Before the sun rose, wagons filled with elves left the dark elf village searching for their new home. Mary's figure led them around while Layla rested in the wagon.

Layla fell asleep when her head hit the pillow and did not wake until her instincts yelled at her.

'Something is wrong! System, do a quick check of the area.'

Layla rubbed her eyes as her body jolted awake. She looked down at her system with a knowing look.

Instantly, hundreds of dots appeared on her system screen, shocking Layla. She rubbed her head as she noticed this before sighing.

"These temple people never really learn, do they? Are they stalking us right now? And just how many are there?"

Since Layla had improved significantly, so had her system. As a result, the markings on her system now showed the people and the dominant type of power and fraction to which they belonged.

It was not a perfect classification, but it was more than enough for her to be able to tell that these people had followed her.

There could only be one reason for the temple people (more like Brother Gustav's people) to follow her and her group.

They planned to attack and end the dark elves and their allies before any stopping point could be reached.

'These bastards. I allowed them to think about their actions and live a peaceful life. But now I see that it was useless. These people did not intend to make peace with us in the first place.'

Layla sighed as she realized the truth behind what was happening. She felt annoyed and pissed off, but she also knew that this could happen.

"Mary, come here for a minute."

Layla snuck her head out of her carriage window and yelled.

She could not see Mary anywhere but knew the demoness would hear her and come for her when she called.

The elf traveling adjacent to Layla gave her a pitiful look of worry.

"I am sorry, Miss, but you might have to wait if you are looking for your maid. Your maid is leading us, and she is too far ahead to hear us properly-"

When Mary returned to her horse, the elf was not finished delivering the news.

Her house looked just as energetic as Mary's, and the female gave Layla a small smile when she approached her wagon.

Layla looked at the startled elf who just told her Mary wouldn't be able to come to her before turning her attention back to Mary.

"Did you call for me, young Miss? Please, tell me what I can help you with."

Mary asked in a certain voice. She looked at Layla in a familiar way that made Layla shiver. But Layla caught herself and decided to cough to hide her nervousness.

"How about you gather everyone, and we take a small break now, Mary? There is something we need to do here before we can continue."

Layla did not outright say that they were being followed or targeted, but her voice more than made it obvious.

She could see that Mary had received her message, but Mary's lack of surprise showed that she already knew about this.

"Are you sure we should do something like that, miss? It might make the ants come out faster to claim their prize."

Mary asked, and this was the time for Layla to look at her with her usual resting face.

"Well, that is what we have you for. Won't you help us out in here? I am sure you can take these 'ants' out before they become an infestation. Don't worry! If you can't do it alone, I can help you."

Layla offered, and Mary had an almost offended expression at that offer.

"I would rather not have you anywhere near the dangers if I can help myself, Miss. Please, take care of yourself and don't cause any trouble. I will tell the leader we need to take a small break.

Please, don't wait for me and enjoy yourself."

Mary spoke offendedly before it became duller and smaller by the second.

Layla nodded to show that she understood what Mary was saying before she pulled herself back into the carriage.

In about ten minutes, everyone had stopped to camp for the time being and eat food. Layla exited her carriage and walked toward the center where the blind queen sat.

Despite her blindness, the queen had no problem navigating her life and surroundings.

She could even eat her food and grip her spoon on her own. All this made one wonder if the queen was blind or just faking it for herself.

"Are you wondering how I can tell where my spoon is despite being blind? Don't give me that look. I have lived long enough to realize what kind of expression I get from others.

Sympathy is not something I want to be looked at by anyone, not even you, child."

The elf queen spoke, and Layla felt her face warm up before she looked at the queen with certainty in her eyes.

"I am not pitying you and unable to show you such an emotion. Please don't take offense to the expression and emotions I showed. I did not mean anything disrespectful by all this."

Layla spoke before she sat down beside the queen and took a bowl of her own.

The food was a little bland but edible, and that was all that mattered. Layla was not picky about her food but preferred it with more flavors.

Layla took a second bite of her food when the elf queen asked Layla the question that made her choke.

"So, did your maid capture the people she was sent out to capture? I am thankful that you helped us again in such a dire situation. I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you for this."

The elf queen spoke in a low enough voice that no one else could hear. But her words were loud and clear in Layla's mind.