Laisa opened her mouth, but found herself speechless.
Silver hair truly held a special status among the elven tribes, but she also truly could not guarantee that a silver-haired elf was definitely a Windrunner.
Unlike the group of old-fashioned and conservative elves in the Elven Forest.
Laisa had begun moving around outside ten years ago, so she naturally knew that some consensus within the race was not absolute.
She fell silent for a long time, finally sighing:
"Little mage, do not blame me for being nervous."
"Silver-haired elves are too special within my race; it is both a symbol of noble status and the mark of a traitor."
"If she really is of the Windrunner Clan..."
The Forest Elf gave Theia a deep look, her voice low:
"It is best to kill her right here."
"The gene of betrayal is deeply etched into the bloodline of this tribe."
"For selfish desires, they will do anything!"
"Therefore, for the safety of the journey ahead, I must confirm the identity of your companion."
Laisa tightened her grip on her bow and arrow, intending to step forward.
Lin Gui blocked her once again.
"Excuse me, but what exactly did the Windrunners do for you to view it as betrayal?"
Laisa said through gritted teeth:
"They colluded with the Demon Race! They even bore children for the demons!"
"Giving birth to half-demons that spread despair and ill omens, is that not betrayal?"
Lin Gui's expression was odd as he asked Laisa:
"According to what you said, the Windrunner Clan colluded with the Demon Race, so it is considered betrayal?"
"Does that not count as betrayal?" Laisa questioned.
"Did the Windrunners bring the demons they colluded with to invade the elves?"
"..."
"Did the Windrunners' act of colluding with the Demon Race cause your status in the Alliance to suffer?"
"..."
"Did the betrayal you speak of cause your tribe losses? Were there casualties? Or... did it merely damage your reputation?"
Each of Lin Gui's questions left Laisa speechless.
In the twilight, Theia's silver hair glowed with a soft halo under the fading light.
She straightened her back, her pointed ears twitching slightly, her gaze meeting Laisa's scrutiny with determination.
Lin Gui looked at everyone, his voice clear and firm:
"As a human, my understanding of betrayal is—"
"A son killing his father, a brother killing his brother..."
"Family members slaughtering each other for a mouthful of food."
"Heroes who champion the weak being ultimately sent to the stake by the very people they protected."
"To seize the fruits of victory, to live the luxurious life they once hated..."
His voice suddenly turned cold:
"Plunging a knife into the back of their savior."
Lin Gui's gaze swept over every team member, finally settling on Laisa's face:
"I understand your concerns, and I am not here to defend the Windrunners."
"I just want to tell you that Vera is trustworthy."
"She is far more trustworthy than any race, even more so than the dragons who are known for their contractual spirit."
Theia lowered her head slightly, her fingers gently brushing the dagger at her waist.
Underneath that disguised face, no one could see her true expression at this moment.
Lin Gui calmly added:
"Of course, if you still cannot be at ease, we can part ways here."
Night had completely fallen, and only the chirping of insects and the crackling of the campfire remained in the forest.
Everyone's gaze focused on Laisa, waiting for her decision.
Laisa stared intently at Lin Gui, a complex light flickering in her emerald eyes.
After a long while, she finally slowly lowered the longbow she had been gripping.
"If I just let the three of you leave alone..."
Her voice carried a hint of helplessness, "It would be no different from killing you with my own hands."
"You just did the caravan a huge favor..."
The Forest Elf took a step back, reslinging her bow behind her back:
"An elf will not do something so ungrateful."
She gave Theia a deep look, ultimately choosing not to pursue the matter of that conspicuous silver hair any further.
Theia crossed her arms, rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction, and muttered under her breath:
"Who are you looking down on..."
"We dared to wander right under the nose of a Legendary demon; would you dare?"
Lin Gui raised his hand and gave the back of Theia's head a light swat:
"Speak less."
Theia immediately covered her mouth, but her eyes still held a defiant look.
Freya stepped forward at the right moment, her ice-blue eyes scanning the group:
"Since the misunderstanding has been cleared, prepare to set off."
"Traveling under the cover of night is indeed a good choice."
She turned to Lin Gui, her tone carrying trust:
"We'll do as you said."
Everyone immediately went into action.
Lin Gui stood at the very front of the train, his hands gently pressed against the cold body of the vehicle.
Theia came to his side, her emerald eyes shimmering in the darkness.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, her sharp gaze penetrating through layers of the night to take in the terrain ahead.
Eve stood quietly on Lin Gui's other side, her hands folded over her chest.
A soft Holy Light flowed in her palms, ready at any moment to replenish the mana Lin Gui consumed.
The scholar Eli stood a little further back holding a map, his fingers sliding gently across it:
"Follow this direction, avoiding those marked red zones."
Betty followed closely beside Lin Gui, her eyes unblinking as she watched his casting movements.
She whispered to herself, "So Levitation can control airflow like this..."
Freya leapt gracefully to the top of the middle section of the train.
She spread her arms, her long ice-blue hair fluttering in the night wind.
Ancient incantations flowed from her lips, and invisible magical ripples spread outward with her as the center.
Vice Leader Aubrey took the other members for a final check.
The beastkin Grom pulled the last strap tight, while the barbarian warrior Barton looked around alertly.
The scout Alvin and the assassin Dulu had already disappeared into the darkness to scout the way ahead.
The Forest Elf Laisa stood alone at the end of the line, her fingers unconsciously stroking her bowstring.
She would occasionally look up in Theia's direction, her gaze still carrying a hint of doubt.
"Everything is ready," Aubrey reported in a low voice.
Lin Gui took a deep breath, applying a slight force through his palms.
The Wheelless Train rose silently, floating half a meter off the ground.
Under Theia's guidance, the train slid into the dense forest as smoothly as a fish in water.
Freya's concealment magic perfectly enveloped the entire train.
The twenty-meter-long steel beast traveled through the darkness without making the slightest sound.
Only the occasional startled bird proved they had passed by.
The night was deep as the train moved quietly through the thick forest.
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