The fruit in Elvia’s hand.
It fell onto the staff.
She didn’t pick it up.
She simply stared blankly ahead.
Before her eyes.
Was a central avenue so wide it was breathtaking.
The road was paved with grayish-white stone slabs.
Every stone was polished smooth and flat.
One could barely see the seams where they joined.
Buildings lined both sides of the avenue.
The taller ones were over a dozen stories high, while the shorter ones were five or six.
They weren’t made of wood or stone.
They were made of red brick and glass.
Massive floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the sunlight.
Balconies were adorned with potted plants and parasols.
Well-dressed people were drinking tea on those balconies.
On the avenue, the crowd moved like a flowing tide.
Well-dressed merchants, clerks with bags slung over their shoulders.
There were also mages in mage robes and knights in armor.
Their faces carried a sense of composure and confidence.
Their pace was steady and unhurried.
Shops lined both sides of the street.
Those selling magic items, potions, and weapons.
Those selling clothes, jewelry, and perfumes.
The display windows were filled with a dazzling array of goods.
They sparkled under the light of the magic glowstones.
There were also taverns, teahouses, and restaurants.
Through the glass windows, one could see the exquisite crystal chandeliers inside.
And dining tables covered in white tablecloths.
Silverware and goblets were set upon the tables.
Guests sat at the tables, elegantly cutting steaks and sipping red wine.
Several small flying vessels hovered above the avenue.
They drifted slowly by.
Luxuriously dressed people sat aboard the flying vessels.
They overlooked the street scenery below.
And at the end of this central avenue.
Deeper into the city.
There were even taller buildings and even more prosperous districts.
They stretched all the way to the horizon.
This was an extreme contrast to the outside of the city.
An extreme.
A breathtaking prosperity.
Elvia stared blankly at all of this.
Her mouth was slightly ajar.
Her eyes were wide and round.
Her hand instinctively tightened around Lin Gui’s mage robes.
“This...”
Her voice was a bit dry.
“This is Coppergate City?”
“A... resource-supplying city-state?”
It wasn’t that Elvia had never been to a resource-supplying city-state.
However, it was her first time seeing one so prosperous.
Her gaze landed on the central avenue.
It landed on those buildings made of steel and glass.
It landed on those well-dressed pedestrians.
It landed on those dazzling display windows.
Her face was filled with disbelief.
She even began to doubt.
Whether the Carter Royal Capital’s inclusion in the Alliance’s top ten city-states...
Was because her father had bribed the evaluators.
Lin Gui, on the other hand, was quite calm.
He sat sideways on the staff.
His gaze swept over the surrounding prosperity.
His face showed no expression as he manipulated the staff to float forward.
Elvia, however, had become a completely different person.
She sat behind Lin Gui.
Her head kept turning left and right.
She looked at the shops on the left, then at the taverns on the right.
She looked at the flying vessels overhead, then at the buildings in the distance.
Her eyes were filled with curiosity.
Like a country girl who had just entered the city.
Her gaze landed on a clothing store’s display window.
A lavender gown was displayed there.
Silver patterns were embroidered on the hem.
Under the magic glowstones, it shimmered with a soft light.
Elvia’s eyes lit up.
Then she looked at the jewelry store next door.
Within the glass counter, a pair of golden earrings was displayed.
They were inlaid with tiny sapphires.
Her eyes grew even brighter.
Then she looked at the perfume shop ahead.
Various exquisite glass bottles were displayed in the window.
Pink, light green, amber.
Especially those with the exclusive origin mark—high-end goods that couldn't be bought even in the Carter Royal Capital!
Her eyes were shining so brightly they were almost burning.
They were filled with longing.
And desire.
The desire to consume.
She suddenly turned her head.
She looked at Lin Gui.
Her eyes were filled with excitement.
“Lin Gui!”
“The journey has been exhausting; it’s time to relax!”
Her hand pointed toward those shops.
“Look at those things!”
“I waited for so long in the Carter Royal Capital and couldn’t buy them!”
“They actually have them all here!”
“And they even have the latest styles!”
Her voice grew louder and louder.
“Let’s go shopping first!”
“Just for a little while!”
“And then I’ll—”
Her words caught in her throat.
Because Lin Gui turned around.
He took something off the staff.
And handed it to her.
It was a messenger bag.
Dusty canvas.
The edges were frayed from wear.
The shoulder strap even had a bit of dried mud on it.
It was exactly the same as the bags carried by the lowest-ranking messengers in the Carter Royal Capital post office.
Elvia lowered her head.
She looked at the crude bag.
Then she looked up.
She looked at Lin Gui.
The excitement on her face froze bit by bit.
Lin Gui smiled.
A very faint smile.
“As I told you along the way.”
“You are responsible for setting up the post office and sending and receiving letters.”
He stuffed the bag into Elvia’s hands.
The weight of the bag pressed against her palms.
The coarse canvas rubbed against her delicate skin.
Elvia’s fingers curled slightly.
But she didn’t grip it tightly.
Lin Gui withdrew his hand.
He turned around.
He raised his hand and pointed toward the overwhelming advertisements for the selection meeting.
Display boards, light screens, banners.
They were everywhere, filling the view along the entire central avenue.
His voice was very calm.
“And I.”
“Will sort out the registration.”
He turned his head back.
He looked at Elvia.
He took a step forward.
The distance was very close.
So close that Elvia could see the curve of his eyelashes.
His voice dropped.
It carried a warning.
“Time is short.”
“Don’t let it be that after I’ve sorted everything out...”
“I still haven’t seen the opening promotional flyers for the post office.”
He paused.
“Don’t forget our ultimate goal.”
Elvia gripped the messenger bag.
Her fingers slowly tightened.
Lin Gui stepped back.
His tone returned to its usual indifference.
“There is starting capital in the messenger bag.”
“Don’t be too flashy; keep a low profile.”
“Do not set up the post office within the main city.”
“It’s best to place it outside the city walls, near the refugee district.”
He glanced at Elvia.
“The refugee district is chaotic; stay safe.”
Elvia took a deep breath.
And then.
A bright smile blossomed on her face.
She gave a slight bow.
She folded her hands in front of her.
Her posture was elegant and impeccable.
“Understood, understood.”
“Since Lord Lin Gui has spoken, this humble servant will naturally handle it well.”
Her voice was as soft as melted honey.
Lin Gui looked at her.
He remained silent for a second.
Then he spoke.
“You are not allowed to hire anyone to do this for you.”
Having her little scheme exposed.
Elvia’s smile stiffened for an instant.
She raised an eyebrow.
She looked at Lin Gui speechlessly.
“Why?”
Lin Gui looked at her.
His expression was serious.
He didn't speak.
Elvia met his gaze for a few seconds.
And then.
She let out a sigh.
Her shoulders slumped.
“Fine.”
Lin Gui nodded.
He turned.
Manipulating the staff.
He floated toward the depths of the central avenue.
Elvia stood in place.
Holding that crude messenger bag in her arms.
She watched his retreating back.
His gray mage robes were washed to a pale shade.
His oak staff was simple and devoid of decoration.
He moved through the well-dressed crowds.
He passed the dazzling display windows.
He moved through the overwhelming advertisements for the selection meeting.
He didn't look back.
The corner of Elvia’s mouth.
Slowly curled into a mischievous arc.
She raised a hand.
Her jade-like finger pressed against her lower lip.
Toward Lin Gui’s distant back.
She lightly stuck out her tongue.
“A noble princess...”
“Would never waste her precious happy time...”
“On lowly refugees.”
Her voice was very light.
Only she could hear it.
She lowered her head, looking at the messenger bag in her arms.
Coarse canvas, frayed edges.
She curled her lip.
She casually slung it over her shoulder.
Then she turned around.
Facing the nearest luxury clothing store.
In the window.
The lavender gown was still shimmering with a soft light.
Elvia’s eyes curved into two crescent moons.
She set off.
Like a bird returning home.
She flew inside.
Rate on N.U.
