The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

The dazed maid stood frozen for a brief moment, her mind struggling to regain composure before snapping back to reality.

"Ah... I do apologize, young master," she stammered, her voice laced with a touch of unease. "Please allow me a moment to make the necessary arrangements."

As her trembling hand reached for the doorknob, the heavy door suddenly swung open with an eerie creak, causing her to emit another startled shriek. "Ah..."

Turning swiftly, Desmond found himself confronted by the unexpected sight of three individuals making their way into his chamber.

Among them, one stood out as a presenter, distinctively clad unlike the remaining two who exuded an unmistakable aura of protective bodyguards.

"We deeply regret the intrusion, young master," the presenter hurriedly began, a sense of urgency underscoring his words as if afraid Desmond might flee. "However, we have arrived to deliver the goods you had previously requested."

Desmond maintained his composure and responded nonchalantly, "No problem. The maid will handle the payment."

Still reeling from the shock of the sudden visitors, the maid gathered herself and swiftly stepped forward. "Yes, young master. Pardon me," she muttered, promptly exiting the room to arrange the necessary financial matters.

Retaking his seat, Desmond observed intently as the trio made their way inside, bearing an iron cage that confined an elf within its confines.

"Not bad," he remarked, narrowing his eyes as he noticed faint but discernible marks on the elf's wrists and neck—red circles neither excessively severe nor overtly conspicuous. "It appears you have put in quite the effort."

"Hehe...hehe... young master, it was a relatively simple endeavor," the presenter replied, a smile playing across his lips. "We stumbled upon her right by the border barrier."

Motioning for the two bodyguards to assume their positions, the presenter continued speaking.

Curiosity danced in Desmond's eyes as he raised an eyebrow. "So, you found discarded treasure on the streets and then polished it to enhance its value? How intriguing."

His interest piqued, Desmond inquired further, "How long will it take to transport this 'item' to the capital city? I've heard tales of untamed creatures causing disruptions for travelers along the lengthy road leading to the capital."

The presenter's confidence gleamed as he responded, his tone brimming with pride. "Fear not, young master. It's an effortless task. With our auction team in motion, we can reach any corner of the northern kingdom."

Seizing the moment, Desmond rose to his feet, his wine glass in hand, and approached the iron cage. Bending down, he peered intently into the elf's captivating visage.

"May I touch it?" Desmond inquired, his gaze never leaving the presenter.

"I regret to inform you, young master," the presenter replied, a touch of deference in his voice, "prior to the formalization of the contract, we are unable to permit any physical contact from the opposing party."

Desmond's frown deepened, on the brink of voicing his disapproval, but the presenter swiftly interjected, determined to rectify the situation.

"Rest assured, this elf is of the finest quality, young master. She remains untouched, a virgin," the presenter stammered nervously, hesitant to offend Desmond with his next suggestion. "Perhaps... uh... if the young master wishes, you could... um...

sample her charms?"

Desmond eyed the presenter with suspicion, his mind racing. "If that's the case, why do I see so many scars etched upon her body?" he pondered. "Or could it be that this elf attempted numerous escapes, prompting the guards to restrain her repeatedly?"

Resuming his seat, Desmond silently awaited the return of his maid, lost in his thoughts.

After an agonizingly long wait, a knock resonated through the room.

"Excuse me, young master, it's me..." the maid's voice trailed off as she stepped into the chamber, instantly perceiving the tense atmosphere between her employer and the young master.

The boss exuded anxiety, while the young master regarded the elf before him with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny.

"I have brought your bag, young master," the maid announced, laboring to drag a weighty pouch of coins into the room. The guard stationed outside the VIP room gasped in awe at its sheer size, mirroring the astonishment etched across the boss's face as he beheld the wealth contained within.

"Wow... riches," the presenter murmured, watching as his maid and a guard assisted in carrying the bag brimming with gold coins.

Meanwhile, Desmond's attention remained fixed on the motionless elf before him, resembling a lifeless puppet devoid of expression or even a blink.

"Fascinating... this enchantment seems remarkably potent," he mused inwardly, his gaze still fixed upon the elf. Turning his attention back to the presenter, he inquired with curiosity, "Hey, what kind of spell did you employ to ensnare her in this state?"

Caught off guard by Desmond's piercing gaze, the presenter snapped back to reality from his reverie of wealth.

"Ah, truth be told, young master, the spell we employed isn't overly potent; a basic hypnotism spell suffices since elves are classified as ordinary beings," he replied honestly.

With a hint of concern, he added, "Ah, if you'll excuse me, young master, may I ask if you have attained the status of a 1st wizard? Otherwise, controlling this slave might pose a slight challenge," his voice laced with genuine worry.

Confidently, Desmond responded, "No problem. Although I haven't yet attained the level of a 1st wizard, my energy stands at the 2nd wizard level, so there's no cause for concern."

The presenter visibly relaxed upon hearing this, diverting his attention towards the maid who stood dutifully with the money bag.

Desmond's gaze shifted towards his maid as he questioned her, seeking reassurance. "Is all of this real?" he inquired.

"Yes, boss," she replied with unwavering certainty.

"Good," the presenter chimed in, a smile gracing his features as he redirected his attention to Desmond. "Young master, may I inquire if you have ever entered into contracts with other slaves before?" he asked, his hands resting comfortably on his stomach.

"Slave? Contract? Could it be a demon?" Desmond pondered internally, contemplating the various possibilities.

He then responded aloud, endeavoring to maintain a composed demeanor. "Contracts? I have only entered into contracts with the guild," he stated, striving to convey a sense of normalcy.

Unperturbed, the presenter found no cause for alarm in Desmond's answer. After all, many adventurers eventually abandoned their pursuits due to the arduous nature of the profession.

"And what of a contract with a slave, young master?" the presenter probed once more, seeking absolute clarity.

"Never," Desmond replied firmly.

"Excellent," the presenter exclaimed, a note of relief evident in his voice. "That simplifies matters."

Desmond observed intently as the presenter retrieved a scroll, reminiscent of the one Katrina had once employed, yet devoid of any mystical radiance this time.

"Shall we relocate to the nearest table?" the presenter suggested, gesturing towards a small, two-person table.

The two of them settled into their seats, and the presenter proceeded to unfurl the scroll he had retrieved.

As the scroll unveiled itself, a wealth of information regarding the captive elf materialized. The elf's name, species, and even physical dimensions were meticulously recorded.

However, Desmond's discerning gaze detected an anomaly—the elf's name remained conspicuously absent. "What is the meaning of this?" he wondered silently. "Did they fail to acquire the necessary information?"

"Is this the appropriate procedure, young master?" the presenter inquired, emphasizing the significance of the scroll. Its purpose was to substantiate the ownership of the elf. Without it, a slave owner risked having their property seized and subsequently re-auctioned.

Having familiarized himself with the regulations concerning slave ownership, Desmond adhered to the steadfast rule that demanded relinquishing the slave's status while still within the confines of the North Kingdom's territory.

This measure served to safeguard against any treacherous plots concocted by the enslaved against their human captors.

Desmond directed his query towards the presenter, seeking confirmation. "So, all that remains is for me to shed some blood, and this elf will become mine?"

The presenter's smile grew even wider, exuding a genuine warmth. "Yes, indeed, young master. Once the full payment has been made, the auction house will undertake all the necessary paperwork and facilitate the transfer of ownership rights and property to you."