The Ironblood Fortress stood proudly on the northern border of Aspiration City.
It was a grand and towering stronghold built at the foot of the Aspiration Mountain Range, guarding the northern frontier of the city and serving as the first line of defense against the invading magical beasts from the mountains.
Thanks to the Ironblood Fortress, the northern territory of Aspiration City had become its most prosperous land.
Marquis Hormay—one of only two marquises in Aspiration City—was the lord of this formidable fortress! The headquarters of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild was located here as well. Many said the dark red walls of the Ironblood Fortress were stained with the blood of magical beasts!
At this moment, a wide avenue paved with crimson stone stretched outside the fortress. One carriage after another rolled steadily into the stronghold.
Each carriage carried sturdy iron cages filled with all kinds of magical beasts. These beasts were wounded, their eyes filled with fear.
"Where are you coming from?"
"We're from the eastern territory of Aspiration City. These magical beasts were captured from the Black Forest bordering the east."
The magical beast hunter driving the carriage replied respectfully, handing over his identification and a few silver coins to the knights guarding the gate.
"Hmm, your documents check out."
"Proceed through the designated magical beast trade route into the fortress."
"That passage leads directly to the trade district of the the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild. Don't stray from the path—beasts without proper gear are not allowed into the inner city."
The gate knight discreetly slipped the silver coins into his pocket, then handed the hunter a travel token, permitting entry through the trade route.
The hunter nodded repeatedly, then drove his carriage toward the designated passage.
"Make way! Move aside! The Ironblood Knights are returning!"
Suddenly, loud shouting rang out outside the fortress. The hunter paused and looked up to see a formation of knights approaching in the distance, each mounted atop an Rhyhorn.
These knights wore dark red armor, and even their Rhyhorns were adorned in similarly dyed beast gear.
"What are you staring at? Move it!"
The gate knight shouted when he saw the hunter dazedly staring. The hunter snapped out of it, quickly pulling his carriage to the side as the Ironblood Knights thundered past.
Behind them followed several massive carriages drawn by Rhyhorns. Each wagon was enormous and packed with magical beasts.
These were the spoils brought back by the Ironblood Knights from deep within the Aspiration Mountains—some of them so rare that they could only be found in the distant Mt. Coronet.
The Aspiration Mountains were in fact an offshoot of the mighty Mt. Coronet. Every year, large numbers of magical beasts would descend from Mt. Coronet into the Aspiration Mountain range.
Some of these beasts would settle in the mountains, while others would continue on to the Black Forest at the far end of the range.
The outer region of the Aspiration Mountains had long been claimed as the territory of Marquis Hormay. As such, both the mountains and the beasts that dwelled within were considered his property.
Every year, the Ironblood Fortress would dispatch knights to hunt magical beasts in the mountains for trade purposes.
Any magical beast hunters who had not received official permission from the fortress were strictly forbidden from entering the mountains. That was why the earlier hunters were only bringing in beasts from other parts of Aspiration City.
The Ironblood Knights soon disappeared into the trade passage, and order returned to the area outside the fortress. The other hunters urged their carriages forward, eager to complete their business at the merchant guild.
One hunter looked enviously at the departing knights, then glanced back at the caged beasts on his cart. With his Mightyena at his side, he too entered the trade route.
Inside the magical beast trade district, the hunter arrived at a large plaza where many other carriages were parked.
Looking up, he saw a massive circular structure standing at the far end of the square—this was the Ironblood Arena, the most famous attraction of the fortress!
Even from this distance, he could hear the roar of beasts and the thunderous cheers of the crowd inside the arena.
"I have to check that place out later," the hunter muttered, swallowing hard.
As soon as a new hunter entered, staff members approached to inspect and receive the beasts.
These magical beasts, once handed over, would be trained by professional beast tamers and polished into valuable merchandise to be sold.
The transaction went smoothly. The hunter walked away with 100 gold coins—a fortune that most ordinary people could never earn in a lifetime.
Such enormous profits explained why so many were willing to risk their lives in the mountains and forests to become magical beast hunters.
"One hundred gold coins, plus the savings I had… that should be enough to buy another magical beast."
The hunter carefully stashed the coins and led his numb-looking Mightyena toward the sales area.
The market street was lined with fully tamed magical beasts, each marked with a seal and displayed for sale.
To maintain their value, these beasts showed no visible injuries. Yet compared to wild beasts, their eyes had lost all spirit.
Once fitted with beast gear, they would become obedient pets and ideal companions for any hunter.
Meanwhile, in the castle study, Marquis Hormay lounged in a chair, holding a goblet of red wine as he listened to his treasurer's report.
It was spring—the golden season for magical beast trading. This period would bring the fortress tremendous wealth, allowing him to outfit even more knights and expand his forces.
"Mm, not bad."
Satisfied with the report, the marquis took a sip of wine.
"That will be all. Send in the president of the guild."
The treasurer breathed a sigh of relief. Every time he was in the presence of this Ironblood Marquis, he felt an overwhelming pressure that made it hard to breathe.
As he opened the study doors, a group of officials standing outside turned their gazes toward him.
The treasurer lowered his head slightly and ignored their questioning eyes. He walked to the side of the guild president and relayed the marquis's instructions, then took his place near the door to await his next summons.
Marquis Hormay leaned back in his chair. He greatly enjoyed this feeling of subordinates reporting to him one by one.
He would often interject with questions during these reports, using their responses to piece together the real story.
A single subordinate might lie, but by questioning multiple subordinates from different factions separately, he could always get to the truth.
And nothing enraged him more than being deceived. If he discovered someone had lied to him, what awaited them would be the Ironblood Knights' most brutal punishment!
Compared to the treasurer, the president of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild appeared much more composed.
His demeanor was calm, respectful, but not fearful—unlike the trembling figure who had just left.
(End of Chapter)