Reincarnated Into Two Bodies

In the guest room, me, father and mother are sitting on the same side of the couch.

"Huh? My cousin?"

"Yes, your uncle just got back home from another kingdom, I thought this is a good chance to introduce you to your cousin Carine"

Huh? I had a cousin? I don't remember ever meeting one. Feyt doesn't have any cousins too if I remember correctly.

"Be sure to greet your cousin properly okay dear~ She's around the same age as you"

"Is that so?"

A knock can be heard from the door, a maid's voice can be heard behind it.

"My Lord, Lord Tenard, and Lady Ranett have arrived"

"Let them in."

The door opens, it revealed a tall man with long black hair and blue eyes, beside him is a little girl with long brown hair and similarly blue eyes. They both wore luxurious looking clothes, befitting of a noble. The tall man approached father with a wide open arms, father stood up from the couch and did the same.

"Kyrat! Long time no see!"

"Tenard! How long has it been? 15 years?!"

"Ah! It's good to be back brother~"

They share a hug, it seems they are brothers, which means he is my uncle. Mother stood up from her couch and approached the little girl standing at the doorway.

"So, you're Ranett right?"

"Y-Yeah!"

The little girl responds in a cute manner.

"Owh~ You're so cute~"

Mother stroked through her long hair.

"E-Ehehe~"

I'm jealous... I want that...

Wait! I'm a grown up man in my past life! Why would I want headpats?!

...

I'm sitting at the couch with mother and father. Uncle Tenard and Ranett is sitting on a couch across from us.

"Hi there Carine, I'm your uncle! Tenard Sareid!"

He introduced himself with vigor and excitement.

"H-Hi..."

Now that I have a better look at him, he looks kind of feminine but still masculine.

"Go on Ranett, introduce yourself"

Ranett stayed silent for a few seconds, then she spoke up.

"U-Um... M-My name is Ranett Sareid! N-Nice to meet you sister Cari- Ugkh!"

She stopped talking all of a sudden.

"Ah, bit your tongue again?"

"S-Sorry~ I messed up~"

Ranett looks like she's about to cry?! Uncle Tenard gave Ranett a headpat to calm her.

"Calm down Ranett, they're aren't mad, right?"

"H-Huh?"

Ranett looked at us, father then spoke up.

"Of course not! Being mad at something like that is stupid! Hahaha!"

"I don't mind~ It's rather cute of her to be honest~"

Mother really likes her apparently, I'm jealous... Wait, why am I thinking about this stuff again?! I shook off my head and replied to uncle.

"M-Me too! I don't mind"

"See? They're kind right?"

"U-Uhn..."

Ranett wiped her tears with her arm and appeared to be calmed down.

"Go on Carine, introduce yourself to Ranett."

"Yes father"

I looked towards Ranett, her long brown hair looks straight and smooth, her big blue eyes looks cute too. She seems to be a bit shorter than me it seems. Yeah, she's cute, no doubt about it. I feel like I want to impress her... Let's give her a proper greeting!

"My name is Carine Sareid of the Sareid House. I'm looking forward to building a trusting relationship with you, Ranett!"

Ranett looked at me in admiration. It worked! She will think I'm cool, rig-

"Gyak-!"

Father chopped my head lightly all of a sudden.

"That's a greeting for business associates! Not for family! Hah... I've taught you too much on etiquette it seems..."

Father glared at me in disappointment.

"S-Sorry father~"

It seems that the greeting was less cool and more overly formal. As a result, I got chopped on the head.

This is what I get for trying to show off...

 

In front of me are my uncle and aunt, and in between them is my cousin, Carine Sareid. Father told me that we're about the same age, but I can't help but notice that she is more mature than me in various ways. She looks cool and elegant even when sitting, unlike me...

"Go on Ranett, introduce yourself!"

Right, I need to introduce myself to her. B-B-But, how do I introduce myself to her? What happens if I slip up, will she think that I'm stupid? Should I do it slowly? Or maybe faster to hide mistakes? N-No, there's no time to think about that! I just need to do it!

"U-Um... M-My name is Ranett Sareid! N-Nice to meet you sister Cari- Ugkh!"

Ahhh~ I bit my tongue! What now~?! Carine will think I'm stupid for messing up simple things like greetings! I can't be friends with her if she thinks I'm stupid!

"Ah, bit your tongue again?"

"S-Sorry~ I messed up~"

I feel tears welling up on my eyes. This is the only chance I have to make a friend, and I messed it up. And not only that, all of them will think I'm stupid! Father will be embarrassed because of me! I'm sorry~ I'm sorry for making mistakes father~

Father suddenly patted my head and spoke to me gently.

"Calm down Ranett, they're aren't mad, right?"

"H-Huh?"

I looked at them, their eyes are that of warmth. The first one to speak up is uncle Kyrat.

"Of course not! Being mad at something like that is stupid! Hahaha!"

Huh? Why isn't he mad? Isn't messing up your greetings considered rude?

"I don't mind~ It's rather cute of her to be honest~"

Aunt Peyna too? She finds it cute?

"M-Me too! I don't mind."

A-And Carine also didn't mind?

"See? They're kind right?"

"U-Uhn..."

Their eyes can't lie, they really aren't mad...

I see... They're not like those others... They won't call me stupid over small things...

I wiped my tears away and calmed myself down.

"Go on Carine, introduce yourself to Ranett"

"Yes father."

Carine looked at me thoroughly, but her stare isn't filled with coldness or hate. Rather, I feel praise from her gaze, as if she's calling me cute with only her eyes.

"My name is Carine Sareid of the Sareid House. I'm looking forward to building a trusting relationship with you, Ranett!"

Wow, she managed to make a proper formal greeting without a single mistake, she is confident with her speech... No, she is confident in everything she does, her manners, her posture, her way of speaking... She really is cool, I want to be like her someday.

"Gyak-!"

Uncle Kyrat chopped Carine's head lightly.

"That's a greeting for business associates! Not for family! Hah... I've taught you too much on etiquette it seems..."

"S-Sorry father~"

Carine apologizes to Uncle Kyrat with a cute voice and goes back to her usual elegant way of speaking.

"My name is Carine Sareid! Let's be friends Ranett!"

Huh? Did I hear that correctly?

"F-Friends?!"

Friends?! Already?! I-I thought I would need to earn her trust first!

"Y-Yeah, is there anything wrong with that?"

"A-Are you s-s-sure?"

I never had friends, the only person who is kind to me is father. The kids outside of the house always call me stupid and other things, so father tends to keep me from going out a lot. I always tried my best to be friends with them, giving them gifts and all that. But never once did they ever become my friends, all because I'm "poor".

"U-Umm, yeah? Why wouldn't I be your friend?"

Her eyes didn't lie, she really did want to be my friend. I feel tears welling up in my eyes again, but this time not from sadness. I finally found a friend, after all this time.

"Hiks~"

"U-Umm, are you alright?"

"Y-Yes~ I'm fine~"

I desperately tried to wipe my tears off, but it won't stop pouring out. I'm so happy~ Mother, I've finally found a friend~ I feel overwhelmed with joy, I can't hold it back anymore.

"Waaaaaaah~~~"

I broke down into a cry, mother's dream of me having friends is finally achieved. Father stroked my hair gently as he calms me down.

"There there Ranett~ Don't cry~"

"Waaahhhh~~"

I hugged father as he comforts me, my tears are staining his clothes.

 

Everyone in the room felt wholesome warmth at the sight of the scene happening before them. But there's one person who is not enjoying this at all.

Why are you crying?!?! Did I do something wrong again??!!

 

 

A meeting is being held in a castle located in the kingdom of Ortensia's central city. It is the kingdom's monthly meeting to discuss various things concerning the kingdom. Once the last member has sat down on his seat, the King started the meeting.

"Now that everyone is here, let us start the meeting."

One of the nobles attending stood up from his seat, ready to give his report.

"Allow me to go first Your Majesty, I have receive information from Setus regarding Princess Munith and Prince Key's relationships."

"Oh, how is it?"

"They are getting along well Your Majesty, I believe it won't be long until they propose to each other."

"That is good, thank you for the report."

"Thank you Your Majesty, further details will be sent to your desk this evening."

The man sat down on his seat, another stood up instantly.

"Allow me to report next Your Majesty, I have information regarding the grain production..."

 

The meeting proceeded as usual. The noblemen gave their reports and opinions on their reports. The King then contemplates it and gives a proper decision.

 

"Yes, continue with that procedure, good work."

"Thank you Your Majesty."

The man sat down after his report, allowing the other members to present their reports. Another nobleman stood up ready to share his report. His name is Lentarn Dureid. He is tasked with overseeing information on other kingdoms.

"Allow me to give my reports Your Majesty. Our spies at Denta have found something rather peculiar."

The King looked at Lentarn in interest.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Denta's forces have tripled in number compared to last month."

"...What?"

Everyone in the meeting room looked concerned.

"Hmm... Did they have a recruitment campaign of some sorts?"

"The spies have not found such things Your Majesty"

The King furrowed his brows, looking even more concerned than before.

"...That is disturbing, how did they manage to hire that many soldiers?"

"They also have recruited mages, some of them capable of high magic."

"What?! Are they planning to go to war?"

"That is likely Your Majesty, pretty soon too..."

The meeting room instantly become tense. Everyone in the room is looking at Lentarn, hoping for more clarification. One of the noblemen asked him a question.

"What makes you think that?"

"Our spies have gathered a few information regarding Denta's actions lately, specifically their King's decision on not moving the capital city"

"And what does that have to-"

"I see..."

The King seems to have realized something. He stood up from his seat, relaying his orders.

"We will need to prepare for war..."

"What?! Your Majesty! We haven't even validated his claim!"

"...I know Denta's King, Pilante, more than anyone else, he will attack with that kind of forces, I'm sure of it."

Because the King seemed to be certain of his decision, the others have refrained from saying anything. Their trust in the King's decision outweighs their logic.

"But Your Majesty, if we're really going to war with Denta, what will we do about our business relationship with them?"

"I guess we have to rely on Setus from now on, hopefully they will be kind enough..."

The King then addresses the entire room.

"I want all of you to continue on with your roles with the notion that war with Denta is imminent."

"Shall we ask the 'Arch Tactician' to give us battle tactics?"

"That would be helpful, do it."

"Understood Your Majesty, I shall send a letter to Setus."

"Now, the monthly meeting is dismissed. But another meeting will be held in a week to discuss our plans for the upcoming war, don't be late!"

"Yes Your Majesty!"

The noblemen stood and saluted the King, they then left the meeting room one by one.

 

 

Another meeting is being held at the same time in a castle located in the kingdom of Denta's central city.

"Your Majesty... Are you sure?"

"Yes! This is the perfect place to attack!"

"N-Not that Your Majesty, this is a good place to attack, but the amount of soldiers is too much-"

The King slammed his fist into the table, punching through it.

"Are you questioning me?!"

"Hieeegh!"

The wooden table the King slammed now has another hole on it. The table is barely functioning as a table now due to the amount of holes it has.

"B-But Your Majesty, he's right! If the attack from there fails, we won't be able to recover!"

"I know it will work! They can't possibly expect that many from the lake!"

"I-I guess that's true..."

The others went quiet, it's true that they probably won't expect that many soldiers flanking from the lake. But this is still too reckless of the King, they thought.

"But Your Majesty, may I ask?"

"Hm? What?"

"...How did we get that many soldiers and mages anyway?"

"Haha~ I have a certain connection~ Don't worry about it~"

"Huh?"

The others looked concerned at the King's nonchalant way of dismissing it. However, they were hesitant to ask any more questions.

 

 

"Hehe~ It's really happening~"

"Yeah, it really is..."

Munith is rolling around her bed childishly while holding a letter from Ortensia, the contents of the letter are about the war with Denta being imminent and a request for battle tactics by the "Arch Tatician."

Rene, meanwhile, is sitting quietly at the table looking at a regional map showing the territories of Setus, Ortensia, and a part of Denta's territory.

"So Rene~ How's the map?"

"Well, there's no doubt they will attack by circling around Lake Hinder, but they won't put that many soldiers ther-"

"Oh they will~"

"...I see, then I will take that into consideration"

Rene took a more closer look at the map.

"Write about "If we focus on that village at the corner of Lake Hinder, we can stop their attacks", or something like that!~"

Rene looked at the village near the Lake Hinder, it has a road that goes around the lake into Denta's territory. It's the perfect place for Denta to flank Ortensia.

"Understood, I'll write it down."

Rene wrote down the things Munith said to a note, this note will then be used as battle tactics by the kingdom.

"Oh, tell them to supply more spears too! Denta will use a lot of cavalry."

"Understood."

The kingdom believed that these tactics are made by Rene alone, but most of it are actually Munith's ideas.

"Still, being called 'Arch Tactician' is annoying, considering the fact that most of my plans aren't even mine."

"Well~ You just have to deal with it~"

"Hah..."

Rene sighed and continued on writing the notes based on Munith's tactics.

After a few minutes, the ideas seem to stop coming.

"Hmm~ that's all I can think of~"

"Alright, I'll give the note to the envoy."

Rene inserted the note into an envelope and sealed it with red wax. After that, he put the sealed envelope on a bag. He then turns towards Munith to ask a question.

"...By the way, I have a question"

"Hmm~? What is it Rene?"

Munith stood up from her bed.

"The soldiers Denta suddenly recruited... Where are they from?"

"They are from the Talusst group~ They inserted a few of their group members into the forces~"

Rene looked confused by this, why would that be helpful in taking down Denta?

"May I ask the reasoning?"

"To make the King arrogant of course~ He'll think "This is the perfect chance to attack!" or something like that."

"Is that why you sent a letter to Viklan through his subordinate? To tell them to become soldiers for Denta?"

"Not really~ The group has already planted themselves inside Denta's forces since a few months ago, the letter was just to tell them that I'll help them."

"What are those groups doing in Denta in the first place?"

"Isn't that obvious~?"

Munith stared at Rene with a grin.

"Well, I'm not a genius like you."

"Hmm~ You'll know soon enough."

Rene took the bag containing the envelope and opened the door. He was greeted with a man wearing an Ortensian noble suit.

"These are the 'gifts' Your Majesty asked for."

"Thank you! I will send them to the King right away!"

He left the castle with the bag on his waist. Rene enters Munith's room after he makes sure the envoy has left.

"Do you know when the war will start?"

"In a few days or so~"

"That's not a lot of time for Ortensia to prepare, but we won't lose this war, right?"

"Hmm~ I would prefer to call this an unlosable battle~"

"...Poor Denta."