The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Desmond, accompanied by Laura and guided by the captain of Vesta's private army, strolled leisurely through the village, immersing himself in the enchanting atmosphere that enveloped them. The morning air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it a symphony of natural scents mingled with the tantalizing aroma of various spices.

As they traversed the clean and orderly streets, Desmond couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the village and the bustling city of this era, all while disregarding the intense scrutiny from the locals.

The distance between his horse-drawn carriage and Vesta's elegant horse carriage was short, with the latter gracefully parked near the plaza, while Desmond's carriage found its place amidst the dilapidated houses near the entrance gate and the plaza itself.

With his hands casually tucked behind his back, Desmond proudly displayed his recently healed hand. His keen eyes caught sight of Raina, one of the members of the formidable Steel Legion, who appeared to be consoling her leader. Desmond's gaze lingered on them momentarily, observing their interaction.

Meanwhile, Laura, faithfully following her young master, seemed impervious to the sorrowful cries and somber expressions around her. She stood beside Desmond, her countenance as impassive as his. A stark contrast from who she was three years ago, it seemed that her prolonged proximity to Desmond or her evolving perspective on life had transformed her.

"She was merely caught in the wrong place at the wrong time," Desmond's voice reverberated from the front, evoking memories of Selena's tragic demise in Laura's mind.

Caught in a momentary daze, Laura was startled by a sudden shout that carried with it an aura of pressure, accompanied by a gentle breeze brushing past them.

"You!"

* Swoosh! *

A cloud of dust billowed, momentarily obstructing Laura's vision, leaving her slightly disoriented. As she waved her hand to clear the haze, she noticed a small rock hurtling towards her, its trajectory seemingly aimed at striking her young master.

Her eyes widened, her mouth agape, desperately trying to utter words that only came out as a hoarse, dry whisper. As a witch, her connection to the natural energies allowed her to perceive the rock's approach, but the diminishing distance left her helpless, a mere spectator.

The once composed and indifferent Laura now found herself gripped by panic. She stole a quick glance at her young master, only to find him serenely unfazed, like a tranquil lake untouched by the ripples of the unfolding events.

He didn't even cast a glance in the direction of the imminent danger, his gaze fixated instead on the ethereal play of sunlight cascading upon the rooftop of a nearby villager's house.

*Clap!*

"Hey! Mind your manners!" Just before the stone could make contact with Desmond's head, Laura witnessed the captain, who had been leading the way, swiftly intercepting the projectile and now glaring fiercely at the assailant.

Witnessing this scene unfold, the man who had thrown the stone was consumed by anger, spewing a curse, "Fuck you, Desmond!" His words hung in the air, causing the captain to freeze in shock, while Laura herself trembled with a mixture of fear and anger.

Laura shot a quick sidelong glance at the man, taking in his towering stature and muscular build, yet his youthful face betrayed a childlike immaturity, evident in the innocence reflected in his eyes.

"Tsk." Laura hissed in annoyance, her eyes burning with a potent blend of fury and resentment. The helplessness she felt at seeing her young master in peril stoked the flames of her wrath.

Her lips began to murmur incantations, and a wisp of energy gathered at her fingertip, coalescing into a small stone imbued with flickering flames. However, just as she prepared to unleash her attack, her young master's voice resonated in her mind.

Laura.

A glimmer flashed across her eyes, and her anger evaporated, replaced by a solemn determination. The energy that had gathered at her fingertips dissipated, transforming into tiny white lights that scattered in all directions.

Yes, young master, Laura replied within her thoughts. Before her, she could see the serene expression on her young master's face, though she could discern a hint of annoyance in his eyes.

"What? How... how?" The captain stammered, utterly perplexed. Not only had Desmond never divulged his name to the public, but he rarely even ventured outside his carriage. The captain was bewildered by how this man knew his name.

Squinting his eyes at the man, memories of a lanky boy from the past began to intertwine with fragments of his own most embarrassing moments. "It's you, boy!" The captain bellowed angrily, clutching his trousers in frustration.

Apart from the young man's impudent demeanor, his astonishing throwing strength helped jog the captain's memory. Despite being the same age, the stark contrast in their attitudes elicited a sense of pity within the captain for the young troublemaker.

"Gregory!" Simultaneously, a middle-aged woman with long, brown hair tied back appeared, shouting from behind Gregory, her purple-haired son. "I told you not to meddle in other people's affairs; after all, we're just passengers!"

The woman firmly grasped Gregory's hand, while Desmond finally shifted his gaze towards the boy, his expression marked with a furrowed brow.

As Gregory caught Desmond's gaze, he clenched his teeth in anger, exclaiming, "Just you wait! Don't let me see your face in the same class or..." His voice trailed off as he fumed, reluctantly allowing himself to be pulled away by the middle-aged woman.

From another perspective, the scene could be considered rather comical, with the muscular man being tugged by the middle-aged woman, resembling a child who had committed a misdeed and was now caught by his mother.

"Oh my god, all this time, I thought that man was part of the royal soldiers or one of the mercenaries," one of the villagers gasped in astonishment.

"Yeah, who would have thought he still had the mentality of a child?" The other villagers chuckled, finding amusement in the situation.

"But that man is a coward, only daring to confront children," commented one of the witnesses, prompting everyone to glance between Desmond and Gregory.

The captain and the other soldiers couldn't help but smile wryly upon hearing their conversation. Allowing this misunderstanding to persist was partly Gregory's fault, as his physique and height naturally led people to mistake him for an adult.

Once Gregory had departed, the captain briefly stole a glance at Laura before turning around and leading Desmond and Laura with an air of self-assurance, puffing out his chest.

As Desmond continued walking, his gaze followed Gregory's path and noticed him interacting with members of the Corps of Teleknights mercenaries.

"Heh, it seems they've found a place for the brat," Desmond muttered, then shifted his attention to savoring the vibrant atmosphere of the village.

...

Upon reaching Vesta's horse carriage, the captain took a step forward and gently tapped on the door.

"Sir, I've brought the guest," he announced. From behind the window, the girl who had been observing Desmond throughout the journey suddenly vanished, accompanied by the sound of footsteps.

*Click!*

The door swung open, revealing a girl with fiery red hair, her arms crossed, pouting slightly. Her gaze swept over the group before settling on Desmond, her cheeks tinted with a subtle blush. "Y... you can all come in!"

"Thank you, Miss Diana," the captain expressed with a softened gaze as he smiled and made way for Desmond and Laura to enter.