Iya Continent: Card God

Misthills, located in Sandre County, is a place bordering undeveloped land.

As its name suggests, this place is shrouded in thick fog, and within the mountains lie numerous swamps. It is a place disliked by both humans and magical beasts.

But these undesirable places are often the best hiding places for some villains and thieves.

The Iron Teeth Gang, a bandit group formed by "Iron Teeth" Fies, has been robbing numerous caravans and travelers along the official roads for years. They not only robbed but sometimes brutally murdered them. The ducal family that governs the prefecture has long been outraged by their activities. However, their hideouts are well-hidden, making years of investigations fruitless. But recently, Ted Vasquez obtained intelligence about the Iron Teeth Gang. With permission from the head of his family, he dispatched a scorched-earth team of Flame Fox Knights, led by a high-ranking Silver-ranking officer, to subdue them.

Somewhere within the Misty Swamp Mountains, nestled against the swamp and the mountain, stands a camp.

Beneath the swamp, a murky, miasma-filled atmosphere made it difficult to approach the camp.

Inside the camp, there were more than fifty bandits enjoying themselves.

A fierce-looking man with a menacing aura walked past the bandits, passing by with satisfaction amidst the respectful calls of "Deputy Commander."

Vice-Commander Raguel, the second-in-command of the Iron Teeth Bandit Gang. The most ruthless and vicious member of the bandit group. Almost every caravan that was hijacked and massacred was linked to him.

At this moment, he was walking towards the house of the regimental commander, Fies.

"Commander! Are you looking for me?"

Raguel said with a fierce smile. In his beast-like eyes, he saw a man with a black beard and a solemn demeanor sitting at an oak table, where a map of the Misty Swamp Mountains was clearly visible, showing all the routes in the area.

"Raguel, there's business to be done," said Captain Fez with a warm smile.

Deputy Commander Raguel's eyes lit up, and he laughed loudly, "Really! I've been sitting here in the mountains for ages! Finally, some business is coming!"

Fiss said, "Yes, there will be caravans from Ilsa County on the official road to the east. It is said that the goods they carry are intended to be sold during the large auction in Sandel County."

"Haha, that must be worth a lot of money!" Raguel laughed. "Captain, let me take the brothers! We'll definitely get it back for you!"

Fies looked serious and hesitated.

Raguel shouted, "Commander, you don't trust me?!"

Fies said, "No, but you should know what I'm going to say."

Raguel, of course, knew, and thumped his chest, replying, "I know! This time, I'll definitely behave myself. I promise, I'll only rob the goods, not kill anyone! I won't cause too much trouble!"

Raguel's ruthless killing had always displeased Fez. For the first few years, he was somewhat restrained, but in recent years, he had become increasingly brutal and reckless. Fez had repeatedly tried to admonish him, but to no avail. This led to the subsequent kidnapping, preventing Raguel from leaving the country.

"Commander! I've thought it through these past few months! I won't kill indiscriminately anymore!" Raguel assured him.

Fiss nodded slightly. "Alright then, take half of the brothers and go."

“Great!” Raguel said happily, turning to leave.

Fies watched the departing figure, a strange look appearing in his eyes.

Inside the camp's main hall, the bandits who were eating, drinking, and boasting perked up at the sound of Raguel's loud laughter and calls.

"Brothers! There's business! Who's willing to fight alongside me!"

"I am the deputy commander!"

"Me too! I'll go too!"

"I am willing!"

The response was constant; they all knew that following this deputy commander would be much more enjoyable. They might even gain something extra from the kidnapping. Conversely, kidnapping with the commander himself meant being more obedient and well-behaved.

Deputy Commander Raguel was very satisfied, feeling pleased that his call had been answered so readily.

While pondering which half of the person she wanted, her gaze fell upon the huddled figure in the corner.

"Hey new guy! What's your name?"

The timid fellow, cowering in the corner, replied with a wry smile, "Maren..."

"Maren? Okay, you come along too, broaden your horizons!"

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 Vázquez family's bandit-suppression team set off from the west gate of Sandel, leaving the main road and taking the secluded mountain path, heading straight for the Misty Swamp Mountain.

Even if someone knew from the beginning that the Flame Fox Knights were going to lead a group to suppress bandits, the route they took would make it impossible for others to guess which group of bandits they were targeting.

The bandit suppression team is now gradually approaching its destination. The closer they get, the more cautious they become. They dare not make any sudden movements, for fear that their armor might rattle.

Only Sir Nasz remained completely careless, still the same as before.

"Siz! If you cause our journey to be discovered, I guarantee I'll chop you down!" Flame Fox Mok shouted at Siz.

Xiz chuckled and said, "Don't worry, it won't have any effect. Besides, you should be careful when you speak so loudly."

Flame Fox Moke glared at him angrily and then ignored him.

Linta, who was following behind, had a calm expression and was already used to the two guys' sharp-tongued confrontation.

Suddenly, Linta heard a strange sound.

"There's a strange noise."

Linta hurriedly said.

Finally, I stopped and tried to listen, but I didn't hear any strange sounds.

“Where is the sound?” Siz asked, frowning.

"Shut up," Flame Fox Moke snapped, then added, "That's right, there are strange noises."

Linta's gaze turned serious as he looked in a certain direction.

"Over there, over there."

As he spoke, he moved swiftly in a certain direction, passing through the bushes and leaves.

Flame Fox Moke also went along and arrived at Linta's resting place.

Through the gaps in the leaves, the two saw the truth behind the rustling sounds: a group of bandits were sneaking away.

Linta's eyes widened, and she asked, "Is it them?"

"Their direction seems to be coming from the Misty Swamp Mountains," said Flame Fox Moke in a deep voice. "Judging from their appearance, they should be the Iron Tooth Gang."

“What are they…doing?” Linta asked.

Yanhu Mokeyan: "Judging from their direction, they are heading towards the official road. Therefore, there is only one possibility: they are going to abduct them."

"Great, we found it!" At this moment, Knight Siz approached and said happily.

Flame Fox Moke looked disgusted, fearing that the other party's movements would attract the attention of the Iron Teeth Gang.

Linta asked, "So, what's the next step?"

Siz said, "What else can we do? Just take them down."

The Flame Fox Moke asked in a powerful voice, "Am I the commander, or are you the commander?"

"Haha, don't worry about such a small thing. You are, you are, you decide." Siz patted Mok on the shoulder with a grin.

Mok dismissed his hand with disdain and replied, "In my opinion, not all of these Iron Teeth are here; some are probably still in the Misty Swamp Mountains. The point isn't how many are in the mountains, but where our leader, Fies, is."

"We can make arrests, but we can't let any of them escape. If they escape, they might go back and report, which could lead to the commander getting away. Of course, it would be best if the commander were inside."

Linta understood what Moke meant: "Wait for the right moment, completely surround them, and don't let a single one escape. After that, interrogate them for information and enter the Misty Swamp Mountain."