The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

"Yes, my queen," Arzar obediently responded, taking a respectful step back to create a comfortable distance between himself and his queen. He paused, his anticipation building before he began to speak, eager to share the success of their plan. "The Imp we strategically placed in the quaint village has proven to be remarkably effective, my queen."

Arzar's voice brimmed with a mixture of excitement and curiosity as he continued, "Beyond gathering invaluable data on the beasts, the Imp has successfully infiltrated the subject's surroundings, meticulously testing his strength and observing his every move."

"As you predicted, my queen, the subject's aura possesses an unsettling abnormality. However, our Imp reported an intriguing development—the subject's mere presence seemed to trigger a resistance among the controlled beasts." The more Arzar delved into the subject's enigmatic nature, the more his curiosity piqued.

A question lingered in his mind, haunting him: How could a mere human possess such a formidable body?

Recalling the queen's mention of the subject's unique destiny, Arzar couldn't help but be astonished by the Imp's testimony, revealing the subject's willingness to sacrifice even his closest companion. The thought struck a chord within Arzar, contemplating the subject's traits that mirrored their own demonic race.

If it weren't for the absence of horns and tails, he might have taken it upon himself to personally investigate this subject of intrigue.

"This is not the opportune time," his queen's voice resounded in his mind, abruptly jolting him back to reality. Startled, Arzar found himself face to face with an imposing throne chair, seemingly materialized out of thin air, on which his queen now sat. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of shame for his fleeting musings, as if his intentions had been laid bare before her.

Consequently, he lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze, and replied with a subdued yet reverent tone, "Yes, my queen."

However, the realization that the subject had managed to capture his queen's attention ignited a spark of envy within Arzar, a sensation he couldn't easily suppress.

"En," the queen responded, stretching out her hand as if clutching something substantial within her grasp. Suddenly, several crimson streams of energy erupted from the surrounding lava, converging toward the queen's outstretched hand. They merged together, coalescing into the form of a heart before being absorbed into the queen's mouth, akin to a voracious feast.

A small gasp escaped her lips, which she quickly stifled, savoring the exquisite taste of the energy. "Delicious..." she murmured, her tongue gliding over her lower lip in an unspoken delight. Turning her attention back to Arzar, she inquired, "How fares the situation on the battlefield?"

Upon hearing his queen's question, Arzar's eyes lit up, a glimmer of exhilaration dancing within them. He couldn't contain his excitement as he eagerly responded, "The Warden has successfully repelled the human army, even in the face of their leader's presence."

Arzar paused momentarily, his pride evident as he made this proclamation. His breath grew ragged, as if he had expended a considerable amount of energy. His lips curled up in a triumphant smile, but he temporarily closed his mouth, gathering his composure before continuing, "Forgive me, my queen, but I can't help but wonder if your newfound interest in exterminating humans has been kindled."

Simultaneously, his body, which had initially matched his queen's height and stature, underwent a startling transformation. Growing into an imposing six-meter tall giant, his wings unfurled majestically, while a demonic expression etched itself upon his face.

Exhaling a scorching breath, his towering horns accentuated his fearsome visage, evoking terror in any who beheld him.

Observing this metamorphosis, the queen snapped out of her thoughts, a realization dawning upon her. "Ah, I knew this transformation would transpire..." She couldn't help but emit a seductive chuckle, casting a fleeting glance at her subordinates. A faint smile graced her lips as she uttered, "Convey my orders to the demons, cautioning them not to succumb to excessive excitement.

I require numerous sacrifices to ascend to a realm surpassing that of our past heroes."

Arzar found himself momentarily frozen, his breath infused with flickering sparks of fire. His colossal wings beat powerfully, propelling him into the air without even seeking his queen's permission. "Yes, my queen!" he exclaimed, his imposing form radiating an aura of dread as he swiftly departed the room.

Letting out a weary sigh, the queen lamented, "Why must these demons be so foolish, despite the additional power I bestowed upon them?" Her warm countenance shifted, transforming into an icy coldness. "And yet, humans remain unchanged—consumed by their insatiable greed that will ultimately lead to their own downfall."

Her thoughts shifted, however, as she recollected the prophesied boy, her cold expression melting away, replaced by a beautiful smile. "But... there are one... no, two humans who will bring great entertainment to this land," she mused, her eyelids slowly closing.

Not far from the queen's presence, a gathering of creatures with stone-like skin covering their bodies assembled before the castle. These beings, her beloved pets, received her command. "Obey my decree," her voice boomed across the sky, reaching the ears of all demons. Two ethereal eyeballs materialized, hovering ominously in the air, fixating their gaze upon the demon territories.

Amidst the echoing voice, piercing screams erupted, echoing through the demon realm. These humanoid creatures, standing at a height of 1.7 meters with a human-like posture adorned by tails and wings, vocalized their agreement. One among them abruptly rose, shooting up into the sky and soaring toward the north, ready to spread terror in the name of the demons.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, within the inner city, a shop stood adjacent to a bakery. Its exterior displayed a sign depicting a crystal ball, but those who peered through the entrance would be greeted by a dimly lit space, illuminated only by candles affixed to each wall.

The mysterious ambiance deterred even regular customers from venturing inside, as everything remained shrouded in obscurity.

At the far end of the room, where an array of items for sale congregated, a brown-haired boy with a muscular physique, seemingly the same age as Desmond, stood perplexed, examining the objects before him.

A voice suddenly emerged from the darkness in front of the boy, startling him. "Welcome..." it echoed, causing him to jump in surprise.

"You startled me, uncle," the brown-haired boy responded with a smile, seeking clarification. "Is this your shop, uncle?"

The shop owner, obscured by a large hat that concealed his eyes, donned clothes that set him apart from ordinary folk. His gaze remained blurry, making it difficult to discern his true intentions. His eyes lingered on the boy, filled with interest, as if he had stumbled upon a newfound toy.

Uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny, the boy pressed on without awaiting a response. "Uncle, do you have any tools that can enhance the efficiency of my spells?"

"Hmm... intriguing... You're the second person who has managed to capture my interest," the shop owner remarked, disregarding the boy's question. Stepping forward, his attire revealing only faint glimpses of his form, he towered with an abnormal height, his presence unsettling.

In the shop owner's eyes, the boy exuded a familiar aura, reminiscent of a young lad he had encountered years ago in the company of a renowned Lady. Back then, he had concealed his interest, fearing the potential repercussions it might have on his business.

However, faced with a boy who not only possessed a similar aura but also displayed a more favorable personality, there was no reason to restrain himself any longer.

With a wide grin, the shop owner simply replied, "There is, but it comes at quite a price. Can you afford it?" His sly smile veered towards the tattered clothes adorning the boy's frame.

Naturally, the notion of purchasing such an item seemed impossible for the boy, and the shop owner anticipated his next course of action. He thought to himself, "This is where he'll propose an alternative..."

"This..." and as expected, upon hearing the steep cost, the boy's countenance contorted with a troubled expression. "How about I work for you for one month instead?" he proposed fearlessly, lifting his head confidently, locking his gaze with the concealed eyes of the shop owner.

Haha! This boy possesses courage! Yet, even though I desire his proposition greatly, it wouldn't be wise to accept it immediately...

The shop owner nodded, but the boy, perplexed by the lack of discernible expression beneath the owner's round hat, voiced his confusion. "I understand, but why should I choose you? Wouldn't it be more profitable for me to sell it to other customers?"

"Ha!" The boy clicked his tongue, disappointed by the shop owner's logical response. This was precisely what he dreaded the most. "How much?" he inquired.

With a mischievous wink, the shop owner replied, "Ten gold coins." He continued, "With this tool, there's a possibility that it will enhance your imaginative abilities. All you need to do is consume it, and the effect will be permanent."

Throwing another bait, the shop owner's smile widened, confident that the boy would be driven to desperate measures for the coveted tool.

"Very well, I'll be back!" Determination aflame in his eyes, the boy made his way toward the exit.

The shop owner stood dumbfounded, not anticipating the situation to unfold in this manner. Only when the boy's hand gripped the door handle did he snap out of his reverie. "Ah! Boy, wait..." The fear of loss, akin to what he had experienced years ago, resurfaced, and he subconsciously asked, "What's your name?"

With a perplexed and astonished expression, the boy tilted his head, replying uncertainly, "Clark? What's the matter, uncle? If not, I'll be on my way." Sensing the shop owner's peculiar demeanor, he grew increasingly uncomfortable, hastily making his exit.

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving the shop owner to ponder the unexpected turn of events.