The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

"Young master," Laura exclaimed, her voice laced with concern, as she hurried towards Desmond. Worriedly, she gazed into his eyes, searching for any signs of distress.

"Thanks, I'm alright," Desmond reassured her, reaching out to take her helping hands that extended towards him. He glanced down at his trembling form, silently indicating his need for assistance in moving to the bed.

As Desmond placed his hand on Laura's shoulder, Annie, who had been observing them, swiftly positioned herself on his other side. Both of his maids supported him, their strong shoulders bearing the weight of his weakened body.

Laura was taken aback by Annie's unexpected initiative, but a warm blush tinted her cheeks as she inadvertently felt his fingers brush against her breast. A soft gasp escaped her lips, surprising Desmond in his fragile state.

Unlike Laura, Annie adjusted her body slightly, tilting backward to allow Desmond's hands to hang in the air. The touch was fleeting, yet it left an imprint on both of their minds.

"Just lay me down here," Desmond instructed, his head gently resting on the pillow. He closed his eyes, a gesture of gratitude preceding his impending rest.

The pain coursed through his body, its intensity crawling beneath his skin, causing him to groan in anguish. Desmond had always been hard on himself, convinced he could endure the agony that accompanied suppressing his physical movements. Usually, he would spend time training and acclimating himself to newfound power, gradually mastering control over the magnitude of strength he employed.

However, yesterday had been different. The desire to expedite his journey, coupled with an unexpected unease settling within him during his time in the wilderness, compelled Desmond to prematurely revert back his newfound abilities. The consequence was excruciating, akin to the agony he experienced when employing the Swordsman Skill: Powerboost.

Both women remained vigilant, their eyes filled with worry, temporarily forgetting their duties to tend to him.

Several hours passed, and the once melodious chirping of birds faded into silence. The warm sunlight that had graced the room was now replaced by the clamorous echoes of soldiers, bustling about as if embroiled in urgent affairs.

Meanwhile, Desmond lay on the bed, his pain finally dissipating. Opening his eyes, he found Laura and Annie standing by his side, their smiles offering solace.

Laura's smile retained its innate beauty, a testament to her compassionate nature. However, Annie's smile appeared slightly forced, its elegance at odds with her typically composed and aloof countenance.

"Good afternoon, young master," Laura greeted, her voice laced with warmth.

"Indeed," Desmond acknowledged, his gaze shifting to Annie, who already held a cup of wine in her hands. Though her demeanor appeared indifferent, Desmond discerned a flicker of delight in her eyes, betraying her true emotions.

"Thank you," Desmond murmured, raising the cup to his lips and taking a long, refreshing sip. His attention then drifted towards the small window, and he inquired, "What is happening outside? Have they begun clearing the rocks?"

"Yes, young master," Laura affirmed.

Though the maps he perused had hinted at the multitude of gray dots congregating in a specific area, Desmond sought confirmation from his loyal companion.

"Let's venture outside," Desmond declared, his words infused with determination. Instantly, a surge of natural energy surged through his body, invigorating him for the tasks that lay ahead.

Laura was taken aback by the sudden shift in atmosphere, her eyes widening in surprise. On the other hand, Annie, being a seasoned swordsman, didn't experience any sharp sensations like Vesta did. Nevertheless, an uncomfortable energy seemed to gather around her, causing a slight unease.

Before Laura could utter a word to inquire about the situation, she watched as her young master nodded with satisfaction, closing his eyes briefly. Desmond recognized that the automatic energy gathering effect had been activated. Opening his eyes once again, he rose from the bed, securing his sword at his waist before heading towards the door.

Just before grasping the door handle, Desmond turned back to look at Laura and Annie. He furrowed his brow, contemplating which one to bring along on his current endeavor. Laura held greater value as a witch, but Annie proved to be more level-headed and caused fewer disruptions compared to her counterpart.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Desmond decided to have Annie accompany him. She had only recently joined his retinue and hadn't spent as much time with him as Laura had.

With a resounding *click*, the door swung open, revealing Desmond's figure as he stepped onto the ground. The atmosphere around him remained eerily quiet. Desmond surveyed his surroundings and noted that most of the people had already moved towards the blocked path, not too far from his current position. Satisfied with the situation, he intended to join them.

However, his plans were interrupted when a soldier approached him from the direction of a nearby carriage.

"Young Master Desmond, please forgive my rudeness for disturbing your activities," the soldier spoke, inhaling a deep breath, his eyes inadvertently stealing glances at the cold beauty of Annie standing behind Desmond.

"What is it? Speak quickly," Desmond replied, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the soldier. The matters concerning his journey were of utmost importance, and yet this soldier dared to take up his time, shamelessly ogling his maid.

Sensing the impatience in Desmond's tone, the soldier grew fearful and hastily spoke, "Young Lady Diana has been awaiting your presence for quite some time. She is currently in the carriage and sent me to deliver this message to you." The soldier's face paled as he suddenly grasped the implications of his young lady's words.

Meanwhile, Desmond stood dumbfounded, his eyes reflecting disdain towards the carriage. He mused to himself, Is she trying to command me to visit her carriage? What a joke! Does she think of herself as a princess? Such behavior would be an insult to actual royalty.

Amusement flickered in Desmond's eyes as he silently ridiculed her audacity. After a brief moment, he responded, "I apologize, but I am currently occupied and cannot afford to waste any time." Desmond paused for a beat before continuing, his tone cool and detached.

"Relay that message to your lady, and do not bother me again." He glared at the soldier icily before turning and striding towards the path, with Annie following closely behind.

"Y-yes, young master," the soldier stammered, bewildered by the sudden change in Desmond's demeanor. Although he couldn't fully grasp the significance of the apology, he dared not question it, fearing he might offend Desmond further.

Being born into a commoner's family, the soldier lacked a prestigious background. Being accepted into Vesta's private army was a blessing for him, and he didn't want to bring any trouble to his family back home. Only the captain held enough authority and power to challenge a scion of wealth like Desmond.

As for the stolen glances at Annie, the soldier couldn't help but gulp, his desires stirring. He was young, and it was natural for him to be attracted to her beauty. Struggling to control his impulses, he slapped his own thigh in frustration upon witnessing Desmond's departure, his desires left unfulfilled.