The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

"Speak," commanded the king, his hand sweeping through the air. Instantly, a swarm of fireflies materialized, enveloped in a shimmering stream of energy that trailed along with the motions of his hand. The energy coalesced, forming ethereal droplets that floated in the air, filling the entirety of the room. Instead of descending, these droplets hovered, suspended in mid-air.

Witnessing this extraordinary display, the occupants of the room remained composed, calmly closing their eyes and delicately touching the suspended droplets with their fingertips. As if in response to the king's command, a wave of control washed over them, their autonomy restored.

Sensing the moment, the soldier stood tall, his arms folding behind his back as he addressed the king. "Report, Your Highness. The elders convey news of a disturbance in the magical energy emanating from the eastern lands."

The soldier paused, observing the king's subtle nod of encouragement. "Furthermore, the elders suspect an asynchronous reaction with the World Tree," he continued.

A collective shock rippled through the room, and a surge of energy coursed through their beings, affecting all present. The soldier, too, felt the powerful surge, his blood quickening, his heart pounding in response to uttering the name 'World Tree.'

Seated upon the throne, the king remained composed, his gaze sweeping over his affected subordinates. "Relax," he assured them.

In response to his words, the suspended droplets shimmered, emitting a gentle light that enveloped the room, imparting a sense of warmth and security to all within.

Once the room had settled into tranquility, the king refocused his attention on the soldier standing before him. "Continue," he commanded.

Shaking off the daze induced by the mesmerizing spectacle, the soldier cleared his throat and resumed his report. "Yes, Your Highness. The elders speculate that this disturbance may be connected to one of their creations."

"Very well, that will be enough," the king responded with a weary sigh. He was all too familiar with the troubles caused by the creations of the elders. Countless experiments had been undertaken to enhance their race and uncover innovations for future generations, but only a select few had yielded fruitful results, while the majority had either failed or exacerbated existing issues.

"Those old geezers," the king muttered, his gaze penetrating the walls constructed from the bark of ancient trees, as if peering into the very realm where the elders resided.

Witnessing the king's predicament, a figure within the room stepped forward and addressed him. "Your Highness, it would be wise to cease these futile experiments."

The speaker donned a long shirt, fashioned with a split down the middle, resembling a dress. It was evident that this individual harbored deep dissatisfaction with the king's continued allowance of the experiments.

"No, what are you suggesting?" one person interjected, his voice rising with agitation, immediately disrupting the once peaceful atmosphere. "Let them suffer as punishment for the troubles their experiments cause. This way, they will learn not to squander our resources!"

This remark elicited an immediate response from another participant. "Nonsense! We should rid ourselves of them entirely and let them live out their days in peace," they countered, voicing their own perspective.

The debate escalated, voices overlapping and arguments growing more heated. The individuals involved seemed indifferent to the king seated upon the throne, and even the onlookers refrained from intervening, as if allowing the discourse to unfold.

Curiously, the king himself found intrigue in the spirited exchange. He observed the debate intently, contemplating the varying viewpoints to broaden his own understanding.

In this land, the demeanor of the king and its inhabitants starkly contrasted with human customs, where reverence and respect held great importance. Instead, their interactions were friendly and conversational, a lively debate absent of harassment or mockery.

"Your Highness, I have further news," the soldier interjected, nearly forgetting his crucial information amidst the spirited debate.

The room fell into silence as the people, previously engrossed in argument before the king, returned to their positions. The king's expression resumed its usual calm, like still water. "Speak," he urged the soldier.

"The elders have also discovered traces of the long-missing princess," the soldier conveyed, delivering the news with urgency.

Upon speaking those words, the soldier suddenly found himself falling backward, bewildered by his sudden change in position. Opening his eyes, he found himself lying on the floor, gazing up at the roof adorned with leaves.

Confusion engulfed him. What had just occurred?

Shaking off his disorientation, the soldier sat upright, only to realize that the king was nowhere to be seen. Panic gripped him. Where had the king gone?

Turning to the people near the throne, he noticed their gazes fixed upon something behind him. Swiveling around, the soldier beheld the once pristine door of the throne room transformed into what resembled a gladiatorial arena, poised for conflict.

As the soldier took in the astonishing sight of the gaping hole that had replaced the door, exposing the king's throne to the view of the city, his disbelief was further amplified. Alongside the hole, he noticed residual traces of energy forming a straight path leading forward.

"I apologize, but the rest is up to you all!" The distant sound of an eagle's cry resonated through the air, accompanied by the voice of their king.

Sighing, one of the individuals standing beside the throne voiced their frustration. "Why does Your Highness always rely on that creature?"

"I know, right? He could have easily used teleportation to reach the elders directly," another person chimed in, their gaze shifting to the vacant throne above.

"Nevertheless, he has left us a message. That's an improvement from before. Let's prepare ourselves; it's possible that His Highness will take action this time," a third individual stated, their words carrying a sense of urgency.

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room grew serious, causing the confused soldier to tense up. He stood there, staring at the group before him, realizing for the first time that the king had daughters. It dawned on him that this might be the underlying reason behind the king's loss of control.

Intrigue mixed with concern as the soldier contemplated the gravity of the situation. He understood that the fate of the kingdom and the missing princess rested on the shoulders of those present in the room. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to fulfill his duty and assist in whatever awaited them on this unforeseen path.