Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

As it turned out, Lin Gui's concerns were justified.

the next day.

early morning.

The sunlight shone down without obstruction.

The sky above Avalon was a clear, deep blue.

Why is there sunlight even deep within the Wailing Wall?

the reason is simple.

That Demon King Pillar standing in the center of the city was simply too tall.

Its height completely surpassed the perpetual fog of the Wall of Sighs.

Like a giant umbrella that has been opened.

It not only blocked the demons' spying but also kept the mist outside the barrier.

Sunlight was able to penetrate the barrier and fall warmly into the small town.

This light not only dispelled the darkness,

It also dispelled the omnipresent and suffocating sense of oppression from the Wailing Wall.

Avalon, bathed in the morning light, reveals a unique beauty.

The low stone houses have gray tiles on their roofs that are gilded with a pale gold.

The vegetable patches in front of every household's yard are lush and green, with glistening dewdrops hanging from them.

The winding dirt road gleamed under the light, and the moss in the crevices was damp.

The outline of the city wall was clearly visible in the distance, rough yet sturdy.

A few wisps of smoke rose into the clear blue sky.

The air was crisp and cool, yet it carried the scent of grass, trees, and earth.

Occasionally, early risers would push open their wooden doors and nod to each other in greeting.

Everything was so peaceful...it didn't feel like the center of a desolate wasteland.

In the room where Shia is imprisoned.

Avalon's first morning.

Shea woke up groggily from her soft bed.

Her long, silvery-white hair was scattered haphazardly on the pillow, with a few strands clinging to her cheeks.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, her bloodshot eyes were half-open, still veiled with sleepiness.

Last night's bedtime routine was very simple.

Shea slept in the only bed downstairs.

Eve offered to sleep in the attic, saying she "needed quiet."

As for Lin Gui—

Shea had no idea where he went in the middle of the night.

She only remembers being extremely tired and falling asleep in a daze.

When she woke up, she saw—

Lin Gui was leaning against the wall by the door, holding his oak staff.

His head was slightly drooping, and his eyes were closed, as if he were asleep.

Shea blinked, her consciousness gradually returning.

She frowned and sat up sideways.

I wanted to gently wake Lin Gui and ask him where he had been last night.

Suddenly, they heard a commotion outside the door.

The sound was very close, as if it were right next to the door.

Xia was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously held her breath.

She tiptoed off the bed, her bare feet touching the cool floor.

I tiptoed silently to the door.

I carefully placed my ear on it.

The door wasn't thick, and the conversation outside could be heard intermittently:

"...Are they really Lord Guxin's family?"

"White hair... I saw it with my own eyes, the same white hair as Lord Guxin..."

"But Lord Morpheus said yesterday that she is the offspring of the Demon Prince..."

"Are you stupid! White hair! How many of the seventy-two demon kings have white hair?"

"But……"

"Lord Guxin also has white hair! This must be... it must be a bloodline connection!"

"Perhaps they are members of Lord Guxin's clan who were separated from their people..."

"Last night, when I went to the bathroom, I overheard Lord Morpheus next door saying that they were from Lord Guxin's clan! I'm absolutely sure I heard correctly!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I was also in the outhouse, overhearing the wise man Killian saying the same thing from the next stall!"

"Wow, what a coincidence! You two were right next to the public restroom that day!"

"So what we did to her yesterday..."

A woman's voice, trembling with obvious guilt, broke through:

"I even pointed a pitchfork at her..."

"She was so pitiful... we searched all the way here..."

"But we treated her as an enemy..."

Another rough, hoarse male voice sounded in a low voice:

"Apologize."

An apology is required.

"Avalon... shouldn't treat asylum seekers like this."

"Especially... people who might be related to Lord Guxin."

Inside the door.

Shea was completely stunned.

His red eyes were wide open, filled with confusion.

Guxin's retinue? The White-Haired Demon Prince's heir? An apology?

Who should I apologize to? Did a white-haired demon suddenly appear in Avalon?

And this white-haired demon was near the place where they were imprisoned?

There was too much information, and she couldn't process it all at once.

Just as she was trying to sort out her thoughts—

"Knock, knock."

A knocking sounded suddenly.

Immediately following was the "click" sound of the lock cylinder turning.

Shia shuddered.

I recall the vicious scene that unfolded last night by the residents of Avalon.

Without thinking, she kicked Lin Gui, who was still sleeping next to her.

"Wake up!"

At the same time, he grabbed the collar of his robe and yanked it sharply.

With a "whoosh"—

She practically dragged and pulled the still-not-fully-conscious Lin Gui toward the stairs.

The movement was so fast that it created a gust of wind.

Lin Gui stumbled as she pulled him, and his staff almost slipped from his grasp.

His dark eyes snapped open, still dazed from just waking up.

Shea, however, couldn't care less.

Her heart pounded, and she grabbed Lin Gui and rushed up to the attic in a few strides.

It felt as if something terrifying was chasing after us.

Eve had already woken up in the attic.

She leaned against the window, one leg bent and the other casually draped over the windowsill.

Her short, pale golden hair shimmered softly in the morning light.

She was looking quietly out the window at the awakening town below.

Her posture was serene, her expression peaceful, and she even seemed somewhat holy.

Hearing hurried footsteps, she turned her head slightly.

When they saw Xia grabbing Lin Gui and rushing up in a panic...

Eve blinked gently.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he casually lowered his leg that was draped over the windowsill.

He put his legs together and straightened his posture.

"Good morning."

She smiled slightly at the two of them, her voice soft.

"What happened?"

Shia whispered nervously, "Eve! Those people are coming in! There are so many of them!"

Eve simply tilted her head and smiled gently: "I know."

Shia: "...Huh?"

Eve explained with a smile:

"They gathered at the door before dawn."

"I've been watching from the window."

"He was carrying his things, pacing back and forth outside the door, hesitating for a long time."

"Many people had guilt and unease on their faces."

"Did you bring anything?" Shia asked instinctively. "Are they forks and farm tools again?"

Eve shook her head.

"Not a weapon."

"It's fruit, vegetables, and there's more in the basket..."

She paused, a sly smile appearing in her eyes.

"Some thick, warm clothes that look like they were made by hand."

Shea was completely dumbfounded.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

The tension in his eyes hadn't subsided, but it was now mixed with a great deal of bewilderment and confusion.

Fruit? Vegetables? Warm clothing?

What on earth is going on?!

Just then.

The door was pushed open.

A group of people carrying large and small bags poured in.

It was those same residents from last night, carrying farm tools and looking wary.

They rushed into the house in a swarm, looking around.

After searching for a while, someone suddenly looked up—

They bumped right into Shia, who was secretly peeking down from the attic stairs.

Xia shrank back in fright, her bloodshot eyes wide open.

"Lin Gui! They're charging in!"

She quickly turned around, grabbed Lin Gui's arm, and shook it.

"Quick! Get us out of here!"

Lin Gui's head bobbed up and down as she shook him.

His eyelids were drooping, and his eyes were full of sleep deprivation.

"Hmm... I'll sleep a little longer..."

He mumbled something indistinctly, then leaned against the wall, clutching his staff.

They clearly didn't take Shia's anxiety seriously.

Shea was so anxious that she stomped her feet, and her silver hair almost stood on end.

"Wake up! Everyone's downstairs!"

Footsteps grew closer at the staircase.

The wooden planks creaked underfoot, accompanied by hushed voices.

"The attic...it seems to be up there..."

"Keep your voice down, don't scare her..."

The barrier at the top of the stairs was gently pushed open.

Faces filled with guilt and anxiety appeared from below.

They weren't carrying weapons, but rather fruits, vegetables, and clothing.

Upon seeing the three people in the attic, they visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Immediately, the crowd slowly gathered around.

Shia tensed up completely, without even thinking.

He grabbed the still drowsy Lin Gui by the back of his collar and yanked him close.

He used it as a "shield" to shield himself and Eve.

The scene was somewhat comical for a moment.

Lin Gui, being held by her, finally opened his eyes in a daze.

As a result, I found myself standing between the two sides like a human shield.

He blinked blankly, seemingly not quite understanding the situation.