Lin Gui remained silent for two seconds before pointing to the spot on his forehead that was still faintly throbbing.
“So… the brick that knocked me out…”
At the mention of this, Troy immediately wore an embarrassed expression.
Floating in the air, she uneasily toyed with her semi-transparent hands.
“Well… right when you first entered my home…”
“I saw my brother and Uncle Cluny.”
“I told them about my situation… and about you, a kind Messenger Mage.”
She carefully observed Lin Gui’s facial expression.
“Uncle Cluny… was a cleric when he was alive.”
“Even after becoming like this, he can still use a bit of power to influence physical objects.”
“He… he was afraid you’d just leave.”
“That’s why he…”
Troy’s voice grew smaller and smaller, her eyes filled with entreaty.
“Uncle Cluny really is a good uncle!”
“He usually takes care of us ‘little ghosts.’”
“He makes time to teach us how to read and write, and he even guides gifted children in practicing breathing techniques.”
“Everyone likes him very much…”
She floated a bit closer and said seriously:
“So, please don't be angry with him, okay?”
“Besides, Uncle said…”
She imitated a certain gruff tone:
“‘A mage who can use Levitation is usually not simple!’”
“He thought that brick… would at most make you stumble.”
“He just wanted to get your attention so you’d stop and listen to our request.”
She looked at the red mark on Lin Gui’s forehead that hadn't subsided yet, her voice becoming even weaker.
“He also didn't expect…”
“That a single brick would put you…”
Lin Gui’s mouth twitched violently.
“So…”
He spoke in a somber tone.
“It’s my fault for being too weak?”
“Pfft—”
Eve, standing to the side, couldn't hold it back and let out a laugh.
Under Lin Gui’s speechless gaze, she pursed her lips, though the mirth hadn't yet faded from her eyes.
“Squishy little mage,” she teased softly.
Lin Gui rolled his eyes at her before looking back at Troy.
“Then your uncle stopped me because…?”
Troy immediately straightened up a bit and said seriously:
“He wanted to ask for your help in delivering a letter.”
“Just like what you did for the residents of Avalon.”
Clasping the glass bead, she spun a circle in mid-air and then raised a finger, pointing firmly toward the north.
“And the place to deliver it isn't far!”
“It’s just to the north—”
“A small town you can reach by passing through the Twilight Forest and following the Moonlight Creek.”
“Silverstream Town.”
She looked at Lin Gui, her eyes carrying an earnest light.
“Uncle Cluny wanted to ask you to go check…”
“If his family is still there.”
“So, kind Mage Lord…”
Troy floated in front of Lin Gui and pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture.
Her semi-transparent little face was full of anticipation.
“Can you help Uncle Cluny?”
“And… the other ‘residents’ of Blackwater City?”
Lin Gui looked at the ghost in front of him who was clearly twenty-eight but possessed the appearance of a twelve-year-old.
Suddenly, he gave a light chuckle.
“Just now… who was it that called me ‘little brother’?”
“Uh…”
Troy was instantly stuck.
She blinked her eyes and then revealed a cloyingly sweet, flattering smile.
“That was my mistake…”
“Mage Brother?”
She deliberately dragged out the end of “Brother” and even tilted her head.
She was attempting to use her childish face to act cute and get through it.
Lin Gui raised an eyebrow and said nothing, but his expression clearly softened.
It seemed he was… actually quite receptive to this title?
To the side, Eve silently watched this scene unfold.
From her perspective—
A glass bead was suspended in the air before Lin Gui.
It floated slightly up and down as if it were “bowing and scraping.”
And Lin Gui was facing the empty air, wearing an expression that was almost “smug.”
This scene…
Was a bit surreal and eerie.
While Lin Gui enjoyed that “Brother,” he silently questioned the System in his heart.
Could a ghost’s letter… also be incorporated into the reward system?
【Ding!】
The System notification sounded quickly, its tone steady:
【Accepted delivery intent detected.】
【Does the Host wish to begin retrieving pending letters within the range of ‘Blackwater City’?】
Lin Gui understood.
Since rewards could be obtained…
Then what reason was there to refuse?
Even if the commissioning party was a bit special.
A group of ghosts.
He looked at Troy’s expectant eyes that were almost sparkling.
Helplessly, he pointed to his own eyes, which were still swirling with grey light.
“But your uncle…”
“Seems to have been scared away by me already.”
“He’s hiding from me right now.”
“No problem!”
Troy floated a bit higher with full confidence.
“I have a way to make them believe you aren't a Netherworld messenger here to catch ghosts!”
Lin Gui was curious. “What way?”
Troy put her hands on her hips with a look that said “I’m super smart”:
“I’ll just tell them about the thing where you’re ‘having babies with an elf’!”
“To prove you’re a living person with the urge to procreate!”
Lin Gui’s face instantly darkened.
“Wait! Come back!”
Seeing Troy turn around as if to fly off and “spread the word,” Lin Gui’s eyes were quick and his hands were faster, grabbing the glass bead suspended in mid-air!
“Wueh?!”
Troy’s flight path came to an abrupt halt.
The entire bead vibrated gently in Lin Gui’s hand, like a small animal being pinched by the scruff of its neck.
“Think. Of. Another. Way.”
Lin Gui spoke one word at a time, his tone filled with unquestionable determination.
“Don't even think about that kind of ‘way.’”
“Mmph…”
The bead went quiet in his hand, and Troy’s distressed humming could be heard.
“Then… what should we do…”
“They really are afraid of your eyes…”
“I’m actually quite scared too.”
At this moment, Eve took a gentle step forward from the side.
A glint of understanding flashed in her purple eyes, and she spoke in a warm voice:
“Troy, let me ask a few questions.”
“Among the current ‘residents’ of Blackwater City…”
“Are there many people who were followers of the Holy Church of Light when they were alive?”
Troy blinked her eyes and thought about it.
“Quite a lot. Uncle Cluny is a cleric.”
“And there are some aunties and grandpas who used to go to the cathedral often.”
Eve nodded and asked again:
“Then among them… are there any true priests?”
“Yes!” Troy said with certainty. “Though not many, there are several!”
Eve smiled faintly and turned to Lin Gui.
“In that case, the matter is easy to handle.”
Her voice was clear, carrying a gentle and certain power that belonged to the Saintess.
“I can—”
“In my capacity as the contemporary Holy Saintess of Light.”
“Personally ‘vouch’ for you to all the believers within Blackwater City.”
“I will prove that you, Lin Gui, are by no means a Netherworld messenger.”
“But rather, the one entrusted by them to come and convey their longings…”
“The Messenger.”
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