Leave a Comment / Reincarnation into a barrier master / By IX
The welcome party ended amicably, and the attendees left the venue highly satisfied with the hospitality of the Kingdom of Agartha. Linos and Peyris’ plan worked perfectly, especially the “Brakatsu,” a dish of Tonkatsu with brown sauce, which was a hit even among the discerning royal and noble guests.
The next morning, for the meeting with Reborn Daijouou (Great King) and Maintia King, Linos, accompanied by Mei, headed to a room in the guesthouse. Initially, Linos was to meet alone, but at King Reborn’s insistence, Mei also joined.
“Ah! King of Agartha! I’ve wanted to meet you! And Queen Mei! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule. I, Reborn, am truly grateful!”
Upon seeing Linos and Mei, King Reborn immediately stood up, strode towards them, and firmly shook their hands. Up close, his face was scarred, far from handsome. However, his sharp gaze radiated an unyielding will, and his brisk movements reflected his stern character.
Meanwhile, his son, King Maintia, watched them with a gentle smile. He stepped forward gracefully, bowed elegantly, and spoke.
“I am Maintia of the Kingdom of Vladime. I apologize for taking your time today, especially with the conference preparations, due to my father’s insistence.”
At these words, the Great King’s eyes widened, and he swiftly turned his head, glaring at his son.
…Scary. His face was so terrifying it could make one’s guts shrink. Even his son seemed intimidated by that look, slowly averting his eyes.
Taking their seats, King Reborn began excitedly.
“I’ve been looking forward to this conference. Queen Mei, I have read your paper thoroughly, savoring every word.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
“No, your clear logic has stimulated my intellectual curiosity. I eagerly await your presentation at the conference.”
“Yes… I’ll do my best.”
Mei responded with a smile, albeit slightly overwhelmed by the old man’s imposing tone.
“King Reborn seems to have a deep love for scholarship,” Linos remarked casually.
Reborn’s eyes widened with enthusiasm at these words.
“I believe we are entering an age of intellect. No longer should faith alone guide us, but rather human intellect. However, in my kingdom, few possess the intelligence to govern. Therefore, as a ruler, I must acquire extensive knowledge and deep learning.”
“That’s admirable. I should take a leaf out of your book.”
“Nonsense, King of Agartha! I see your reign as an ideal! It’s us who should learn from you!”
“Ah, you flatter me.”
“Not at all! You freed your country from the influence of the Crimeana religion and gathered brilliant minds like Queen Mei, Pousehai, and Dwarves to govern. There’s no need for modesty. Such a system allows the country to be governed efficiently, even if the king is… well, less capable. My apologies, I’m not referring to you. It means the quality of the ruler does not solely determine a country’s fate. Your leadership is indeed splendid.”
The praise was so effusive that Linos and Mei exchanged embarrassed glances and chuckled. Sensing the atmosphere, King Reborn continued, lowering his tone.
“I requested this meeting because I have a matter to discuss.”
“A matter to discuss?”
“Yes. I need advice regarding my foolish son.”
He then spoke at length about his son’s follies: his irresponsibility with women, his neglect of studies and governance, and his general disrepute among servants and even animals. King Maintia, maintaining his gentle smile, seemed to ignore his father’s scolding.
“In our country, even crows mock my son,” King Reborn said.
“Crows?”
“People say crows are intelligent and hardworking. They wake up early, fly to the city, and wake up the households.”
“Interesting…”
“The crows sit on windowsills and caw, ‘Caw-caw’. But when they perch on the roof of Alison Castle, their cries change.”
“What do they say then?”
“They caw, ‘Fool! Fool!'”
Mei, unable to contain her laughter, giggled silently.
“This is no laughing matter!!”
Reborn’s loud voice echoed in the room. Linos and Mei were taken aback, and King Maintia had already covered his ears.
“Excuse me. My concern is how to make my son fit to be a king. He was bright and intelligent as a child. I enjoyed watching him grow. But he deteriorated with age. I can’t handle him anymore.”
“Hmm. Maybe you should have an open conversation as father and son?”
“If I could do that, I would have. He avoids me, using illness as an excuse. And when I scold him, he just smiles and says nothing.”
“I see.”
“I suspect he may be ill.”
“That’s surprising.”
“I also think so. But I have no other explanation. Agartha’s medical technology is the best in the world. I don’t mean to be rude, but could you examine my son?”
Linos and Mei exchanged glances. Then, King Maintia, who had been silent, spoke.
“Father, are you planning to exile me to Agartha?”
“You fool!! If I wanted to exile you, I would have done it long ago. I can’t believe someone as smart as you has become this way. If you are ill, we’ll cure you. King and Queen of Agartha, please examine him.”
“…Father. As I’ve said many times, I am neither sick nor anything else.”
The Great King glared at King Maintia, then turned to Linos and Mei.
“If he’s not sick, he’s just weak. King of Agartha, can you toughen him up? I can’t do anything anymore.”
Linos, overwhelmed, raised his hands in a calming gesture.
“Wait, please. I can’t just toughen someone up. Besides, King Maintia is the ruler of Vladime. It’s not right for a king to leave his country…”
“No problem. Since his coronation, he has neglected his duties. The administration is handled by me and my servants. It’s embarrassing, but the country functions fine without him. They might even be relieved if he’s gone.”
“Well, even so…”
“I understand. Let’s do as my father wishes. King and Queen of Agartha, please examine me. And allow me to stay in Agartha for a while.”
King Maintia spoke rapidly. Turning to his father, he continued, “And in Agartha, I will reflect on myself and broaden my knowledge. Is that acceptable, Father?”
After a pause, the Great King replied, “That is acceptable. Now I can focus on the conference.”
Once again, a heavy silence fell.
Leave a Comment / Reincarnation into a barrier master / By IX
The welcome party ended amicably, and the attendees left the venue highly satisfied with the hospitality of the Kingdom of Agartha. Linos and Peyris’ plan worked perfectly, especially the “Brakatsu,” a dish of Tonkatsu with brown sauce, which was a hit even among the discerning royal and noble guests.
The next morning, for the meeting with Reborn Daijouou (Great King) and Maintia King, Linos, accompanied by Mei, headed to a room in the guesthouse. Initially, Linos was to meet alone, but at King Reborn’s insistence, Mei also joined.
“Ah! King of Agartha! I’ve wanted to meet you! And Queen Mei! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule. I, Reborn, am truly grateful!”
Upon seeing Linos and Mei, King Reborn immediately stood up, strode towards them, and firmly shook their hands. Up close, his face was scarred, far from handsome. However, his sharp gaze radiated an unyielding will, and his brisk movements reflected his stern character.
Meanwhile, his son, King Maintia, watched them with a gentle smile. He stepped forward gracefully, bowed elegantly, and spoke.
“I am Maintia of the Kingdom of Vladime. I apologize for taking your time today, especially with the conference preparations, due to my father’s insistence.”
At these words, the Great King’s eyes widened, and he swiftly turned his head, glaring at his son.
…Scary. His face was so terrifying it could make one’s guts shrink. Even his son seemed intimidated by that look, slowly averting his eyes.
Taking their seats, King Reborn began excitedly.
“I’ve been looking forward to this conference. Queen Mei, I have read your paper thoroughly, savoring every word.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
“No, your clear logic has stimulated my intellectual curiosity. I eagerly await your presentation at the conference.”
“Yes… I’ll do my best.”
Mei responded with a smile, albeit slightly overwhelmed by the old man’s imposing tone.
“King Reborn seems to have a deep love for scholarship,” Linos remarked casually.
Reborn’s eyes widened with enthusiasm at these words.
“I believe we are entering an age of intellect. No longer should faith alone guide us, but rather human intellect. However, in my kingdom, few possess the intelligence to govern. Therefore, as a ruler, I must acquire extensive knowledge and deep learning.”
“That’s admirable. I should take a leaf out of your book.”
“Nonsense, King of Agartha! I see your reign as an ideal! It’s us who should learn from you!”
“Ah, you flatter me.”
“Not at all! You freed your country from the influence of the Crimeana religion and gathered brilliant minds like Queen Mei, Pousehai, and Dwarves to govern. There’s no need for modesty. Such a system allows the country to be governed efficiently, even if the king is… well, less capable. My apologies, I’m not referring to you. It means the quality of the ruler does not solely determine a country’s fate. Your leadership is indeed splendid.”
The praise was so effusive that Linos and Mei exchanged embarrassed glances and chuckled. Sensing the atmosphere, King Reborn continued, lowering his tone.
“I requested this meeting because I have a matter to discuss.”
“A matter to discuss?”
“Yes. I need advice regarding my foolish son.”
He then spoke at length about his son’s follies: his irresponsibility with women, his neglect of studies and governance, and his general disrepute among servants and even animals. King Maintia, maintaining his gentle smile, seemed to ignore his father’s scolding.
“In our country, even crows mock my son,” King Reborn said.
“Crows?”
“People say crows are intelligent and hardworking. They wake up early, fly to the city, and wake up the households.”
“Interesting…”
“The crows sit on windowsills and caw, ‘Caw-caw’. But when they perch on the roof of Alison Castle, their cries change.”
“What do they say then?”
“They caw, ‘Fool! Fool!'”
Mei, unable to contain her laughter, giggled silently.
“This is no laughing matter!!”
Reborn’s loud voice echoed in the room. Linos and Mei were taken aback, and King Maintia had already covered his ears.
“Excuse me. My concern is how to make my son fit to be a king. He was bright and intelligent as a child. I enjoyed watching him grow. But he deteriorated with age. I can’t handle him anymore.”
“Hmm. Maybe you should have an open conversation as father and son?”
“If I could do that, I would have. He avoids me, using illness as an excuse. And when I scold him, he just smiles and says nothing.”
“I see.”
“I suspect he may be ill.”
“That’s surprising.”
“I also think so. But I have no other explanation. Agartha’s medical technology is the best in the world. I don’t mean to be rude, but could you examine my son?”
Linos and Mei exchanged glances. Then, King Maintia, who had been silent, spoke.
“Father, are you planning to exile me to Agartha?”
“You fool!! If I wanted to exile you, I would have done it long ago. I can’t believe someone as smart as you has become this way. If you are ill, we’ll cure you. King and Queen of Agartha, please examine him.”
“…Father. As I’ve said many times, I am neither sick nor anything else.”
The Great King glared at King Maintia, then turned to Linos and Mei.
“If he’s not sick, he’s just weak. King of Agartha, can you toughen him up? I can’t do anything anymore.”
Linos, overwhelmed, raised his hands in a calming gesture.
“Wait, please. I can’t just toughen someone up. Besides, King Maintia is the ruler of Vladime. It’s not right for a king to leave his country…”
“No problem. Since his coronation, he has neglected his duties. The administration is handled by me and my servants. It’s embarrassing, but the country functions fine without him. They might even be relieved if he’s gone.”
“Well, even so…”
“I understand. Let’s do as my father wishes. King and Queen of Agartha, please examine me. And allow me to stay in Agartha for a while.”
King Maintia spoke rapidly. Turning to his father, he continued, “And in Agartha, I will reflect on myself and broaden my knowledge. Is that acceptable, Father?”
After a pause, the Great King replied, “That is acceptable. Now I can focus on the conference.”
Once again, a heavy silence fell.
