The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

A resounding crash reverberated through the room as the door was forcefully slammed shut, filling the space with a jolt of sound that demanded attention. Elizabeth's swift departure was accompanied by a fleeting glimpse of hesitation in her steps, as if torn between conflicting emotions.

Relief washed over Desmond as he witnessed Elizabeth's departure. "Let us prepare to return home," he declared, his voice laced with a mix of weariness and resolve. He turned to face Laura, who had been harboring a secretive smile, seemingly amused by the unfolding events.

"But... what about Annie?" Laura's voice quivered with uncertainty as she dared to voice her concerns, momentarily forgetting her place until Desmond's piercing glare reminded her of her subservient position.

Observing Laura's compliance, Desmond took a pause before continuing. "It depends on—" His words abruptly halted as he received a message from Annie, a message that sent a ripple of concern across his brow.

"Master, I apologize for the failure. The spy is approaching our location in avian form," the message read.

Desmond's expression darkened. "Very well, return safely," he responded curtly, his mind racing with the implications of the spy's arrival.

"Let us depart; it seems our unwelcome guest has arrived," Desmond announced, his tone tinged with urgency.

"What? But how are we going to—" Laura's question hung in the air, interrupted by the sudden chanting of a spell from Desmond. In an instant, their bodies emitted a radiant glow before returning to normal.

"I understand what you wish to ask. In short, we have become invisible. Walk and move as the wind," Desmond explained, catching sight of Laura's bewildered expression. He knew the intricacies of the situation would be difficult to convey, especially considering Laura's naturally inquisitive and troublesome nature.

...

Meanwhile, Elizabeth, having hastily fled from Desmond's chamber, found herself outside the shop, grappling with the weight of her own embarrassment. Her desire to glean information from Desmond lingered within her, but her mortification prevented her from taking immediate action. She chose to bide her time, awaiting Desmond's return.

As Elizabeth waited, her father relayed a crucial piece of information. His friend, Grimm, was investigating an individual with a single hand—a revelation that coincidentally surfaced shortly after her encounter with Desmond. The minutes ticked by, and finally, the shop door swung open.

"Master Des—" Elizabeth's voice caught in her throat as she realized the figure before her was not Desmond, but someone else entirely. Confusion etched its way onto her features as she watched yet another person emerge from the shop's entrance.

Perplexed, her gaze fixated solely on the door, unaware that she had been inadvertently observing the ebb and flow of people for over an hour.

A sudden jolt of surprise coursed through Elizabeth as she felt an unexpected touch from behind. She spun around, her eyes widening as she laid eyes on Clark and his mother standing before her, the unexpected encounter catching her off guard.

"Hey, Eliz! What are you doing out here? Come inside," Yasi called out, her voice warm and welcoming. She stood beside Clark, carrying a bundle of clothes that she intended to stock in her shop.

Elizabeth's mind lagged, still caught up in thoughts of Desmond, causing her to miss the words spoken by Clark's mother.

Meanwhile, Clark, wearing a gentle smile, approached the confused Elizabeth. He reached out and grasped her hand, drawing her closer, his eyes locking onto hers.

...

-Town Square-

The midday sun beat down upon the town square, casting a tranquil ambiance amidst the sweltering heat. Merchants sought respite from the scorching rays by brandishing fans that effortlessly fluttered in the air, providing much-needed relief.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps caused their expressions to shift, anticipation flickering in their eyes. However, their excitement was short-lived, as the source of the noise dissipated, leaving behind only a gentle breeze that rustled through the deserted square.

"Sigh... it's always the same. The square quiets down, and the shops remain empty come afternoon," one merchant lamented, voicing their shared frustration.

"Who would brave this heat to go shopping anyway?" another merchant responded, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"What if we bring it up to the king?" suggested one, his voice filled with fleeting hope.

"Bring it up? Ask the king to erect a giant tent, perhaps?" another merchant chimed in, his words laced with laughter. The jest sparked a wave of mirth among the merchants, momentarily enlivening the once-deserted square. However, their laughter was abruptly cut short by a loud crash.

The crates in the center of the plaza tumbled over, sending a burst of bright light that momentarily dazzled their vision before fading away, leaving them momentarily blinded.

"Did something peculiar happen?" one merchant questioned, scanning their surroundings.

"Perhaps it was just a gust of wind?"

"Yes, that must be it..."

Observing the disarray of scattered crates, the merchants rallied to restore order, tidying up the items within. These crates housed unsold merchandise from the previous day, their mysterious allure holding hope that someone would be enticed to make a purchase.

Thus, nearly all the merchants arranged their labeled crates in the heart of the square, each proudly displaying their name and the contents of their wares, a vibrant tapestry of opportunities awaiting the curious passersby.

As Desmond and Laura ventured through the bustling town square on their way home, they attracted quite a bit of attention. Laura, unaccustomed to blending in, cheerfully greeted and accidentally collided with passersby, much to Desmond's annoyance.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration, thinking that if he hadn't exhausted his Power Boost the day before, he wouldn't have required the assistance of this bothersome maid.

Nonetheless, they managed to navigate their way through the crowd and reach home without any major incidents. However, their luck quickly took a turn when Laura inadvertently collided with a conspicuously placed box in the center of the town square.

Faced with the sudden attention and potential exposure, Desmond swiftly invoked a spell, creating a diversion that caused both of them to vanish from sight, leaving the bewildered onlookers wondering what had transpired.

This unforeseen event left Desmond in a foul mood, and he found himself yearning for silence, avoiding any unnecessary interaction with Laura. They resorted to communicating through magical messages, speaking only when absolutely necessary.

...

After a few minutes of walking, Desmond and Laura arrived at the grand gate of their estate. Desmond had sent a message in advance to the gatekeeper, instructing them to open the imposing doors for their arrival.

The guards stationed at the estate, having served the Desmond family for many years, were accustomed to their masters' peculiarities and carried out their duties without question. Oblivious to the true nature of their masters, they assumed that the gate had been opened to showcase the grandeur of the estate.

With minimal attention drawn, Desmond discreetly entered his home, the guards none the wiser to the clandestine nature of their arrival.

...

Upon reaching the main entrance, Desmond dispelled the concealment spell, causing the radiant glow that enveloped them to gradually fade away. Laura knocked on the door, and it swiftly swung open, revealing a group of Desmond's diligent maids. Their expressions shifted to concern and worry as they took in Desmond's condition.

Some, like Annie, displayed their apprehension through their gaze alone. Desmond, however, paid little mind to their reactions, going about his usual routine unfazed.

...

After changing into fresh attire, reiterating the events that had transpired, and having a meal served by the attentive maids, Desmond finally retreated to the comfort of his room.

This time, instead of Laura, a senior maid accompanied him, providing support as he settled onto the bed. After inquiring if there was anything else he required, the maid exited the room, leaving Desmond to his solitude.

Lying in his bed, Desmond found himself immersed in contemplation, the events of the challenging day replaying in his mind like vivid scenes from a theater production. He vividly recalled the heart-pounding pursuit by the relentless organization, seeking refuge at the guild, and the unexpected encounter with Elizabeth, which had led to a clever ruse to misdirect the spy and safeguard his home.

He couldn't help but acknowledge that this was perhaps the most demanding day he had encountered since his reincarnation. A wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he realized how swiftly his life had become entangled in a web of intrigue and danger.

"Oh, yes, how could I forget?" Desmond's thoughts abruptly shifted as he dispatched a message to Annie, seeking an update on the current situation and any further developments that required his attention.

...

Meanwhile, nestled within a dimly lit alleyway, a woman adorned in tattered garments with glimpses of exposed skin found respite amidst a grisly pile of demon corpses. The exhaustion of the day's endeavors weighed heavily upon Annie's shoulders, and she allowed herself a brief moment to catch her breath.

"Ah... I'm utterly spent," Annie murmured, her voice barely audible to the nocturnal creatures lurking in the shadows. "It seems that the young master has managed to outmaneuver the spy somehow, but he has yet to issue the order for my return."

A recent message from Laura had confirmed the safe arrival of Desmond and his entourage. In the Desmond household, even the maids possessed combat training, capable of fending off demonic threats. Annie herself was no exception, her prowess in battle rivaling that of Laura's, despite the latter's temerarious nature.

However, Laura's strengths lay predominantly in her mastery of witchcraft, making her less suited for close-quarters combat.

As Annie took a moment to regain her composure, her senses sharpened, ever vigilant for any signs of danger that might loom within the shadows. She knew that the night was far from over, and she would remain steadfast in her duty until the young master issued his next command.