Regressor's Harem Of Vengeance-Chapter 37. Baron Harvard [1].

On the first day of the fourth week, Ray made his final preparations quietly.

He needed some updates regarding the Baron’s activities within his territory and his current relationship with other nobles.

Recently, there had also been some rumors regarding Baron Fluffybottom and Ray needed more information regarding these rumors.

So he made his way to a traveling merchant who was known to pass through Thornsville every month.

The merchant was a gossipy man and that made him the perfect target for obtaining valuable information.

The merchant’s name was Perry and he was infamous for knowing everything about everyone living within the territories of nobles, especially information about the nobles themselves.

Ray bought some dried meat and trail supplies from the merchant, but while Perry was wrapping the package, Ray steered the conversation carefully.

"I heard Baron Fluffybottom’s been in a foul mood lately," Ray said casually.

Hearing this, Perry snorted with a smile. "A foul mood? Ha! Kid, the man’s been in a rage for weeks now. Ever since someone had the balls to clear that dungeon he’d been eyeing for months, the Baron’s been absolutely convinced that Lord Harvard had something to do with it."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Lord Fluffybottom believes Lord Harvard did it just to spite him."

"And has Baron Fluffybottom done anything about it?"

"Done anything? Are you kidding me, Kid? He wrote three official complaints to the capital!! Yet, those geezers up there in the citadel barely cared about his weekly ranting and complaints." Perry said before leaning forward conspiratorially as he whispered.

"Between you and me, kid. I heard his steward said he’d pay good money to anyone, just to see Lord Harvard..." Perry trailed off before making a gesture of slitting his own throat.

Seeing this, Ray couldn’t help but smile innocently. "Oh really? It sounds like there’s bad blood between them."

"Trust me kid. It ain’t just bad blood between them. It’s the worst blood. Those two have hated each other for years, but now, the dungeon thing just made things worse."

Perry handed Ray his package before adding. "Mark my words kid. With the amount of bad blood between them, it will only be a matter of time before we start seeing heads rolling on the floor."

Ray smiled before paying for his goods and leaving.

But before he left, Ray asked about Baron Harvard as well.

He wanted to know where the Baron currently was and how long it would take him before he arrived at Thornsville.

That evening, Ray laid out everything he and Mira would need for their expedition.

He had gathered traveling clothes, weapons, supplies, and a few expensive healing potions.

Once they were done, the two decided to rest and soon fell asleep.

The next morning, Ray and Mira woke up earlier than anyone else in the village.

But Ray left a note for Helen on the kitchen table which said. "Mira and I have gone hunting. We promise to be back within three to five days. Love you, Mom."

It was a simple and ordinary letter.

It was the kind of note he’d left a dozen times before, whenever he and Mira were about to go hunting deep into the woods.

However, this was different because whenever he wrote such a letter, he and Mira would usually return that evening. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

But now that they would be gone for a few days, Ray knew that there was no way his mother and sister wouldn’t be worried about them.

But he had no other choice, so Ray shouldered his pack before stepping outside.

Mira was already waiting for him at the edge of the village with her spear strapped to her back and her bow strapped across her shoulder.

Ray approached her before asking. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah, I am." Mira nodded with a smile and Ray nodded as well.

"Alright then. Let’s go." The two left the village and walked quietly with their mind focused on eradicating one person... Baron Harvard.

*********

A few days later, a chariot along with a few guards could be seen driving along a pathway that led to a distant village called Thornsville.

Baron Evan Harvard was currently inside the chariot.

At first glance, anyone could tell that he was not a tall man.

He was just big and wide. In fact, he was incredibly wide and he had the kind of fatness that had come from forty years of eating whatever he wanted and whenever he wanted it.

He had never lifted anything heavier than a wine goblet and most times, he was always sitting in his cushioned chair, watching other people do his work while he relaxed with snacks and various desserts by his side.

He was fifty-three years old and he had a face that might have been handsome during his youth, but definitely not now.

Harvard had jowls that hung where his jawline was meant to be and his nose had developed a permanent red-like hue that showed what a dedicated drinker he was.

Even his grey eyes were in pouches of loose skin and his hair which was currently thinning had been carefully arranged to conceal the fact that it was thin. It had been oiled flat against his skull with a perfumed pomade that cost more, per jar, than most families in his territory earned in a month.

Harvard was currently wearing a magenta traveling coat with gold buttons.

Each button had been cast in the shape of his family crest and he wore seven different rings on his fingers.

Each ring represented the significant business arrangement he’d managed to conclude on his own over the years.

As for his boots, they were made from the leather of a Dire Wolf that he’d apparently hunted a long time ago.

Well, if by hunted, one meant paying four adventurers to kill the wolf while he watched from a safe distance, then yes, Baron Harvard had definitely done that to get these boots of his.

Harvard, according to his own estimation, was a man who had mastered the art of living well.

He was also the most efficient predator in the Northern borders, but he dared not utter these words out in public or even to anyone in private.

After all, if there was one thing the Baron had learned since he succeeded his late father a few years ago, it would be to never brag much more than was necessary, lest he find his head rolling on the ground.