Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

The sudden appearance of the assassin left Lin Gui completely bewildered.

The guards in the homes of wealthy families outside are all of extraordinary strength.

How did you, a high-ranking assassin, manage to get in here?

He looked out the window; the sun had already set.

Going back now would be pointless.

Lin Gui thought for a moment and decided to follow him to see what this guy was up to.

Manipulating the staff, Lin Gui silently followed the assassin through the villa area.

The assassin was acting strangely, touching here and looking there.

Finally, they arrived at the door of the slave trader Erwin's spacious bedroom.

Erwin's door was locked, and it was a magic lock.

Lin Gui could untie it himself, but he was certain the assassin didn't have that ability.

After all, it's not a job that matches their skills.

Sure enough, the assassin took out a steel needle and poked and prodded in the keyhole for a while, but he still couldn't open it.

Just when Lin Gui thought he was going to give up.

But then the assassin flipped his wrist and pulled out a magic key.

Lin Gui: "????"

No, you already have the key, so why were you poking around like that?

"Are you sure there's a trap?" Lin Gui asked, completely baffled.

Follow the assassin into the bedroom, where its luxurious interior is on full display.

Velvet curtains hung down from the high windows.

The floor was covered with a thick carpet of monster fur.

Jewelry and magical crystals inlaid with gemstones are casually placed together.

The air was filled with expensive incense.

All of these items demonstrate the astonishing wealth accumulated by the owner.

With a clear objective, the assassin went straight to the desk and began searching.

Lin Gui didn't stand on ceremony, his gaze sweeping over the valuable trinkets.

He casually stuffed a few items that caught his eye into his pocket.

The two performed their respective duties without interfering with each other.

"Waaaaah!! We finally found it!"

The assassin suddenly lowered his voice and exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Gui muttered to himself.

You're such an amateur assassin, how can you even make a sound?

He glanced over and saw that the assassin was holding a long string of uniquely designed magic keys.

Judging from the design, it was clearly intended for untying slave collars.

Oh~~ Lin Gui understands a bit.

The assassin came to steal the key.

It seems they want to rescue an important "commodity" that is controlled by slave traders.

The key was kept by Erwin in his bedroom.

The slaves associated with these keys must have been extremely valuable.

Is she an incomparably beautiful elf?

A powerful warrior from a fallen kingdom?

Or is it a special monster that can produce valuable materials?

Following the assassin, Lin Gui arrived at a hidden basement entrance at the back of the villa.

Even before getting close, one could faintly hear the suppressed sobs of slaves coming from inside.

What happened next left Lin Gui stunned.

The assassin then removed his night clothes, revealing his true appearance.

A young man with a slightly pale face and gentle eyes.

He quietly slipped the key into his pocket and straightened his clothes.

He then walked calmly toward the guards standing at the entrance to the basement.

When the guards saw him, they were taken aback at first, and then quickly bowed and saluted.

"Greetings, Third Young Master."

???

Lin Gui was stunned by this reversal.

So you're the son of a slave trader.

No wonder he was able to fool the superhuman guards outside and was so familiar with this place.

The third young master smiled gently and made a move to pass through the guards and enter the basement.

The guards quickly stopped him, their faces showing reluctance.

"I'm sorry, Third Young Master."

"The master specifically instructed that you are not allowed to enter the basement again."

The third young master still wore a shy smile.

"Don't worry, this is the last time. Father has already agreed, and you can confirm it with him yourself."

The guards exchanged puzzled glances.

One of them turned and went into the guardhouse next door.

He pulled out a brass device fixed to the wall, equipped with a speaker and earpiece: a communication device.

That is... a telephone.

Yes, the continent of Akara does have "telephones," but the communication range is limited to within the city.

Moreover, it is expensive.

In addition to this device.

The magic system also includes magic that can transmit sound over long distances.

such as:

Intermediate-level soul magic, [Mind Transference]

Transcendent-level wind magic, [Wind Swiftness]

Transcendent-level light magic, [Holy Word]

Epic-tier Light Magic, [Akara's Words]

Even other professions have their own methods of transmitting sound.

For example, the Ranger's Falcon.

The call ended quickly.

The guard stepped forward, nodded to his companion, and stepped aside to clear the way.

"Third Young Master, please."

The third young master smiled and nodded in greeting before stepping onto the dimly lit, downward-facing stairs.

Lin Gui followed closely behind.

Enter the basement.

The interior scene gradually unfolds.

The slaves were imprisoned separately in iron cages lined up along the wall, which were enchanted with binding runes.

The cage was fairly clean, with dry straw laid out inside.

Drinking water and simple food were placed in the corner.

The air was filled with the smell of disinfectant mixed with a faint musty odor.

Most of them were thinly dressed and huddled up with empty eyes.

Like goods that are temporarily stored.

When the Third Young Master's footsteps sounded, the slaves reacted in different ways.

Some of the newcomers looked terrified and shrank back.

Some who stayed longer merely raised their eyelids numbly before lowering their heads again.

However, Lin Gui keenly sensed that beneath those numb or fearful faces lay a more complex emotion.

They were surprised by the arrival of the third young master.

It seems to harbor a subtle attitude, a mixture of slight expectation and deep wariness.

Lin Gui looked around.

Those who could be deliberately imprisoned deep within the slave traders' own mansions were certainly not ordinary people.

Among them were many beautiful young women.

What's even more eye-catching are the cages further inside.

Inside, imprisoned, were elves!

They have pointed ears, and even in their cages, they subconsciously maintain an upright posture.

One of them stood out in particular.

She has golden hair that flows like gold in the sunlight and pure green eyes like emeralds.

"They're actually high elves..." Lin Gui thought to himself, clicking his tongue in amazement.

The slave trader Erwin is incredibly audacious; he even dared to imprison a high elf.

If discovered by that group of high elves who value bloodline and dignity above all else...

They had to send terrifying guardians from the distant World Tree.

They will pursue and kill them even if it takes them thousands of miles.

This place that dares to desecrate their people must be razed to the ground.

This is not an exaggeration by Lin Gui.

Rather, there are real-life examples of this.

That incident nearly ignited a war between the entire elven race and the human race.

Besides these elves.

Several muscular and robust orc warriors were also imprisoned in the cage.

They were covered in scars and had fierce eyes.

Even with the collar that restricts his power, the aura emanating from his body clearly showed...

Each of them possesses extraordinary mid-level strength.

However, the Third Young Master's gaze did not linger long on these priceless "goods".

Without stopping, he walked straight through the floor and headed towards the stairs leading down below.

These do not seem to be his goals.

Lin Gui's curiosity grew even stronger.

Silently manipulating the staff, she followed closely behind him.

They entered the cold and damp second basement level together.