Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

We returned to the simple inn.

Shea immediately came to greet her as she pushed open the creaking wooden door.

"How is it?"

Her emerald green eyes were filled with eagerness and anticipation.

Lin Gui smiled and took out a map from his pocket and unfolded it.

"It's basically confirmed."

His long, slender fingers landed on a spot on the map.

Place the point within the gray area representing the Wall of Sighs, near the location marked "Blackwater Ruins".

"Right here."

Shea took the map and gently traced the texture of the paper with her fingertips.

His expression, however, was not as ecstatic as expected; instead, it revealed an indescribable complexity.

That beautiful city-state described in children's songs—

Freedom, equality, and mutual assistance.

Without discrimination, half-demons and mortals can coexist peacefully.

She had fantasized about such a place time and time again.

Since being expelled from the Elf Forest, I have been wandering to the city of Karan.

She experienced being rejected, slandered, and pushed away by the whole world.

Every instance of unwarranted malice feels like a cold vine gripping your throat.

That nursery rhyme I overheard by chance was like a faint yet persistent light.

I only heard it once, but it was deeply etched in my mind and I can never forget it.

She once longed to reach that city-state that existed only in legends.

Now, the goal is within reach.

There was no ecstatic joy as I had imagined.

Instead, a strange sense of...repulsion rose in my heart.

"Sia?"

"Sia?"

Lin Gui's voice rang in her ears, pulling her back from her chaotic thoughts.

She snapped out of her daze and tilted her head to look at him, somewhat bewildered.

"What's wrong? You suddenly froze, and didn't respond even after I called you several times."

"Huh?" Shia forced a slightly awkward smile. "Maybe... it's because I'm too happy."

She rolled up the map and tucked it behind her waist.

I looked up at Lin Gui, trying to make my voice sound cheerful:

"Because I'm about to go to... a place that can truly accept me."

Lin Gui gazed at her, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes.

"Don't worry, it won't take too long."

"Once I have a general idea of ​​what's going on inside the Wailing Wall."

"Try crossing a few more times to confirm it's safe—"

He paused, his voice soft yet exceptionally clear.

"Let's set off."

"I'll send you to a place where you can live a peaceful and stable life..."

"A real home."

Shea stared at him blankly.

The phrase "a real home" is like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples that spread outwards.

She suddenly realized—

The aversion I felt in my heart might not have been directed at Avalon.

Rather, it's because...

Reaching that place means the end of the journey.

This means it's time to say goodbye to Lin Gui.

Xia nodded emphatically, then, remembering something, said to Lin Gui:

"By the way, the dwarf the dwarf leader asked us to contact..."

"You returned to Bounty City about a week before you left."

"I have already given him the fortress lord's letter and tokens."

He said he'd be waiting for you at "Anvil and Ale" in town anytime.

After failing to dissuade the Forest Spirit from heading to the Wailing Wall.

Bahrain can only do its best to provide him with all possible assistance.

Bounty City was originally a stronghold created at the request of the Dwarf Kingdom.

Over the years, the dwarves have been highly involved in all explorations of the Wailing Wall.

With the token of Balin, the dwarven forces here will do everything in their power to assist the Forest Ghost.

But Bahrain also warned the Limg people not to have too high expectations.

Since that massive time-travel attempt that shocked the mainland decades ago, which resulted in the complete annihilation of the entire force...

The dwarves of the capital had almost given up on the idea of ​​opening up a passage.

Following Shia's directions, Lin Gui quickly found the wooden bar called "Anvil and Ale".

Pushing open the heavy oak door, a cacophony of noise mixed with the aroma of ale hits you.

Beside the bar, a dwarf with a thick, dark beard that almost covered half his face was wiping a copper goblet.

He was surrounded by seven or eight equally robust dwarf companions.

When Lin Gui walked in, the entire bar suddenly fell silent for a moment.

All the dwarves turned their gazes toward him.

The black-bearded dwarf put down his wine glass and squinted at Lin Gui for two seconds.

Then he grinned, revealing his teeth, which were slightly yellowed from smoking.

"You're here?"

He beckoned.

As Lin Gui walked over, the dwarves around him naturally gathered around.

They were only up to Lin Gui's waist in height, yet they exuded an aura as solid as a mountain.

Dozens of eyes stared curiously at Lin Gui, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

The look in his eyes was as if he were observing some rare, never-before-seen creature.

Blackbeard jumped down from the high stool and stood in front of Lin Gui.

He tilted his head back, his gaze sharp, and asked bluntly:

"you……"

He paused, his voice booming, filled with undisguised doubt and inquiry.

"How exactly did they do that?"

"They brought back a mountain of black crystals from the Blackwater Forest in just a few hours?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding dwarves immediately began to buzz with discussion.

"Yes! I heard they didn't take the Golden Route?"

"That godforsaken place is teeming with demons, how did he manage to get around it?"

"Flying there? But flying vehicles make even more noise..."

"Even the boss himself would need two days to escort it, this speed of his..."

A cacophony of doubts, exclamations, and speculations filled the air.

All the dwarves stared at the Wood Ghost, awaiting his answer.

Lin Gui shrugged, noticing the suspicious looks from the dwarves around him.

"And then... with a whoosh, it flew over the demon's head."

"After you've got the ore, just fly back over their heads with a whoosh."

He spoke of it casually, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

The dwarves were all taken aback.

Then came a burst of dissatisfied grumbling.

"Who would believe that!"

"Humans shouldn't just say what they don't want to say; why try to fool the dwarves with such a clumsy lie!"

"Do they think we're three-year-olds?!"

Standing behind Lin Gui, Shia and Eve exchanged a glance.

The same helplessness flashed in their eyes.

On their way to the Bounty City, they flew over the heads of various powerful demons with a whoosh.

Blackbeard raised his hand and pressed down hard.

The noise gradually subsided.

He stared at Lin Gui for a long time, his rough face showing a complex expression.

Finally, he let out a heavy sigh.

"never mind."

"Since it was the fortress lord who personally gave the order—"

Blackbeard straightened his chest, and his voice became solemn.

"I, Blackbeard, and all the dwarven warriors of Bounty City."

"We will do everything we can to help you find that 'Avalon'."

He paused, then spoke each word with a heavy, unyielding tone:

Even if...

"I'll go with you into that damned Wailing Wall."