Ironboot Town.
Warm sunlight streamed through the somewhat dusty windows of the Old Oak Tavern, falling upon wooden tables and tin mugs filled with ale.
In one corner of the tavern, the atmosphere was particularly lively.
"Cheers! To our narrow escape from death, and to our fortune!"
Kelvin raised his glass high, his face beaming with an unprecedented genuine smile.
"Cheers!"
Bloom slammed his massive, fan-like hand heavily on the table, his face flushed red as he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! To little Elara's swing."
Elara's cheeks were rosy, a mix of excitement and slight embarrassment.
Kelvin downed the ale in his mug in one gulp, exhaling contentedly.
"Friends, aside from our good fortune and teamwork that got us back alive with such a big haul, we owe thanks to one person."
He paused, his voice filled with sincere gratitude, "'Miracle' Yano! He was the one who pointed us in the right direction."
"That's right! To 'Miracle' Yano!" Bloom raised his glass again.
"To Mr. Yano." Elara added softly.
Meanwhile, at the corner of the bar counter, a traveler's hand holding a water cup paused slightly upon hearing the name "Miracle Yano."
This woman had light brown long hair simply tied behind her head, revealing a face with somewhat sharp but very heroic features.
Her sitting posture was straight as a spear, and even her low-key attire couldn't conceal the military bearing etched into her bones and the faint noble demeanor.
Beside her, her companion, a lean and efficient-looking warrior, was vigilantly observing their surroundings.
Alice put down her cup, turned around, and cast her calm gaze toward Kelvin's table.
"Sorry to disturb you all, I haven't been to Ironboot Town for a long time. I heard you mention 'Miracle' Yano... Who is he?"
Kelvin, who was in high spirits, immediately responded enthusiastically when someone addressed them, especially a woman who appeared distinguished and heroic:
"Oh? You've heard of our Ironboot Town's legendary figure too?"
"Is this Mr. Yano someone who once served as a knight squire?"
Kelvin's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh.
"Yes, yes! That's him! Arno Belmont! You know him?"
Alice shook her head slightly.
"No, I've only heard the name. Thank you for telling me."
"Good luck to you all."
She stood up, nodded slightly to Kelvin and the other two, then walked directly toward the tavern entrance with her adjutant and pushed the door open.
The afternoon sun lazily bathed the area outside Ironboot Town. In the distance were mountains terraced into fields, dotted with golden wheat waves and emerald green orchards.
Nearby, a clear stream babbled past, several mill windmills turned slowly, and white-walled, red-tiled farmhouses emitted wisps of cooking smoke, creating a peaceful and idyllic scene.
Alice and her adjutant walked out of the town gate and stood by the roadside. She took a deep breath of the air scented with earth and fresh grass.
Adjutant Karen followed behind her and couldn't help but ask quietly, "Commander, that Yano in the tavern just now... Is he really that young man from the border garrison reserves back then?"
"It should be him."
"'Miracle' Yano... Surviving in such a place and finding a way to make money truly deserves to be called a 'miracle.' It's just a pity..."
"Pity?" Karen didn't understand.
"Petrification Disease. That's why he had to withdraw from the knight training camp."
"It's a slow and cruel noble curse. It requires expensive alchemical potions to delay and cannot be cured. No amount of wealth can probably buy back a healthy body and... too much time."
"It's very regrettable. He could have become an excellent knight... May Cardos watch over this poor talent."
As they were talking, Ironboot Town's sheriff, a middle-aged man wearing a leather breastplate, ran over panting heavily.
"Commander Alice! You're here. Why did you go to the tavern?"
Alice turned around, her expression returning to official business-like calmness.
"Sheriff Veller, good afternoon. I just stopped by to see Ironboot Town's adventurous atmosphere and understand the local situation."
She changed her tone, becoming serious, "Additionally, I've received the latest report from the border garrison."
"The weather station has observed signs of large-scale mana turbulence in the Corrupted Miasma Mountains region recently, which is likely to trigger persistent heavy rain."
"Summer is approaching. Ironboot Town is located in a downstream lowland and close to the swamp forest. You'd better make preparations in advance."
Sheriff Veller's face stiffened, sweat instantly appearing on his temples: "Yes! Yes! Thank you for the reminder, Knight Alice! I'll go arrange it immediately!"
Not daring to delay, he hastily saluted and ran back into the town.
Watching the sheriff leave, Alice said to Adjutant Karen, "Let's go. We still have a mission."
Karen looked at the sheriff's retreating back, then couldn't help but glance toward the swamp forest.
"Commander, aren't we going to check the swamp and those Corrupted Lizardfolk suddenly wandering near the Reed River bank?"
"No. Corrupted creatures are extremely troublesome, tenaciously resilient. Killing them consumes too much time, and that swamp..."
She paused, as if recalling something.
"...is far more dangerous than it appears. Without detailed maps and sufficient antidote potions, recklessly venturing deep into the swamp and getting lost is tantamount to suicide."
Adjutant Karen showed clear astonishment upon hearing this.
"Even you... aren't confident about crossing that swamp?"
In his mind, this knight from the border garrison, powerful and firm in faith, was almost a symbol of invincibility.
Alice glanced at Karen, her eyes calm and unruffled, showing neither annoyance at being questioned nor any boastful intent, simply stating facts.
"My strength is sufficient to handle most threats in the outer regions. But to penetrate the core area, face unknown Magical Creatures and poisonous mist, and still find my way out alive, the success rate is very low."
"Even the mighty legion commander wouldn't attempt such foolishness."
She mounted her horse smoothly and agilely.
"The mission is urgent. Those cunning rats of the 'Rusty Key' won't be foolishly waiting for us at the outpost ruins. Catching their trail isn't easy; we can't miss this clue."
She pulled the reins, her gaze calmly fixed on the distant Corrupted Miasma Mountains shrouded in mist, appearing gloomy and mysterious.
Only she knew that tracking the "Rusty Key," the thief guild active in the border ruins, wasn't her sole purpose for this trip, nor even her main purpose.
The outpost ruins—this name weighed heavily in her heart.
It was once a border fortress during the White Horse Kingdom's glorious era, later abandoned by the kingdom after frequent outbreaks of uncontrollable mana turbulence turned it into a dead land.
For over a decade, it had become a graveyard for Adventurers and a breeding ground for illegal activities.
She accepted this mission to hunt the thieves ostensibly for the border garrison's duty.
But deep down, what drove her to this borderland was her elder brother, who had disappeared in Ironboot Town over a decade ago—a legion knight who also worshipped Cardos.
She recently received some clues that her brother's last known location was actually at the outpost ruins.
For over a decade, there had been no news—no trace of him alive, no body found.
This time, no matter what dangers and secrets the ruins held, she would enter.
Even if all she found in the end were weathered bones, she had to give him, and the family, an answer.
Alice gripped the silver sword pendant on her chest.
Witnessed by Cardos, courage and protection were the vows she would never forsake.