Finally Setting Off to Resolve the Incident!
Before the gates of the Nova Ducal Castle, the selected group had gathered to enter the Rammers Great Plain. It wasn't too large or too small a number.
Charlotte and Jed from the original hero party were there, along with Elinne, while Ray and I were of course mandatory participants.
"The future of our duchy rests on your shoulders," Kasid Nova said, coming out to the castle gates in person. As grand duke, he had too many duties to join us, but showing up like this was the bare minimum courtesy.
"Baron Dran, please take care of it," Grace said. Lacking combat ability, she couldn't come along. But that single smiling face of hers gave me strength. She couldn't speak casually to me in front of her father, but I could feel the deep affection in her voice.
Kasid Nova knew his daughter was interested in me, but seeing he wasn't upset about it, he must have acknowledged me to some degree. If I pulled this off perfectly, I'd earn full recognition and could claim the grand duchess's hand officially, right?
"By the way, when are those people you mentioned yesterday arriving, Baron?"
"Ah, there they are."
In the distance, I could see the mercenaries approaching with arms raised high.
"Hellooooo!!!"
Their voices boomed so loud and clear, it reached us vividly.
"Those are the ones you mentioned? The Red Dragon Mercenaries?"
The grand duke seemed to know of them too.
"Surprised?"
"Indeed. They pick and choose commissions as they please, making them the strongest mercenary group around, no? To successfully hire them... Baron Dran, the more I see of you, the more impressive you become."
As I exchanged words with the duke, Kelly and the mercenaries arrived.
"We greet the Grand Duke! Everyone, bow your heads!"
"Hello!"
They bent at right angles like they were greeting their boss. They didn't know etiquette, but they'd done their best to show respect in their own mercenary way.
"No need to be so stiff. Still, for the Red Dragon Mercenaries to lend their strength to our duchy—I'm truly grateful. We'll reward you generously."
The Red Dragon Mercenaries didn't stay in one place. They'd been lingering in the northern regions lately due to commissions, but they were a free group unbound to any faction. Unless it was the emperor or a king, even a grand duke couldn't command them. Pressuring ordinary mercenaries might work, but not these guys.
"It was a favor for my friend, and lives are at stake. No reason to refuse."
"I didn't know you and Baron Dran were that close."
"Hehe, super close!"
Kelly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me tight against her. I felt her firm, perky tits pressing into me. The mercenaries behind her eyed me with curiosity. Kelly had a big mouth, but she'd never paraded her closeness to a guy this openly before.
"Daron again?"
Jed muttered, his eyes widening as he stared at me.
Kelly was a stunning beauty overflowing with healthy sex appeal. From the moment they arrived, Jed had been sneaking glances at her. But when he heard she was my friend, he shot me some male jealousy. Watching her lover like that, Charlotte let out a subtle sigh without realizing it. Maybe similar to Ray's glare when I showed interest in other women.
The difference? I made it reality... while Jed couldn't.
Jed's skills could probably snag women easily, but Charlotte had him locked down tight. Being the hero's lover meant putting up with that much.
"Ahem. Kelly... in front of the grand duke, maybe tone it down?"
"Fine, fine."
Acting up in front of the conservative duke could backfire, so I gave her a subtle hint. Kelly giggled and let me go.
"Well, we'll be off now."
"I leave it to you. Speak up if you need anything, even now."
"We've double-checked everything."
With everyone assembled and preparations complete...
"Then good luck, all of you."
The duke saw us off to the end. I exchanged one last greeting with Grace and started moving.
It wasn't war, but it felt like a formal departure. The previous magical beast subjugation came to mind unbidden.
...
Our destination was the Rammers Great Plain. No carriages—they'd be useless—and walking would take too long, so everyone rode their own horse.
At the lead was, naturally, hero Charlotte. I'd spearheaded this, but the hero's image demanded it. No need for me to take point, so I followed quietly.
It'd take a day or two to reach the plain. Not too far.
"Daron, want me to heal you?"
"Not hurting, but lately I've been worn out from stuff."
Bouncing up and down on the horse made my ass ache naturally. More than that, though, something else was sore. Sex was one thing... but maybe the training that started a few days ago? Thanks to Ray, no external wounds lingered.
"Hey."
"Hm?"
When the rough terrain slowed the horses, Jed lagged back a bit to talk to me.
"What's up?"
Jed glanced warily at Charlotte ahead before asking.
"You, uh."
"Jed! What's taking you?!"
"N-nothing!"
What was that about? Charlotte turned and glared back. More precisely, at this Jed punk. He flinched and spurred his horse to catch up with her.
What was he gonna ask?
...
By sunset, we reached the village near the plain's entrance as planned. Unaware of the monsters gathering there, it was bustling with people. As frontier land, many had migrated here chasing big dreams. Slightly south of central Lancelot Duchy, the climate was relatively warm.
"Daron, this place is like a real city."
Ray was right. Too developed for a mere village—people were pioneering everywhere. Just a quick look showed inns aplenty, taverns, eateries; crude but essential facilities rivaled a city's.
For 20 or 30 years of development since Kasid Nova started it, this was lightning-fast. Honestly, it was just clinging to the "village" label; soon it'd be called a city.
"Fifty years ago, this was empty land, right?"
"There was a tiny settlement. But Kasid Nova drove out the monsters, cleared good farmland, and built this livable haven."
On the way in, we'd seen plenty of mercenaries hunting monsters for a living, or farmers tilling fields. Plus, trade routes to Hab Kingdom ran nearby. Merchants had been attacked lately, but until then, they'd imported essentials unavailable locally. In exchange, they supplied Hab with hides, fur, and meat from local monsters and beasts.
"Monsters attacking such a thriving place..."
"That's why we're here to stop them."
"You're really amazing, Daron."
"Me?"
"Honestly, even a hero couldn't pull this off. It's because it's you."
Ray knew about my regression, so she knew the monster invasion had actually happened last time. I'd only heard about it, never seen it. This place had naturally become a wasteland. They'd barely stopped them from reaching the ducal capital.
"I know it's coming, so I'm stopping it."
"That's what makes it amazing."
"Not sure, but hearing you say it feels good."
"Honestly, yeah, your skills at that made me fall for you. But after seeing you a few times, you're definitely a cool guy."
Ray glanced around, unable to say "sex" outright.
"If only you weren't such a playboy, you'd be perfect."
Normal guys who cheat get slapped and dumped. Or grovel for a second chance. But I've always been this way, and Ray couldn't leave me even if she wanted. I could be rough during sex, but normally, I'd treat her well. Same for the other women. Except the wicked bitches, of course.
"Hm? Planning to stay the night here?"
It was early for her, but while we talked, she'd apparently booked an inn. Bags unpacked, time for dinner, so she came back out.
Tons of bars and late-night eateries. We agreed to eat separately. I dined with Kelly, Ray, and Elinne. Elinne couldn't squeeze between Charlotte and Jed again. Couples always hogging time alone must've left her solo often. Wasn't I freeing her from loner status?
"Good eats."
"Hehe, wanna do some pussy squats tonight?"
Kelly made a circle with her fingers and poked another finger through it. The other two women's eyes lit up. Ray was expected, but Elinne wasn't hiding it anymore.
"Pass tonight. Got something else. You three have fun."
"Why?"
"Someone wants to meet me."
My gaze landed on Jed. He'd seemed about to say something earlier, so I was curious. Didn't feel like it'd harm me like last time, so maybe hear him out?