Thirty men stood on the well-kept garden of the mansion, each of them donned a sword at their side, a shield strapped securely to their backs, and a mana-gun holstered for quick access. Ammunition pouches dangled from their belts,in case for any challenge that might arise during their mission.
Their stance was proof of their discipline, as they military saluted the men standing at the front. All of them were wearing armor, not plate armor as they usually would , but a less-heavy armor that would allow them to move without obstacles while providing them with a minimum of defense.
The soldiers' mana-guns, similar in design to an arquebus but longer, possessed a unique feature at the base of the handgrip—a replaceable stone. Each gun was equipped with a small, specially crafted crystal, carefully diminished to allow for a controlled burst of mana. This innovation prevented the destructive recoil that might damage the gun or, worse, harm the arms and hands of the user.
Each soldier carried an ample supply of these stones in their pouches, ensuring they had enough ammunition for the expedition.
The count's stern gaze swept over each soldier in the courtyard, his face etched with a bit of nervousness. Then, with a deep breath, he began to address them.
"Each of you has served my house loyally for many years, boasting a fantastic list of feats and unwavering loyalty to me. Today, I ask you to extend that loyalty to my son. I have decided to allow him to lead a scouting expedition on the outskirts of my fiefdom, where reports of monster sightings have surfaced. Your task will be to protect him and offer guidance should he make any mistakes. Understand this—should anything happen to him, you will face severe consequences. On the other hand, if he returns unharmed, each of you will be generously rewarded. Do you understand?"
The count's voice was coarse but steady, and he put each soldier on salute. As they shouted in unison, their response echoed through the courtyard, a resounding affirmation of their commitment.
"YES!"
Hearing that the count nodded, before seeing with the tale of his eyes, his son leaving the mansion with his mother in tow.
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As I walked out of the mansion, my mother's worried grumbles fell to my ears
"Pay attention to your surroundings, Favian," she began, her tone laced with concern. "Keep heed of your men's suggestions; they've been doing this work for years and are seasoned veterans. And, darling, if something dangerous stands in your path, run."
I nodded wearily, my mind already overwhelmed and a bit excited as I wanted to see with my own eyes the beasts that I would be fighting against. It wasn't that I disregarded her advice, but that her worries were mismatched as yesterday the more I thought that more I became sure that father would never send me somewhere dangerous .
None of my noddings however convincer her and as she continued to speak, I found myself longing for the solitude that would soon come when the mission would start.
''Don't worry mother, I am the last person that would desire death, I prefer very much so life, it's so lively while death seems a bit of an obituary'' I said tried to make her calm down with a joke
Seems like she did not like it one bit....
As I made my way toward the thirty men assembled in the mansion's garden, my father walked up to me. His expression held a mix of pride and worry . "Good luck, son," he said, patting my shoulder before joining my mother, who threw daggers at him with her eyes.
The tension between them was palpable, and despite my own worries about the scouting expedition, I couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for the familial tension playing out before me, just a pang though....
Entering the waiting carriage, I found myself a bit surprised by its elegant interior. The carriage was adorned in pristine white, and the seats were cushioned for comfort.It was strange , I excpected something a bit more....rough?I mean it was not like I was going to a party.
Knowing that time was of the essence, I couldn't linger in the luxurious carriage for too long. With a deep breath, I issued the command that set the wheels of our expedition into motion.
"SOLDIERS, COMMENCE FORWARD!"
The response was swift and disciplined. Thirty men mounted their horses, forming an organized procession behind and in front of the carriages. In the midst of them, a smaller carriage carried essential supplies for our journey and the impending mission. The rhythmic thud of hooves echoed through the air as we began our march into the unknown.
Inside the carriage, however I was not alone as I found myself accompanied by a knight in full armor named Roy. His rugged face, marked by the experiences of battles, and short black hair gave him a no-nonsense appearance. The name Roy, while perhaps sounding a bit ordinary for a knight, was his name nonetheless and I could see his irritation on his face as I gave a short snort upon hearing the name.
Roy bowed respectfully, acknowledging his duty to protect me as assigned by my father. "Young master, I am at your service. Your father entrusted me with the task of ensuring your safety," he stated with a hint of formality.
Nodding absently, I then requested, "Roy, would you mind marching alongside the soldiers? I appreciate the gesture, but I'd like some time alone for the journey, you know?"
Roy, understanding my preference, replied, "Of course, young master. I'll keep a watchful eye from a distance. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call for me."
"Thank you, Roy. I just want to relax a bit and perhaps catch some rest during the trip. It's not easy with someone watching me all the time," I explained.
"Understood, young master. I'll be with the soldiers, ensuring everything goes smoothly," he assured me before bowing again and making his way to join the marching troops.
Finally, some alone time...''Oi, you've been pestering me since the start of this morning. Can I know what the hell you want?'' I asked Baalkaroth, who had been persistently trying to get my attention while I was in the company of others.
The devil grumbled a bit before replying, ''I just found something that may interest you, and I merely wanted to share it.''
''Well? What are you waiting for then?'' I asked impatiently, as the prospect of getting some rest during the journey was genuinely appealing.
''What? Do you really expect to receive it for free? Come on, I thought you were better than this?'' he said with a short laugh.
''Just as I thought, I really can't stand you... Well? What is this information about?'' I said, kneading my forehead—an old habit of mine whenever stress started creeping in.
''Nothing much, just wanted to let you know... soon we will get near a dungeon...'' he said with a short, ominous laugh.
''What's so funny about it? And why would I pay for such information?'' I asked, not understanding where this conversation was going.
''Puny human, this dungeon is filled with the smell of my brethren, and a strong one at that. It seems like it's also populated with other low-level monsters...''
''How many?'' I asked, a sinking feeling taking hold as I didn't like one bit what was about to come out of Baalkaroth's mouth.
''Nothing much, just a few thousand.''
''...Bloody fucking hell, I really can't catch a break.''