The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

On another eerie night, a haunting aura permeated the dense forest as a horse-drawn carriage glided through the shadows. The carriage, devoid of a coachman, trudged forward with an otherworldly grace, its four corners adorned with flickering lanterns that cast an ethereal glow.

The spectral illumination emanating from the carriage tantalized the nocturnal denizens lurking amidst the trees. Beasts of the night were drawn to the luminous spectacle, their eyes reflecting both curiosity and trepidation. Yet, despite their instinctual urges, not a single creature dared to approach. Instead, they observed the mysterious vehicle with a mix of caution and unease.

Inside the carriage, one would expect a cramped space due to its modest size. However, to one's astonishment, it transformed into a commodious chamber that could comfortably accommodate more than five individuals at once. Within its confines, one could find a petite kitchenette, a cozy library, and even a snug bed.

The walls were adorned with an array of candles, casting a warm and elegant radiance throughout the room.

Curiously, the luminosity within the carriage seemed to exist in isolation, its radiance mysteriously contained within. It did not seep beyond the carriage's boundaries, maintaining an inscrutable demarcation between the realms inside and out.

Seated upon a small cushioned chair near the bookshelf, a woman with flowing, obsidian locks crossed her legs and immersed herself in the pages of a book. Her delicate fingers clutched a glass brimming with crimson wine. As she turned the page, a soft slip escaped her lips, accompanied by a slight shake of her head.

A gentle and caring voice, belonging to a middle-aged man with impeccably arranged chestnut hair, resonated from across the room. He reclined on the bed, curled up with a book of his own. "Drinking while engrossed in literature is not an ideal combination, my dear. You might find yourself more focused on the wine than the words," he advised with a hint of playful concern.

The woman, meeting his gaze with a mischievous glint in her eyes, retorted, "Reading while drifting off to sleep isn't the healthiest choice for the eyes either." Their banter filled the air, punctuated by shared laughter as they locked eyes.

Finally breaking the lighthearted exchange, the woman's gaze softened, brimming with warmth and affection. "Darling, we are finally returning home," she murmured, her voice infused with longing and relief.

A gentle smile blossomed on the man's lips, mirroring the tenderness in his eyes. "Yes," he responded, his voice carrying a resonance of contentment and unyielding affection.

Leona and Bastian, parents to Desmond, were now embarking on their journey homeward. After navigating a convoluted path to secure Vesta's permission, they had triumphed, earning the privilege to return. And now, with the gift of the enigmatic horse-carriage, their voyage homeward would be shrouded in both enchantment and anticipation.

During their journey, they encountered minimal disturbances, save for a few savage beasts that attempted to assault their carriage but failed to make any headway against its fortified structure. It seemed that the vexing assassins, who had been a constant source of trouble for them in the past, chose not to reveal themselves on this occasion.

Though rumors circulated about dangerous beasts prowling the land, fortune appeared to be on their side, for they had yet to encounter a single creature.

This further substantiated the notion that the carriage bestowed upon them by Vesta was indeed the highly esteemed VIP carriage, as Noel had previously mentioned upon their arrival in the kingdom. The carriage was reputed to withstand even the most vicious beastly assaults, and the fact that it withstood the attacks of wild creatures eased the burdens of their arduous journey.

Moreover, the carriage provided unparalleled comfort. They could simply remain inside, shielded from the outside world, only occasionally emerging to address the identity checks conducted by the border guards.

As Leona's thoughts drifted towards their reunion with Desmond and others, her musings were abruptly interrupted by her husband's exclamation, causing her to startle. "Alice!" Bastian cried out, his expression one of profound shock. It was as if he had just realized that something of utmost importance had been left behind.

Panic gripped his heart, and he nervously clasped both hands over his mouth, spinning around in a frantic search.

"What's the matter, my love? Isn't Alice at the academy?" Leona, initially taken aback and concerned by her husband's sudden distress, quickly pieced together her own thoughts. "Oh my goodness, our dear princess..."

It dawned on them that Alice was currently studying at the academy, which happened to be located in Helmfirth, the very territory they had just departed.

"We must turn back!" Bastian blurted out, seizing Leona's arms with a pleading gaze.

"No," his wife flatly rejected him, as if it were an ordinary matter. "We are already so far away. Perhaps we can visit her another time," Leona responded, her brow furrowing.

"Ah..." Bastian cried out in a fit of hysteria. He collapsed onto the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands while emitting sorrowful sobs. "Why... why am I such a fool? Of course, your mother would never grant permission... she never loved you, my dear princess..." Bastian's voice trailed off amidst his sobs.

However, a chilling silence descended upon the room, as the atmosphere turned icy cold. "What did you just say?" Leona's voice sliced through the air, laced with an unyielding frigidity, causing Bastian to kneel before her, head bowed low in submission.

"No...nothing," Bastian nervously replied, averting his gaze from his wife's piercing stare.

Leona snorted dismissively, retracting her aura and taking another sip of wine. "Besides, you rarely show concern for our son. How will he ever learn to defend himself in the future?" she snapped, her words laced with frustration.

'You claimed he was a genius!' Bastian silently retorted, though he managed to muster a wry smile in response. "Ah, I seem to have forgotten about that, hahaha," he chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.

With a tedious journey that lacked any encounters with assassins, beasts, or robbers as previously rumored, their carriage continued to glide smoothly. Unbeknownst to them, two months had slipped by, and now their carriage stood before their beloved house...

As they gazed upon the familiar scenery, their hearts brimmed with joy. 'We're finally home!' they thought in unison, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

However, the guards stationed at the gate, catching sight of an unfamiliar carriage approaching, immediately tensed, leveling their weapons. "Halt! State your identity! This is a private property," one of the guards bellowed, his voice sharp and commanding.

As the guard spoke, he realized that the horse-drawn carriage before him lacked a coachman to guide it. He motioned to his companion to inspect the carriage's condition, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed his comrade freeze in place, his face drained of color.

'Shit, another trap!' the guard thought, his young master's warning about potential threats still fresh in his mind. He had not anticipated danger arriving so swiftly.

Quickly, the guard sprinted forward, activating the protective enchantments on his most vital body parts. "STAY BACK!" he shouted, swinging his weapon toward the carriage, only to find it forcefully flung backward, causing him to tug on his frozen comrade's shoulder.

His comrade, snapped out of his stupor, also felt the forceful impact, and together, they stumbled backward, falling to the ground.

"What are you doing?!" the guard's friend snapped, glaring at him as he was helped to his feet.

"Eh?!" The guard, perplexed, noticed that his friend had not suffered any harm. Confusion swept over him.

"Come now, let's get up. We must welcome the Lord and Lady," his comrade said calmly, brushing off the dust from his clothes.

But as he glanced at his friend, still dazed and lost in thought, he couldn't help but raise his voice once more. "Hey?!" he exclaimed, snapping his friend back to reality, urging him to rise slowly.

Meanwhile, as Leona observed the guards' bewildering actions, she chuckled softly, mesmerizing them with her radiant beauty, causing their minds to wander and their attention to stray from their duty.

As a dark cloud seemed to form behind Bastian, his expression turned sour, and he glared at the guards. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and summon the coachman," he snapped, his voice laced with impatience.

"Yes, My Lord!" The guards, who had been awe-struck moments ago, now trembled at the cold tone in Bastian's voice. One of them swiftly called for the coachman, while the others resumed their positions, guarding the gate.

Bastian's outburst caught the attention of onlookers. Though they only knew this house to be inhabited by the offspring of wealthy individuals, it had gained a certain degree of fame due to Master Grimm's visits, making it somewhat renowned among the local residents as Master Grimm's second abode.

The commotion caused by the guards' scolding piqued the curiosity of the gathered crowd. They, too, sought a glimpse of what was happening. To their surprise, they beheld a young woman with lustrous black hair laughing alluringly from the carriage window.

The sight of her beauty left the crowd in awe. "Master... Witch... Leona!" one person exclaimed, capturing the attention of others. "Yes, I'm certain! It's Master Witch Leona, the beauty I've always admired!" The man spoke with great confidence, basking in the attention directed towards him.

"Does that mean this is Master Witch Leona's residence?" another person inquired, prompting the onlookers to cast their gaze upon the house before them.

"But it's a shame she's wedded to that soldier," a disgruntled voice murmured, expressing disdain.

Meanwhile, another member of the crowd, noting the man's handsome appearance, added, "If only it were me, I would be a perfect match for her." He walked away with an air of pride, although the disdainful glares he received from the people around him were not lost on his awareness.

"What an arrogant young man..." an elderly individual among the spectators sighed, shaking their head. The sentiment was shared by others in the crowd, who nodded in agreement.