A new batch of elves is nearing adulthood, including the Elven Prince.
He and his wife had begged the Mother Tree for this child, who would also be the future Elven King.
He could not keep him in the Elven Forest forever; such a peaceful environment would not forge a true king.
He needed to venture out, to understand the world. No amount of words could compare to firsthand experience.
Though his own lifespan was long, his child still had to grow.
Thus, he was now in deep contemplation, unsure whether to allow his son to leave the Elven Forest.
The Mother Tree's glow was gentle, and the Elven King enjoyed being near it. In fact, all elves felt that way.
He gazed at the Mother Tree, hoping for some enlightenment. However, the Mother Tree's consciousness had been dormant for a long time, unable to offer any response.
After a three-day stay in the forest town, Lin Yan and her entourage packed their belongings early on the fourth day to depart.
Lin Yan, aided by a maid, boarded the carriage. It was a clear morning, sunlight filtering through the trees, casting golden veils upon the misty forest.
The knights did not ride their horses but led them, accompanying the adventurers on foot.
Once they exited the town, the knights mounted their steeds, and those adventurers with mounts rode them.
Morris had no mount and took the reins of the carriage. Lin Yan noticed the horses pulling the carriage grew restless when Morris sat down, but they soon calmed.
Lin Yan observed this self-invited adventurer with a keen eye, curious about his intentions.
After all, he had offered his help the first time they met. While she knew the soul inhabiting this body was her lover's, he was still a dragon who dallied in the mortal world; it was unlike him to act so readily.
She knew he would fall for her at first sight, but the black dragon staying in this town must have a purpose. Lin Yan didn't believe he was the type to abandon his principles for a pretty face.
However, finding her beloved so quickly brought her great joy. This was perhaps the only good news so far.
The group journeyed through the chaotic forest. Their presence deterred many, and even low-level magical beasts dared not approach.
The first day in the forest passed without incident, much to Wilson's relief.
In the evening, the servants set up a tent for Lin Yan. After she retired, the others gathered around the campfire.
Wilson assigned watch duties, and the servants prepared dinner for the adventurers.
"Lady Angelina is not having dinner?" Morris took the bread from the maid.
Throughout the day, Angelina had only eaten lunch and had now retreated to her tent without any food being delivered.
"Lady Angelina only eats breakfast and lunch," the maid replied. This wasn't a secret; they would be traveling together for many days, and they would discover it eventually.
"Only two meals?" Morris felt a pang of annoyance. She was so thin; could it be from always starving herself?
He had seen her lunch: a few slices of white bread, barely enough to even serve as a toothpick for him.
Hadn't she ceased being a saintess? Why would she still be so harsh on herself?
"Yes, it's always been like this," the maid said no more. After distributing bread to Morris, she moved on to the others, continuing to hand out bread.
This bread was not as fine as Lin Yan's white bread. Lin Yan's bread was made from flour that had been milled and sifted many times.
It was baked with the finest flour, fresh eggs, milk, and precious honey.
The bread they ate was inferior, somewhere between white and brown bread. While better than brown bread, it lacked the softness and deliciousness of white bread.
Morris had indeed noticed that Lin Yan ate very little at lunch. He had assumed it was due to the journey, suppressing her appetite.
He hadn't expected her to eat so little, a concept utterly incomprehensible to the ravenous black dragon. With such a meager intake, did she truly have any strength left?
Everyone noticed Morris's concern for Lin Yan. Though Wilson and the other knights were initially resentful, they became compliant once Morris revealed his true power level.
After all, he was an eighth-tier powerhouse, a rarity on the entire continent, and each such individual held considerable status.
They didn't know why he had come to protect Lin Yan or what promise she had made him, but undoubtedly, having such a powerful figure present put their minds at ease.
Even if they encountered elves, they now had leverage for negotiation.
Perhaps due to the presence of a high-tier black dragon, very few magical beasts attacked them. This led the hired adventurers to feel that their payment was somewhat unwarranted.