episode_0124

In front of Grand Duke Nova’s castle.

A select group of people gathered to enter the Rammus Steppe. The number of people was neither too large nor too small. The existing warrior party members, Charlotte, Zed, and Elin, were also present, and in the case of Ray and I, it was a must.

“The future of our principality depends on you.”

Cassid Nova himself came to the front of the castle. Because he is the archduke, he cannot be with me for many of the things I have to do, but it was the least I could do to come out like this.

“Baron Dran. Please take care of me.”

Grace couldn’t join because she had no fighting ability. But just that simple smile gives me strength. Although she couldn’t speak comfortably to me in front of her father, I could feel the deep affection in her voice. Grand Duke Nova also knew that his daughter was interested in me, but seeing as he didn’t seem that offended, he seemed to have accepted me to some extent. If I achieve merit like this, wouldn’t I be recognized and officially be able to have a grand duchess?

“But when will those people you spoke of yesterday, Baron, come?”

“Ah. Here he comes.”

I see mercenaries coming from afar with their hands outstretched.

“Hello!!!”

The voice was so loud that I could hear it very vividly up to this point.

“Were the people you spoke of the Red Dragon mercenaries?”

It seems that the Archduke also knows about that mercenary group.

“Are you surprised?”

“That’s right. Isn’t this a mercenary group that is considered the strongest because they choose the requests they want? You, Baron Dran, are able to succeed in requesting such people… … The more I look at it, the more amazing it is.”

As I was talking with the Duke, I realized that Kelly and other mercenaries had just arrived here.

“Meet the Grand Duke! Everyone bow your heads!”

“Hello!”

Bow your back at a right angle and bow as if you are attending a boss. Although he didn’t know the etiquette, he did his best to be formal as a mercenary.

“You don’t have to be so rigid. Anyway, I’m really grateful that the Red Dragon mercenaries are working hard for our principality. The reward will be generous.”

The Red Dragon mercenaries do not stay in just one place. Recently, it has been staying in the northern region where there are many requests, but it was a free organization that did not belong to any one party. So, unless they were the emperor or king, even the grand duke could not order them to do anything. Of course, an ordinary mercenary would have put pressure on them, but it was impossible to do that to the Red Dragon mercenaries.

“This is a favor for my friend, and there is no reason to refuse since it is life-threatening.”

“I didn’t know that you and Baron Dran were such close friends.”

“Hee hee. We are very close!”

Kelly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me close to her. I feel a firm bump on my shoulder. The mercenaries behind Kelly also look at me with curious eyes. Kelly may have been mean-spirited, but she would never have shown off her closeness to a man to such an extent.

“Is it Daron again?”

Zed mutters, his eyes widening as he looks at me. Kelly is a beautiful woman with amazing health. From the moment he first arrived, Zed secretly glanced at Kelly. Then, when he told me that he and I were friends, he showed me his male jealousy. Charlotte, looking at her lover like that, sighed slightly without realizing it. I wonder if it’s similar to Ray’s gaze, which gets annoyed when I show interest in other women. The difference is, I make it real… … Zed says that’s impossible? With Zed’s abilities, it wouldn’t be difficult to seduce women, but Charlotte has a tight hold on Zed in the first place. Since we are warriors and lovers, we have to endure that much.

“Keuhum. Kelly… … It’s in front of the Grand Duke, so should we do this?”

“Yes, yes.”

If I did this in front of the conservative Archduke, it could be negative, so I gave him a reasonable amount of notice. Kelly giggled and let me go.

“Now we will slowly leave.”

“Please take care of me. If you need anything right now, let me know right away.”

“I checked it several times.”

Anyway, everyone has gathered and preparations have been completed.

“Then, please take care of everyone.”

The Archduke saw them off until the end. I say hello to Grace again and start walking. It wasn’t a war, but it felt like going on a campaign. For no reason, the last demonic beast subjugation operation comes to mind.

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Our destination is Rammus Steppe. Since the carriage was too much and it would be too late to walk, everyone was traveling on horseback one at a time. At the forefront was, of course, the warrior Charlotte. Although I took the lead in this matter, the image of a warrior was still the same. There was no reason for me to take the lead, so I followed quietly.

It takes about a day or two to reach Rammus Steppe. It wasn’t that far.

“Daron. Shall I treat you?”

“I’m not sick, but something happened recently that made me tired.”

As the horse moves up and down while running, my butt naturally feels sore. There were places that were more tiring than that. Sex is sex, but… … Above all, is it because of the training that started a few days ago?

Thanks to Ray, no trauma remained.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

When the horse was unable to speed up due to the rough terrain, Zed slowed down slightly and spoke to me from behind.

“What’s going on?”

Zed asked me, slightly looking at Charlotte in front of him.

“Maybe you.”

“Zed! What are you doing there?”

“Oh, no!”

What is this?

Charlotte turned around and glared in this direction. To be more precise, it’s this Zed bastard. Zed was startled and sped up his horse as he turned towards Charlotte. What were you trying to ask?

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As the sun was setting, we arrived at the village near the entrance to the Rammus Steppe as scheduled. Without knowing that monsters were gathering on the other side of the prairie, there were a lot of people in this village. As it was a land of pioneering, many people immigrated here with big dreams. It was slightly south of the center of the Principality of Lancelot, so it was a relatively warm place.

“Daron. It looks like a real city here.”

It was just as Ray said. It could be said to be a village, but many people were pioneering land. Even if you just look around, you can often see inns, and there are as many crude but essential facilities as there are in the city, such as bars and restaurants. 20 years after Kasid Nova pioneered this place? 30? Considering that it was pioneered for about a year, it was developed really quickly. To be honest, I haven’t given up on the name ‘village’ yet, but I think it will soon be called a city.

“Wasn’t it a land of nothing even 50 years ago?”

“There was a small village. However, when Kashid Nova drove out the monsters here and cultivated good land, a good place to live was created.”

When I came here, I saw quite a few mercenaries who made a living by killing monsters, or farmers who farmed. In addition, there is a trade route with the Harb Kingdom nearby. Although merchants have been attacked recently, supplies that could not be self-sufficient have been brought from there. Instead, leather, fur, meat, etc. that can be obtained from monsters and beasts in the area are provided to the Harb Kingdom.

“Monsters are attacking such a lively place.”

“We came here to prevent that.”

“I think Daron is really great.”

“Me?”

“Honestly, something like this is impossible even if you are a hero. Because it’s a discussion, that’s what it is.”

Because Ray knew that I had returned, I knew that the monster invasion actually occurred in the previous episode. I didn’t see it in person, I only heard about it. Of course, I know that this place has been devastated. I heard that they were pushed all the way to the capital of the principality and were barely able to stop it.

“I’m just trying to stop it because I know.”

“That’s great.”

“I don’t know, but it makes me happy to hear Ray say that.”

“Honestly, it’s true that I came to like you because you were good at that. But, after seeing him a few times, he was definitely a cool guy.”

Ray looked around and couldn’t bring himself to say the word sex.

“If it weren’t for his flirtatious nature, it would have been perfect.”

Usually, a man who cheats gets slapped and broken up with. Or else, I will pray and get another chance. But I was this kind of guy from the beginning, and it became impossible for Ray to be separated from me. I may be a bit rough during sex, but I have to be nice to him in everyday life. This includes not only Ray, but also other women. Oh, except for the mean bitch.

“Hmm. Are you thinking of sleeping here for one night?”

It was early for me, but it seemed like they had found an inn while Ray and I were talking. I unpacked my bags and went back out because I had to eat dinner. There were many bars and restaurants open late at night. We decided to eat each meal. I had a meal with Kelly, Ray, and Eline. Eline also couldn’t get between Charlotte and Zed. Since we kept spending time together as a couple, we probably spent a lot of time alone when the three of us were traveling together. At this point, hasn’t it helped you get out of being a loner?

“I ate well.”

“Hee hee. Do you want to go on a boat trip tonight?”

Kelly made a circle with her fingers and then pretended to stick the fingers of her other hand inside them. Then the other two women’s eyes also lit up. Ray, of course, but Eline, this bitch isn’t hiding it anymore.

“I passed today. I have something else to do, so let’s play together.”

“Why?”

“It looks like someone wants to meet me.”

Where my eyes were directed, there was Zed. I was curious because it seemed like he was trying to say something to me earlier. It doesn’t seem like the intention is to harm me like last time, so would you like to hear what I have to say?