Iron Boot Town was like a rough bronze nail wedged into the northern edge of the kingdom.
It lacked the carefully carved refinement of southern towns. There was only a wild, untamed vigor here. Adventurers, traveling merchants, mercenaries... clutching dreams of fortune or thoughts of escape, they flocked here from the kingdom's heartland, or headed farther north into even more desolate lands.
People came and went, bringing not only packs and swords, but also the gods and beliefs each held unwaveringly dear.
Faiths clashed here like the never-ending arguments in a tavern.
In this land of chaotic beliefs, faith in Kardos—who championed courage, protection, and the way of the warrior—had also spread here with the Border Knights, taking root and sprouting.
The church at the western end of town, built from gray stone with simple, unadorned lines, bore a sword-and-shield emblem atop its roof as its symbol.
Morning.
The faint dawn light drove away the night's chill, draping the gray-stone church in a layer of pale gold.
After praying to Kardos, Alice and her adjutant Karen were fully prepared to depart.
Their warhorses snorted in the small square before the church, breathing out white mist.
Alice gave the saddlebag one final inspection, ensuring the supplies and documents were all in order. Beside her, Karen adjusted his sword belt with visible nervousness.
They were just about to mount up and leave this town where they had only paused briefly, returning south to the Border Garrison Legion's station.
Just then, heavy footsteps and low complaints came from the other end of the street.
"...Damn mud, my boots are covered in it..."
"Who isn't? This damned job... it's more exhausting than fighting the Goblin Legion."
Two travel-worn kingdom knights appeared around the corner.
Their faces were exhausted, their eyes sunken deep. Clearly, they