I can evolve everything

The journey back to Ironwood Town from the Misty Swamp the next day was not long. Raine and his group set off in the morning and were already close to the gates of Ironwood Town before noon.

Based on the information the adventurer gave yesterday, the mysterious person who issued the commission should still be in Ironwood Town. In order not to alert the enemy, Karen did not choose the wide main gate.

The experienced old knight led them on a long detour, until they arrived at the inconspicuous western side gate of Ironwood Town.

This area is usually only used by large carts transporting charcoal and livestock, so the guards are relatively lax.

But today's situation is clearly different.

Before even getting close to the city gate, Renn noticed that the number of sentries on the city wall had doubled.

The guards seemed unusually attentive today, watching everyone who approached the city gate with tense expressions.

"Halt! Who goes there?!"

Upon seeing Rein and his entourage approaching from a distance, several guards immediately raised their crossbows and shouted to stop them.

Karen stepped forward, pulled down her hood to reveal her face, and raised the knight's badge on her chest.

"Look closely." The old knight's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling, authoritative air. "It's me."

The guards were taken aback for a moment, then recognized the important figure.

"Sir Karen!" The lead guard quickly lowered his crossbow, but his tense expression remained. "I'm sorry, sir. Sir Harold has given a strict order to thoroughly check everyone entering and leaving, especially strangers who look like wild knights."

"Harold?" Karen frowned. "Is he wary of Barron?"

"Yes, sir," the guard shouted from the city wall, "the sheriff hasn't slept for two days because of this."

Karen nodded without saying anything more. He gestured to the wounded behind him: "These are survivors we encountered at the edge of the swamp. We need to get into the city, so don't make a fuss."

"Understood, understood! Open the door quickly!"

Once inside the city, the tense atmosphere became even more pronounced.

There are now significantly more patrols than when Ryan first arrived, and they patrol the streets in orderly formation, searching for anyone who resembles Barron.

"It seems Harold is terrified by that madman." Ella looked at all this and curled her lips. "With such a big fuss, Baron won't be able to get in unless he can turn invisible."

"Don't underestimate Barron," Karen said in a deep voice. "That bastard's specialty is popping out from the most unexpected places. Harold strengthening the city's defenses is a good thing for us. At least those rats hiding in the shadows won't dare to make a move."

For safety's sake, Karen did not bring the adventurers back to the inn.

There were too many people and too many eyes there. If the mastermind behind the mission discovered that these adventurers were still alive, Karen and her group would be completely exposed.

"To the police station," Karen decided. "Hand him over to Harold. It's the safest place in all of Ironwood. And I also need to ask him if anything unusual has happened in town these past few days."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The police station in Tiemu Town is right next to the administrative hall.

Raine and her group entered through the back door and saw Harold reprimanding several captains of the guard.

"...Why are there two fewer guards at the eastern watchtower? I told you, they need to increase the number of soldiers there. If that madman sneaks in and hangs any civilians, I'll hang you all up there!"

The old man's voice was hoarse and tired, and his gray hair was messy, indicating that he hadn't rested well in the past few days.

Harold paused for a moment when he saw Karen enter, then waved his men away. He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and slumped into his chair.

"Old buddy...you're back." Harold rubbed his temples, his voice weak. "If you hadn't come back, I would have thought you'd also perished in that damn swamp."

"We ran into some trouble, but we're lucky to be alive." Karen walked over and, without any pleasantries, pointed directly to the adventurers behind her. "These guys are even luckier. We found them in the swamp. They know a thing or two."

Upon hearing this, Harold's previously cloudy eyes lit up.

He quickly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the adventurers.

"They went deep into the swamp?" Harold's voice was urgent. "What did they see?"

"I saw a carriage and a horde of skeletons," Ryan added. "But they're badly injured and mentally unstable. I think they need treatment and rest before we can question them further."

Harold nodded, his expression visibly fluctuating.

"Of course, of course. Poor children."

The old man sighed, walked up to the adventurers, and looked heartbroken.

"You've suffered. Don't worry, you're safe here. I am the sheriff and the knight of this place. I will protect you."

He turned and called out towards the door:

"Someone! Clear out that medical room on the west side and go get the pharmacist!"

Harold then busied himself arranging stretchers and directing the guards to move the wounded.

"See?" Karen watched from the side, then turned to Ryan and Ella and said, "This is Harold. Although he's old and has become timid, his kindness towards the common people has never changed in the past thirty years."

Ella nodded in agreement.

Raine didn't say anything, just watched everything silently.

Everything seems normal.

A responsible sheriff, a safe haven, and timely medical assistance.

But for some reason, when the medical room door was opened, a strong smell of herbs wafted out, and Raine subconsciously frowned.

The smell was too strong.

It was so thick it seemed to be trying to cover something up.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Half an hour later, inside the medical room.

The four adventurers were now lying in hospital beds. Their wounds had been re-bandaged.

For some reason, Harold took over the work that should have been done by the doctor, carrying a tray with several cups of dark green medicine on it.

"Here, drink it."

The old man personally picked up a cup and held it to the young female monk's lips.

"This is a calming tonic that I specially had the pharmacist prepare. It contains moonflower and some calming flowers to help relieve your pain and get a good night's sleep. Deep sleep is exactly what the body needs for recovery."

The female monk was moved to tears, and with trembling hands accepted the cup, tilting her head back to drink it all in one gulp.

The medicine didn't taste good, she frowned, but still finished it.

"Thank you, sir."

The medication took effect quickly.

The female mage's tense body gradually relaxed, and her breathing became even.

Her gaze began to glaze over, her eyelids closed heavily, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Next was Gareth, and then the thief.

Everyone was grateful to the kind sheriff and obediently drank the medicine.

Ryan stood in the corner, watching this scene unfold.