Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

Lin Gui found the middle-aged woman who was leading the group.

She stood at the entrance of the blacksmith's shop, looking down as she examined the blade of a short sword.

Short hair, square face, and strong jawline.

The greatsword on her back was almost as tall as her, and the hilt was wrapped with anti-slip hemp rope, which had been worn shiny.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and glanced at Lin Gui.

"Who are you?"

"Lin Gui," he said bluntly, "I'd like to ask you to take someone to the City of a Thousand Towers."

The middle-aged woman sheathed her short sword at her waist and straightened up.

"I won't answer."

She refused decisively.

"We came back this time to bring the families of the group members."

"Each person has two or three family members to take care of."

She paused, glancing towards the city gate.

"In total, we need to bring more people than all the other teams combined."

Lin Gui didn't speak.

The middle-aged woman withdrew her gaze, her tone calm.

"The risk is already very high; adding another person would be a burden."

"Even if the other party is a high-ranking knight."

She glanced at Elvia.

"If it's a mage, especially one who knows concealment magic, I might consider it."

"knight?"

"What our adventurer group has in abundance is warriors."

Of all classes, the number of physical classes far exceeds that of mages.

Especially among adventurers.

After all, the training costs are different.

With ten million gold coins, you might be able to train ten extraordinary warriors, but you might not be able to train even one extraordinary mage.

When it comes to traversing the wilderness, mages hold a much higher status than warriors.

She shook her head and didn't say anything more.

Lin Gui had anticipated this, and he took out a bag from his pocket and handed it over.

The bag was small, about the length of a palm, made of gray cloth, and tied at the opening with thin hemp rope.

The middle-aged woman frowned and did not answer.

"No matter how much money you offer, I won't."

Lin Gui handed the bag forward.

She hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took it.

She paused for a moment when her fingers touched the bag.

It's too light.

It doesn't look like it's meant to hold coins.

She unbuttoned the clasp and peeked inside.

His pupils contracted sharply.

She gripped the bag tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She looked up at Lin Gui, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Can."

She tucked the bag into her arms, her voice regaining its calm.

"But you have to follow our arrangements."

Elvia leaned close to Lin Gui's ear and whispered:

"What did you give her?"

Lin Gui replied simply:

"Cultivation resources."

Elvia frowned.

"How could a mage like you possess something like this?"

Lin Gui said:

I found it on the way back to Carter's capital.

Elvia understood instantly.

It was left behind when Duke Lister left with the nobles.

This guy must have picked up a ton of stuff.

Her eyes lit up, and she whispered:

"So you're saying you're incredibly rich now?"

"Everyone who sees it gets a share, give me some, please."

She was just joking casually.

Unexpectedly, Lin Guizhen pulled out another bag from his pocket and handed it to her.

The bag is very light.

Elvia opened it, and inside was a small handful of Star Coins, along with a few scattered gold and silver coins.

She was stunned.

Lin Gui didn't look at her, but kept staring in the direction of the city gate, continuing to give instructions.

"Follow the commander's orders on the road, and don't act on your own."

Elvia opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"Don't wander off in the wilderness, and don't leave the group without permission. If you need to take care of your bodily needs, be sure to tell the group leader so that the group can stop and wait for you. Don't go far away by yourself."

"Don't speak loudly in the wilderness; your voice can carry for miles. Those demons have better ears than you think."

"Don't sleep too soundly when you're on night watch; open your eyes at the slightest noise."

"Don't touch anything in the wilderness—rocks, dead wood, bones, nothing. You don't know if there's anything stuck to them."

"Once you arrive in the city-state, cover your face and don't show it. Your face might cause a lot of trouble, especially since your strength is only average."

"Don't waste money, don't squander it, don't indulge in luxury, or you might get kidnapped."

"Once we arrive in the City of a Thousand Towers, let's find a safe place to stay first."

"Don't rush to find people, and don't trust those who come to you on their own initiative."

"If you encounter danger, don't be a hero, just run."

"If you can't escape, hand over the money. Life is more important than money."

"Don't mention the capital city of Carter to anyone, and don't mention your identity to anyone."

If someone asks you where you're from, just say...

He paused, then thought for a moment.

"Just say you're from Dragonbone City."

Elvia felt a chill run down her spine and couldn't help but call for a stop.

"That's enough!"

Lin Gui stopped and looked at her.

Elvia took a deep breath.

"Well, I know you mean well."

"but……"

"I did hang out with the rebels for a while, I'm not some stupid rich girl, I was once a lioness, you know."

Lin Gui glanced at Elvia, then nodded in agreement:

"Too."

"With your cowardly nature, you'd kneel down without hesitation even if I asked you to."

"I think I was overthinking it."

Elvia stared at Lin Gui speechlessly.

This sounds like he's insulting himself.

"You bastard..."

The middle-aged woman next to him had been listening the whole time, and then glanced at Lin Gui unexpectedly.

She turned to Monica and said:

"Listen to this, this little mage is very experienced."

Monica nodded seriously, keeping in mind everything Lin Gui had just said.

The middle-aged woman looked at Lin Gui again, and her lips twitched slightly.

"Why don't you come along too?"

The middle-aged woman's invitation was not without reason.

Just now, she heard Monica say that the other party entered Dragonbone City during the Black Tide.

In other words, this young mage should be able to traverse the wilderness.

Although the minimum standard for crossing the wilderness is to be extraordinary.

However... she had seen some people whose stealth abilities were maxed out, who could traverse the wilderness at a high level.

She suspected that this young mage was that kind of person.

The fact that the other person had just shown signs of extensive outdoor experience further proves this point.

Lin Gui shook his head and refused:

"I have other things to do."

The middle-aged woman didn't try to persuade her anymore.

"Alright, let's go get it stamped at the guild."

The Adventurers' Guild is very efficient.

The authorization form was handed in, stamped, and signed, in triplicate.

One copy for the adventure team, one copy for the guild archive, and one copy for the commissioner.

Lin Gui put the commission form into his pocket and patted it.

With this in place, the adventure team can't just abandon someone.

The guild will not stand idly by.

That's the rule.

At the city gate.

The fourteen members of the Crimson Iron Adventurer Group are ready to set off.

Each of them carried a heavy pack containing supplies needed to cross the wilderness.

Elvia stood before the Forest Demon, fully armed.

The crudely made leather armor was now fastened, the short sword hung at his waist, and he had been given a new pair of sturdier boots.

She looked at Lin Gui and remained silent for a while.

"Thanks."

Her voice was very soft.

"You saved me and helped me so much."

"But because of your ideals, I want to stay away from you."

"Instead of staying to be your asset."

She lowered her head.

"I feel very guilty."

Lin Gui looked at her speechlessly.

"What kind of help can you give me?"

"Want me to warm your bed?"

Elvia raised her head and said with dissatisfaction:

"At least I can protect you while you rest."

"Just like crossing the withered rift valley before."

Lin Gui smiled and raised his hand to cast a spell.

A surge of magical energy emanated from him.

High-level magic.

Lin Gui said, "It's still uncertain who will protect whom right now."

Elvia's lips twitched.

She secretly wondered if this guy's strength had grown too fast.

It took me more than two years to rise from a lower-ranking official to a higher-ranking official.

And this guy only took a little over six months.

Unfortunately, Elvia knew she was just being delusional.

She looked at Lin Gui, her lips moving slightly.

Then she stepped forward, opened her arms, and hugged him.

The movements were very gentle, and she loosened up quickly.

She whispered "Thank you, I'll remember you" in Lin Gui's ear, then turned and walked towards the city gate without looking back.

Lin Gui stood there, watching her back.

She walked over to the Crimson Iron Adventurers and said a few words to the leader.

The group leader pointed to a package that was bigger than her and said something.

Elvia's expression froze.

She stared blankly at the package, then at the group leader.

The regimental commander nodded.

Elvia gritted her teeth and hoisted the enormous package onto her back.

Her shoulder suddenly sank down, and she staggered forward a step, narrowly avoiding falling.

The young man next to him smiled and said:

"Every member of the group has to carry it, and their family members do too."

"You're strong, carry more."

Elvia gritted her teeth and didn't say anything, tightening the shoulder strap even more.

Lin Gui stood at the post office entrance, watching this scene, and couldn't help but laugh.

It seems Elvia is about to face a lot of hardship.

Lin Gui smiled and then returned to the post office.

Lin Gui thought that it would probably be many years before he could see the blonde princess again.

Although his route passed through a magical city.

But given his speed, he's probably already left the magical city, while Elvia and the others are likely still halfway there.

And once you miss that one and only city-state with which you might have any interaction...

It's unlikely we'll see each other again.

Lin Gui was prepared to say goodbye to Elvia forever.

But what he didn't expect was...

His story with Elvia has only just begun.