The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Not long after Veronica's departure, the carriages resumed their leisurely progress, making their way toward the barracks. The sight that greeted Desmond was a mix of individuals clad in commoner attire, their hands firmly gripping swords as they slashed at a dummy target.

Their movements appeared somewhat stiff, betraying their status as either fresh recruits or commoners fortunate enough to have connections within the barracks. Desmond could discern at a glance that these were not seasoned soldiers; their lack of finesse was apparent. Yet, such was the nature of the barracks, a place where only those with the proper affiliations could gain access.

It was a necessary precaution, as any infiltration by spies would pose a significant threat to the security of the establishment.

Despite the multitude of people present, Desmond noticed a scarcity of actual soldiers. Perhaps due to the brightness of day, most of them were dutifully engaged elsewhere. As the carriages jolted and eventually came to a halt, Desmond stole a glimpse through the window, witnessing Vesta alighting from her carriage accompanied by their daughter.

They scanned their surroundings before making their way toward Desmond's carriage.

"Ah, our journey concludes," Desmond mused, casting a satisfied gaze upon the room. If not for Vesta's claim, he would have gladly regarded this luxurious carriage as his personal sanctuary. Taking a moment to observe, he continued, "Prepare to disembark; it's time to leave this carriage behind."

The maids swiftly began packing their belongings, deftly stowing away books, furniture, plates, and glassware in large bags. Meanwhile, Desmond patiently awaited their completion, when suddenly, a new transparent screen materialized before his eyes.

[Detected a new location!]

[System initiating area scan!]

As Desmond read these words, a strand of his energy instinctively surged forth from his body, spreading outward to encompass the surroundings. The process was brief, with his energy promptly being reabsorbed.

[Map updated!]

[Location: Helmfirth City – Military District]

Acknowledging the notifications with a nod, Desmond had long anticipated the system's activation, yet it had remained dormant since his arrival in the city. Glancing at the hovering map in the corner of his vision, he beheld a detailed depiction of the city's intricate structure.

Helmfirth City was partitioned by imposing walls into four distinct districts, each delineated by a hovering nameplate. The first district was the Residential District, followed by the Military District, the Market District, and finally, the Guild District.

From the appearance on the map, it seemed the walls that divided the districts did not unduly restrict movement, serving more as symbolic boundaries.

Suddenly, a red dot materialized on Desmond's display, pinpointing the location at the city gate where he had first entered. Desmond's gaze narrowed as he took a seat on the bed, fixing his attention on the ominous dot. Annie and Laura, almost finished packing their belongings as well as those of their young master, paused briefly, sensing the shift in their master's focus.

Meanwhile, Vesta and Diana encountered interruptions along their path, exchanging pleasantries with various officers who approached them along the way.

Unperturbed by the distractions, the red dot continued its relentless journey, venturing beneath the tunnel that interconnected the four districts. Upon reaching the tunnel's midpoint, Desmond discerned a crossroads leading in different directions. Above the walls, a prominent castle adorned the map, though he momentarily disregarded it.

The red dot, now captivated by Desmond's unwavering attention, veered southward, heading toward another tunnel that acted as a gateway between the residential and market districts.

The red dot continued its relentless forward movement until it reached the gate leading to the bustling market district. Although Desmond couldn't witness the detailed scenery through the map, the nameplate and three-dimensional illustration provided enough information for him to make a judgment. However, just as the red dot entered the market district, it abruptly vanished into thin air.

At that same moment, Desmond's view was disrupted by his attentive maids.

"Young master," one of them called out. "We have finished packing."

Desmond redirected his focus to the physical world. All their belongings had been cleared away, leaving behind only a simple bed and a modest set of chairs. His books and some of his hanging clothes that usually adorned the walls were also gone. Desmond shook his head briefly before speaking, "Well done." He rose to his feet, retrieving the sword lying beside him. "Let's go."

Although Desmond had no idea where the red dot had disappeared to, the presence of the market district served as confirmation of his suspicions. It was likely the base of the evil organization, as he had been referring to them, albeit with a cooler name in mind.

...

As Desmond swung open the carriage door, Vesta and Diana were approaching. Their surprise was evident when they saw Desmond and his maids laden with numerous bags in their hands.

"Greetings, Sir Guardian," Desmond spoke with a bow, his maids following suit, lowering their skirts slightly and inclining their bodies further forward.

"Hello, Master Desmond," Vesta responded, taken aback. He hadn't expected Desmond to greet him with such respect upon seeing him, prompting Vesta to unconsciously return the gesture with fondness.

On the other hand, Diana found their interaction astonishing. Although she was accustomed to witnessing her father's subordinates address him in a similar manner, Desmond's deference presented a new perspective for her.

"As you can see, we have arrived in Helmfirth City. However, I must retrieve my carriage and make arrangements for my daughter's accommodation," Vesta paused momentarily. His duty was akin to that of the mercenaries, to ensure Desmond's safe arrival in the city. He hadn't promised them a house or a place to stay.

Furthermore, Vesta had heard that the academy's testing period was still a month away, a lengthy stay for him in the city. He had no knowledge of Desmond's plans, aside from his mention of needing to make preparations, which had motivated them to hasten their journey.

However, Vesta couldn't fathom leaving a child alone in this city, especially with the presence of numerous criminals and the headquarters of the evil organization.

"Yes, I am aware," Desmond replied nonchalantly. He had been aware of this matter from the outset of their journey, which was why he had brought Laura and a substantial sum of money along. Unlike his older sister Alice's situation, when she had arrived in the city, the registration period was nearing its end, allowing her to wait only one or two days before taking the test.

Once she became a student of the academy, her safety was guaranteed, as the academy provided each student with a dormitory. Otherwise, most of them would have perished.

This predicament wasn't unique to Desmond. Standing not far away, Gregory and his mother wore expressions of concern.

In their desperate bid for favor, they had hoped to curry the princess's favor, believing it would secure them a place to stay. Little did they know that the princess had been whisked away by an acquaintance soon after their arrival in the city. To make matters worse, even the shameless Clark, Desmond's friend, had joined their entourage.

Observing the troubled expression on Vesta's face, Desmond spoke in a reassuring tone, "It's alright. You know my maid is quite capable. Coincidentally, he also registered as a mercenary at the guild."