As the raft gradually approached.
The full view of the Carter Royal Capital unfolded like a magnificent scroll before the three of them.
Theia's emerald eyes were filled with shock.
First to come into view was a giant city wall that seemed to connect heaven and earth.
Like the spine of a mountain range, it stretched across the land.
And this was only the first gate.
Looking over it, one could see the second, third, and even more walls behind...
Layers of giant city walls extended inward like the growth rings of the earth.
Dividing the massive Royal Capital into several sectors.
Within each layer of high walls, the architectural style and density were completely different.
The outermost ring was a dense, disorganized jumble of low-set residences and markets, bustling with activity.
Moving inward, the buildings gradually became more orderly and tall.
Manors and training grounds appeared.
Further in was the noble district, bristling with spires and magnificent estates.
And all of this surrounded the core and highest point of the Royal Capital.
A steep peak piercing the clouds.
Upon that summit and mountainside, countless palaces and castles were built into the mountain itself.
The white stone sparkled with dazzling brilliance under the sun, looking like the residence of a god.
The scale of the entire Royal Capital was beyond imagination.
"This... this is the largest city I've ever seen..." Theia murmured.
"You bet!" Elvia puffed out her chest, her tone full of pride.
"The Carter Royal Capital is one of the best-preserved city-states on the continent!"
"Compared to this place, Caran City isn't even worth one small town in the Royal Capital."
She continued, speaking with the familiarity of a local.
"Moreover, the Carter Royal Capital is the most important transportation hub in the borderlands!"
"All materials entering the borderlands must transit through the Royal Capital before they can be transported to other southwestern city-states."
"In terms of economy, culture, and political influence..."
"The Carter Royal Capital is firmly ranked in the top ten of the City-State Alliance!"
Elvia spoke proudly of the capital's prosperity and strength.
Theia applauded graciously on the side.
Lin Gui only gave the magnificent scene a faint glance.
It was indeed grand and massive, but that was about it.
It wasn't as prosperous or strong as the human aggregation areas in the central region.
Lin Gui believed what Elvia said.
The Carter Royal Capital might be in the top ten of the City-State Alliance, but the few city-states ahead of it were each more magnificent than the last.
Compared to those at the very top, the Carter Royal Capital really wasn't much to look at.
After dispelling the concealment on the raft, Lin Gui sat at the front and spoke.
"Alright, if you've seen enough, let's get moving; I have a lot of things to do."
"I don't have the time to linger long in the Royal Capital."
After entering the Royal Capital, Lin Gui didn't just have to open a post office and deliver over 5,000 letters to their respective recipients.
He also needed to find the Tomb of Catriona to obtain the Eyes of the Netherworld.
He had to gather information about the Silent Sea, the Wall of Sighs, and his final destination, Avalon.
He also needed to prepare supplies for the journey, and so on...
Only a little over three months remained for the long-term commission to reach Avalon.
There was no more time for Lin Gui to waste.
After instructing Theia to exhaust all the demon energy in her body.
Lin Gui maneuvered the raft, leading the two girls toward the Royal Capital.
As they grew closer to the Royal Capital, the flow of people and carriages became denser.
There were dusty adventurers and mercenaries returning from tasks.
There were even massive caravans transporting various giant crates.
The auras of those responsible for escorting them were extremely powerful.
The members were basically all at the Transcendent Rank or above.
One team was particularly eye-catching.
They were guarding a steel-armored transport vehicle hovering in the air.
The few lead escorts were actually all at the Legendary Rank!
Lin Gui did not conceal the raft.
Flying through the sky drew the attention of quite a few people.
But it didn't cause too much of a stir.
After all, although mages who had mastered Levitation were rare...
They weren't so few as to be nonexistent.
Anyone who had been to the Magic City had seen witches and wizards flying around in the sky.
He steered the raft toward the city gate.
Lin Gui prepared to follow the flow of people and wait in line for the city entrance inspection.
The Carter Royal Capital had a very powerful barrier; Lin Gui couldn't fly over it.
Besides, they had a princess in their party, so he assumed things wouldn't be difficult.
At that moment, Theia quietly tugged on his sleeve and whispered.
"Lin Gui, I... I won't go in. I'll wait for you guys outside."
Lin Gui turned in confusion. "Why?"
Elvia laughed mockingly and answered for her.
"Why else? She's afraid of being recognized and captured for the bounty."
"The things she did in other city-states have put her on the wanted list long ago. She's worth 5,000 gold coins."
Theia smiled awkwardly but didn't deny it.
"It's fine, I'll help hide you."
Lin Gui looked around to confirm no one was paying special attention, then gave a light wave of his hand.
In the next instant, Theia's figure suddenly vanished on the spot!
Elvia's eyelids twitched violently.
Chantless?
Lin Gui patted his hands as if he had done something trivial.
"There, problem solved."
"Let's go. Once we've settled in, I'll have to find a way to get you a Legendary concealment item."
"A Legendary item... only the royal treasury would have those..."
Elvia replied nonchalantly.
It was soon their turn in line.
The Defense Force soldiers responsible for the inspection each had sharp auras and considerable strength.
But who among those bringing large quantities of goods here was simple?
Thus, the soldiers treated those transporting goods with fawning smiles, letting them pass after a cursory registration.
When the inspecting soldier saw Elvia's beautiful face...
His expression instantly changed.
The lead captain immediately dropped to one knee, clenched his right fist, and struck his left chest heavily, performing a standard knight's salute.
The soldiers behind him also knelt in unison, their heads deeply bowed.
"Greetings to Her Highness, the Seventh Princess!"
Elvia lifted her white neck, regaining the characteristic reserve and majesty of the royal family.
"Rise. Let us in."
"Yes!"
The soldiers hurried to their feet, heads lowered as they quickly moved the roadblocks aside.
They waited respectfully on the side.
However, just after Elvia led the invisible raft through the gates of the Royal Capital...
The respect on the captain's face vanished instantly, replaced by a grim expression.
He lowered his voice and spoke urgently to a trusted subordinate.
"Quick! Go inform His Highness the Third Prince that the 'Lioness' has returned!"
Upon entering the Royal Capital, a warm and confident smile returned to Elvia's face, as if a fish had returned to the water.
She asked Lin Gui, "Do you want to come with me to the palace in the center to meet my father, King Carter LVI?"
She extended the invitation with a smile.
Lin Gui's flat voice came from the raft.
"No need. Let's part ways here. You go do what you want to do."
"In half a month, I will be waiting for you outside the city gate."
"If you don't show up, Theia and I will set off for the next stop: Shield City of the dwarves."
"Hm~ Fine, then." Elvia covered her mouth and chuckled, offering a reminder.
"By the way, the Royal Capital isn't like Caran City. If you want to open a post office here, there are many connections to grease and many rules to follow."
"If you encounter difficulties you can't resolve... come find me in the noble district of the First Ring."
"I'm quite looking forward to the day you come to me for help."
With that, Elvia approached the side of the raft.
She stuffed the treasures they had previously picked up in the Whispering Forest into her traveling bag.
"I'll take these and flip them first. For your share, half-demon, I'll pay you the cash equivalent later."
She waved her hand, turned elegantly, and merged into the bustling crowd.
Before her figure disappeared...
Several adventurers with powerful auras and various attire appeared from nowhere.
Instantly, they guarded her perimeter like shadows.
Elvia chuckled and finally vanished from Lin Gui's sight.
Once he confirmed the surroundings were safe, Lin Gui dispelled the concealment on Theia.
The elven girl reappeared.
She hurriedly covered most of her face with a pre-prepared cloth.
"Will Elvia be alright on her own?" Theia asked with some concern.
"A member of the royal family who was suddenly exiled to Caran City returning to the capital..."
Lin Gui steered the raft toward the commoner district, only replying flatly when he heard her.
"You'd better worry about yourself."
"You don't even know you were played by her at Eagle Fortress."
"Huh???" Theia was stunned, her pointed ears twitching in confusion.
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