Iya Continent: Card God

The Wild Wolves are bandits active in the area around Sandel Mountain City. They specialize in using the mountainous terrain and forests to hijack passing caravans.

The guild leader, "Wild Wolf King," is a low-ranking Silver rank individual. His origins and identity are unknown even to his closest vice-leader, Fang Wolf. However, one theory suggests he is a prisoner who escaped from the Sastan Empire. During his exile, he gathered petty villains from the Kingdom of Mordley, forming the organized gang of thieves he is today.

Whether it's true or false, it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that this Wolf King leader can now be free and do whatever he wants.

"Captain!"

The man with the cross-shaped scar, the one who had failed in his attempt to kidnap the Herlan family, returned to the camp with a guilty and sorrowful expression, wanting to apologize to his elder brother, the commander.

Clad in a wolf fur coat, with a stubble-covered face, the man, who truly wielded a steel claw weapon, was calm and composed, not even glancing at his brother who was speaking in a hurried tone.

"We...failed..." Garo's vice-commander said with his head down in shame.

"Okay, I understand." The Wolf King didn't say much more, nor did he show any anger or annoyance. To him, the dead bandits were nothing more than lambs to be replenished at any time.

Faced with his leader's attitude, Garo asked, somewhat puzzled, "Leader, what's next? What should we do? The Herlan family's caravan is still some distance from returning to the city. Should we attack again?"

Garo was furious and couldn't swallow his anger. He had planned this ambush a week in advance, and it was almost perfect when a group of strange guys appeared out of nowhere and ruined the plan.

“Your mind is already in turmoil. Any further attack will only lead to failure,” the wolf king said, staring at his gleaming silver claws.

Garo's brow twitched, and he said urgently, "Captain, lead us all! We'll definitely succeed!"

The Wolf King slightly raised his eyes, looked at Fang Wolf, and chuckled, saying, "Why should I make a move? That guy Dorn Magee didn't ask me for anything."

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.

Mountain ridge city.

A city built of yellow and white bricks and stones appeared before the eyes of the Linta people.

This is Linta, the first time I've seen a city on the continent of Iya. Since transmigrating here, I've either woken up in a dimly lit ancient tomb or in a prison cell. All I've seen since are villages and forests. I've never truly set foot near any city.

"Huh...?"

Lin Ta clicked his tongue slightly. The city before him was somewhat different from what he had imagined. There were no towering city walls, nor did it possess an imposing and indestructible aura.

As the convoy entered the city, it detected various strange odors.

Unidentified excrement was everywhere on the streets, and the ditches were clogged with all sorts of messy things. The streets were mostly narrow and winding, with houses clustered together in a seemingly haphazard fashion. This prevented sunlight from reaching the ground, making the area somewhat dark. In the shadowy corners, small, four-legged animals scurried about.

Linta frowned. Is this the true situation in most cities?

Miss Jenny Herland noticed Linta's expression and said with a sigh, "We are a small town, and due to the mountains, communication with the outside world is inconvenient. Development can only be this way."

Knight Gob added, "The rampant thievery makes most caravans reluctant to come here."

Linta didn't say much.

While I wondered if the lord of Sandel had any thoughts on this, upon reflection, what thoughts could he possibly have? He was probably just content with his own survival; as long as his small towns didn't rebel and were able to live, that was enough. Did he really expect to develop them?

Shia and Jingon remained calm throughout, as such things were nothing new.

Linta and the others continued to follow Miss Jenny toward the Herlan family’s residence.

As they drew closer, the road widened and became increasingly clean and tidy. This suggested that the Herlan family likely employed people to maintain the environment around their family residence.

Suddenly, a young man dressed in luxurious clothes appeared in front of them, clearly not an ordinary commoner.

He stood in front of us with an unpleasant smile, seemingly waiting for us.

"Who is this...?" Linta asked curiously.

Miss Jenny Herland showed a look of disgust.

Knight Gob looked at him with disdain and said in a deep voice, "Jim Maggie, the young master of the Maggie family. A bad seed."

Linta nodded slightly, indicating that he understood a little.

“Miss Jenny, you’ve had a long day,” said the young gentleman, Jim Maggie, as he stepped forward with a smile.

Miss Jenny maintained her composure and returned the greeting.

Jim Maggie glanced at the convoy behind him, looking at the corpses being brought back in the trucks, and said with feigned sadness, "Looks like something happened on the way. Sigh..."

“Miss Jenny, such a thing would never happen in my Maggie family.”

Miss Jenny's eyes narrowed, and she said with a sneer, "Is that so? The Maggie family is related to thieves, so they won't attack your caravan?"

Jim Maggie paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Miss Jenny, some things shouldn't be said carelessly. The gods are watching. What I mean is, the prestige of our Maggie family will make those thieves flee in terror, daring not to harbor any evil intentions."

"Of course, if you marry into the Maggie family, the Herlan family will also gain the same prestige."

Knight Gob stepped forward, saying neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Young Master Jim, we are returning to our residence. Please make way!"

Jim Maggie's expression changed, revealing an arrogant and disdainful look. "You, a prisoner and slave, dare to speak to me!"

“Gob is a knight of our Herlan family, please show him respect!” Miss Jenny Herlan’s expression changed drastically, and she stood in solemn confrontation.

Their eyes met, and an intense, unspoken clash seemed to occur between them.

The Herlan family's subordinates raised their weapons, looking menacing.

Lin Ta and the others stared intently.

Jingong murmured, "This young lady is really good; she knows how to stand up for her own family."

Shia said coldly, "Although this young master is all bark and no bite, he dares to act arrogantly on someone else's turf. He must have a master protecting him in secret."

Linta remained silent, his thoughts wandering to other things.

I gleaned some truth from their conversation.

Young Master Jim smiled and said, "We might be family in the future, so why bother? Miss Jenny, you must be tired from your journey. You should go back and rest early. I won't keep you any longer."

After saying that, he left rather arrogantly.

Knight Gob bowed gratefully to Miss Jenny, "Miss, I acted impulsively. I almost caused a war between our two families."

Miss Jenny smiled and said, “You’re not wrong. I know you came to my rescue. He was the one who was rude to you first, and rudeness to you is rudeness to the Herlan family.” Her tone grew increasingly serious. “I will absolutely not allow that!”

"That's well said, but do you have the ability?" Suddenly, such a voice came.

Linta's eyes narrowed as he looked at the source of the voice.

A middle-aged man with blond hair and a thick beard, dressed in luxurious clothes with the same insignia as the motorcade, exuded an aura that surpassed that of everyone else present.

At this moment, Linta guessed the other party's origin.

Leer Herland, head of the Herland family, and Miss Jenny's father.

"Father!"

"Lord!"

"My lord!!!"

Those present, all related to the family, bowed and greeted him respectfully.

The head of the Leer family nodded slightly, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then dismissed Knight Gob to take the caravan and the wounded back. Miss Jenny and Linta stayed behind.

The head of the Leer family first approached Linta and the others, saying gratefully, "It must be you all who saved my Herlan family's caravan. I am deeply grateful!"

Kim Gong said directly, "No need for all that talk, let's get down to business!"

The head of the Leer family smiled and said, "Of course. I'll give you all 100 silver coins as a token of my gratitude, is that alright?"