The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

"What do you intend to do with them?" Desmond inquired, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Of course, f**k them!" responded the soldiers, their grins quickly fading as they realized none of their comrades had spoken those words.

Before they had a chance to identify their opponent, an eerie sensation spread from their chests. Their gazes dropped, only to discover an ice spike impaling through their hearts, emanating an icy aura that gradually encased their bodies in frost.

The soldiers fell simultaneously, causing Laura and Annie's eyes to widen in disbelief. They witnessed a figure shrouded in a radiant light materialize behind the fallen soldiers, swiftly snuffing out their lives.

"Young master," Laura uttered, her voice tinged with recognition. She attempted to rush toward the mysterious person but was halted by a hand placed gently against her face.

"What's the situation?" Desmond inquired, emerging from the luminous glow. To the maids' surprise, a young lady leaned against his back, triggering a flicker of familiarity within them.

"The manor and all the guards were swiftly slain. Felix and the surviving guards sought refuge in the Beasts' territory. As for us, we were unaware of the soldiers tailing us," Annie conveyed, providing a concise yet detailed report. Her confidence remained unshaken, anchored in her unwavering trust in her young master.

Laura, on the other hand, remained fixated on the enigmatic young lady perched upon Desmond's back, silently acknowledging her true identity.

"The Beasts' territory... Have you attempted to reach my parents?" Desmond queried, simultaneously activating his customized spell, enveloping Laura and Annie in a luminous aura that rendered them virtually invisible.

"Yes, Lady and Lord assured us they would find their own escape route. When they failed to establish contact with the young master and young lady, they dispatched Shelty as our messenger," Annie responded, maintaining composure as they sprinted at full speed towards the southwest—the location of the tunnel gate connecting to the outer beast territory.

"Hmm, this complicates matters. We'll leave Shelty behind and seek refuge in the outer beast territory for a while. I have a means of contacting her," Desmond mused, his decision not surprising Laura and Annie. They knew their young master would make the same choice if their roles were reversed. Yet, the final remark in Desmond's statement emanated a warmth that touched the depths of their hearts.

...

Thanks to Desmond's swiftness, it took only a few minutes to reach the southwestern gate. However, considering Annie and Laura's injuries, he reduced his speed, resulting in their arrival after approximately 30 minutes.

The bustling scene at the gate greeted their eyes—a throng of villagers seeking entry, undergoing inspection by the stationed soldiers. Although the incident had unfolded within the academy's confines, and Desmond had dispatched those soldiers in the valley, the City Lord's silence perplexed them, breeding skepticism.

"Are they still reeling from Weston's death?" Desmond pondered aloud, unable to comprehend the situation. Initially, he suspected it to be a trap, given the lack of protective enchantments around the portal.

But observing the nonchalant expressions on the soldiers' faces, he surmised that they had merely sent their covert operatives to capture and eliminate his subordinates. It was evident that they were caught off guard by Weston's demise, and their guard was down.

Laura and Annie watched the soldiers intently, their eyes shifting between the lifeless bodies and the surrounding crowd. At first glance, the fallen soldiers appeared unremarkable, devoid of any distinguishing features. However, the doubts that plagued them earlier dissipated upon reaching the gate undetected.

As they surveyed the bustling scene, teeming with soldiers and civilians, apprehension crept into their hearts. Taking a deep breath, Desmond broke the silence and led the way into the crowd, with Laura and Annie following closely. To their surprise, the crowd remained oblivious to their presence, even when their bodies inadvertently brushed against others.

Navigating through the throng, with the limited air and the pungent odor of sweat, they pressed forward for a few minutes until they emerged safely from the gate. Their senses were immediately greeted by a vast expanse of green meadows, caressed by the gentle breeze that refreshed their bodies and gradually dissipated the unpleasant stench.

The landscape was adorned with sparse trees, hinting at its suitability for defensive purposes.

Taking a closer look at the surroundings, Desmond now understood how Helmfirth city managed to withstand beast attacks. However, this realization furrowed his brow, for unless they ventured several kilometers away, finding a suitable hiding spot seemed improbable.

Glancing at the map, he noticed only a few remaining blue dots, which indicated the presence of Felix and the others, slowly making their way toward the outer beast territory. "If we disguise ourselves, the girl's appearance will surely draw attention, as her beauty is too striking for an ordinary commoner," he mused, his gaze scanning Laura and Annie's exquisite figures.

"Indeed, beauty attracts trouble wherever it goes, not only in the present but also in the future!" he sighed, foreseeing potential complications.

With limited options at their disposal, Desmond and his companions resigned themselves to traversing the terrain on foot, heading toward the nearest forest that could provide shelter. Their pace was noticeably sluggish, and by the time they had covered one-fourth of the distance, darkness had engulfed the sky.

"These grasses are vexing," Desmond grumbled, mindful of the fact that they had deliberately avoided the main road, which led to an open area landscape. Walking through the meadows demanded more stamina than they were accustomed to. He glanced back and noticed Laura and Annie slowing down, their injuries taking a toll as blood continued to seep.

"Stop here. We need to tend to your injuries first," Desmond declared, prompting Laura and Annie to immediately sink to their knees, gasping for breath as their chests rose and fell. The tattered state of their clothing only exacerbated their discomfort, as the chilly night breeze grazed their exposed skin. Suddenly, Laura's face flushed, and she sneezed.

"Apologies, young master," she murmured, her voice tinged with regret.

Just then, Alice, who had been carried on Desmond's back, began to stir. Her beautiful eyes gradually opened, gazing up at the starlit night sky with a sense of bewilderment.

"Brother?" Her once cute and childlike voice had transformed, now emanating an elegant and softly spoken tone, tinged with a hint of icy reserve. Her gaze shifted, recognizing the familiar scent that enveloped her.

"Good night, sister," Desmond replied, his voice carrying a mixture of affection and reassurance.