The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

After what felt like an eternity, the carriages finally pulled up to the grand gate, revealing a long, ominous tunnel shrouded in darkness. Flickering torches cast eerie shadows, illuminating the path ahead. Desmond's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight. He couldn't fathom how to navigate this foreboding tunnel, especially given the nonchalant demeanor of the soldiers leading them.

Desmond noticed that he wasn't the only one bewildered by the imposing tunnel. Even Clark stood there, mouth agape, staring at the vast passage that lay within the city walls. As the carriages continued their forward motion, Desmond couldn't help but observe the tunnel more closely.

Approaching the gate, Desmond noticed how it seamlessly connected to the towering walls that loomed behind it. Below these imposing fortifications, a tunnel had been carved out, serving as a thoroughfare for him and the rest of the group. His gaze also caught sight of other entrances to the right and left, tantalizingly beckoning with untold secrets.

Though the carriages never halted, the passing glimpse of the left entrance revealed a bustling district, filled with buildings resembling residences. It appeared as though the common folk resided here peacefully, as if this area were a haven untouched by the bureaucracy of governance and commerce. Desmond's curiosity piqued when he spotted yet another tunnel at the far end of the district.

The structure and layout of the city fascinated Desmond. In his previous life, he would have likened this area to a district—a vibrant neighborhood within a larger metropolis. Having never ventured beyond his hometown, Desmond possessed little knowledge about the outside world, save for fragments of historical lore and the formation of cities.

His companions shared the same wide-eyed wonder. Laura clung to a small window nearby, while Annie, with a shy demeanor, discreetly positioned herself beside Desmond, peering through the gap between his arms. Desmond shifted to the side, allowing Annie an unobstructed view of the district's scenery. As he made way for her, Annie blushed momentarily before stepping forward to occupy his previous spot.

Fortunately, the coachman and leading soldiers sensed the need for a more leisurely pace, and the carriages slowed down, basking in the adoration of the countless children waving excitedly from the left district. Despite the tunnel's subterranean nature, there was no shortage of fresh air, dispelling any notion of stuffiness.

The inhabitants seemed to relish this brief respite from the direct touch of sunlight.

However, as time wore on, the novelty of the scenery began to fade, both for the passengers and the passing landscape itself. The carriages gradually regained their momentum, forging ahead as interest waned.

Unbeknownst to them, just as they resumed their journey, a separate group of soldiers arrived from the opposite direction, their carriage a striking sight amidst the vastness of the tunnel. The passage, wide enough to accommodate a thousand people, remained undisturbed by the addition of a few carriages obstructing the thoroughfare.

Though the newcomer's carriage boasted a certain luxury, it paled in comparison to Elizabeth's exquisite carriage, leaving a sense of incompleteness and inferiority in its wake. The royal soldiers quickly took notice, promptly relaying the news to Vesta and Elizabeth, ensuring they were kept informed.

As they awaited further developments, Desmond leaned against the cool tunnel wall, his gaze fixated on the small window. Through it, he caught a glimpse of an affluent group of individuals disembarking from the newcomer carriage, an air of high society enveloping them.

The newcomers comprised a middle-aged man and woman, with a teenage girl positioned between them. From an external perspective, the man appeared to be in his forties. He possessed a commanding stature, towering over Vesta, a skilled swordsman of the third class. His facial features, though slightly handsome for a man of his age, were not exceptional compared to the average men in their vicinity.

The woman, on the other hand, lacked the beauty that Desmond's mother possessed. It was difficult to determine her age precisely. She had a well-defined figure with a notable posterior, and her short purple hair added a touch of uniqueness to her appearance.

As for the teenage girl, she seemed to be around Desmond's age. Her height mirrored Elizabeth's, and her curly, waist-length hair featured a captivating blend of purple and brown hues. Her big, stunning white eyes fixated on Desmond's group. With her slender cheeks and hourglass figure in the midst of growth, she would undoubtedly stand out even among the likes of Diana and Elizabeth.

In Desmond's estimation, her appearance was on par with both of them.

The trio was dressed in noble-like attire, indicative of their high-class status and their association with wealthy or heroic families akin to the Grimms. However, their garments seemed out of place for the present circumstances, as they stood waiting for Elizabeth's arrival.

"Greetings, Your Highness," the newcomer immediately saluted upon Elizabeth's arrival, accompanied by Vesta, her royal soldiers, and Clark.

"Hello, Uncle Grey, Aunty Violet, and..." Elizabeth's polite demeanor was evident as she addressed the pair, prompting a soft nod in response.

Upon making eye contact with the teenage girl, Elizabeth's face lit up, and the girl reciprocated with a bright smile before rushing forward.

"Eliz!" The girl embraced Elizabeth, causing her parents to smile wryly and offer their apologies.

"Ah, it's been a while, Gabriela." Elizabeth's warm smile and gentle tone conveyed her affection as she lovingly ran her hand through Gabriela's mixed brown and blue hair.

Meanwhile, in another carriage, Desmond's attention was piqued by their interaction. Although he couldn't discern their conversation clearly, he gathered that they engaged in lighthearted banter.

However, what truly astonished him was their decision to block the road. Shouldn't they have entered the so-called castle before indulging in a reunion? Desmond glanced at the expressions worn by the others, including Clark, and realized they shared his incredulity.

Fortunately, this peculiar delay didn't persist for long, as if they had suddenly come to their senses. The group returned to their carriages. Yet, when the carriages finally set into motion, Elizabeth's carriage followed closely behind the newcomers, while Desmond and Vesta's carriages were directed toward the right side of the entrance.

"Such an endearing family," Desmond remarked with amusement, observing the departure of the newcomers alongside Elizabeth. He glanced at his maids and noticed their adoring gazes fixated on the direction of the newcomers. It appeared that only women truly understood each other, Desmond mused silently before shifting his attention to the scenery outside.

While the left side entrance boasted residential houses, the right side boasted only four structures, all occupied. Dominating the area was a barracks, encompassing the majority of the space. Within its confines, a large training ground unfolded, adorned with numerous scarecrow dolls serving as targets, as well as a handful of wooden target circles for archery or magical practice.