The wheels of the merchant wagons creaked rhythmically, crushing small stones along the road heading north. A thin veil of dust billowed behind them, leaving behind the bitter memories of the bandit cave that had now become a tomb for the outlaws.
Inside one of the spacious wagons, Keyzier, Donovan, and Novalia sat leaning against piles of merchant crates.
Every now and then, Keyzier would poke his head out, gazing at the horizon where the tall spires of the City of Antrows were beginning to appear faintly in the distance. His blue eyes sparkled with irrepressible enthusiasm. He had spent more than four years training rigorously in Noive Village, and now, the dream of stepping foot into a major city and becoming a professional adventurer was right before his eyes.
Donovan was in much the same state. He repeatedly checked the sharpness of his sword and adjusted his combat gear.
"Antrows..." he muttered hopefully. "I can't wait to see what the Adventurers' Guild building looks like."
However, in contrast to the excitement of the two young men, Novalia seemed to be shrinking further into herself. She hugged her knees tightly, her cyan eyes constantly darting outward with intense anxiety.
Whenever they passed other groups of travelers or small patrols on the road, she would pull her grimy hood deeper to cover her conspicuous golden hair.
Novalia was truly terrified. She was a fugitive, the daughter of the influential Marquis Varda family. Images of her father's stern face and the orders to force her home haunted her mind. To her, the City of Antrows was not just a place of dreams, but also a potential nest where her family's spies might be lurking.
Donovan, who had a sharp instinct for the emotions of those around him, immediately noticed the distress radiating from Novalia's face. He stopped sharpening his sword and reached out his large hand to gently grip the girl's shoulder.
"Take it easy, you don't need to be so anxious, Novalia!" Donovan said in a deep but soothing voice. "Listen, whatever happens later in the city, the two of us will definitely protect you. I swear it on my sword."
Keyzier turned and joined in with a wide grin. He looked at Novalia with a gaze full of confidence. "Novan is right. We won't let anyone take you away without your permission. You're part of our team now."
Seeing such sincere support, the weight in Novalia's chest seemed to lift bit by bit. She looked at the two young men before her. A genius mage who had just silently slaughtered dozens of bandits, and a formidable fighter with a killing intent capable of making people lose consciousness.
She realized clearly that the two people who had been with her all this time were not only strong but possessed sincere hearts. Novalia's trust grew. She was certain they could be the shield for her freedom.
"Bro Key, Bro Novan," Novalia said with a firmer tone. "I've decided. I'm going to register as an adventurer just like you when we arrive in Antrows! I want to have the strength to stand by your side."
Hearing Novalia's resolve, Keyzier and Donovan exchanged looks before finally laughing together. They felt overjoyed that the girl they had initially saved by chance now shared the same ambition.
Their journey eventually came to an end. Before them stood the magnificent giant stone walls of the City of Antrows. The main gate was massive, made of ironwood reinforced with metal, guarded by rows of soldiers in full uniform with shimmering spears and swords.
The merchant wagon they were riding began to slow down as the entry line grew longer. When it was their turn, a stiff-faced soldier stepped forward.
"Please present your identification immediately!" the soldier commanded in an authoritative tone.
The merchants and the adventurers from TheSky party quickly pulled out their ID cards. However, the atmosphere suddenly turned awkward when it was Keyzier, Donovan, and Novalia's turn to be asked.
The three of them could only look at each other with confused faces. They had never known that ID cards were strictly required just to enter a city. In Noive Village, everyone knew one another, and identity was not something that needed to be proven with a card.
"Where are your identification cards?" the soldier asked again, his voice sounding increasingly impatient.
Donovan cleared his throat, trying to be as polite as possible. "Sorry, sir, the three of us are from Noive Village and this is our first time coming to the city! We truly didn't know we had to show ID cards to pass through this gate."
Donovan tried to explain everything honestly. He spoke carefully, trying to maintain a tone that wouldn't arouse suspicion, while keeping his body positioned slightly in front of Novalia to shield her face from the soldier's sharp gaze.
"From Noive Village?" The soldier's brows furrowed. "You mean that small village far to the north? The one said to be inhabited by retired soldiers?"
"Yes, sir, that's the one!" Donovan answered quickly.
The soldier narrowed his eyes, looking at their grimy clothes and the dried bloodstains (which they claimed were from wild animals). "Then, what is your purpose in coming to a city as large as Antrows?"
"The three of us left our village intending to become adventurers. Years ago, the GoldWings party visited our village, and they suggested we come to this city if we wanted to start a career as adventurers!"
Upon hearing the name of the Gold Wings party leave Donovan's mouth, the soldier's expression changed drastically. Instead of being satisfied with the answer, he seemed even more suspicious of the three of them.
It should be noted that the GoldWings party was currently a top-tier (Rank S) party, famous throughout the Altoria Kingdom. They had been hailed as heroes who rarely interacted with commoners, let alone gave recommendations to village youths who looked like vagrants.
"Gold Wings?" the soldier laughed mockingly, drawing the attention of his comrades. "Don't lie to me, kid! A group like the Gold Wings wouldn't give advice to brats like you. Are you trying to use their great name to sneak into the city?"
"I'm not lying, sir! It's the truth!" Donovan began to feel heated. His voice rose, triggering a fierce debate with the gate guard.
"Enough! You are suspicious. Blood-stained clothes, no identification, and throwing around the names of the kingdom's heroes. You could be spies from a neighboring kingdom or bandits in disguise!" the soldier shouted.
The situation deteriorated rapidly. The soldier raised his hand, signaling the archers on the wall and the soldiers surrounding them. "Apprehend these three! Take them to the interrogation room to verify their identities!"
Hearing the arrest order, Keyzier and Donovan's survival instincts instantly flared. They couldn't allow themselves to be captured, especially not Novalia, who might be identified as a noble if taken into the city's military prison.
"Novan, get ready!" Keyzier yelled.
Feeling threatened and having no other choice to protect themselves, Keyzier raised both hands. In an instant, mana energy gathered wildly. In his right hand, a blaze of red fire magic burned hot, while in his left hand, sharp shards of ice magic began to form.
Beside him, Donovan did not stay still. He unsheathed his greatsword from his back with a lightning-fast motion. The metal of his blade rang loudly, emitting an aura of intimidation that made the horses around the gate neigh in fear.
The atmosphere at the entrance of Antrows, which had been busy just moments ago, suddenly became incredibly tense. Merchants scrambled away, while rows of city soldiers began pointing their weapons at the three newcomers.
The Antrows Gate they had longed for had now turned into a battlefield ready to explode at any moment.