Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

Warren became king.

Lin Gui hid in the shadows, silently listening to what the homeless children said.

In the end, it was not Charles, nor Diana, nor Elvia who quietly developed her power and was ready to launch a surprise attack at any moment.

Or is it Warren, who has never been interested in the throne?

Furthermore, they launched a purge against other princes, princesses, and noble factions.

Charles and Diana are dead?

Those images flashed rapidly through Lin Gui's mind.

The corpses that had been there along the way.

A major battle took place on the first floor.

Those knights lying on the street corner, those corpses clad in the standard armor of the Carter Kingdom…

So, was that Warren's purge of the other heirs to the throne?

And Carlyle was hunting down those fleeing nobles for the same reason.

Lin Gui felt a strange sensation in his heart.

At any other time, even if an illegitimate child suddenly appeared, surpassing all the other contenders for the throne, he wouldn't be surprised.

But this happened during the Kuroshio Current.

Since its inception, no city-state along the route of the Black Tide has survived.

What's the point of fighting for the throne of a doomed kingdom?

The more Lin Gui thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

It's not that Warren's rise to power was wrong in itself.

Rather, it was the timing of his rise to power.

Just as the Black Tide was about to engulf everything.

Just when everyone thought the city was doomed.

It was precisely at this moment that he launched the purge.

It was precisely at this moment that he seized the throne.

But it was precisely at this moment that his army managed to defend the city.

In his mind, Shadow Blade Lin's voice suddenly rang out.

"How much longer are you going to linger here?"

Her tone was clearly impatient.

"We have no time to delay."

As a former pinnacle of epic power, Shadowblade Lin had ventured deep into the Black Tide several times, and she understood the horrors of the third phase better than Lin Gui.

Once the third phase of the Black Tide begins, millions of demons will lose all their reason and become machines that only know how to kill.

At that point, let alone saving others, even whether he himself could survive would be uncertain.

Lin Gui nodded.

Without further delay, he began a full-scale search for Elvia's whereabouts within the capital city of Carter.

He went to all the places Elvia might go.

The headquarters of the Seven Copper Coins Post Office was deserted, with only scattered papers rolling on the ground.

The hotel room they stayed in together had its door wide open and was ransacked, clearly having been ransacked.

He even went to the secret basement that he and Elvia had prepared for selling the stolen goods.

The valuables are still there, but the person is gone.

Lin Gui even went out of the city to visit the old mine.

That was where they had once hidden away from their pursuers.

It was still deserted.

While searching for Elvia, Lin Gui was also gathering information.

He asked the refugees hiding in the shacks of the refugee district.

Ask the low-level adventurers in the Adventurers' Guild who haven't left.

Many people recognized him.

The "Black-feathered Raven" that spread among the refugees.

That kind-hearted monk who helped deliver messages for seven copper coins.

They were happy to tell him everything they knew.

Based on the information they provided, Lin Gui gradually pieced together what happened in Carter's capital after he left.

King Carter passed away suddenly.

Charles and Diana engaged in a bloody battle for the throne.

Immediately afterwards, news broke of a demonic uprising and the impending arrival of the Black Tide.

When news of the fall of Twilight Fortress reached the capital, the entire city-state's order collapsed completely.

Just when everyone thought King Carter was doomed.

A knight clad in blood-red armor suddenly appeared.

They suppressed all the chaos with extremely forceful measures.

Then, Prince Warren appeared.

The first thing he did was to massacre Charles and Diana, as well as all the nobles associated with them.

That was a real massacre.

From Starry Mountain, where the royal palace was located, to the first-floor area where nobles gathered, blood flowed like a river.

And those who helped him complete the cleansing were none other than the Crimson Knights.

Subsequently, in the first phase of the Black Tide, the Demon Riot broke out in full force.

Just when everyone thought that King Carter was doomed.

The crimson knights and the suddenly activated barrier actually managed to withstand the demon's attack.

The city was defended.

They held on until the second phase.

The golden period for the Kuroshio escape.

Logically, everyone should be running for their lives at this point.

But at this time, Prince Warren ascended the throne.

Then he issued an order.

No one is allowed to escape from Carter's capital.

no matter who.

The neutral forces, led by Duke Lister, the Knight of the Nation, naturally could not agree to this absurd order.

Just now, they broke through the city gates and rushed out, accompanied by nobles and soldiers who were willing to follow them.

Lin Gui recalled the convoys that sped past right under his nose.

Those who were being hunted down by Carlyle.

The corpses lying on the road.

Right.

When Lin Gui asked about Elvia, most people shook their heads.

No one saw her.

The last time anyone saw her was on the eve of the Kuroshio's arrival.

She sold all her wealth for food and clothing, distributing it all to refugees and commoners.

Nobody knows why she did that.

But those who received her help were all sincerely grateful to her.

At least, they had a full meal before they died.

Following the directions of the refugees, Lin Gui arrived at the lowest level of the capital's shantytown.

It was also the place where Elvia distributed food.

This place was originally the dirtiest and most desperate corner of the entire city-state.

But now, there's an eerie sense of ease about it.

Several emaciated men were squatting at the entrance of the shed.

Holding a steamed bun in his hands, he chewed it in big bites.

A woman with messy, straw-like hair next to her was putting on a long silk dress.

The dress was clearly ill-fitting, looking like a tattered rag on her.

But she was smiling happily, spinning around to show the child next to her.

The child paid no attention to her, as he was holding a whole roasted chicken and gnawing on it, his face covered in grease.

Further inside, an old man was sitting on a broken wooden box.

He held a bowl of thick meat soup in his hand and sipped it slowly.

A group of young people were gathered together, passing around a wine bag.

The wine flask was also embroidered with exquisite aristocratic crests.

Someone is starting a fire, and an iron pot is placed on top of the fire.

They were cooking cured meat and sausages that they had somehow gotten their hands on, and the aroma wafted far and wide.

Some people were distributing clothes, carrying piles of silk and fur into their sheds.

People were laughing everywhere.

Lin Gui was very familiar with that kind of laugh.

It's the smile of someone who was starving but finally got their fill.

It's the smile of someone who was frozen stiff, finally warmed up.

There's no need to worry about whether I'll be able to open my eyes tomorrow, I can smile easily.

But beneath this ease, Lin Gui saw more.

Those who squatted in the corner silently munching on steamed buns would often glance into the distance.

Those who were holding their new clothes had their fingers tightly gripping the fabric, as if afraid it would disappear in the next second.

Those who were drinking soup, drinking alcohol, and eating meat were laughing loudly.

But deep within his eyes lies a barely perceptible emptiness.

They all know.

This might be the last meal.

When the Kuroshio Current really arrives.

These things that come for free, these fleeting moments of sustenance.

They will all vanish along with this city.

But at least for now.

now.

They were well-fed and warmly dressed.

This is enough.

Lin Gui walked deep into the shantytown and was quickly recognized.

"The Black-feathered Raven!"

A young man shouted, and people immediately gathered around.

Unlike the people outside, they did not hold the forest ghost in awe.

Instead, it was as if they had met familiar faces; they all crowded around and asked questions all at once.

"Master, are you still delivering messages?"

Do you have anything to eat? I do! I'll share some with you!

"Don't push, don't push! Let the Master catch his breath!"

Someone stuffed a steaming hot bun into Lin Gui's hand.

Someone handed me a bowl of meat soup.

Lin Gui looked at the things in his hands.

The dough for the steamed buns was very coarse; it was obvious that it contained bran.

But in the eyes of the refugees, this was already a rare and precious thing.

A layer of oil floated on the broth, and the meat chunks were large and stewed until tender.

He did not refuse.

He sat down on a broken wooden box, took a sip of soup, and took a bite of a steamed bun.

Everyone around laughed.

That smile wasn't one of flattery or reverence.

It's simply that someone is willing to sit with them.

The kind of simple, genuine closeness that comes from eating the same things.

Lin Gui silently finished eating and returned the bowl to the person next to him.

Then he looked up at the crowd.

Has anyone seen Princess Elvia?

"I'm here to see her."

"I heard she used to distribute food here."

The crowd fell silent for a moment.

An elderly man with gray hair walked out from the crowd.

His clothes were patched upon patched, and faded from washing.

But amidst all the silks and brocades scattered on the ground, it seemed out of place.

He walked up to Lin Gui and stood still.

"Master."

His voice was hoarse, but steady.

"Princess Elvia helped us."

"In the days leading up to the Kuroshio, she exchanged all her money for food and clothing, and distributed it to us."

"She came in person."

"He just stood on that earthen slope over there, watching us receive our things, without saying a word."

The old man pointed to a weed-covered earthen slope not far away.

Lin Gui looked in the direction he was pointing.

There was nothing there.

Only a few clumps of withered grass swayed in the wind.

After glancing at it, Lin Gui looked at the old man and asked:

"Do you know where she went after that?"

"I searched the entire capital, but I couldn't find her."

The old man shook his head.

Lin Gui then looked at the other refugees.

The others looked at him with slight apologies.

"We didn't see it."

"She left after distributing the items that day, and I haven't seen her since."

Seeing the anxious look in Lin Gui's eyes, the refugees volunteered:

"Master, please don't be anxious."

"We'll ask around for you."

"There are tens of thousands of people living in this refugee area. As long as Princess Elvia is still in the capital of Carter, someone will eventually see her."

A young vagrant approached and said:

"Moreover, Princess Elvia is different from other princesses and princes."

"She came to our area and did some good deeds for us."

"Most of the refugees don't know what Charles and Diana look like, but we do know that beautiful princess, Elvia."

Lin Gui looked at them, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

He was once one of them.

I squatted on the street corner, so hungry that my eyes were blurry.

Hiding in the gutter, they steal the swill poured out by the luxury restaurant.

To survive, I've crawled into all sorts of places and done all sorts of things.

He was very clear about how this group survived.

They roamed like rats, hiding in every nook and cranny of the city.

Sewers, ruins, abandoned cellars, even the cracks in the city walls.

As long as they can hide inside and survive, they will crawl inside like cockroaches.

If Elvia really has gone into hiding.

She might be able to evade the knight's search.

Those high-ranking nobles have no idea how people at the bottom of society live.

But she couldn't hide it from these refugees.

Because they are everywhere in order to survive in the city-state.

Lin Gui stood up and solemnly said to those around him:

"Please help me, everyone."

"If you find her, or if you have any information about her, please let me know."

"I'm staying around here, I won't go far."

The refugees nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry, Master, we'll go ask right away."

"You've helped us so many times, this is nothing."

"Everyone, get moving! Go ask everyone if they've seen Princess Elvia!"

The crowd dispersed and surged deeper into the shantytown.

Lin Gui stood there, watching their backs.

Those thin figures, dressed in tattered clothes, disappeared into the narrow alleys.

They disappeared into corners that normal people would never notice.

Lin Gui sighed.

If he can't find Elvia today, then he'll have to leave.

Even from a great distance, he could still hear the sounds of a vast number of demons migrating in the distance.

Three days have passed since the start of the second phase.

From now on, the risks will increase with each passing day.

They left the capital of Carter and escaped the radiation range of the Black Tide.

It will also take a considerable amount of time.

Lin Gui simply cannot afford to drag this out.

Previous efforts to find it ultimately failed.

Lin Gui thought that even if he mobilized the power of the refugees, it would take a lot of time this time.

It's even possible that there will be no result in the end.

But to Lin Gui's surprise, he had only been out of the shed for a short time.

News of Elvia's discovery was then brought.

"My lord! We've found her! We've found Princess Elvia!"

Lin Gui was taken aback.

He knew the area was large with displaced people, but this was happening way too fast.

Is it really that efficient?

Several homeless children, panting heavily and with excited looks on their faces, chattered amongst themselves:

"It's over there! I'll take you there!"

"Uncle Aman said he saw Princess Elvia in the West City!"

"Yes, Aunt Lu Man said that too."

Lin Gui didn't delay and followed them.

Led by the homeless child, he passed through one low, dilapidated shack after another.

Walk through those narrow alleyways piled with garbage.

We walked through those smelly ditches.

Finally, they arrived at a place that Lin Gui was very familiar with.

Upon seeing the destination, Lin Gui's first reaction was that it was a trap.

The refugees deceived him.

The place the refugees said they saw Elvia was Carlyle's antique shop.

That old shop, hidden deep in the refugee district, with a dilapidated exterior and hardly any customers.

How could Elvia possibly be hiding here?

Warren was purging his own family members, while Carry was Warren's backer.

How could she possibly walk right into a trap and hide here?

However, the feedback from his perception of magic told him something else entirely.

There was a certain atmosphere in the shop.

An aura of high rank and superiority.

Lin Gui was all too familiar with the frequency of that energy fluctuation.

It's Elvia.

But besides her, there was another person.

It exists silently deep within the store, emitting no hostility, yet making no attempt to conceal itself.

It simply exists there, like a silent boulder.

In his mind, Shadow Blade Lin's voice suddenly rang out.

It was unusual for him to speak in such a solemn tone.

"careful."

"That guy inside."

"His strength is at least comparable to mine."