The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Three days had crawled by when a somber darkness descended from the sky. The group of horse-drawn carriages rumbled on, finally arriving at the fringes of the dry forest. The once vibrant green ground now wore a melancholic shade of dark yellow, marred by scattered animal corpses strewn along the main road, a grim testament to the desolation that awaited them.

A cluster of withered trees stood defiantly not far from the road, like ancient sentinels guarding the secrets concealed within the depths of the desiccated forest. The eerie silence was pierced by the shrill cries of crows, their discordant notes slicing through the air and causing the soldiers to tense up, every muscle coiled in anticipation.

The rhythmic cadence of horse breaths and the resonant echo of horseshoes meeting the earth came to an abrupt halt. The carriages quivered slightly as the rounded wheels ceased their rotation, casting an eerie stillness over the scene.

Sensing the foreboding atmosphere, the soldiers swiftly unsheathed their swords from their waists, spreading out around the carriages, their eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of caution and wariness.

Bathed solely in the pale glow of the moonlight and the flickering flames of the torches hanging from the carriages, the soldiers stood resolute, their brows furrowed as they peered into the abyss of darkness that enveloped the dry forest, their senses heightened.

"Split into three-man groups. Secure the surrounding area and move the carriages to the side," bellowed the captain stationed beside Desmond's carriage, his voice laced with authority. Desmond, observing the captain's expertise, nodded in approval, his trust in his comrade unwavering.

With their orders received, the soldiers sprang into action. Their movements were executed with a precise and practiced grace as they dispersed, fanning out in eight different directions, their footfalls barely audible, a testament to their exceptional skills.

The simplicity of the captain's command belied the remarkable quality of the kingdom's soldiers. Their ability to assess the situation swiftly and maintain a heightened state of alertness showcased their superior training and awareness, setting them apart as the epitome of Vesta's military prowess.

While the soldiers carried out their assigned tasks, the mercenaries refused to remain idle. Once the carriages had been relocated, they wasted no time in establishing a camp, skillfully igniting a roaring bonfire. Unlike the soldiers, the mercenaries were accustomed to adapting swiftly to unfamiliar environments, their versatility shining through even in this enigmatic forest.

Ray surveyed his surroundings with a calm and discerning gaze. While his comrades busied themselves with setting up camp and tending to the flickering flames, he remained vigilant, his eyes scanning the expanse of the forest. He quickly discerned that they were trapped in the heart of the forest, with the main road serving as their sole escape route.

An unsettling knot of anxiety twisted in Ray's gut. As a third-class Swordsman, his heightened senses granted him a perspective that eluded his fellow soldiers. His acute hearing and heightened olfactory prowess led him to a disconcerting realization. There was a putrid stench in the air, a nauseating amalgamation of saliva and earth, melding together into an indescribable foulness.

Ray's narrowed gaze penetrated the oppressive darkness of the dry forest, his instincts on high alert. He cast a glance at his fellow mercenaries, only to find Veronica still gazing at the vast expanse of the night sky.

"This is dire," Ray thought, his resolve solidifying. "Even though the competition among mercenaries is not fierce, we cannot afford to lose any more of our strength." With steely determination, Ray made his way towards the Steel Legion mercenaries, ready to face the unknown that lay ahead.

Meanwhile, in stark contrast to the tension that gripped the outside world, Vesta, oblivious to the brewing storm, savored his evening coffee, a book cradled in his hands. Diana, his daughter, sat across from him, delicate fingers wrapped around a cup of juice, her vibrant orange eyes fixed intently upon her father.

"Father, why don't you issue commands to your soldiers?" Diana inquired, her voice carrying a tinge of concern, her gaze unwavering.

Vesta shifted his gaze to his daughter and responded with an affectionate smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Hmm, explaining it to you might be a bit overwhelming. Your brain might feel like it's about to explode," he playfully teased, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"Ugh," Diana groaned, a pained expression on her face as she playfully clutched her head with her free hand. "No, I've had enough of books."

Vesta shook his head and chuckled, returning his attention to his book, enjoying the tranquility of the moment.

Desmond, leaning against a small window, peered out into the impenetrable darkness that surrounded the inner forest. In his periphery, he noticed numerous glowing red dots, steadily approaching his location.

As Desmond turned away, intending to activate his spell, he hesitated. Why should I be concerned about the carriage? It's not even mine, he thought, his eyes wandering until they landed on Laura, who was smiling at him.

"Stay here and guard our belongings," Desmond instructed Laura as he retrieved his sword from a corner near his bed. He stretched his hands, neck, and legs, preparing for what lay ahead. "I'll step out for a while to get some exercise."

Laura anxiously watched her young master's departing figure, clenching her fist. Her gaze shifted to the small window, where she spotted a group of three soldiers standing near the main road.

*Click*

The sound of the door opening resonated through the air as Desmond stepped outside, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He observed the soldiers gradually advancing, scattering across the area. "Seems like they're planning a surprise attack," he murmured, narrowing his eyes as he caught a glimpse of red light emanating from the eyes of a lurking creature.

Desmond shifted his gaze towards the mercenaries, noting Ray offering comfort to the dispirited Veronica. "On the contrary, the mercenaries have yet to resolve their own issues," Desmond remarked, observing the expressions of the Steel Legion members one by one.

The birds that had perched on tree branches took flight, sensing an approaching presence from the depths of the dry forest. The crows' cries grew louder, adding to the mounting sense of horror, accompanied by a piercing howl.

"Ready your positions!" The captain's thunderous voice shattered the tense atmosphere, jolting the soldiers into action. They abandoned their previous locations, regrouping and encircling the carriages, ready to defend from all directions.

Meanwhile, the Corps of Teleknights mercenaries assumed their designated positions, brandishing their swords towards the abyss of the dark, desolate forest.

"The pyromancers, hold off on using your fire element," the captain bellowed, his eyes bulging and turning red as he noticed the unpreparedness of the Steel Legion mercenaries. He snorted in disdain before shifting his gaze to Desmond, who stood nonchalantly amidst the chaos.

"And you... you little brat, get inside the carriage!" the captain added, clicking his tongue, his anger threatening to make him utter a more impolite word, but his sense of dignity held him back.

Meanwhile, Desmond paid little heed to the captain's warning. Irritation flickered across his features before he regained his composure. His eyes turned back to Veronica and the rest of her squad. "Veronica is at the pinnacle of her class. Unless her mind is clouded, the Steel Legion mercenaries will likely unleash their wrath, channeling their emotions over the loss of their fallen comrades."

"And it appears I've underestimated the abilities of a third-class Swordsman as well," Desmond mused, his gaze shifting towards Ray. A smile played at the corners of his lips as he contemplated the unknown factor brought forth by the Steel Legion mercenaries, combined with the Corps of Teleknights.

"Finally, I can conduct my experiment with a sense of ease," he whispered to himself, a glimmer of anticipation dancing in his eyes.