I can evolve everything

On the street, the wind swirled up a few withered leaves.

When I returned to the hotel, it was almost sunset.

The setting sun on the distant horizon dyed most of the sky blood red, adding to the somber atmosphere of the small town.

The two pushed open the door, and the hotel lobby was much noisier than when they left.

Several tables of adventurers, who had just returned from outside, were loudly boasting about their day's haul.

Renn shook the dust off his cloak and glanced across the hall.

Karen was sitting at a round table near the fireplace.

But he was not alone.

Sitting opposite him was an old man, also dressed in armor.

At first glance, you might think he is an old soldier who has just retired from the army and is now listlessly worrying about the rest of his life.

Thinning white hair clung to his scalp, which was covered in brown spots; his eye bags sagged like waterlogged sacks; and his knight's robe, which should have symbolized glory, was washed until it was faded.

In contrast, Karen, sitting opposite him, also looked weathered, but her middle-aged physique and sharp demeanor made the two seem like they were from completely different eras.

"You're back?"

When Karen saw Ryan and the other man, she didn't get up; she simply pointed to the empty seats with her wine glass.

"Please sit down. Let me introduce you."

Karen pointed to the old man opposite her, her expression turning serious.

"This is Sir Harold. Sheriff of Ironwood, and the only official knight here. Although his arthritis may be more famous than his swordsmanship, thirty years ago, he was a formidable figure who could charge into battle on horseback."

"Karen, please spare me."

Sir Harold gave a wry smile, his voice hoarse and lisping.

He raised his glass tremblingly to the two young men in greeting.

"Greetings, Sir Harold."

Renn and Ella gave a knightly salute, then pulled out chairs and sat down.

"Two promising talents." Harold's eyes lingered on the two for a moment, a hint of envy in his voice. "Young, full of energy... unlike my bunch of lazy soldiers who only know how to slack off and extort merchants."

He put down his wine glass, sighed, and the wrinkles on his face deepened into deep furrows.

"Let's get down to business," Karen tapped the table, interrupting the old man's musings. "Harold, I remember you said you hadn't found any trace of Barron?"

"I'm ashamed, old friend." Harold shook his head, placing his hands on the table. "I sent out all the patrols, and even a few clever scouts to check the abandoned farmhouses around town. Nothing found."

His voice gradually lowered:

"Baron... he's a ghost. Over the years, the lords of several surrounding territories have hated him to the core. He killed their tax collectors, hanged their private soldiers, and even dared to burn the duke's coat of arms. Even His Majesty the Duke has repeatedly increased the bounty. But no one has been able to catch him."

"He knows this land too well. He knows which paths to take to avoid patrols, which caves to hide in. More importantly, his strength..."

Harold glanced at Karen, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes:

"Three years ago, I led a team to ambush him. It was a night of torrential rain, and I was with twelve fully armed soldiers and two battle mages. The result..."

The old man paused, took a large gulp of wine, and seemed unwilling to recall this unpleasant experience.

"In the end, he single-handedly scattered my team with a rope and a strange weapon. I hate to admit it, but even you, Karen, might not be able to beat him if you're careless."

Renn frowned slightly.

For a formal knight to be so wary, even admitting that a twelve-man squad couldn't stop him, this "Gallows" is probably even more terrifying than the rumors suggest.

"That's because you're old, Harold. You haven't even drawn your sword yet, and they've already put a noose around your neck," Karen sneered, seemingly displeased with her old friend's attempt to boost the enemy's morale.

"Perhaps," Harold didn't refute. "Anyway, I have no information about his whereabouts. If you hadn't come to me today, I wouldn't even have known he was back near Ironwood Town."

"We have the information."

Raine's calm voice broke the silence.

Harold paused, then turned to look at the young man. Karen, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Tell me about it."

Ryan and Ella exchanged a glance.

Ella had secretly taken a plate of grilled sausages and was busy eating them. She gestured to Rein with her lip, indicating that he should speak.

"We found out from the Adventurers' Guild," Raine said calmly. "Baron was there three or four days ago. He didn't stay in town; instead, he bought some supplies and headed north."

"North?" Harold frowned. "There are only swamps and..."

"The Misty Swamp," Raine continued, "and his purpose seems to be related to the fact that the dead are resurrected in the swamp."

"The dead have come back to life?!"

Harold's hand trembled, and some of the ale in his glass spilled. His face instantly turned deathly pale.

"Damn it... I knew those rumors were true. Lately, herb gatherers have been saying they've seen moving corpses at the edge of the swamp." The old man took a deep breath, his expression turning extremely uneasy.

"It's very likely a necromancer or some evil entity. If that's true, then Ironwood Town is in danger."

"And that madman Baron actually went to judge resurrected dead people?" Karen stroked the rough stubble on her chin, her voice flat. "That's in line with his character. In his outdated legal code, disrupting the order of life and death is probably a serious crime."

So, he's in the swamp.

Karen gave a summary.

He turned his head and looked out the window at the dark night sky to the north.

It is less than a day's journey from Tiemu Town.

"Looks like we'll have to find a different mode of transportation tomorrow." Karen looked away and made the decision. "Horses can't get into the swamp; those muddy puddles will break their legs. We'll have to walk."

"I'll go too." Harold suddenly stood up, his movements somewhat labored, but his tone was urgent:

"Since this involves a threat of the undead, as the sheriff, I cannot stand idly by. I can assemble the guards, and even request reinforcements from the surrounding lords..."

"Sit down, Harold."

Karen reached out and placed a hand on her old friend's shoulder.

With just a light press, Harold had to sit back down in his chair.

"Your old bones can't take any more strain; you'll be stuck in the mud on your first day in the swamp. Besides, your soldiers will probably just die," Karen said mercilessly.

"The swamp terrain is complex, and having too many people could actually cause some problems."

"But……"

"No buts. Leave it to me." Karen pointed to Ryan and Ella beside her. "Me and my two students are enough. We're going to capture people, not to fight. The fewer people, the quieter the commotion."

Harold looked into Karen's determined eyes, opened his mouth, but in the end just nodded dejectedly.

"Alright...you're right," the old man said bitterly. "I am indeed old. I will look after your horses and luggage. If...if you haven't returned in seven days, I will ask Sunset City for help."

Karen grabbed the flask on the table: "There's no need for that. We're just going to take a look tomorrow. The swamp is so big; catching Baron in one go is too much of a matter of luck."

He turned around and waved to Ryan and Ella.

"Go back to sleep after dinner. We'll set off early tomorrow morning. Remember to take off your plate armor and put on light leather armor instead."