The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

But then Desmond abruptly halted his footsteps, swiftly turning around and slamming the door shut with a thunderous crash. The sudden noise caught the attention of those nearby, even drawing a fleeting glance from the grieving Veronica.

"Young master?" Laura, seated inside the horse carriage, anxiously inquired, her eyes widening at the shocked expression on Desmond's face.

Meanwhile, Desmond flopped down onto the bed, paying no mind to Laura's presence. With closed eyes, he issued his command, "If someone asks, tell them I'm not feeling well."

Laura, though bewildered by her young master's erratic behavior, replied obediently, "Yes, young master." Her own wound had healed, but instead of her usual attire, she had wrapped her stomach with a twisted cloth, forming a makeshift bandage.

While Laura didn't voice any objection or defiance, she couldn't fully comprehend Desmond's actions. However, her young master explained it as a disguise. Somehow, Desmond sensed that his upcoming meeting with Vesta held immense significance, prompting him to seek every possible advantage by buying himself more time.

Consequently, he refrained from seeking help from the Steel Legion mercenaries, who had ample resources to heal both him and Laura, mainly composed of talented Witches.

Meanwhile, let us shift our focus to the situation in Genward.

Following the fierce battle, the royal soldiers diligently gathered the corpses of the fallen beasts and arranged them in a central location. They refrained from immediate dissection or incineration, as each body part of these creatures held great value for medicine or forging materials.

On the other hand, the mercenaries eagerly awaited their well-deserved reward, eventually leading to Vesta's intervention.

Inside a spacious house near the town square, a room with a large, round table took center stage. The village head, Sam, engaged in yet another discussion with other influential figures from the village.

Compared to their previous informal conversations, this particular discussion held a more formal air. Vesta, acting as a Guardian, attentively observed the proceedings.

"And now?" Vesta casually inquired, remaining seated as he savored his tea. His piercing gaze swept across the room, instilling a sense of panic in those present, causing them to lower their heads and focus their attention on Sam.

The sudden onslaught of the beasts, surprisingly led by goblins, coupled with the peculiar behavior of the villagers toward his group, had pushed Vesta to the point of intolerability, compelling him to initiate this urgent discussion.

A single question hung in the air, leaving everyone in solemn silence, with Sam casting a complicated gaze upon Vesta.

Meanwhile, Jon, another individual in the room, observed his comrades' speechless demeanor and lowered heads. Gritting his teeth, he couldn't contain his frustration any longer and bellowed, "That's enough!"

Jon's gaze bore into Vesta, filled with a mixture of emotions and a breath he struggled to control. "No more deception. Leave this village immediately, or we won't hesitate to expel you by force," he asserted, a sense of relief washing over him after delivering his stern message.

Recalling Sam's words, Jon took a deep breath and glanced at Vesta, only to find his expression unchanged, still ignorant to the gravity of the situation.

This only fueled Jon's escalating emotions. "Even after that incident... we still provide you with supplies!" he exclaimed, his anger pushing him to the brink. "Please, just leave this village..."

Yet, Vesta remained unmoved, his gaze shifting to the other representatives who also locked their eyes on him. Though taken aback by Jon's sudden outburst, Vesta had already pieced together the situation from the information he had received.

"Mr. Sam," Vesta called out, causing Sam's anxiety to spike. He wished he could disappear when faced with Jon's behavior. "Yes, sir?" Sam responded, his voice tinged with trepidation.

"Please provide me with the details," Vesta requested, accompanied by a dry chuckle that sent shivers down Sam's spine. It was a silent signal for Sam to remove the people, especially Jon, from the room.

Realizing that this matter was far from simple, Sam glanced at his friend Jon, shaking his head as he urged the others to leave. Jon, being pulled away by fellow villagers, cast one last contemptuous glance at Vesta before nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders and walking away alone.

Once everyone had exited, leaving only Sam and Vesta behind, Sam corrected his posture, rose to his feet, and bowed deeply. "Please forgive my friend, sir! He did not mean to act so presumptuously..."

Finally, Vesta, who had silently endured this humiliation, spoke up. "Accepted. As compensation, tell me what the problem is," he stated, acknowledging that despite his current elevated status as a Guardian, he himself had once been an ordinary villager from a small village.

Vesta understood Jon's emotions with a quick exchange of glances, realizing that Jon's gaze harbored no hatred or desire for revenge. Rather, he was disappointed in the royal officials and happened to direct his frustrations toward Vesta, who was on duty.

Upon hearing Vesta's response, Sam's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you very much, sir. Thank you," he uttered, then knelt on the ground and repeatedly banged his head as a gesture of profound respect.

The people outside the city were still adjusting to the new system, as they erroneously associated it with the aristocratic structure. This lingering fear of wealth and high positions contributed to their apprehension and unease.

Vesta, being a seasoned Guardian, had encountered similar behaviors in every village he visited. "Get up and quickly tell me the details," he instructed, his casual tone tinged with a hint of impatience. Sam promptly returned to his seat and proceeded to explain the events.

Prior to Vesta's group's arrival, another group had stopped in the village, but their purpose was different—they claimed to be traders. As the village head, Sam had been responsible for welcoming them. The group consisted of individuals adorned in fancy clothes, accompanied by heavily armored bodyguards.

Initially, Sam felt a twinge of unease, sensing that something was amiss. However, the sight of Wizards among the group dispelled his doubts, and he gladly allowed them entry. Little did he know the calamity that would follow.

As Sam recounted the story, he bit his lower lip, causing blood to trickle down. He felt that he had failed in his role as the village chief. The seemingly innocent traders turned out to be a disguised bandit group, and their presence brought about a catastrophe.

Imagining the bandits, with their contingent of Wizards, overpowering the small village of Genward, Sam couldn't help but draw a chilling comparison. They were like helpless goats led by ruthless wolves. The bandits demanded money, food, and women, instilling fear and submission in the villagers.

At this point, Sam paused, his gaze filled with sorrow as he pleaded with Vesta, "Please, sir, help us... at least seek our revenge..." Unlike Jon, when the village chief implored, it represented the collective will and hopes of the entire village.

Vesta, his expression grave, nodded in agreement and motioned for Sam to continue. "And Jon?" he inquired, seeking to understand the extent of Jon's involvement in this ordeal.