Thornheart Town gradually came into view as Ivan emerged from the forest.
From a distance, the town appeared ordinary—clusters of stone houses packed closely together, a low defensive wall encircling them, and thin trails of smoke rising lazily into the sky. At the very center stood Thornheart Castle, overlooking everything like a silent guardian.
The castle had been established four hundred years ago by the first baron, Leo Thornheart. For nearly three hundred years afterward, the Thornheart family had enjoyed a glorious era. Unfortunately, starting from Ivan's grandfather's generation, the family had begun a steady and undeniable decline.
Ivan paused at the edge of the road.
Guided by the memories he had inherited, he began walking toward the town, step by step.
At the city gate, the guards quickly noticed him. Their expressions changed the moment they recognized his face.
"Master Ivan!" one of them exclaimed in shock. "What happened to you? Why are you so badly injured?"
At the same time, the guard urgently signaled his companion to report the situation to the castle.
Ivan's condition was indeed miserable. His clothes were torn, his armor scarred and stained with dried blood, and his face looked pale and exhausted.
"I'm fine," Ivan replied calmly as he entered the town. "Just some scratches from fighting a beast. Return to your posts."
Hearing his words, the guard finally relaxed. "Yes, Master Ivan. Please take care of yourself."
Crossing the streets of the town, Ivan soon arrived before Thornheart Castle.
Waiting at the entrance was the castle's old butler.
The moment he saw Ivan, worry filled the old man's eyes. "Young Master Ivan, why are you in such a dreadful state?" he asked anxiously. "Please come inside at once. I've already summoned a doctor to examine your injuries."
Ivan recognized him immediately from the inherited memories.
His name was Edwin. His family had served the Thornheart family for generations. Loyal, cautious, and trustworthy.
Nodding slightly, Ivan handed his backpack to the butler. "Dispose of the magical beast materials inside."
"Yes, Young Master," Edwin replied solemnly.
After the doctor finished examining him and treating his injuries, Ivan slowly made his way toward his room.
As he walked through the castle corridors, his gaze lingered on the old stone walls and familiar decorations. Everything felt both familiar and strangely distant at the same time.
When he reached his room, Ivan stopped for a moment.
He stared at the door before slowly pushing it open and stepping inside.
The room was exactly as he remembered.
Simple—almost plain—for a noble. A bed, a bookshelf, a table, a chair, and a wardrobe. Nothing more.
Removing his armor, Ivan lay down on the bed and closed his eyes to rest.
Outwardly, he appeared relaxed.
Inwardly, he was anything but.
Nova, he thought quietly. Scan the city.
"Yes, Master," Nova replied.
A few seconds later, her voice sounded again. "Master, this city is a medium-sized settlement with an estimated population of approximately thirty thousand. No entities capable of posing a threat to you have been detected within the scanned area."
Hearing this, Ivan finally relaxed a little.
According to the information he had received from the Orin Civilization, Nova was a support-class legacy robot. She lacked high-level combat capability, but still possessed basic combat strength comparable to a Level 2 combat unit.
At the very least, Thornheart Town was safe—for now.
"Nova," Ivan said, "tell me more about my Class 1 authority."
"Under Class 1 authority," Nova replied, "you are granted access to planetary-level combat robots, production facilities, main bases, and other standard combat infrastructure."
Ivan's eyes opened slightly.
"Show me the combat robot models we can currently produce."
"Yes, Master."
A three-dimensional holographic display materialized in the air before him.
"Main Combat Robot: Blade Hunter.Height: 5 meters.Weight: 160 kilograms.Primary weapon: Six ultra-alloy blade-arms.Equipped with a twin-cylinder power furnace.Operational range: 400 kilometers.Manufacturing cost: 500 energy units.Overall combat rating: High Rank 1."
"Main Combat Robot: Shield Bearer.Height: 6 meters.Weight: 250 kilograms.Primary equipment: Ultra-heavy alloy shield.Equipped with a Rank 1 shield generator and a four-cylinder power furnace.Operational range: 350 kilometers.Primary function: Defensive operations.
Manufacturing cost: 700 energy units.Overall combat rating: Mid Rank 1."
"Main Combat Robot: Machine Gunner.Height: 5 meters.Weight: 350 kilograms.Primary weapon: Heavy machine gun.Equipped with a four-cylinder power furnace.Operational range: 400 kilometers.
Manufacturing cost: 600 energy units.Overall combat rating: High Rank 1."
"Main Combat Robot: Liquid Nano Soldier.Height: 5 meters.Weight: 150 kilograms.Capabilities: Full-form transformation and multi-weapon adaptability.Weaknesses: Fire, lightning, acid.Equipped with a two-cylinder power furnace.Operational range: 300 kilometers.
Manufacturing cost: 400 energy units.Overall combat rating: Mid Rank 1."
"Low-altitude mini reconnaissance satellite.Diameter: 3 meters.Maximum altitude: 30,000 meters.Reconnaissance range: 50 kilometers."
"Mechanical Bee.Effective reconnaissance range: 1 kilometer."