Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

The sun was already setting in the west when Linos returned to the village.

"...... is terrible."

He stopped Ilimo near the entrance of the village and muttered to himself. There was a large number of dead Klimiana soldiers laid out on the ground. Around them, the friends and families of the dead soldiers were solemnly preparing for the mourning ceremony together with the Agarthans.

The bodies of the dead soldiers were all in a terrible state. Not a single one of them was alive. Moreover, all of them had died with smiles on their faces, a horrifying sight.

Lafayence, who had spotted Linos, approached. The two men report back to each other, horses side by side.

"The Crimiana soldiers have all been killed. It was hard because they would get up and fight as many times as they could as long as they did not die, but we took them all out with a single stab to the heart. I didn't want them to suffer too much. These cleanups are heartbreaking."

"Thank you, General. Cassel has been punished severely. Perhaps he will not die, but he will continue to suffer more than death."

"I see. ....... He was a hell of a guy, but then again, he's just a kid. And to think, this country of Crimiana is a terrible place."

"Yes. We must be very careful what we do after this."

The old general nodded silently, then he looked at me again.

"Leave the rest to me, Linos," he said. You go to Matkal ......."

"I will do so. Please take care of the rest.

With these words, I was transferred to a medical research institute in Agartha.

Once inside, I was shown to May's room. I always thought that this facility was always clean and neat. The staff and researchers working there greeted me in a friendly manner when they saw me. Perhaps due to the efforts of May and her colleagues, this facility does not have a cloying atmosphere that is often found in research laboratories. As I wait for a while with this in mind, Mei arrives.

"Thank you for waiting.

"May, how's Mato doing?"

May gave a small nod.

"He regained consciousness. She's in stable condition.

"I see. ....... That's a relief. But why was he bleeding so much? I had my wards up perfectly. Was I cut somewhere on my body after all?"

May looked at me with her eyes swimming, as if she was reluctant to say anything. Then, as if she had made up her mind, she opened her mouth.

"I'm sorry to say this, but ......"

"What?　What's wrong?"

"Mato-chan had a baby in her belly."

"What?"

"I was pregnant."

"What?" ....... Wait a minute. Mato was falling off his horse, remember?　And ......"

"Yes. Probably a miscarriage occurred at that time."

"Ri...... miscarriage?"

"I was still in the early stages of pregnancy. Mato had a few symptoms that she was aware of. ......"

I was stunned for a while. I wonder how much time has passed. I struggle to squeeze out a few words.

"How is Mato doing at ......?"

"They're putting him on medication now. We won't know for sure until we see how he progresses, but I don't think he will need surgery. However, he will need to rest for a while, so I would like to keep him here for a few days."

He says that Loni is with him as his doctor. I told Roni to give him my best wishes and returned to the palace in the capital with Ilimo.

I should have told Lafayence, but I was in no mood to do so. I was still in a daze and everything was out of my mind. I went to my bedroom and lay down on the bed.

"What's wrong, Linos?"

Rico came to the room to see what was going on. She slowly sat down on the bed and gently took my hand in hers. I told her that Matkal was pregnant, about the battle today, and that she had miscarried. Liko listened attentively to what I said, but when I finished, he stood up firmly.

"Linos, Loni told me that miscarriages in early pregnancy are no one's fault. It is no one's fault. It is not Linos' fault, nor Mato's, nor ...... Crimiana's, nor Vieille's, nor anyone else's. You must never blame ...... Mato."

"Yes, I know."

"Hold on, hold on, Linos. It is you, Linos, who can save Mato.

With that, Rico kissed me and left the room.

I didn't feel like going down to the dining room, so I didn't eat and just sat there thinking. If I had known there was a child, I would not have sent Mato into the army. Or maybe I was wrong. If I had stopped Mato from taking Tono, none of this would have happened. If the little bastard had never done that in the first place. ....... No, no, no, if I had done a better job of dealing with Klimiana: .......

I think about it a lot, but I don't have the answer. How much time had passed? Rico came into the room again.

"Ta-da!"

Eryl and Allyria come flapping into the room.

"Now, Linos, enough thinking, please give Eryl and Alilia a bath. We will go in together.

Rico forced me to take a bath with her and my two daughters. In the bathtub, they are like little old ladies. They never stay still. I chase after them, covered in bubbles. That made me feel a lot better.

After taking the girls out of the bath, Sadie and Soleil wipe them down and change their clothes. I was finally able to take a relaxing soak in the bath. Rico told me that Mei had told everyone about Matocal when she came back, and everyone seemed to be in shock. After talking like that for a while, Rico comes up next to me. Then she got on her knees and hugged my face.

"Linos, when Mato comes back, please give him a hug like this. You don't have to say anything. Just give him a hug like this.

"Rico ......"

"It's Mato who is hurting the most. I know it won't heal right away, but that's when Linos should be there for him. When you are hugged, your wounds will heal.

"Okay. ....... Rico, thank you ......"

That night, Rico kept holding my hand with his small, soft hand all night.

The next morning I went with Rico to visit Matkal. I expected her to be in shock, but she was surprisingly in good spirits.

"I didn't think I was having a baby. I thought I was a little bit sick, but I didn't expect it. No, I'm fine now. I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Mato, you mustn't overdo it. You need to rest."

"I'm sorry, Rico-sama. ....... By the way, how were the Crimiana's?　They were not very strong. Were Agartha's forces affected?　Is Master Lafayence and everyone else safe?"

I tell her not to worry about that.

"Get well soon, Mato. Eryl and Alyria miss you, too.

"I see. Then I'd better get back to the house. Eryl and Alyria are good kids.

After saying this, Matkal slowly turned his gaze to the window of the hospital room.

"...... I'll be able to hold you in my hands by the time the next spring arrives?"

"Mat?"

Matkal's shoulders were shaking slightly.

"I'm sure ...... there must have been some kind of d*mnation for me. ...... I have killed many people. It must be my punishment. ...... I have been doing too well. I should not be happy. ...... but I wanted to have a baby. I wanted to have children like Eryl and Alyria,...... and me,....... But still,...... I was ready to accept any punishment,....... This punishment is ...... painful. ......"

Matkal's voice became more and more tearful. I involuntarily take Matkal's hand in mine. Rico shakes his hand with me.

"Mat....... I think that now is not the time for the baby to be born. I am sure he will come back at the best of times. So, Mato, heal your body quickly for that time."

"Dear Rico: ....... Mr. Linos: ......"

For the first time, Matkal cried in front of us. Rico and I could only continue to stroke her back in silence.

"I see. ....... I didn't know that was going to happen. ......"

When Lafayence heard my report, he could hardly hide his shock.

"It's not an uncommon story. ....... It's a little hard to see Matkal, who has been like a daughter to me, in such a situation. Actually, I was looking forward to it. I was actually looking forward to the child of Matkal and Lord Linos."

"General ......"

"No, forget it. It's just some old man's nonsense."

Lafayence smiles wryly and waves his hand in the air. Then he turned resolute and began to give his report of yesterday.

The burial of the crimianas has been completed. As expected, the villagers were upset, but there was no great confusion. As we were talking about the future of Klimiana, suddenly one of the soldiers jumped into our place.

"Report!　Villagers are gathering in the plaza one after another, overcoming our attempts to stop them!　It seems that Vieille is gathering the villagers!"

In a panic, the old general and I headed for the village square. There we found Vieille giving a speech in a clear voice in front of a large congregation.

The content of the speech was shocking. ......