Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

Theodore led Lin Gui and the other two across the street toward the city lord's mansion.

He walked ahead, his steps calm and steady, a gentle smile always on his lips.

It was as if the conversation just now was just a routine greeting.

It was as if the scattering gazes behind him had nothing to do with him.

But the news had already spread.

In the streets of Red Earth Territory, news spread faster than the wind.

Theodore Black stopped a dark-haired mage on the street and talked to him for a long time.

That black-haired monk was the stranger who had been shopping for supplies earlier.

The person who said he would deliver the letter.

The shopkeeper sat behind the counter, still clutching the Starshine Coin he had just received.

The moment he heard the news.

The coin slipped from his hand and rolled twice on the wooden board.

It hit the table leg with a dull thud.

His face went from rosy to ashen, and then from ashen to deathly pale.

Those shop owners, passersby, and street vendors who had just spoken to Lin Gui.

At this moment, they are all huddled in their own shops or shacks.

Some people closed their doors and windows tightly, while others squatted in a corner, hugging their knees.

Some people were trembling as they searched for valuables in their homes.

It's like they're ready to run away at any moment.

The entire red earthen territory resembled a disturbed anthill, with undercurrents surging but daring not to make a sound.

Panic is silent, like water seeping into sand, spreading quietly.

Everyone is thinking the same thing.

Why did Theodore personally come to find that black-haired mage?

Could it be related to something that happened a few years ago?

Will the brutal massacre of that year be repeated?

Panic grew like a snowball, suffocating everyone.

In the city lord's palace.

Dim magic light stone lamps hung on the walls on both sides of the corridor, illuminating the long, dark passageway in a half-light, half-dark manner.

The stone floor was covered with heavily worn dark stone bricks.

It felt like it had been repeatedly crushed by something heavy.

Lin Gui walked half a step behind Theodore.

His footsteps were not heavy, but they could still be clearly heard in the empty corridor.

Elvia and Lillian followed a little further back.

Neither of them spoke.

Theodore, who was walking at the front, suddenly spoke up.

"Lord Lin Gui seems to be thinking about something."

His tone was casual, as if he were talking about the weather.

"I'm thinking—"

Lin Gui's voice was flat.

"My letters—"

He paused, his tone carrying just the right amount of doubt.

"Will this cause trouble for the recipient?"

"Those residents I spoke with seemed terrified after seeing Lord Theodore."

Theodore smiled.

The smile was slight, as if the question was amusing.

He stopped, turned around, and looked at Lin Gui.

"Lord Lin Gui, do you know why Red Earth Territory has become what it is today?"

Lin Gui remained silent.

Theodore didn't wait for his reply.

His gaze fell on the shadows at the end of the corridor, as if he were looking at something from a long time ago.

Three years ago, a group of people who called themselves "changemakers" started a rebellion in this land.

"They claimed to be fighting for equality for the lower classes and to overthrow the rule of the nobility and the alliance."

"They did indeed capture some city-states and gather a number of people."

"and then?"

He chuckled, but there was no warmth in his laughter.

"They distributed the food of those city-states to the refugees and the wealth of the nobles to the common people."

"They thought that by doing this, they could gain loyalty and followers."

"And the result?"

He turned his head to look at Lin Gui, the curve of his lips still gentle.

"The food is all gone, and the wealth has been squandered."

"Those they 'saved' betrayed them to save their own lives when the Allied forces arrived."

"Those people were tied to the gallows, looking at the faces they had once helped, and cheering from below."

"you say--"

Theodore's voice was very soft, as if he were telling an insignificant story.

"Isn't this a kind of irony?"

Lin Gui remained silent.

Elvia stood behind him, her brows slightly furrowed.

Lillian huddled at the very back.

He gripped the staff tightly in both hands, his face was pale, and a fine layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Theodore turned around and continued walking.

"Therefore, Lord Lin Gui need not worry."

"Your letter won't cause any trouble for anyone."

"Because those who truly deserve to be held accountable were all dead three years ago."

"The rest—"

He paused for a moment, then pushed open the heavy iron door at the end of the corridor, the hinges making a dull creaking sound.

"They are all people who know how to be grateful."

"and--."

He smiled, a smile that carried a profound scrutiny.

"Lord Lin Gui is not one of those rebels."

"Of course I wouldn't harm them because of you."

Even if you are—

He paused, as if deliberately drawing out the pause, and his gaze lingered on Lin Gui's face for a moment.

"The identity of the Undying Sun speaks for itself."

"Even if the president comes in person, he won't do anything to you."

"if only--"

He turned around and walked deeper into the warehouse, his voice drifting down softly.

"You haven't shown any overt acts of rebellion."

Lin Gui remained silent.

Elvia's brow furrowed even more, her hand silently touching the hilt of her sword.

Theodore walked to the center of the warehouse and stopped.

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

The magic stone lamps on both sides of the wall lit up simultaneously, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime.

The warehouse is much larger than it appears from the outside.

Tall wooden shelves extend from the ground to the dome.

Each floor was neatly stacked with various items.

There are metal boxes sealed with wax stamps.

There was a long, narrow box covered with velvet.

There were several semi-transparent crystal cabinets, through which one could vaguely see objects gleaming.

The floor was covered with a dark velvet carpet, which made almost no sound when you stepped on it.

Several exquisitely framed paintings were inlaid on the wall, with dark gold patterns on the edges of the frames.

The air was filled with a faint smell of old wood, leather and metal.

Theodore stood in the center of the warehouse, arms outstretched, as if introducing the owner of his treasured collection.

"This is the warehouse of the Red Earth Territory."

"It gathers treasures from the entire southeastern region."

He turned around and looked at Lin Gui and the other two, a smile still on his lips.

"As long as you agree to this commission—"

He reached out and pointed to the shelves and display cases.

"You can choose three items from here as part of your payment."

"certainly--"

He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on Lin Gui's face.

"As for cash, I will also pay according to the standards of the Undying Sun."

"Start—"

He held up one finger, his tone steady.

"Fifty million gold coins."