Ch.51Hunting #1

“Yes. It’s surprising, but I suppose the reluctance is unavoidable.”

While the wine tasting itself was a success, if asked whether we had opened up a market, I could only shake my head.

Even if the taste was excellent, the image of dark elves was so poor that it couldn’t be helped.

Helena pressed her lips together, seemingly disappointed.

I shared her disappointment, but probably less so than her. Despite being the originator of the idea, I wasn’t particularly troubled.

I felt only a mild regret, as if I were watching someone else’s problem.

“So time is the answer, after all.”

“I suppose so. We’ll just have to work on it gradually and let it settle in.”

In the end, time would be the answer.

I nodded in agreement with Helena’s solution.

Even if it was a passive approach, I couldn’t think of a better method at the moment.

The best course of action would be to wait until rumors spread about the wine the Duke enjoys, and let people develop interest on their own.

“Alright. Let’s leave this topic here. It’s not particularly uplifting, but since we’ve come up with a plan of sorts, there’s no need to rack our brains over it. Besides, nothing else comes to mind, so it would just be a waste of time.”

“That’s true.”

Even if we wait for rumors to spread, I wondered if there was anything else we could do.

I stared blankly out the window at the falling snow, lost in thought.

Since it was winter, the harvest season had passed, and only minor tasks like clearing snow from the roads remained.

However, even those chores would be handled by others or the people staying in the territory, so I was essentially completely free.

So, if I could do something brief during this idle time…

“Ah.”

“Hmm? What is it? Did something happen…?”

Helena, who had approached very close while I was lost in thought, asked with concern.

Setting aside the fact that she was subtly wrapping her arm around my waist and pressing her body against mine, her voice was clearly one of worry.

And even if she had ulterior motives, that was fine. During such a leisurely time, I could understand her desire to seek comfort through physical contact.

In a world with few amusements, ways to alleviate boredom were bound to be primal.

It’s just that right now, resolving the question that had crossed my mind took precedence over Helena’s intentions.

“No. Nothing’s wrong… I just thought something might come up soon.”

“Come up? What kind of thing?”

“Monster hunting. I was thinking we might try it ourselves.”

I took Helena’s hand that was wrapped around my waist and tilted my head slightly.

If I wanted to look her in the eyes while talking without leaving her embrace, this was the only way.

“Monster hunting? But that’s Margrave Riesling’s responsibility. Do we really need to…”

Margrave Riesling.

A count from a family that had declared neutrality for generations, and someone with a somewhat unusual disposition who valued the preservation of the country over loyalty.

There were various rumors surrounding the Margrave, saying his intentions were inscrutable, but I couldn’t help but find it fortunate.

The fact that he regularly entered the vast forest to cull monsters and prevent their numbers from growing excessively.

And in this world, loyalty to the country often meant loyalty to the royal family, but his ideology differed from that, which I appreciated.

While it might be dangerous depending on the circumstances, I thought it was admirable how he demonstrated true patriotism.

“…Ah. I see. You want to go and try to improve the perception of dark elves, even a little bit, regardless of whether it works or not.”

“Yes. You understand me well without me having to explain.”

“That’s because I’m your woman, and you’re my man. I can easily understand such thoughts.”

Helena emphasized the latter part of her statement, her face flushing.

She was someone who preferred being dominated rather than dominating, so this was understandable.

Although lately, Helena had been increasingly demanding of me, her fundamental nature hadn’t changed.

“What about the expedition? How many people should we gather?”

Haah—. Without realizing it, Helena brought her lips to my ear and exhaled a hot breath.

It seemed like the seduction of a courtesan I’d only heard about. And with an inescapable sensuality that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

I turned around, embraced Helena face-to-face, and slowly spoke.

“We can form it like a mercenary group. Just a few leaders, including dark elves…”

“If you’re planning to go, take me with you. I’ll speak to my father in advance. It feels wrong to burden him, but he’ll understand this much of a selfish request.”

Helena expressed her intention very firmly, as if she had read my thoughts.

The fact that she was willing to pass work to her father, Is, showed that she had made up her mind in that brief moment.

Or perhaps she had been thinking about it for a while.

Either way, it wasn’t a bad idea.

There was no need to do something foolish like pretending to be kidnapped with Helena as I had done before, and above all, this was a good time with not much to do.

Additionally, having a Sword Master join would ensure greater safety.

Normally, one should strongly discourage a duke from entering a dangerous cave, but the Helena I knew was a woman with more formidable power than monsters.

So while caution was necessary when entering a monster’s lair, there was no need to be overly tense.

“What power do I have to oppose you? If Helena wants to do it, then we’ll do it.”

“That’s a lie.”

Helena smiled broadly and narrowed her eyes, seemingly bothered by my words.

Reading the light in her eyes, she seemed desperate to be held right now.

“How can I believe that the only man who dominates me has no power?”

She began to pour out her pure desire without filtering it through her brain, perhaps because she was becoming increasingly aroused.

It was a moment of witnessing words being formed by reflex rather than thought.

While there are many strange things people say that make you wonder if they’ve passed through the brain, this seemed somewhat different in nature.

Her nature, craving affection, was devouring her mind, turning her into a mere speaking beast.

“Where did you hear such things?”

“From the dark elves. They’ve experienced many harsh things and are women who will live long lives… they told me many stories. Anyway, about that…”

I had noticed her speech and actions had become uninhibited lately, but I never imagined they were involved.

I gave up on persuasion and tightly embraced her waist, thinking I should comfort Helena first.

If she were rejected without a special reason, the timid Helena would surely become depressed after repeated self-blame.

If that happened, I would naturally have to comfort her, so it was wiser to accommodate Helena right now.

◎◎◎

The next day. We rode horses to Ellen’s dwelling to carry out our planned task. We didn’t use a carriage as it was too conspicuous and grand, and brought only two horses.

Helena’s expression was very bright as she rode her horse in the morning sunlight. Occasionally, she would stroke her belly and her cheeks would redden.

It would be quite awkward for someone who knew the situation to react, so I quietly followed behind her. After all, I knew the full context.

—Oh come on! I said let’s finish quickly, why are you dragging it out like this?!

As we approached Ellen’s dwelling, we heard loud chattering.

It seemed like something was happening given the raised voices, but judging by the cheerful tone, it appeared to be light banter.

Helena seemed to think the same, as she naturally dismounted, tied her horse to a tree, and walked straight toward the cabin.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the increasingly loud chatter.

—S-Sorry. But staying vigilant even in peacetime is what a mercenary should…

—We’re not children, we know that! And we understand Ellen’s feelings too! But can we eat first, please?! It’s already past mealtime!

—O-Okay…

There’s no business like hunger, as they say.

Olivia’s not-quite-complaint was perfectly reasonable, and the other women chimed in with a word or two in agreement.

Thanks to that, we could see Ellen cornered alone and struggling. It was quite a sight to see.

“A-Ahem. I apologize for the unseemly display. I didn’t expect visitors so early in the morning…”

A little later.

After finishing her meal, Ellen cleared her throat awkwardly and prepared two cups of tea.

Perhaps because it was brewed with herbs, it had a sweet yet elegant aroma. Unlike black tea, the taste was clean and easy to drink.

“That’s true. We came without notice. I apologize.”

Helena began the conversation by bowing her head in apology.

This made Ellen wave her hands in embarrassment once more, but since there was no shame involved, a much more stable atmosphere flowed.

“A-Anyway… Since you’ve come so early in the morning, do you have some business?”

“Yes. I rushed here hoping to invite you all to join a monster hunt.”

“Oh?! Monsters…?”

As expected, Ellen straightened her posture as soon as the word “monster” was mentioned.

She might have participated in monster subjugation a few times in her life, but compared to her years, that ratio must have been very low.

This was evident from the fact that she had made her name as a mercenary rather than a monster hunter.

“Monsters, is it? What sudden wind has blown your way?”

“There are several reasons… but a big one is that I want to get some fresh air outside. I’m still at an age where I want to wander around.”

“Hmm… Well, you are certainly young enough, Duke. And with your combat ability, it must be stifling to be cooped up indoors.”

Ellen nodded in understanding at Helena’s roundabout explanation.

The desire for fresh air wasn’t a lie, so Helena’s voice carried conviction.

It was the power unique to someone speaking the truth.

“How far do you plan to go with this hunt?”

“Our maximum goal is to hunt trolls. But I expect orc hunting will be the main focus. As you know, they have the highest reproduction rate.”

“That’s true. Their hides are good for skinning and using… Among high-grade materials, they’re quite common, so they’re very useful.”

Beyond the Margrave’s territory that we’re targeting lies a monster paradise.

It’s called a paradise not because it’s a good environment for monsters, but because monsters swarm there.

Various monsters form groups there and live according to the primal principle of survival of the fittest… but among them, the orcs’ reproduction rate is truly remarkable.

Even as they’re being eaten by their own kind, humans outside the ecosystem still need to be wary of them.

“Very well. Since the Duke has come to ask this favor, it would be difficult to refuse, and moreover, these winter days are when farmers rest.”

Unless there were greenhouses, which this continent lacks.

So it was natural to farm in accordance with the seasons, and resting in winter was a result of following that principle.

That’s why Ellen nodded readily.

“Thank you. We’ll take care of the camping supplies and preparations, so you all just need to bring your personal belongings.”

“Understood. How many people are you planning to bring? A small group? Or are you thinking of forming an expedition?”

“Just your mercenary group, myself, and Jion will join. I’ve already spoken to my father and received his permission.”

It was more like reporting than asking permission, but permission is permission.

Is also nodded readily, suggesting he hadn’t completely stepped away from work in preparation for such occasions.

He might have wanted to indulge his daughter’s whims, but that’s just my fantasy.

Since I couldn’t read Is’s thoughts, I could only speculate on his reasons.

However, I didn’t think my speculation was entirely wrong.

I had seen with my own eyes how Is had observed Helena’s bright expression and the satisfied look in his eyes because of it.

“A small group, then. Well, that seems wise in a way. Both you, Duke, and Lord Jion are quite capable fighters, so it’s good not to risk unnecessary casualties by forming a large group. Though that means our share of the spoils will be limited.”

“Indeed. With fewer people, there will be a limit to how much loot we can carry. Even if we hire people locally to serve as porters, that limit will be clear.”

While I’m reluctant to bring soldiers from our territory, I don’t mind hiring people from the Margrave’s territory.

They would be people who consider the balance of money and threat before approaching, so the burden of taking them along would be greatly reduced.