The x2 button lets you toggle battle speed acceleration. It has three modes:
➡️ Battle speed x1 — characters fight at normal speed.
➡️ Battle speed x2 — characters fight twice as fast.
➡️ Battle speed x3 — characters fight three times as fast.
Battle speeds unlock progressively:
×1 — available from the start;
×2 — unlocked after completing The Dwarf Fort expedition;
×3 — becomes available after starting the Mungard expedition.