a trembling state next to the slain soldier, Konig turned his sword towards another soldier who was still alive.
“Hey, you. Which unit do you belong to?”
“I-I am from the Fourth Army, the cavalry of Commander Benezene, Your Excellency.”
“What is your rank?”
“Sergeant.”
“Sergeant… that means you’re from an elite unit, right? Can you cross this river?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“It is my order. Cross this river now. It’s a simple task. If you can cross to the Agarta side, I will reward you. If you want to die, feel free to refuse… Go!”
Konig pushed his sword closer to the soldier’s throat. Unable to bear it any longer, the soldier moved away from that spot and urged his horse into the river, heading towards Agarta.
Just as he had reached the middle of the river, the horse suddenly stopped. For a while, the soldier whipped the horse, kicked its belly with the spurs, and tried everything possible. But eventually, the horse was swept away by the river, taking the soldier with it. The man never resurfaced.
“Commander-in-chief, let’s withdraw the troops to the capital for now.”
A vice officer who had served him for many years approached and spoke.
“No, we will march towards Agarta.”
“Please wait. If we proceed through this river, many soldiers will be left behind. Sending the troops into the river as it is would not be wise.”
The vice officer pleaded desperately. Konig stared at the river for a while, then eventually gave an order to his vice officer.
“Gather the commanding officers. We shall hold a council of war.”
Konig ordered the gathered commanding officers to come up with a plan to cross the river by the next morning. However, all the officers’ opinions were in favor of a retreat to Rainey. Despite Konig’s insistence on pushing forward into Agarta, the commanding officers ignored his orders and began the retreat.
Reluctantly, Konig made the decision to retreat to Rainey. However, his heart was filled with intense hatred.
“Agarta… and those commanders… I will crush them. Crush Agarta, and then crush those commanders who ignored my orders… I will crush them all… Those who engage in such pointless acts… I will crush them…”
Konig, alone on his horse during the retreat, continued muttering ominous words.
Leave a Comment / Reincarnation into a barrier master / By IX
“Y… You’re not speaking clearly. Say it again. Which city has fallen?”
The voice came from Emperor of the Lamaron Empire. He was desperately trying to maintain composure, but his voice was trembling. Seeing his state, the Empress Dowager also spoke up.
“Yes, I’m afraid I missed it as well. Which city in Agarta has fallen?”
The Empress Dowager’s face also tried to feign a composed smile, but it was a forced expression.
The chamberlain took a deep breath, glanced at the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and spoke again.
“I report to you that the fortress city of Galbi, a stronghold of the Empire, has fallen. It was captured by the Agartan army.”
The chamberlain reported in a calm and deliberate tone. As the report continued, the blood drained from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s faces.
“… Galbi… has fallen?… Unbelievable…”
The Emperor couldn’t accept the reality and was in a state of stunned disbelief.
“… Summon General Carius.”
The Empress Dowager’s commanding voice echoed through the room. Trembling, the chamberlain managed to squeeze out a response.
“Understood… I will… inform Lord Konig as well…”
“That is unnecessary!”
The Empress Dowager’s voice, resembling a scream, reverberated throughout the room.
“Do not let Duke Konig launch an attack on Agarta as it is! If Galbi has fallen, then Agarta must have attacked with their entire army. That means Agarta is empty right now! Launch an attack! But first, Galbi! We must retrieve it at all costs! Summon General Carius immediately!”
Intimidated by the Empress Dowager’s fierce demeanor, the chamberlain hastily fled the scene. The room was filled only with the sound of the Empress Dowager’s heavy breathing, and no one dared to speak.
After a while, General Carius appeared.
“I heard your urgent summons and have come.”
“Go to Galbi.”
“Huh? Your Majesty, I’m afraid I don’t understand the meaning of your words…”
“I said go to Galbi!”
The Empress Dowager stood up involuntarily and screamed. There was no trace of her usual plump and composed smile, only an elderly woman with raised eyes and deep furrows between her brows. Emperor, who observed this scene with swimming eyes, struggled to speak as he addressed General Carius.
“G-Galbi… has fallen. Agarta… reported that they captured it.”
General Carius’s gaze changed. The nonchalant atmosphere he had moments ago vanished, and the face of a man who had endured countless trials and tribulations was present.
“Galbi… It’s just a stone’s throw from the imperial capital. If it falls, the capital is in danger. However, if we are to attack there, our army of ten thousand under my command won’t be enough. We need to recall the defense army of the capital, thirty thousand strong, and the forces that have been sent on the expedition to Agarta.”
“U-understood. Do as you please…”
“No, we won’t!”
Interrupting the Emperor’s words was the Empress Dowager. She continued speaking while glancing at the Emperor, who was stunned into silence.
“We will allow the defense forces of the capital to accompany you. We will not recall the Agarta expeditionary force!”
“Why is that? That fortress city is sturdy. The only way to conquer it is with a large army…”
“Agarta must be empty!”
General Carius was momentarily caught off guard, but he quickly regained composure. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he continued to speak in a persuasive tone.
“You are right, Agarta may indeed be empty. However, Your Majesty, what we need most now is not Agarta but to recapture Galbi. If we continue like this, even if we manage to capture Agarta, we risk losing the heart of the empire, the capital itself. I implore you to understand this point and please, please, reconsider the expedition to Agarta. I, Carius Sheema, humbly and respectfully request this.”
“No, we will not. The expedition to Agarta will not be canceled.”
“Empress Dowager! If the reinforcements from Hideita arrive at Galbi, it will become even more difficult to retake it! The forces currently occupying Galbi are estimated to be no more than three thousand. With an army of a hundred thousand surrounding it and launching a full-scale assault, even the most formidable city can be conquered. Please, I implore you…”
General Carius bowed deeply. No one uttered a word. Then, he heard the sound of rustling silk in his ears.
“Why do I have to repeat the same thing multiple times? I detest such wastefulness.”
Saying that, the Empress Dowager turned on her heel and left the room.
“General, that’s how it is. Lead the defense forces of the capital and retake Galbi. This is an imperial decree.”
The Emperor glanced at General Carius, who continued to hang his head, then quickly followed his mother, the Empress Dowager, out of the room. The court ladies also left the room one by one.
Alone in the now empty room, General Carius slowly raised his head. Looking up at the ceiling, he let out a deep sigh. The general was gazing into the distance, simply staring into the distance.
On the other hand, the Lamaron army, after traversing several mountains and camps, finally reached the border of Agarta. They were left breathless by the sight before them.
There, a river unlike anything they had seen before stretched out.
General Konig, the commander-in-chief of the Agarta expeditionary force, raised his voice in frustration without attempting to hide it.
“What is this! What happened? I never heard anything about the Ilvezi River becoming like this!”
Gritting his teeth, he stared at the transformed Ilvezi River. No one uttered a word. At that moment, the casual conversation of soldiers from the following units who had just arrived caught Konig’s ears.
“Oh, as I expected.”
“The weather has been warm recently. I had a feeling, but it looks like the river has swelled.”
Without a word, Konig headed towards the soldiers. The soldiers were taken aback by the approach of the commander-in-chief and lowered their heads. Quickly drawing his sword, Konig pointed its tip at the two soldiers.
“I tolerate those who waste their words, but that does not mean I tolerate idle talk. Answer my question. How did you know about this river swelling?”
“W-We… we grew up near this river. The Ilvezi River swells every spring due to the melting snow. The water flow becomes swift, so it’s dangerous. When we were children, we often got scolded by the neighborhood aunties. But this water is said to be very good, and perfumes made from this water are superb…”
“Enough!”
The soldier who was desperately speaking had his throat pierced by Konig’s sword and died instantly.
“I allowed you to answer my question, but I did not permit you to babble.”
In a trembling state next to the slain soldier, Konig turned his sword towards another soldier who was still alive.
“Hey, you. Which unit do you belong to?”
“I-I am from the Fourth Army, the cavalry of Commander Benezene, Your Excellency.”
“What is your rank?”
“Sergeant.”
“Sergeant… that means you’re from an elite unit, right? Can you cross this river?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“It is my order. Cross this river now. It’s a simple task. If you can cross to the Agarta side, I will reward you. If you want to die, feel free to refuse… Go!”
Konig pushed his sword closer to the soldier’s throat. Unable to bear it any longer, the soldier moved away from that spot and urged his horse into the river, heading towards Agarta.
Just as he had reached the middle of the river, the horse suddenly stopped. For a while, the soldier whipped the horse, kicked its belly with the spurs, and tried everything possible. But eventually, the horse was swept away by the river, taking the soldier with it. The man never resurfaced.
“Commander-in-chief, let’s withdraw the troops to the capital for now.”
A vice officer who had served him for many years approached and spoke.
“No, we will march towards Agarta.”
“Please wait. If we proceed through this river, many soldiers will be left behind. Sending the troops into the river as it is would not be wise.”
The vice officer pleaded desperately. Konig stared at the river for a while, then eventually gave an order to his vice officer.
“Gather the commanding officers. We shall hold a council of war.”
Konig ordered the gathered commanding officers to come up with a plan to cross the river by the next morning. However, all the officers’ opinions were in favor of a retreat to Rainey. Despite Konig’s insistence on pushing forward into Agarta, the commanding officers ignored his orders and began the retreat.
Reluctantly, Konig made the decision to retreat to Rainey. However, his heart was filled with intense hatred.
“Agarta… and those commanders… I will crush them. Crush Agarta, and then crush those commanders who ignored my orders… I will crush them all… Those who engage in such pointless acts… I will crush them…”
Konig, alone on his horse during the retreat, continued muttering ominous words.
