The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Their journey proceeded without major obstacles, and eventually, they arrived at the nesting grounds of the Sky-Hunter. They scanned the area, their gaze sweeping from the vast expanse of the sky to the trees, and finally, to the birds leisurely pecking at seeds on the ground.

"You're right, honey. There's no sign of the Sky-Hunter anymore," Leona exclaimed, her heart filled with joy at the thought of reuniting with their children.

Bastian, witnessing the radiant smile on his wife's face, couldn't help but mirror her expression, his own smile warm and affectionate. "Absolutely. I hope we can find a settlement soon after this." He let out a tired sigh, the faint creases near his eyes serving as evidence of the fatigue he carried.

In comparison, Leona fared slightly better, but the dark circles beneath her eyes hinted at the sleepless nights she had endured.

Approaching the nest, they were taken aback. "Isn't this just a heap of leaves arranged to resemble a cave?" Bastian remarked as he touched one of the cave-like textures, causing additional leaves to cascade down.

Observing her husband, Leona furrowed her brows and joined in, brushing away the leaves to reveal a vast, desolate plain.

Bastian took a step forward, wanting to confirm that what they saw was not an illusion. His foot made contact with the barren ground, causing small pebbles to dislodge and scatter.

Turning to Leona, he gestured to indicate that this was indeed real.

Leona followed suit and stepped onto the ground. "It's strange; this stark contrast in climate is quite perplexing." She extended her hand towards the ground and began to chant an incantation.

The ambient natural energy converged around Leona, gathering in her hands. The energy transformed into a solid lump of ice, which she then directed toward the ground she was pointing at.

Gradually, an icy surface formed, covering the cracked barren land. As she walked, Leona continued to infuse her energy into the ground she stepped on, ensuring its stability.

Bastian couldn't help but feel puzzled by his wife's actions, but he followed her lead for safety. Only when his feet touched the icy surface created by Leona did he experience a refreshing coolness.

"Ahh," Bastian let out an involuntary groan, prompting Leona to turn around and stare at him, rendering her momentarily speechless.

Realizing his mistake, Bastian promptly closed his mouth under the weight of his wife's glare.

After traversing the barren land for a considerable time, they finally caught sight of a shadowy structure, a testament to human craftsmanship.

Leona and Bastian exchanged glances, their smiles gradually fading. "Finally, honey," Bastian spoke, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and weariness.

Leona replied in a soft, weak tone, "Yeah."

They continued their steps and eventually arrived at a small village. It became apparent that this village was no longer inhabited by humans, evident from the houses lacking roofs and cracked windows. Even the path they walked on was barely recognizable, with only a few scattered bricks remaining.

Approaching the village, they noticed a blank name board at the entrance, indicating the absence of a name for this forsaken place. Their initial happiness turned into wariness. Bastian tightened his grip on his sword, while Leona cast a healing spell to bolster her husband.

Entering the village, they strolled through its desolate streets. The houses, which they initially thought were simply worn out, turned out to be destroyed, some even stained with splatters of blood.

The village had been eerily quiet since their arrival, but the silence shattered when they heard a noise behind them. They turned around to see a large number of shadows rapidly approaching. From a distance, a cloud of dust billowed, a telltale sign that only creatures with four or more legs could create such a disturbance.

Leona used the last of her energy to form a small barrier around her heart and head, preparing for the imminent danger. Meanwhile, Bastian tightly embraced his wife before firmly gripping his sword with both hands.

Leona, taken aback by Bastian's sudden action, gazed at him and noticed his pale complexion. "Honey..." she began, helping him stand upright by holding his arms. "Let's run..." Overwhelmed by concern for her husband, Leona desperately wanted to take Bastian away from this danger.

"We can't run forever," Bastian interjected, holding her hand and stopping her from pulling him away. He weakly smiled at her, his resolve unwavering. His gaze turned vague, and he felt his limbs growing feeble, as the side effects of his previous use of swordsmanship skills began to take hold.

Leona, recognizing the determination in her husband's smile, understood that this was his stubborn decision. With a firm resolve, she glanced back at the approaching shadows, preparing herself for what lay ahead.

Leona and Bastian looked at each other, slightly relieved that the approaching shadows turned out to be an army cavalry. Leona's cold facade masked her hope that they might be reinforcements.

As the shadows came to a halt in front of them, the dust settled, revealing the human figures they concealed. It was an army cavalry, armed and carrying the flag of the North Kingdom. The hussars lowered their weapons upon seeing that it was fellow humans blocking their path.

"Tell me, are you from this village?" shouted the leading hussar from his horse, looking down at Leona and Bastian.

Before Leona could respond, the dust cleared completely, revealing the visage of a beautiful woman and a handsome man. The hussar, initially amazed by Leona's beauty, had a fleeting moment of inappropriate thoughts before regaining his composure.

Glancing at the man beside Leona, the hussar felt a pang of anger and jealousy at his own reaction. However, a sense of familiarity struck him. Observing their attire, he realized that this was the sought-after Master Witch Leona and her Dual-Class partner.

"Apologies for my earlier behavior, Master Witch Leona," the hussar quickly knelt, seeking forgiveness. In doing so, he could sense the male partner's threatening aura and felt the disdainful gaze of the woman before him.

"It's alright, as long as you understand your mistake," Leona replied, her energy reserves replenishing. She paused and asked, "Who is in charge of this army?"

"Guardian Vesta, ma'am," the hussar responded.

As he spoke, a commotion arose among the cavalry at the rear. The other soldiers made way for a heavily armored horse, complete with a helmet commonly worn by soldiers. On top of the horse, a figure clad in distinct armor stood.

The armored figure stood tall, a flowing cloak attached to the back of the armor, adorned with the emblem of the North Kingdom meticulously sewn at its center. The absence of a helmet revealed a head of white hair, complemented by a well-groomed beard and a distinguished mustache.

Two scabbards hung gracefully from the man's hips, indicating his readiness for battle.

Leona's eyes widened in recognition. "Greetings, Guardian Vesta," she said, offering a salute followed by a respectful bow.

The title of Guardian held immense significance, ranking second only to the esteemed Grandmaster. If the Grandmaster was akin to a kingdom's marshal, the Guardian was the epitome of a warlord. To attain such a position, one had to possess the skills of a 3rd class swordsman.

Though not on par with a Grandmaster, a Guardian was still formidable enough to engage and triumph over a Master Witch or Wizard in close combat.

Observing Leona's weary countenance, Vesta dismounted his horse. "No need for formalities, Master Witch," he replied warmly. "I bring good news as you have successfully returned. Furthermore, I am here to rid these plains of the wild beasts that plague our kingdom."

Leona let out a tired sigh, her expectations confirmed by the dire situation before her.

Bastian, witnessing Vesta's descent, approached him and offered his own greetings.

Vesta cast a brief glance at Bastian, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Hello, soldier," he addressed him. "Your potential is outstanding, and I eagerly anticipate your future accomplishments."

Having exchanged pleasantries with Bastian and Leona, Vesta summoned his soldiers to attend to their needs while he surveyed the surroundings of the village. "Once again, we arrive late," he lamented, a sense of disappointment and helplessness gripping his heart.

Vesta meticulously inspected the condition of the houses, discovering several notes left by the villagers, chronicling the peaceful life they once enjoyed. He collected the notes, a silent acknowledgment of the village's plight. As he did so, he noticed Leona and Bastian approaching him.

"Hmm?" Vesta inquired, his gaze penetrating and expectant.

Feeling the weight of Vesta's scrutiny, Leona and Bastian couldn't help but feel a surge of pressure. Nonetheless, Bastian, gathering his resolve as a man, spoke up. "Guardian, we apologize for this audacious request, considering the current situation in the kingdom. However, we seek your permission to take some time for a much-needed respite."