First, take down the Sword Demon, then save Runeterra.

Rune wanted to ask the man in black robes if he was thinking clearly.

It is a consensus that only Freljordians can survive in Freljord.

Even if outsiders are traveling normally there, they are often attacked by wild beasts lurking in the shadows.

Moreover, the barbarians beyond the border are so strong they're like monsters; one of them could take on an entire squad of Imperial soldiers!

There are also beast spirit walkers who possess supernatural powers, and bear people who have the blessing of demigods. Those who can survive there without understanding the laws of survival must at least be of the strength of an imperial general!

Rune didn't believe that a random, suspicious person he met on the street could be as powerful as he claimed. Did he think he was the "Hand of Noxus"?

“I understand your desire to join the army, but the finest quality of an Imperial soldier is honesty.” Rune coughed lightly.

“I can overlook your background; the Empire welcomes every young person who wants to join the army. But unfortunately, I cannot help you.”

"Why?" Ato asked. "Don't you work in the government? You should know where the recruitment office is."

“You’re not from Juvoburg, so you don’t know what’s going on here.”

"Our Juewo Fort is an important source of minerals for the Empire. With special permission from the Empire, the people of Juewo Fort are exempt from joining the army."

"I can only tell you this in private. If it's not necessary, who would want to face the danger of their life on the battlefield? It's best not to go to the battlefield. There is no recruitment office in Juewo Fort."

Ato suddenly realized: "Then what should I do? The war is about to start, and it will be too late if I don't join the army now."

Rune suggested, "Every day, a large amount of ore from Digwoburg is transported south by ship. You can follow them to the Immortal Fortress, as long as you are willing to pay a satisfactory price."

"Rewards..." Ato scratched his head, only to realize that he had no source of income in this world!

Initially, on Sarah's ship, she took care of all three meals a day. In Freljord, where they could hunt wild beasts, they never needed money.

The importance of money became immediately apparent after we entered civilized society!

"How do we make money... By the way, sir, does Fort Juewo have any wanted criminals with huge bounties?"

Rune glanced at Ator and replied, "Of course there are, and they're easy to find."

“There is a place in the East District that is not under the jurisdiction of the city-state. Rodrigo, the highest bounty hunter in Digwoburg, is there. He occupies a corner of the city-state, and we can’t do anything about him.”

"You want to claim his bounty? I advise you not to. Rodrigo is a mage, but because the bounty is so high, many people who are confident in their abilities have challenged him, and none of them have returned."

Ato breathed a sigh of relief: "Knowing where he is is enough, it saves me the trouble of searching for him. I don't have much time to waste, thank you for letting me know, sir."

Rune frowned, but didn't say anything more to dissuade him.

It was lunchtime, and he had come out of his office to find a place to have lunch.

After ending his conversation with Ato, he patted his stomach, walked into a small shop not far away, ordered lunch, ate it leisurely, and prepared to return to his post.

On the way, he saw the man in black robes again, this time the man was carrying a black cloth bag.

"We meet again, sir. I'd like to know where to collect the bounty?" the man in black asked.

Rune stared at the cloth bag in his hand, from which a faint smell of blood could be detected.

Could Rodrigo be dead? By this young man? How long have I been eating? Less than half an hour?

Rune's breathing became heavier.

In just half an hour, he ran from the West End to the East End, killed Rodrigo, and then ran to this street to wait for me.

“…Is Rodrigo in here?” Rune asked with difficulty.

"Probably," Atto said, scratching his head.

"Although I don't know what he looks like, he's the only one there who knows magic, and he's wearing a mage's robe and his staff can summon lightning. But thankfully, I'm a bit stronger than him."

"You come with me."

The main street wasn't the place to verify this, so Rune quickened his pace. If an outsider could describe Rodrigo's abilities without ever having seen him, he must have personally witnessed and fought Rodrigo.

Where did this man in black robes come from? Did he really go to Freljord for training? Or does he truly possess the strength of an Imperial General?

Rune led Atto into a four-story building, took out a key to open the office door, and closed the door again after Atto came in.

Atto placed the black cloth bag on the table, revealing his head with an incredulous expression.

"It really is Rodrigo..."

Upon seeing that all-too-familiar face, Rune's last shred of hope vanished.

This man in black robes is terrifyingly strong!

Ato looked around: "Where is this place?"

“This is the government office of Juvoburg, and also where you collect your bounty. Our regional governor is here. Please wait a moment while I go and fetch Mr. Valrokan.”

Rune wiped his face with his sleeve and fled the room as if running away.

Not long after, an elderly man with white hair and beard walked in.

He spotted Rodrigo's head on the table immediately, quickly moved closer, and examined it carefully for a moment.

“It really is Rodrigo…” The old man turned to Ator, “Young man, did you make this?”

"That's right, I'm after the bounty."

"What's your name? Do you have any identification documents with you?"

Atto thought for a moment and said, "Harris. His identity documents were lost during his training in Freljord."

The old man nodded slightly: "I am Valrokan, the regional governor of Fort Juve. Harris, you have solved a great problem for us."

"Rodriguez, relying on his magical abilities, carved out a territory in Digwort and gathered a large following to form the largest gang in Digwort. We've had a bounty on him for a long time, but no one has succeeded yet."

“I heard from Rune that you want to join the army, but there is indeed no recruitment office in Juveburg.”

"But as a token of my gratitude, I can arrange a mining ship for you to transport iron spike ore to the Immortal Fortress, without paying any additional fare, and Rodrigo's bounty will also be delivered to you."

Atto breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your help."

“This is nothing,” Valrokan waved his hand. “You not only killed Rodrigo, but you also want to join the army. The Empire will be proud of you.”

Unfortunately, I don't help either side. I only joined the army to hitch a ride to Ionia... but on the surface, Ator is pandering to Valrocan.

At that moment, Rune walked in, carrying a rather heavy leather suitcase.

"Your bounty." Valrokan took the suitcase and handed it to Atto. "You can count it. This money is enough to make an ordinary person a millionaire."

Atto opened the box, inside which were neatly stacked piles of banknotes, exuding the smell of ink.

Money is a good thing no matter where you are...