The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

"What?" Ray's members asked again, their voices muffled amidst the gruesome scene of mutilation. Ray was deeply engrossed in his task and failed to catch the captain's words clearly. In contrast, the rest of the group heard the captain's refusal loud and clear, causing their brows to furrow in disappointment.

Feeling the tension rise, Ray, sensing the impending trouble, discreetly cleared his throat, seizing everyone's attention. He cast a quick glance at the captain, his eyes brimming with a mix of caution and politeness. "Mr. Captain," he spoke up, his voice laced with a newfound diplomacy, "could you perhaps consider allowing my members to handle the mutilation of this corpse?"

The captain initially intended to offer the same answer, a dismissive snort on his lips, but then he felt an intense gaze emanating from Ray's eyes. Unlike his comrades, Ray's piercing gaze seemed to bore into the captain's soul, creating an illusion of being caught in a swift river, battling against its relentless current.

Unconsciously, the captain found himself swallowing repeatedly, his decision wavering under Ray's compelling gaze. He reevaluated his stance before finally relenting, his tone laced with resignation. "Yes," he conceded, defeated by Ray's subtle influence.

With the captain's reluctant agreement, the soldiers assisted in retrieving the dire wolf's lifeless body. As they resolved this minor conflict, the evening sunset gracefully gave way to a night sky adorned with a myriad of twinkling stars.

Under the shimmering silver moonlight that bathed the scene in an ethereal glow, the mutilated corpses lay scattered, a macabre aftermath of their gruesome work. Not far from the site, two royal soldiers stood guard at the entrance, their faces marked by the weariness of their duty.

A faint squeaking sound, akin to an animal rustling through bushes, broke the stillness. The guards snapped to attention, their drowsiness dissipating as they scanned their surroundings with heightened alertness. Their eyes widened, displaying a mix of exhaustion and vigilance.

After a few moments, having found no immediate threat, the guards exchanged glances before deciding to investigate. One guard veered left, while the other ventured in the opposite direction. Minutes later, they returned to their post, shaking their heads simultaneously.

Convinced that it was a false alarm, they resumed their duty, albeit with slightly narrowed eyes. Despite their fatigued appearance, their reflexes, honed through countless battles, remained sharp.

Meanwhile, near the entrance gate where the dismembered beast's remnants lay strewn about, an eerie occurrence unfolded. Each corpse trembled momentarily, as if possessed by an otherworldly force, before returning to its lifeless state.

Unbeknownst to the guards, their gaze fixed ahead, a faint glow emitted from each corpse. The spectral lights converged at a singular point before vanishing into thin air, as if being devoured by a mysterious void.

As time flowed by, two days had passed since the battle against the beasts. Vesta's group, initially planning a brief stay in the village, had now decided to extend their time there. They sought assurance of its safety while waiting for the completion of the mutilation process.

On the final morning, the captain of the royal soldiers exuded excitement as he led his troops towards Desmond's carriage, walking with a purposeful stride.

*knock*

"Master Desmond, Sir Guardian summons you to meet him in his carriage." Utilizing his authority as a Guardian, Vesta grew impatient, realizing the value of Desmond's time, consumed by dealings with demons. Moreover, he believed that more than a day of rest was sufficient for recovery.

The captain's grin widened along the way, aware of the significance of the summons.

*click*

"Yes, please wait a moment." The carriage door swung open, revealing Laura, her once-injured belly now completely healed. Clad in pristine attire, her flowing red hair added to her enchanting appearance.

The two soldiers, prepared to use force if necessary to extract Desmond, stood there momentarily dumbfounded. On the other hand, witnessing his subordinates' reactions filled the captain with an odd sense of pride.

"Very well, my lady, I shall wait for you eternally," the captain remarked, winking playfully at Laura before stepping back to create some distance from Desmond's horse-drawn carriage.

From a distance, the captain caught the sound of Laura's melodious chuckle, causing his heart to flutter and freeze for a fleeting moment.

...

Inside the confines of the carriage, Laura closed the door and fixed her gaze upon her young master. Her previous smile faded, replaced by a somber expression.

"Ah, this world is truly beautiful. It could be even more splendid if not for the presence of humans," Desmond mused aloud, his eyes surveying the aftermath of the battle. The once lush land now lay barren, dotted with small craters, while the scent of burnt remnants and the lingering haze of fireballs lingered in the air.

"Laura, what would you do if humanity were to perish?" Desmond suddenly asked, his gaze still fixated on the beautiful yet treacherous green forest.

Baffled by the question, Laura tilted her head and replied, "Perish? What about the other races, young master?" she inquired, seeking clarity.

Desmond let out an awkward chuckle, evading a direct response. He shook his head and turned to face Laura, locking his gaze with hers. "You'll have to discover that for yourself," he said cryptically.

Without waiting for Laura's answer or acknowledging her frustrated expression, Desmond rose from his seat and made his way towards the exit. "For this meeting, I need you to be as silent as a ninja," he remarked, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

Hearing the reference to ninjas, Laura found herself momentarily helpless, trying to grasp the full meaning of the word. "Ninja?" she questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Desmond sighed, as if searching for the right words. "Well, in essence, I want you to remain mute unless I instruct otherwise," he explained, rolling his eyes in slight exasperation. He pulled the door open, signaling his readiness to depart.

...

As Desmond stepped out, the first sight and sound that greeted him were the faces of Captain Vesta's private army. "Master Desmond," the captain addressed him with a respectful gaze, creating a sense of uncertainty within Desmond.

Perhaps due to Laura's earlier appearance, the captain's anger had dissipated, whether it was from past instances where Desmond had reprimanded him or the disdainful looks he had once received. A quick glance at Laura revealed her shy demeanor as she met his gaze.

In that brief moment, the captain's heart skipped a beat, but he swiftly regained his composure, assuming his usual professional stance. "Allow me to accompany you to meet Sir Guardian, master," the captain offered politely, bowing his head while extending his arms to the sides, resembling a guide on a grand path.

"Lead the way," Desmond replied curtly, devoid of any form of courtesy. His tone lacked emotion as his eyes scanned the surroundings, noting the curious gazes of both mercenaries and citizens fixed upon him.

Well, this is arguably the third time I've been seen outside the horse carriage, anyway. Desmond couldn't help but smile wryly to himself, feeling somewhat like a trapped princess on display.

In addition to his immediate surroundings, out of the corner of his eye, Desmond caught sight of a young girl peering at him from a nearby window.