Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

The upheavals continue to intensify.

The roars and sounds of fighting grew increasingly intense deep within the red soil desert.

The earth trembled violently with each impact.

The intense red sandstorm has spread to the edge of the Red Sand Nest, completely engulfing the entire desert.

Elvia and Lillian could no longer see anything.

All one could feel was the tremor coming from deep within the earth.

And the increasingly strong smell of sand and dust in the air.

"This...is truly unforgettable."

Lillian sighed softly.

Her voice carried a sense of dazed relief, as if she had just survived a catastrophe.

Elvia did not answer.

She turned her head to look at her shoulder.

Lin Gui's profile rested on her shoulder, his eyes closed, his breathing even and shallow.

The sand on the robes slowly drifted away in the wind.

His unconsciousness after exhausting his magic allowed his expression to relax for once.

It carried a quietness that came after all defenses had been laid bare.

Elvia's gaze softened slightly for a moment.

Just at this time.

A guttural rumble echoed clearly in the wind.

Elvia turned to look at Lillian.

Lillian's face flushed red, and she covered her lower abdomen with both hands, lowering her head in embarrassment.

"Um... I haven't eaten in ages..."

Her voice was so soft it sounded like a mosquito's hum.

"That's what Elvia said."

"Let's eat first."

She habitually reached into her backpack and rummaged around for a bit.

The bag contained only a box holding the Shadow Blade Lin Soul Orb.

As for food and such...

Elvia and Lillian suddenly realized something.

The two slowly turned their heads and looked at each other.

Then their gazes fell simultaneously on Lin Gui's peaceful, sleeping face.

Elvia's lips twitched.

Has she seen this scene somewhere before?

She paused for a moment, her voice carrying a restrained helplessness.

"Um, Lillian."

"How long does it usually take to recover from a magic depletion?"

Lillian shrank her neck and answered cautiously.

"Mostly... probably..."

"It will take about a week."

Elvia: "..."

The wind blew past them, carrying the scent of dry, sandy soil.

In the distance, the red desert continues to churn violently, while on the highlands...

There were three people: an unconscious mage, a hungry little girl, and a silent knight.

No one spoke.

------------

the other side.

Dawn City, Dawn Grand Theater, dressing room.

A beautiful face was reflected in the dressing mirror.

Her long, light blue hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall.

Her hair was slightly curled, gleaming softly under the light.

Her features were so exquisite that they looked as if they had been meticulously sculpted.

There is an innate elegance in his eyes and brows.

But what's most striking are the two thin fish fins that extend from behind her ears to her neck.

They shimmered with a pale blue light under the lamp, pulsating slightly with her breath.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

She was beautiful, but her eyes were lonely and dim.

Like a stagnant pool without any ripples.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Lady Siren, may I bother you for a moment?"

Anya closed her eyes and then spoke.

"Come in."

The door opened, and an opera house staff member walked in and came to Anya.

Anya looked at the staff member in the mirror without turning around.

"Isn't the concert still an hour away?"

Her voice had a natural resonance, as if it came from the deep sea.

Each syllable is as if enveloped by ripples of water, making one feel involuntarily dazed.

The staff member was stunned for a moment before snapping out of it and respectfully bowing his head.

"It's not about the performance."

"Yes, a lady is looking for you."

"Her identity is very special, and the curator would like to invite you over."

Anya tilted her head slightly, puzzled.

"Miss?"

The staff member nodded.

"A lady as beautiful as you."

"A blue-haired mage."

Anya was silent for a moment, then got up and left.

In the curator's room, she met the lady who had come to see her.

With long, icy blue hair, deep blue eyes, and exquisitely beautiful, aloof features, she looked like a sculpture carved from ice and snow.

When Anya saw the other person's appearance clearly, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She stepped forward and gracefully curtsied.

"Greetings, esteemed Captain Northwind, Lady Freya."

"What can I do for you?"

Freya was slightly taken aback, looked at the songstress in front of her, and said with some surprise.

Do you know me?

Anya smiled and explained.

"The youngest legendary female mage, the leader of the North Wind who pioneered the silent sea route, and the ice queen who defeated the Snow King of the North."

"As a woman, I accomplished many great things that men could not."

"Lady Freya is the idol of many girls."

"Including me."

Freya was a little embarrassed by what was said, while Betty beside her chuckled, her eyes full of pride.

Anya smiled and then asked.

"So... Lady Freya has asked me, a lowly songstress, for something you need my help with?"

"A little songstress...?"

Freya's gaze fell on the posters plastered all over the corridor.

This poster even features Copper Gate City.

Recalling all the gossip I had heard about the pitiful young girl in front of me, I felt a pang of sadness.

Freya didn't believe that the other party was just an ordinary songstress.

Betty's voice rang out beside me:

"Ahem, teacher, let's finish this task first, otherwise it will be difficult to explain to the little mage."

Freya snapped out of her daze, took out a box and a letter from her bosom, and handed them to Anya.

Anya took it and looked at Freya with a puzzled expression.

Freya said.

"A little fellow named Lin Gui entrusted me to deliver this to you."

"It was originally intended to be sent to the headquarters of the City-State Alliance Council, but the guys there refused to accept it."

He said that if they wouldn't accept it, they would transfer the items to you.

Lin...Ghost?

Anya murmured the strange name to herself.

After handing over the items, Freya said a brief goodbye and left.

Anya returned to the dressing room with her things.

She opened the box first.

Inside lay a strange bead, grayish-brown, seemingly covered in sea salt.

She picked it up and examined it for a few moments, but didn't find anything special about it.

Then she picked up the letter.

The wax seal on the letter showed signs of damage, indicating that someone had seen it.

Recalling Freya's words, it must have been someone from the council who opened it.

Why were the letters addressed to Parliament headquarters handed over to her?

Anya was puzzled.

But soon, she will understand.

She took out the letter and began to read it.

Her expression went from initial confusion to ugliness, and then to deathly pale.

In the end... she suddenly tore the letter to shreds.

With a push of both hands, he shoved the box into the trash can.

The bead rolled once at the bottom of the bucket, making a dull sound.

Anya's expression was frighteningly ugly, and her fingertips trembled slightly.