Well...
How should I put this?
If Theia had said it was "a home for Lin Gui and her," instead of pulling in a equally dazed Eve beside them...
And combined with that unmistakable trepidation she had been unable to hide along the way...
Lin Gui might really have thought this was Theia's confession to him.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
Theia asked, tilting her face up, her eyes sparkling like a child waiting for praise.
Lin Gui’s mouth hung slightly open for a couple of seconds.
Then, he said with a strange expression:
"Actually... you didn't necessarily have to build it in the style of human architecture."
"A post office doesn't necessarily have to look like this."
"You could have added some elven-style elements."
"For example, using green leaves and vines for decorative carvings."
"Or simply building it as an elevated treehouse, like Winnie's house, which would also make it easier for you to move up and down."
Lin Gui had visited Winnie's small, exquisite treehouse a few days ago.
It looked as if it had been pulled directly from a fairy tale illustration.
Theia just smiled and shook her head.
"It's been so many years since I lived like an elf."
"I've long since gotten used to living in human houses."
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that for now—"
She turned and pushed open the post office's brand-new wooden door, beckoning them inside.
"Come in quickly! I'll take you on a tour!"
Quite a few curious residents had already gathered at the post office entrance.
They peered in with smiles, talking in low voices.
Theia waved to them and said loudly:
"Everyone, make way!"
"When the post office officially opens, remember to come and show your support!"
Just as she finished speaking, Lin Gui sighed beside her.
"Theia," he reminded her, "in Avalon, a post office won't be able to stay open."
"The administrators here won't allow information to flow outside easily."
"Aside from everything else, the mere fact that so many people of different races can coexist harmoniously in Avalon..."
"This fact alone is the greatest taboo to the outside world."
His tone was calm, yet carried a sense of realistic coldness.
"What happened two years ago to the last city-state that publicly advocated for the 'co-governance of nobles and commoners'..."
"Everyone on the Akara Continent knows."
Lin Gui believed that Roger and Hannah, who were active in the outside world, couldn't possibly be unaware of the risks involved.
However, to his surprise...
Theia looked back and blinked.
"Oh, that."
Her tone was relaxed, even a bit small-mindedly proud.
"Don't worry, I've already sought the opinion of Lord Morpheus."
"He said that as long as the content of all letters is audited by them..."
"This post office can open."
Lin Gui: "...???"
He was stunned for a moment, looking at Theia. "You told them... that I'm a messenger?"
Theia asked back with some confusion, "Is that... something that shouldn't be said?"
"Don't you promote it in every city-state you go to?"
"I was even the one who delivered the promotional posters for the Caran post office."
Lin Gui opened his mouth, momentarily speechless.
Thinking about it carefully, it truly wasn't a secret that needed to be guarded to the death.
If it was only auditing the contents of letters, it did seem like they could avoid the risk of Avalon being exposed.
Moreover...
Given the terrifying strength of the demons in the Wailing Corridor,
Where even a High-tier Epic assassin had nearly died trying to cross with their life on the line,
Few forces in the outside world would likely be able to cross it easily.
Having figured this out, Lin Gui realized he might have been overthinking things.
In that case...
Could he really open a post office in Avalon?
He asked the system in his heart:
"System, now that all letters for the target city-states have been delivered, and only the return replies remain to be handed over..."
"Can I... simultaneously receive letters from Avalon residents addressed to other city-states?"
The system's response came quickly, steady and emotionless as ever:
【As long as it does not interfere with the Host delivering the existing return letters to the original recipients within the specified time limit.】
【The Host may decide the regions and routes for receiving and sending letters at your own discretion.】
Is that so...
Lin Gui's eyes brightened slightly.
If he just returned the same way he came, it truly would be a bit of a "loss."
After all, as long as he took a slight detour, he could pass through more city-states,
And obtain more rewards.
At this thought, light flickered in his hand,
And two maps appeared out of thin air.
One was a detailed route map of the Blackwater Corridor,
And the other was a regional map of the borderlands.
Under the curious gaze of the surrounding residents, Lin Gui spread the maps out on the post office door,
His finger tapping lightly, and several thumbtack phantoms appeared.
"Thud, thud, thud."
With several soft sounds, the four corners of the maps were firmly "nailed" to the surface.
Lin Gui bit one end of a string and then connected several of the city-states that were pinned down.
【Avalon】→【Bounty City】→【Shield City】→【Blackwater Port】→【Twilight Fortress】→【Carter Royal Capital, Rolan】→【Caran City】→【New Covenant City】
Lin Gui's exquisite control of Novice Magic drew a chorus of low gasps of amazement from the surroundings.
Avalon was not without mages, but the residents had never seen such a method of casting spells with a mere wave of the hand.
And more people's attention was soon drawn to the maps themselves.
Just like with the previous post offices, to attract more deliveries,
Several banners that had been prepared back in Caran were raised in front of the post office.
【7-Copper Post Office: Avalon Branch Established.】
【Now accepting letters addressed to the city-states marked on the map.】
【7 copper coins per letter; items not accepted at this time, only letters.】
【Everyone is welcome to come and post your letters.】
As the banners were raised, several letter-writing formats were also listed on the walls of the post office front.
Soon, the wooden walls were covered with posters and several precautionary notes.
The surrounding residents watched, dumbstruck.
They had thought the name "post office" might have been an unintentional slip of the pen by Theia or a name chosen for commemoration.
But none of them had expected...
This was a real post office!
The residents returned to their senses from their shock and gradually began to discuss among themselves.
"A post office... it's really a post office?"
"But this is Avalon..."
"Outside... is the Wailing Corridor."
They talked in low voices, their eyes filled with disbelief.
A post office itself was not unusual.
But opening a post office in Avalon?
It was as absurd as opening a courier station on a desert island in the middle of the deep sea.
Most people who came to Avalon had completely cut ties with their pasts.
Many even felt nothing but hatred for the world outside.
Some even thought they would never have any interaction with the world outside the wall for the rest of their lives.
Consequently, for a long time, not a single person stepped forward, nor did anyone walk through those open wooden doors.
They merely clustered at the entrance, talking in low voices, their gazes occasionally darting toward the maps.
But soon, the crowd began to grow restless.
Several young half-demons turned and ran.
"I'm going to tell those in the West District!"
"I'm going to call my dad!"
Their faces carried a look of near-excitement.
Avalon was too small and too quiet.
On normal days, whose vegetable patch had a bountiful harvest, whose kids had gotten into a fight...
Even the hazy feelings of affection between young people of different races could become the talk of the entire city.
Much less something as novel as a post office that could send letters outside opening for business.
The news spread quickly like ripples on water.
The residents excitedly dashed off in all directions to spread the word.
The entrance of the post office became temporarily empty.
Only the maps trembled slightly in the wind,
And the three people who had stepped through the door, planning to set up a new home in Avalon's post office, remained.
Rate on N.U.
