Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

Operation to Retake the Capital City

 

On top of the giant tree in the Forest of Lunoa, two men can be seen.
Both of them are dressed like adventurers, but their demeanor doesn’t show any signs of enthusiasm to hunt down monsters or the frustration of being lost.
Instead, they exude a carefree atmosphere.

 

“How is it?”

 

“They are completely off guard.
It’s as if they have already won.”

 

“It’s reassuring to hear you say that.”

 

Engaged in a leisurely conversation on the tree, the two individuals were Linos and Kunogen.

Kunogen returned the telescope to Linos and crossed his arms, gazing at the sky.
Then, he slowly fixed his gaze on the Juka Royal Castle in the distance.

 

“Nevertheless, until we know the enemy’s identity, it’s better to take every precaution.”

 

“Leave it to me.”

 

The two of them descended from the tree with ease, disappearing from sight.

———-

 

Habirak yawned as he looked up at the sky.
The weather was pleasant, and the breeze was becoming warmer.
Spring was approaching soon… He entertained such unrelated thoughts.
He was guarding the northern gate of the capital city of Juka Kingdom.

 

To call it guarding was an exaggeration; he was the only one there.
There was another soldier at the checkpoint, but he was on break.
The defense of the city gate relied solely on two people.
With such a small number, the gate could be breached in an instant if the enemy attacked.
However, there was no need to worry.
The likelihood of an attack from the north was practically zero.
The only concern was whether monsters would emerge from the forest right in front of them.
If monsters appeared, all they had to do was close the city gate.
That would prevent the monsters from entering the capital city.
It was a simple and easy job.

 

Although he had participated in combat when the capital city was invaded, since then, he had been assigned to the northern gate, where he simply killed time.
It was an easy job, but it was boring.
Wasn’t there something more exciting? He was selected for the elite squad, after all.
He had confidence in his swordsmanship.
He wanted to wield his sword to the fullest.
And if only he could use magic and fly through the air… While thinking such things, Habirak felt his body levitating.

 

He was overcome by a strange sensation.
The scenery in front of him passed by in slow motion.
Huh? The ground is visible below? Am I flying…?

 

Just as he thought that, Habirak’s consciousness faded.

—————-

 

“I knew it.
The structure is the same as plate armor.”

 

“Magic resists it, but physical attacks go through.”

 

“The sword… is just ordinary.
Maybe I focused too much on the armor.”

 

Kunogen’s subordinates were casually chatting and laughing while stripping armor off the soldiers from Lamaron.
As for Kunogen himself, he carefully inspected the steel thread made by Mei.

 

“Hmm, it’s amazing.
It’s as thin and light as fishing line, yet it can pull up a soldier of that weight without leaving a scratch… Truly worthy of Lady Mei.”

 

“No, I think your fishing skills are the impressive ones.”

 

Kunogen threw the steel thread from the forest and wrapped it around the neck of the gatekeeper, pulling him towards them with tremendous force.
The soldier flew towards us as if a puppet, and as he hit the ground headfirst, he was already lifeless.

 

“Oh, another one came out.
Let’s go fishing.”

 

Since their companion was not in sight, another soldier came out of the checkpoint to the gate.
Looking perplexed as he surveyed the surroundings, Kunogen’s steel thread was launched from the forest.
Similar to before, the soldier flew towards us, still holding his helmet, and met his demise by hitting a tree with his head.

 

“That’s two down.”

 

Quickly stripping the armor off the corpses, Kunogen and his subordinates put on the armor.

 

“It fits perfectly.”

 

“Hmm, it seems there are only these two at the north gate.”

 

“They’re more useless than I thought.”

 

Kunogen looked back and gave orders to his subordinates.

 

“Hey, you guys, this time it seems like an easy job.
Take a break until there’s some activity.”

 

I took out a cooking set from my infinite storage.

 

“Hey, Ferris, Luala, help me make lunch for Kunogen and the others.”

 

“Huh? Won’t they smell it and find out?”

 

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Oh, Gon, you go back inside the castle.”

 

“Understood.
I was planning on doing so from the beginning.”

 

“Well, let’s infiltrate the gate ourselves.”

 

“Be careful, everyone.”

 

“It feels like an exciting exploration game.
It’s like we’ve returned to our childhood.”

 

Wrapped in full armor, with an indiscernible expression, it can be vaguely seen from his movements that Kunogen is wearing a broad smile.

 

“I won’t say anything to you.
First, go and have a meal.”

 

For the sake of our 300 soldiers, we boil pasta, fry croquettes, and prepare salads.

 

“…It’s no good.
There’s not a single person here.”

 

“I couldn’t sense any presence of people in the eastern district.
It’s likely deserted.”

 

“I checked the western district, and the farmlands were in ruins.
There might be people in the merchant district.
Should we explore further?”

 

“No, let’s wait for the enemy to make a move.”

 

“Even if it’s just me, I can explore without any problems…? My face is covered by the armor.”

 

“No, sometimes in battle, it’s necessary to remain still.”

 

“…You’re right.
In that case, let’s wait for the enemy to show themselves.”

 

Movement among the troops in the capital city only occurred at night.
Five soldiers were caught by my detection.
They were riding horses and heading towards the northern gate.

 

After a while, soldiers clad in jet-black armor appeared outside the gate.
Seeing that, Kunogen and his subordinates stood up slowly, wearing their armor, and made their way out of the forest toward them.

 

“What were you all doing in the forest? Don’t tell me you were slacking off!”

 

“We were worried sick because you didn’t come back! You’ve been nothing but a nuisance to us!”

 

“Hmm? What’s behind you? Adventurers? Were you capturing these guys…?”

 

In an instant, the five soldiers were defeated.
The short swords wielded by Kunogen’s subordinates pierced the soldiers’ vital points with precision.

 

The soldiers had their armor stripped off on the spot, and Kunogen and his companions returned to us carrying the armor.

 

“These guys are so slow.
They must be bored to death,” we exchanged such remarks while enjoying the prepared dinner in a friendly atmosphere.
Just then, Gon returned.

 

“The enemy is concentrating at the western gate.
The occupied area is the western district.
And their headquarters is located at the southern gate, where the Kingdom Army headquarters used to be,” Gon reported.

 

“I see, Gon.
Well done,” I acknowledged the report.
As I listened to the report, my detection sensed another group heading towards the northern gate, about 30 riders.
Just like before, they fell into Kunogen’s trap.

 

“Oh! They’re coming in a group this time! Around a hundred,” I exclaimed.

 

“All right, this time we’ll go all together.
Phew, finally,” Kunogen said.

 

These hundred riders also became nothing more than rust on the blades of Kunogen’s group, with little resistance.

 

“Good, strip off their armor and wear it.
I’ll leave the selection to you,” I ordered Kunogen and the others, then teleported back to the mansion.
It was to inform Rico that I wouldn’t be returning tonight.
I could convey it through “thought transmission,” but I wanted to see Rico’s face if possible.
I pushed myself a bit and used teleportation.

 

“Welcome back.”

 

“I’m back.
Rico, we’re going into battle now.
I won’t be coming back tonight.”

 

“Please don’t push yourself too hard.”

 

“I know.
Don’t worry, everyone.
I’ll find time and come back again.
If there’s an emergency, contact me through thought transmission.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Seeing everyone in good spirits calmed my heart.
I left the dining area and headed towards the teleportation barrier.

 

“Linos.”

 

When I turned around, Rico was there.

 

“What’s wrong, Rico… Mmmph!”

 

Rico slowly moved her lips away.

 

“Take care.”

 

“I’ll be back.”

 

Thanks to that, I felt determined to make the operation a success, no matter what.

“Alright, it’s their turn now,” I said as I returned to the scene and headed towards the Fairy Dragons I had kept in reserve at the back.

 

“My apologies for keeping you waiting.
We wasted quite a bit of time because of the enemy’s stupidity.
However, it’s your turn now.
I expect you to follow the plan we discussed.
Once everyone returns safely, we’ll commence the next phase of the operation.
I trust in your swift and precise execution,” I addressed them.

 

“Understood,” they replied.

 

In an instant, the Fairy Dragons disappeared from the barrier and headed towards their designated targets.
Approximately five minutes later, they all returned unharmed.

 

“The operation is complete.
Everyone is safe.
By the way, there were no soldiers except at the Western and Southern gates,” they reported.

 

“Great job.
Take a rest,” I praised them.

 

Once again, I made my way towards the group of knights.

 

“Alright, is everyone equipped with their armor? Let’s move out, everyone! We’ll have this cleaned up by morning!”

 

We proceeded towards the North gate at a steady pace…