The Elven Race's evacuation was astonishingly efficient.
After confirming the mountain's structure had completely stabilized and there was no risk of a secondary collapse, Baroque immediately organized the remaining troops and began retreating toward the camp they had come from.
The Queen's magnificent carriage—crafted from Moonlight Wood and Mithril—had been deemed too conspicuous to bring to the landslide site. It had been left behind at yesterday's camp under the watch of a small guard detail, remaining perfectly safe.
This meant they had to walk back first.
For everyone else, it was a minor inconvenience.
For Lin Qingyue, it was practically a death sentence.
"I can't... I declare myself KIA on the spot..."
Lin Qingyue draped herself over her sister like a melting slime, completely limp.
"You guys go on without me. Just remember to burn some barbecue for me during the Qingming Festival. Medium-rare, extra cumin."
"Get up!"
Lin Xiyue half-dragged, half-carried her sister, torn between exasperation and amusement.
"The Queen's carriage is just ahead at the camp! It's super luxurious! There's a soft bed inside! Just hold on a little longer!"
"A bed can't save me now... unless it grows legs and runs over here itself..."
Queen Ilanier watched the lively sisters, then glanced at Lin Qingyue's genuinely bloodless face. She made a decision that surprised all the elves, yet felt entirely natural.
"Miss Qingyue, and your companions, please join me in my carriage once we return to camp."
Her voice was still weak, but her tone left no room for refusal.
"You've just endured a great battle and expended immense energy. Especially you, Miss Qingyue... you need a quiet, comfortable environment to recover."
At these words, the surrounding elves showed no disapproval. Instead, they nodded in agreement, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Are you kidding me?
This is the woman who single-handedly crushed demons with meteorites and then withstood an entire mountain collapsing on her!
Letting her share the Queen's carriage? Isn't that only right?
She deserves this treatment!
Forget sharing the carriage—even if she rested her head on the Queen's lap, they'd find it perfectly reasonable!
Lin Xiyue was the first to cheer. She had been drooling over the super-luxurious carriage for ages.
Su Wan and Xia Lian remained silent, but their eyes sparkled with unconcealed curiosity.
Thus, under countless gazes filled with a mixture of awe, worship, and curiosity, Lin Qingyue was practically carried back to camp by her sister. Then, the Queen herself personally invited her aboard the carriage that symbolized the Elven Race's highest authority.
The carriage's interior was far more spacious than it appeared from the outside, clearly enhanced by Space Magic.
Soft velvet carpets, wooden walls emitting a faint, fragrant aroma, and a circular divan large enough to seat seven or eight people filled the space.
The moment Lin Qingyue sank into the plush, enveloping seat, she collapsed with a soft thump, unwilling to move another inch.
An extreme sense of exhaustion seeped into her very bones, clinging stubbornly to every nerve.
Although Moonlight's Embrace continuously restored her stamina and spiritual energy, the soul-deep fatigue couldn't be dispelled so quickly.
She lay limply against the cushions, her eyes vacant and her mind a complete blank.
Lin Xiyue, Su Wan, and Xia Lian, on the other hand, appeared somewhat reserved.
Xia Lian, in particular, sat bolt upright, her hands placed neatly on her knees, her breathing deliberately slowed.
Besides the Queen and the four of them, only Aeldara was present in the carriage.
The aloof Captain of the Knights sat ramrod straight, her aura contained, like a silent, dutiful guardian statue.
The wheels rolled slowly, and the carriage's interior was exceptionally stable, with almost no bumps felt.
Ilanier reclined languidly on the opposite divan, her captivating wine-red eyes studying Lin Qingyue with great interest.
"What are you thinking about?"
The Queen's voice, tinged with amusement, broke the silence in the carriage.
"Thinking about what's for dinner," Lin Qingyue blurted out, her voice utterly devoid of life.
"Pfft..."
Lin Xiyue, sitting beside her, was the first to lose her composure. She nearly choked, quickly clamping a hand over her mouth as her shoulders shook violently.
Su Wan also whipped her head around, pretending to admire the scenery outside the window, but the subtle upward curve of her lips betrayed her.
Xia Lian's face turned beet red, and she nearly buried her head in her chest. To say something so... so casual in front of the Queen!
Even the frozen corners of Aeldara's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
Ilanier blinked, then burst into a peal of clear, melodious laughter.
"Hahaha... And here I thought a powerful being like you would be contemplating matters like world peace or the universal truths of the cosmos."
She teased with a smile.
"That's something to think about after I've eaten," Lin Qingyue replied weakly.
Are you kidding me? My brain is practically mush right now; I don't have the mental energy for those lofty, grand ideas. I don't even think about them on a normal day!
Right now, nothing is more important than food. What I'd kill for is a sizzling barbecue—crispy and charred on the outside, juicy on the inside, paired with a chilled, sweet fruit wine... Hiss... No, stop, the more I think about it, the hungrier I get.
Lin Qingyue's utterly shameless response thoroughly amused the Queen.
"You're right. Those are indeed matters to consider only after a full meal."
Ilanier nodded with a smile, her gaze softening with a newfound sense of closeness.
She found Lin Qingyue utterly fascinating.
She had met countless powerful individuals—some arrogant and aloof, others spouting righteousness and morality, and still others so inscrutable their true thoughts were impossible to discern.
But Lin Qingyue... one moment she was a "goddess" raining down Heavenly Retribution and dominating the battlefield, and the next, she was a lazy "salted fish" obsessed with her next meal. Ilanier had never encountered anyone so genuine, so down-to-earth.
This stark contrast was a novel experience for her.
"As it happens, Silvermoon City's royal chefs excel at preparing various mushrooms and fresh vegetables. Their light flavors are perfect for aiding recovery."
Ilanier thought for a moment and said, "However, since you prefer richer flavors, I can have them prepare some roasted meat as well. We Elves don't eat it often, but venison roasted over Sunflare Fruit branches has an exceptional flavor."
"That sounds amazing!"
Lin Qingyue's eyes lit up, and she felt a flicker of strength return.
The Queen is the best! So generous! Not only is she treating us, but she's even letting us order!
But... mushrooms? I hope this isn't one of those "eat the mushrooms, see the little people" kind of meals...
Hearing the mention of roasted meat, Lin Xiyue stopped laughing and eagerly leaned forward. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, could you have them prepare extra of that Sunflare Fruit roasted venison? My sister... she can eat three whole platters by herself!"
"Lin Xiyue!" Lin Qingyue shot her a glare.
"No problem," Ilanier replied, her smile widening. "There will be plenty."
The atmosphere in the carriage instantly lightened, all thanks to the simple topic of "what's for dinner."
Su Wan and Xia Lian also gradually relaxed their formal demeanor.
"Qingyue, are you really okay?" Su Wan asked worriedly, still concerned as she looked at Lin Qingyue's pale face.
"I'm fine, just exhausted. A good night's sleep will fix me right up," Lin Qingyue said, waving her hand dismissively.
She turned her senses inward to assess her physical condition.
Though exhausted, the newly acquired Adeptus Breathing Method had already begun to operate on its own. A faint yet steady stream of energy slowly nourished her depleted vitality and spirit.
The sensation was peculiar, like a nearly dead phone plugged into a power bank that charged slowly but would never run out of power.
Anything made by Lord Rex is guaranteed to be top-tier! This technique is practically tailor-made for a lazy person like me! Fully automated cultivation—the ultimate blessing for a slacker!
Lin Qingyue thought gleefully.
The convoy continued south, leaving the icy Northern Territory behind and re-entering the vast forest.
Leaning against a soft cushion, Lin Qingyue drifted toward sleep.
Seeing her completely unguarded state, Ilanier gently waved her hand. A soft, thin blanket woven with moonlight patterns materialized out of thin air and settled gently over Lin Qingyue.
Aeldara glanced over but said nothing. She silently lowered the carriage window curtain halfway, blocking the harsh sunlight from outside.
Seeing this, Lin Xiyue carefully adjusted her sister's position to help her lie more comfortably.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Qingyue was awakened by a slight jolt.
She opened her eyes and saw that the convoy had stopped.
"We've arrived at Morningwind Harbor," Ilanier's voice came from across the carriage.
Lin Qingyue sat up, rubbing her eyes. She felt much more refreshed.
"Already?"
"We've been traveling for most of the day, Sis," Lin Xiyue said. "You were sleeping like a log."
Lin Qingyue nodded.
Morningwind Harbor was the location Aeldara had previously arranged with Prince Alex for the exchange of the magical grimoire.
By now, she calculated, His Highness the Prince, blessed with the "Holy Blessing," should have long since returned to the Human Royal Capital.
I just wonder how the Human King will react.
A king daring to challenge the Elven Race over some ancient, trivial "dark history" between his ancestors and the Elf Queen? That doesn't make sense. A politician's mind shouldn't be that simple, unless...
Unless that "dark history" directly contradicts some of their recorded "glorious achievements"?
"What about the human delegation? Have they reached the harbor yet?"
"Miss Qingyue," Aeldara replied, her voice cold but patient, "according to my estimates, the delegation won't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest."
"Ah? Oh!" Lin Qingyue realized she had overestimated the speed of carriages in this world.
The convoy started moving again, heading toward the Teleportation Array.
Lin Qingyue glanced at the composed Ilanier. It was crystal clear to her.
This queen was no pushover.
Her calmness stemmed from having everything under control.
If the Human Kingdom was sensible and returned the grimoire willingly, everyone could save face.
But if they insisted on playing games...
Lin Qingyue had no doubt that Her Majesty the Queen had a hundred ways to make the Human King regret his decision.
For instance, she could sever all trade relations or simply have the Silent Watch Knight Order patrol the border.
At that point, the Elven Race wouldn't even need to lift a finger. The Human Kingdom's own powerful nobles and wealthy merchants would likely tie up their king and deliver him themselves.
Dealing with politicians is exhausting. Too many twists and turns.
Lin Qingyue sighed, deciding to stop dwelling on these troublesome thoughts.
Right now, all she wanted was to get back to Silvermoon City, enjoy a hearty barbecue, and sleep soundly.
As for repairing the alliance...
She'd think about that after she'd recovered her strength.