The Most Satisfied Reincarnate-Chapter 292: The Registration Period Ended
Suddenly, a powerful surge of energy rippled behind Lydia, causing her radiant smile to fade and her complexion to turn pale. The air crackled with an otherworldly presence, sending a shiver down her spine.
Desmond’s expression grew solemn as he instinctively channeled the natural energy around him, his hands poised to defend against the impending threat. Determination etched across his face, he braced himself for what was to come.
Lydia, upon hearing the voice, immediately attempted to rush toward Desmond, driven by an overwhelming sense of urgency. But her body defied gravity, hovering helplessly in mid-air. The ripple behind her twisted and contorted, revealing a sinister Expert Spell: Gate. Numerous shadowy hands emerged from the darkness, seizing hold of her and halting her desperate escape.
"Help!" Lydia cried out weakly, her once-bold demeanor now replaced with vulnerability reminiscent of when she was captured by Desmond’s subordinates. Her magenta eyes, wide with a flicker of hope, locked onto Desmond’s gaze while her body inexorably inched closer to the gaping gate.
Meanwhile, Desmond remained motionless, torn between his affection for this enigmatic girl and his inability to discern her true intentions. His unwavering gaze remained fixated on the ominous black gateway, searching for answers within its depths.
Furthermore, Desmond couldn’t fathom how someone could breach the security of his home, considering the presence of Felix, his trusted bodyguard, and an accomplished second-class swordsman. It seemed inconceivable that an intruder could infiltrate unnoticed.
"Boy, do not meddle in my family affairs," the voice from beyond the gate echoed, reinforcing Desmond’s decision not to intervene. The moment the unknown figure spoke, the pitiful expression on Lydia’s face dissipated, replaced by a mixture of defiance and disdain. She cast a final look of reproach toward Desmond before willingly stepping into the gate.
Just as her body merged with the dark portal, Lydia abruptly halted, her resolve faltering. With a snort of indignation, she exclaimed, "Hmph! You will regret this!" At that precise moment, the wooden door swung open, revealing a striking young woman dressed in vibrant red, causing Lydia’s eyes to widen in disbelief.
"Young master?" Laura, the newcomer, swiftly positioned herself beside Desmond, wary of the mysterious black-haired girl who was only halfway through the gate.
Lydia’s countenance grew cold, her gaze oscillating between Laura and Desmond, before she finally succumbed to the inevitability of the gateway, her form blending completely into its murky abyss.
Unperturbed, Desmond remained composed, patiently awaiting the dissipation of the gate. His mind filled with questions, uncertainty lingering like a shadow.
"Young master, here is your meal," Annie, who had just entered, appeared bewildered by the tension radiating from Laura’s face and the intense scrutiny directed at empty air by Desmond.
"Take the meal back; I shall join him in the underground," Desmond commanded, turning away and leaving the wooden room, leaving Annie bewildered by the enigmatic turn of events.
...
As Desmond descended into the underground, he was greeted by a harrowing sight—Felix, his loyal butler, lay injured, a gaping hole pierced through his body.
"What happened?" Laura stepped forward, tending to Felix’s wounds and assisting him to stand.
Felix’s face turned pallid, his butler’s attire stained with the evidence of his injuries. "I apologize, young master. An unforeseen incident occurred when I was escorting that brat."
He proceeded to recount the events that unfolded from the moment he had retrieved the unconscious Clark, leading up to the sudden, inexplicable phenomena. Caught off guard by
the unexpected assault, Felix suffered wounds that now threatened to diminish his once-imposing stature. In the aftermath, a blinding light engulfed the room, accompanied by a deafening roar.
When the radiance dissipated, Clark had vanished, leaving behind only the gaping hole that pierced through the ceiling. Felix dared not meet Desmond’s gaze, burdened by the weight of his own shortcomings. The pride he once held as a fourth-class swordsman had been irreparably shattered, leaving him feeling nothing more than a feeble old man serving as a butler within the household.
Meanwhile, Desmond remained composed despite the gravity of the situation. His analytical mind kicked into action as he meticulously examined the escape location and commanded the system to scan its surroundings.
"Detected abnormal energy readings in the vicinity," the system reported, unable to ascertain the precise nature of the energy. "Classifying as unclassified energy and saving in the database..."
"I knew it," Desmond muttered, a somber expression casting a shadow over his features. He pivoted on his heel and spotted Annie’s arrival.
"Have you erased his memory as instructed?" Desmond inquired, his voice laced with an undertone of urgency.
"Yes, young master. I followed your orders precisely, leaving him with fabricated memories," Annie replied nonchalantly, her countenance frosty as she observed the bewildered Felix.
Satisfied with her response, Desmond nodded and placed a comforting hand on Felix’s shoulder, whispering softly into his ear, "Please, do not repeat the same mistakes. I’m already at my limit."
As Desmond departed with his maids, Felix, finally snapping out of his daze, bowed in farewell to the fading figure of his master. His gaze then shifted toward the gaping hole in the ceiling, a silent reminder of the events that had unfolded.
...
Meanwhile, as Desmond and his loyal subordinates reveled in the success of their mission, shocking news spread like wildfire throughout Helmfirth City. The city’s ruler, Lord Greyson, publicly declared the occurrence of a brutal massacre that had taken place the previous night, plunging the civilian populace into a state of panic. The city’s soldiers were seething with rage, their fury further fueled by the loss of their own family members during the onslaught.
Lord Greyson swiftly mobilized every available soldier, including the formidable Vesta and his subordinates, in a relentless pursuit of the culprits. For fifteen days straight, the city remained on high alert, with tireless patrols scouring every inch of the cityscape. Fear gripped the hearts of the citizens, causing them to retreat indoors, shrouding the once-thriving city in an eerie silence.
Then, a ray of hope pierced through the darkness. Violet, the city lord’s wife, made a long-awaited announcement— the Aristocratic Technocracy Organization, the group that had plagued the city for far too long, had been eradicated. The news served as a catalyst, liberating the burdened civilians from their fear and restoring a sense of joy and normalcy, as if the tragic massacre had been forgotten.
However, with the fall of the organization came a tumultuous shift in the city’s economy, particularly within the bustling Market District. Prices skyrocketed for essential goods, while secondary commodities like clothing, jewelry, and other non-essentials experienced a sudden decline in value. Strikingly, even the poorest of citizens found themselves adorning necklaces, briefly transforming their appearance to that of the affluent.
Surprisingly, Greyson decided to hold a temporary festival, injecting a renewed vibrancy into the city’s atmosphere. He called back the soldiers to partake in the festivities, effectively curbing any further decline in the economy. The festival also attracted an influx of newcomers, particularly aspiring young individuals eager to register in the academy.
With their arrival, the economy experienced a momentary resurgence, returning to a state of stability. However, this period of relief was abruptly cut short by an unexpected announcement from the academy— the registration period had come to an end. The portal in the Military District was once again activated, diverting the attention of the citizens towards their children’s fate and aspirations.
