Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

After drifting at sea for a short while, a huge complex of buildings built against the steep coastline came into clear view.

That was Blackwater Port.

It was quite different from the typical image of a port with a forest of masts.

The first thing that catches the eye is the towering steel wall that stretches along the coastline.

The walls have a dark metallic luster and are covered with marks of rivets and weathering.

On the battlements, the barrels of alchemical cannons gleamed with a cold, hard luster in the sunlight.

The cannons were all pointed towards the outer sea, carrying a chilling warning.

Guards, fully armored and armed with standard muskets or spears, patrolled back and forth on the city walls.

His sharp eyes scanned the sea and sky.

The entire port was more like a heavily armed military fortress than a trade hub.

As the train approached the port area, Freya waved her hand to dispel the concealment spell.

A giant train appeared out of thin air over the sea not far from the coast.

A soldier on duty on the city wall was the first to notice this enormous thing that had suddenly appeared.

He instinctively picked up his musket and demanded sharply:

"What is that?!"

But the next second, he saw the design of the train clearly.

And the prominent North Wind Caravan emblem on the side of the carriage.

The initial alarm instantly turned into ecstasy!

He practically lunged to the wall, shouting at the top of his lungs towards the ground:

"It's the North Wind!! It's the North Wind Caravan!!"

"The North Wind Caravan is here!!!"

The shout was like a stone thrown into calm water, instantly creating ripples.

The once orderly port suddenly erupted into chaos!

Hearing the sound, more people climbed the city wall, eager to look out.

"It really is a north wind!"

"They're here! So fast?!"

Cheers and chatter mingled together, breaking the somber atmosphere of the port.

Many people's faces were filled with heartfelt joy and anticipation.

The arrival of the caravan meant supplies, news, and precious connections with the outside world.

However, amidst the jubilation, some elderly residents and officials stationed at the port looked on with surprise and exchanged views in hushed tones.

"Isn't this... a bit too fast?"

"A full month earlier than expected..."

"Have we found a new route across the silent sea?"

This arrival speed, far exceeding expectations, brought a pleasant surprise.

It also quietly planted a seed of disbelief and confusion in the hearts of a few insiders.

As soon as the train landed, the crowd that had been waiting in the port area surged forward, surrounding the North Wind caravan and the train.

Amid the noise, Lin Gui looked around and frowned slightly.

He noticed that almost all the people who gathered around were human, with the occasional member of another race, but the dwarf's distinctive, muscular figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Why are they all humans?" he whispered to the scholar Ellie beside him. "Where are the dwarves?"

The scholar pushed up his glasses, a hint of helplessness on his face:

"Because most of the humans in Shield City, as well as many people of other races, were relocated here a few years ago."

Lin Gui found it strange: "This isn't like the way dwarves do things."

"We don't know the specific reasons either," the scholar shook his head. "Even Captain Freya, who has always had a good relationship with the dwarves, is tight-lipped about it."

He lowered his voice:

"About six years ago, for reasons unknown, the dwarves of Shield City began to gradually relocate the humans and other non-dwarven races from the city to Blackwater Harbor."

"Furthermore, they are not to be allowed to set foot in Stronghold again."

Lin Gui and Xia were both taken aback upon hearing this.

This timing coincides perfectly with the time when Copper Hammer Stoneheart left Shield City.

Observing their reactions, the scholar continued:

"I heard from the captain that your purpose in going to Stronghold was to deliver a message?"

"Once we reach the back gate of Shield City, we can hand the letter to the dwarven guards stationed there."

"It's best...not to try to go in."

"The dwarves' attitude towards humans these days is... terrible."

Shia couldn't help but interject, her tone tinged with confusion:

"Isn't your Northwind Caravan ultimately delivering your goods to Ironshield City?"

The scholar smiled upon hearing this, but the smile held a hint of complexity:

"That used to be true. But now, the dwarves won't let us in."

His gaze swept over Freya, who was organizing her team to unload the cargo, and her busy companions around her.

"Therefore, Blackwater Port is the end of our journey, and it is time for us to part ways."

As soon as he finished speaking, Freya and several other core team members walked over one after another.

The female mage's icy blue eyes swept over Lin Gui and the other two, and she nodded slightly.

"Yes," her cool voice rang out, tinged with a barely perceptible weariness, "it's time to part ways."

Freya walked up to Lin Gui, her icy blue eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

"Little mage, it was a very pleasant collaboration this time."

"It was completed 34 days ahead of schedule, and that's all thanks to you."

She leaned slightly closer, extended her hand to Lin Gui, and formally invited him:

"Would you be interested in officially becoming a member of our North Wind group, along with your companions?"

"I can pay you a fixed reward of seven million gold coins for each shipment."

"It also includes a share of the caravan's profits."

Upon hearing this condition, even the scholar Ellie standing nearby couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

A fixed reward of seven million gold coins, plus a share of the profits.

Once Lin Gui joins, he will immediately become the third highest-paid member of the North Wind Caravan.

Second only to Freya herself and the meritorious vice-captain Aubrey.

However, the surrounding North Wind members, including Aubrey himself, were also affected.

No one showed any dissatisfaction or opposition.

Their gazes toward Lin Gui were filled with anticipation, even fervor.

A trip that took a month and a half has been shortened to less than two weeks!

If this mage, who has mastered the art of levitation to an unparalleled degree, could join us.

Their journey from the northernmost city-states to this southwestern frontier was a long one, lasting eight months.

It might shorten the time by more than half!

The time saved is enough for them to make one more trip.

Compared to that enormous potential benefit.

The reward of seven million gold coins seemed insignificant in comparison.

However, these are conditions that would tempt anyone.

Lin Gui shook his head, as expected.

"I'm sorry, Captain Freya, I have no plans to join any faction at the moment."

A collective sigh of disappointment immediately filled the air.

Betty's face fell, her disappointment almost written all over her face.

Where can I find such an amazing levitation instructor?

Freya didn't seem too surprised by the result.

She simply sighed softly.

Someone who can casually produce the semi-divine artifact, the Wind Whisperer's Staff.

How could they be so easily bound by gold coins?

You should know that this is how she became a legendary mage over the years.

He didn't even have a semi-divine artifact staff of his own.

It's not that we can't get them, but that the cost is too high.

If I buy it, all those years of hard work might be for nothing.

"Well then, Captain Freya," Lin Gui's voice rang out again.

"Could you please deliver something to Dawn City for me?"

These words startled the members of the North Wind Caravan.

Freya raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on her lips, with a hint of amusement:

"Oh? Little mage, leading a top-tier transport fleet headed by a legend."

"Are you sure you can afford the payment?"

Her smile appeared the next moment when Lin Gui pulled it from his bag.

When they pulled out a few seemingly unremarkable, even somewhat rough, stones.

His expression froze instantly on his face.

He was completely stunned.

"A barrier stone?!" Scholar Eli exclaimed in surprise from the side.

Lin Gui nodded calmly: "Yes, a stone that can deploy a barrier covering a radius of a hundred miles."

"Is this enough?"

"Is that enough?" Freya repeated almost subconsciously, her voice trembling with disbelief.

She carefully took the seemingly ordinary stones.

The fingertips could feel the immense and stable barrier power contained within.

After confirming it several times, she looked up, her eyes filled with undisguised shock.

Although this is not a strategic-level barrier stone capable of covering the entire city-state.

But its value is enough to make countless city-state leaders fight tooth and nail for it!

"What...is it that you're going to give me?" Her voice was still a little strained.

Lin Gui pulled the dusty glass bead out of his pocket.

And two letters he wrote on behalf of the mermaid's soul, explaining the situation, while crossing the Abyss of Silence.

Freya took it in astonishment, her expression somewhat blank.

She originally thought that Lin Gui had paid such a huge price for the barrier stone, a price that couldn't even be measured in money.

The items to be transported must be extremely valuable or in enormous quantities.

In the end... all we got was a single bead and two letters?

She tried to use her magic to sense the bead.

However, nothing special was found.

She raised her head, looked at Lin Gui, and couldn't speak for a long time.

Lin Gui met her gaze and calmly explained:

"Deliver the beads and the first letter to the headquarters of the City-State Alliance Council."

"If...the people there won't accept it."

He paused.

"Deliver the bead and the second letter to the Dawn Grand Theater in Dawn City."

"In the hands of a mermaid songstress named Anya."

"That's the name, the Voice of the Sea, Anya Siren."