Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

In the following week.

Shea's "falling" was faster than anyone could have imagined.

The initial wariness, like thin ice under the spring sun, quickly melted away.

Her appearance changed every day when she returned to the cell.

The brows that had been unconsciously furrowed gradually relaxed.

The corners of her mouth, which were always tightly pursed and showed a guarded expression, began to curve upwards.

On the fourth day, when she returned, her face already bore a certain...

A vibrant radiance that even she herself was unaware of.

On the evening of the fifth day, Lin Gui leaned against the door and saw her walking down the path.

The setting sun cast a golden glow on her as she turned her head to speak to Winnie beside her.

Then, a bright, radiant smile appeared on his lips.

Clean and bright, as if all the burdens have finally been lifted.

Lin Gui and Eve couldn't help but smile back at the smiles they saw.

I am genuinely happy for her.

In the first few days, Shia was actually very wary.

She couldn't help but suspect that there was something fishy about those sudden feelings of affection.

but……

The residents of Avalon are just too "enthusiastic".

Their enthusiasm left her speechless.

On the first day, Winnie took her to her treehouse.

The table was covered with fresh berries and scones that even I couldn't bear to eat.

The orc woman who once pointed a pitchfork at her.

I gave her a pair of hand-sewn, fluffy, warm socks.

The next day, she was surrounded by several half-demon children who timidly called her "Sister Xia".

They took her to play a game of rattan ball that they had made themselves.

The ball accidentally rolled to the door of the old dwarf who lived alone on the street corner.

Instead of cursing, the old man muttered something as he picked up the ball.

I casually slipped her a small bag of still-warm roasted nuts.

On the third day, she was helping Winnie tidy up the vegetable patch at her house.

The neighbor, an older woman, handed me a bowl of freshly stewed soup through the fence; its aroma was irresistible.

"You're so thin, eat more."

His tone was as natural as if he were talking to his own younger sister.

On the fourth day, she was invited to a small bonfire party.

People share food and play simple musical instruments.

No one looked at her bloodshot eyes with strange eyes.

No one would dare to speak disrespectfully to her because of her status.

……

Shea had never experienced any of this.

As a half-demon, in the long past...

She was mostly greeted by stones covered in mud.

It was a disgusting "Get out."

It was a tightly closed door and a cold rejection.

Where have I encountered this before...?

Someone took my hand and led me home.

My hands were stuffed with gifts.

They were surrounded by food and laughter.

This kind of unreserved, clumsy yet sincere acceptance.

Like parched, cracked earth suddenly receiving a gentle, moist rain.

Her defenses were gradually softened and eroded.

Ultimately, it quietly collapsed.

But it wasn't just Shia who "collapsed."

There are also residents of Avalon.

That vague rumor about "white hair being related to guxin".

In fact, Morpheus had already unintentionally clarified this on the third day.

Shea is not a member of Guxin's clan and has no relation to Guxin.

The people of Avalon don't need to feel guilty and deliberately try to show kindness to Shia.

But no one investigated further, and everyone who came into contact with Shia ignored this fact.

Because of the time spent together these past few days, everyone can see things clearly.

Shia's base color is a pure, flawless white that is almost transparent.

The residents' clumsy good intentions were ultimately repaid by Shia in another way.

She would silently climb onto the leaky roof to help replace the rotten thatch.

They would roll up their sleeves and help the elderly orc grandmother fill the heavy water tank.

Repairing the crooked fence and moving firewood for the winter.

She did these things very naturally.

It was as if it was only natural to do it this way, without needing any thanks.

Gradually.

Everyone genuinely accepted this "stranger" who was not personally brought back by Lord Guxin.

This acceptance also extended to Lin Gui and Eve.

Eve will treat sick residents.

The warm light emanating from her fingertips always helps alleviate pain.

Lin Gui, huh...

He has neither healing magic nor the extraordinary physical strength of Shia.

Although he knows many useful basic spells, ultimately—

He became the most popular person among almost all the children in Avalon.

Because of his [levitation] ability.

Every afternoon, a group of children and adults who came to join in the fun would gather in the open space in the center of the city.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.

Lin Gui sat on the stone stool with a blank expression.

He slightly raised his staff, which shimmered with light.

One by one, the children floated up with soft cries, slowly spinning and drifting in mid-air.

Flying high in the sky, the unique experience made the children hold hands and cheer happily.

"It's flying!"

"Higher! Brother Lin Gui!"

"Sure, mage, go a little higher!"

"My God! Is this what it feels like to fly?!"

The sky was filled with excited little faces and cheers.

On the ground, Lin Gui rested his chin on his hand, his eyes vacant.

They didn't even realize that several much older "children" were mixed in with the floating children.

Unbeknownst to him, a figure gently sat down on his other side.

Lin Gui didn't open his eyes, but the faint, rose-like fragrance told him that Eve was the one who had come.

"Aren't you going to help out at the clinic?" he asked with his eyes closed.

Eve's gentle voice came to her ear: "Avalon has few residents to begin with, and even fewer patients."

"In the clinic... there are pastors who are better than me, and doctors who are more experienced."

She looked up at the children floating in the sky, carried by a gentle force.

A faint hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

In mid-air, the children are holding hands, forming a floating circle.

A half-demon boy with delicate ram horns sprouting from his head tightly gripped the hand of a human girl.

Beside them, a goblin girl with slightly green skin and pointed ears was laughing and grabbing the arm of a chubby dwarf boy.

Further away, an elven child with light golden hair was drifting side by side with a tall, muscular, grinning orc boy.

They are descendants of various races, some even of whom are considered sworn enemies by outsiders.

At this moment, however, there is no barrier between them.

Fingers intertwined, laughter mingled.

It hovers lightly under the clear blue sky and sunshine of Avalon.

Eve watched the children dancing harmoniously.

Suddenly, the image of the sky city described in ancient scriptures came to mind.

The scroll of Eden.

Purity, tranquility, and harmony among all things.

She recalled the words of the legendary paladin Rogge:

He doesn't need to fantasize about the beauty of Eden.

Because Avalon is his Eden.

At that moment, Eve truly agreed with those words.

Even a hint of longing arises in my heart.

She couldn't help but whisper:

"That's wonderful, I... I want to settle down here too."

Lin Gui, with his eyes still closed, replied calmly:

"When will you break free from the shackles of Valhalla?"

"You can find me in the border regions."

"I'll bring you over then."

"I think Shia will be very happy that her good friend can live with her."

Eve gave a wry smile.

"Mr. Lin Gui, divine artifacts cannot be destroyed."

"Unless I die, I will never be able to escape its clutches."

Her voice was very soft, almost inaudible amidst the children's laughter.

"For Shia, her constraint was those bloodshot eyes."

"Those eyes that the world regards as ominous and sinful."

"But ultimately... she is free."

"And me..."

She gazed at the sky, her eyes somewhat vacant.

"Even if we escape to a remote place tens of thousands of kilometers away."

"I am still just a bird imprisoned by the Church of Light."

"They are puppets they manipulate."

Eve's gaze followed the tiny figures that were flying freely.

His eyes revealed undisguised envy.

If she could, she would want that kind of freedom too.

pity.

From the day her parents sold her to an orphanage.

From the moment she was detected to have an affinity for light magic.

To die for prophecy, or to die for conquest.

That became her predetermined fate.

This was also the final fate of all the saintly women throughout history.

She thought she had long since become indifferent to life and death.

But at this moment, looking at this magnificent and vibrant city-state...

Looking at those carefree children, of different races, laughing and playing together.

Looking back on the adventures he had with Lin Gui and Xia.

She suddenly...

I want to watch it a little longer.

I want to stay a little longer.

When Eve snapped out of her lingering sadness, she realized...

Lin Gui had opened his eyes at some point.

He was quietly watching her.

Eve's eyes were filled with bewildered curiosity, followed by helplessness.

Eve tilted her head slightly, somewhat puzzled.

Lin Gui rolled his eyes and said something that she couldn't fully understand even a long time later:

"Your obsession isn't very effective."

"I thought I could have another long journey."