The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

"Please...don't..." The middle-aged man's voice quivered as Vesta's intense gaze bore into him. A sense of fear overwhelmed him, causing him to instinctively take a step back. His eyes darted nervously toward the other villagers, silently pleading for their assistance, but their gazes held a glint of fear, leaving him to face Vesta alone.

"Sir, please refrain from troubling these people," a voice resonated in Vesta's ears, drawing his attention. He turned to find the village chief, his expression fraught with concern.

"Hmm?" Vesta's curiosity was piqued. He scanned the area, only to find the entire village fixated on him with bloodshot eyes, as though he were the harbinger of doom. It struck him as odd, and he tilted his head in confusion. Until now, Vesta hadn't given it much thought, recognizing that some villages tended to react cautiously to newcomers.

However, the hostility emanating from these villagers painted him and his companions as criminals, poised to destroy their way of life.

Sam narrowed his eyes at Vesta's slow approach. Flanking him were two villagers, brandishing their bamboo weapons, their aim trained on Vesta. The situation intrigued him.

Meanwhile, Desmond observed the unfolding events from the window of the horse carriage, thoroughly amused. The abnormal behavior of the villagers caught his attention, but he found Vesta's interaction with them both comical and peculiar.

"It seems Vesta's approach didn't quite yield the desired results," Desmond remarked matter-of-factly. He believed that not only had the villagers grown suspicious, but their aggression might escalate, potentially driving the group away. Yet, as long as they safely reached the city, he couldn't care less about the outcome. It was Vesta's predicament, after all.

"However..." Desmond's gaze shifted toward the transparent screen floating beside him. Previously, the multitude of red dots that had swarmed around them suddenly vanished, replaced by gray dots symbolizing the royal army spreading out to survey the surroundings.

"This is highly unusual," Desmond murmured to himself, his attention drawn to the fact that the mercenaries seemed unconcerned about the situation, engaging in casual conversations while scrutinizing the village's architectural structure.

Unbeknownst to Desmond, behind the curtains of the bed, Laura's flushed face peered through the gaps, her breath heavy and erratic. Her eyes fixated on her young master, her body growing warmer with every passing moment. A mix of desire and a tinge of guilt consumed her as she noticed her own physical response, accompanied by a tantalizing scent filling the air.

In the rear of the horse-drawn carriage, while Vesta engaged in conversation with the royal troops and the villagers, the mercenaries took the opportunity to relax, settling on the town square floor. Indifferent to the stares of the villagers, who regarded them with a mix of curiosity and disdain, the mercenaries sat in circles, each group huddled together.

"Are you certain about this?" Vaurz questioned his close friend, casting a doubtful glance in his direction.

"Yes," Ray responded in an indifferent tone, without even sparing a glance. His gaze was fixed on the surrounding forest, where the soldiers diligently patrolled. "Our mission is to safely escort that boy, and I'm sure of it."

Seeing the resolute expression on Ray's face, Vaurz realized there was no use in further argument. He let out a helpless sigh and conceded, "Very well, if that's your decision, we shall follow suit. I'll inform the others."

As Vaurz approached Ray, the latter turned around, surveying his mercenaries, who engaged in spirited discussions regarding his choice, their emotions mixed.

Yes, I have made up my mind. I refuse to experience that pain again. With this determination in mind, Ray's gaze shifted towards the other mercenaries, silently affirming his resolve.

On the other side, Raina, engrossed in conversation with her fellow mercenaries, lifted her head and directed her gaze towards their leader. "Sister, is this the right course of action?" Surprisingly, they voiced the same question that lingered in their minds.

Veronica, clutching a miniature drum in her hand, glanced at Raina and tilted her head. "What's the matter?" She approached her friend, gently tapping her shoulder while whispering, "Hehe, take it easy *sigh* look over there."

Her finger pointed towards the center of the village square, where Vesta sat with the village chief, deep in discussion. "Don't you trust our Guardian?" Veronica giggled, her voice laced with a touch of melancholy.

Raina covered her nose with both hands, nodding in agreement. "Yes...yes. By the way, sister, lay off the drinks!" She pushed Veronica away and swiftly grabbed the glass in her hand.

"Whop." Just as Raina's hand was about to touch the glass, Veronica skillfully evaded the contact, maintaining her balance. She grinned mischievously, then moved closer to Raina, gently fondling one of her breasts. "Hehe, why don't you join in on the fun?"

"What?!" Raina exclaimed, caught off guard by Veronica's sudden action.

In an instant, Raina's face turned crimson, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She clenched her fists, attempting to swat Veronica's hand away, but Veronica swiftly dodged, leaving Raina's efforts in vain. "Hmph!"

Observing the scene, Veronica's smile widened, and she playfully winked at Raina before retreating to rejoin her fellow mercenaries.

Suddenly, a resounding footstep broke the silence, capturing the attention of all the mercenaries as they turned their heads towards the source. It was the returning royal troops, concluding their reconnaissance mission.

"Sir, we found no signs of any suspicious or peculiar creatures," one of the royal soldiers reported, his grip firm on the spear by his side.

Upon hearing the report, Vesta averted his gaze momentarily, deep in thought. "So, no abnormalities in the western part either? No signs of wildlife or any other untoward presence?"

One after another, groups of five royal troops approached and delivered their findings to Vesta. They had scoured the surroundings thoroughly, yet none of them had come across any suspicious indications.

Vesta's brow furrowed in contemplation. "Are you certain of your thoroughness? What about broken branches or distinct scents in the foliage?"

"Indeed, sir. We meticulously checked those aspects as well, but the results remained the same," replied the captain of the royal army, stepping forward with unwavering confidence, determined to hold his ground in front of the formidable Guardian.

"Very well," Vesta acknowledged, his gaze icy and intense. The captain maintained his unwavering posture, refusing to show any sign of weakness to his fellow soldiers.

"Good. Assign two teams for night shifts, each comprising two soldiers, to stand guard alongside the village militia," Vesta commanded, his voice carrying authority.

"And also..." Vesta turned his attention back to the village chief, who appeared unperturbed by this information. "We kindly request your assistance once again in preparing food and bandages for our upcoming journey."

Upon hearing this, Sam hesitated, his gaze darting towards Vesta, as if subtly conveying a message. He seemed unsure, but Vesta's next words brought him relief.

"Fear not; all the provisions and supplies you provide will be compensated by the kingdom," Vesta reassured, a reassuring smile gracing his lips. He then whispered to the villager standing beside him, further putting Sam at ease.

"With pleasure, sir. We will do our utmost to assist," Sam responded with a smile, relieved by Vesta's words. He quickly relayed the message to the other villagers, ensuring their cooperation in preparing the necessary provisions.