Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

I'm staring at the Emperor right now. Disrespect? I don't give a d*mn.

I was summoned out of the blue by His Majesty. With an invitation from the royal family of the empire addressed to me and Rico. We dressed up in formal attire and went to the palace to see what was going on. The room we were taken to was the so-called "Room of Faces," where the representatives of each country were received in audience.

As Rico and I waited, looking at each other, His Majesty appeared and sat down on the throne. Next to him appeared the Prime Minister, His Highness Weiras, and a small man with a beard who looked very tired.

"How are you, Lord Batham?"

The Prime Minister's response was strangely distant. What is the matter with him?

"I'm glad to hear that your sister is doing better and better."

Yes, yes, I'm glad to hear you're doing well.

Seeing that I was completely frozen, His Highness Weiras turned the conversation to Rico. Rico was indeed a man of his word. He gave me a very clear answer.

"My brother-in-law..."

Suddenly, His Majesty opens his mouth. I've never heard of a "brother-in-law" before.

"I called for my brother-in-law for no other reason than that. I have something I need you to do for me in secret.

"A secret request, sir?"

"Yes. You'll hear more about it from Mr. Yury, who's there.

"I am Yury, Prime Minister of the Principality of Niza, and this is my first visit to you.

"I am Bertham Darke Linos."

I have a secret favor to ask of the Marquis. Will you help us, the Duchy of Niza?

What has happened to the Principality of Niza?

Actually...

The Duchy of Niza is ruled by the Dwarves. The Dwarves are, after all, a nation of excellent blacksmiths, and they have developed their nation by making full use of their skills to create many swords and armor. However, in recent years, the harvest has been drastically decreasing due to the devastation of agricultural lands, and the nation is now in danger of extinction.

"Has there been some kind of natural disaster?"

No, it's not that. It's vermin.

"Vermin?"

"Well... there is a large population of deer, and they are eating our crops."

"Deer? Why don't you just hunt them?

"Actually, for us dwarves, deer are considered to be the messengers of the gods. Therefore, killing a deer is strictly forbidden in the Principality of Niza.

So, what do you want me to do?

"If possible, we would like to ask for your help in restoring the agricultural lands of our country..."

"I think the only way is to thin out the deer..."

"Then I would like to ask you to do that..."

The point is, if we thin the deer ourselves, we are guilty of a crime. So let's get someone else to do it for us, and if someone from another country does it, we'll be like, "Oh no, the number of deer has gone down without us knowing it, eh? Don't be stupid.

"Then it doesn't have to be me, does it? There are probably others."

I glare at the Emperor. What the hell is this? The Prime Minister, perhaps sensing this, opens his mouth.

"That is why I dare to ask you. I have one more favor to ask you.

"Yes, sir?"

It appears that the mass outbreak of deer in the Principality of Niza may have been artificially caused.

Artificial, sir?

We have never heard of such damage in the Principality of Niza. And yet, this year, they are suddenly devouring crops in the fields. Something is wrong in the Principality of Niza. So, I would like you to investigate the situation in the Principality of Niza in secret.

"Yes..."

"My brother-in-law, the Principality of Niza and the Heedata Empire are long-time allies and friends. I'm sorry, but would you be willing to help us?

If Your Majesty insists...

"Yes. Then I will send the Marquis of Bertham to the Duchy of Niza. Yuri, may I?

"Haha, thank you very much."

Prime Minister Yuri leaves. And we are told to follow His Majesty. We followed him to His Majesty's private chambers. There was a woman who had been with His Majesty when he stayed at the Krumphal Hotel. When she saw us, she turned to leave.

"Townsend, good. Stay here."

"But... Your Majesty..."

"No problem. We are all here as if we were your relatives.

The woman called "Townset" apologetically sits down in her former chair.

"All of you, allow Townset to be present. She is carrying a baby.

"What? That's... congratulations!"

The Prime Minister did not know. What a surprise. As expected, the Prime Minister seems to have guessed something, and is nodding his head with a sly look on his face.

"I see... That's why Mr. Townsend came to your room..."

"Mm. The women in the inner palace are jealous. I cannot have anything happen to Taunzet, so I let her stay in my room. It is rumored among the ladies of the palace that I keep Taunzet by my side day and night. Hahahahahaha."

"So, that means you're going to ward me..."

"You guessed right. I'm sorry, but I need a favor."

I'm going to ward Mr. Townsend. I'll put up some pretty strong warding for your service.

"Well, gentlemen, and my brother-in-law. I summoned you here today for a reason. The Duchy of Niza.

"Your Majesty, I don't think it's necessary for me to go..."

"Brother, why Linos? Please tell me why.

In fact, it is said that a demon tribe has entered that country. And it seems they are trying to plunge the country into chaos. I received a secret letter from the Dwarf King. It is no exaggeration to say that the Duchy of Niza and our Heedata Empire are at our throats geographically as well as commercially. Of course, I have no intention of treating them as shields, but the Dwarf King has done me many favors. It is my personal feeling, but I would like to help him.

I see, it is a strategically important country, and if it were to fall apart, it would cause a lot of trouble.

"I am sending you to the Principality of Niza as my envoy," said Mr. Rinos. Ostensibly, he will help with agricultural reforms in the country. After all, he has the record of having restored Krumphal. I am sure he will be welcomed with open arms. But in the meantime, I want you to exterminate the demon tribe that is causing chaos in the country. If left unchecked, they may later extend their tentacles to our empire. I am sorry, but will you do it?

You can't say no, can you?

"Master Linos is my brother-in-law and a relative of the Emperor of the Heedata Empire. He will not be treated roughly. And we have a long walk through the woods to the Duchy, and I want you to see the deer. There is no one else who can accomplish both of these tasks but you, Lord Linos."

"...I understand."

Please."

His Majesty begged me and I reluctantly agreed.

I immediately returned to the house and reported to the others.

"Hmmm, it's unthinkable that deer suddenly appear in large numbers..."

May is nodding her head.

"Is your husband going alone?"

"No, Gon and... Ferris, come with me. The rest of you stay at the villa. We'll leave as soon as we're ready.

That night, when I was about to go to bed, Rico came into my bed. She is more aggressive than ever today, and it is rare for Rico to ask for me.

"What's wrong, Rico?"

"...You are going on a trip, aren't you? You are not taking me with you, are you?"

"You know what happened to Krumphal, don't you?"

"Yes, but... I don't want to sleep alone.

"It's okay. I'll come back to the house at night. Don't worry.

"Will you sleep with me every night?"

"Of course I will. I'll hold you every night.

"Please come back, please come back, please come back."

I hug Riko and stroke her slowly from her back to her buttocks. Sensitive to the movement of my fingers, Riko clung to me, shaking her body and breathing hard.

Slowly, the night was passing.