At some point, the train gave a slight jolt and came to a stop.
Betty rolled over groggily on her bunk, sitting up while rubbing her bleary eyes.
She let out a massive yawn and pushed open the iron window with sleepy eyes.
Outside the window was a pitch-black rock wall, its rough surface faintly visible in the dim light.
“Huh?”
Betty tilted her head in confusion, struggling to push open the heavy carriage door before hopping down lightly.
She looked around and found herself standing in a spacious cavern.
Slender stalactites hung from the ceiling, the occasional drip of water echoing clearly in the silence.
Moss covered the rock walls, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth.
The train sat quietly in the depths of the cave, looking like a sleeping giant beast.
Suddenly realizing something, Betty sprinted toward the mouth of the cave.
The moment she burst out of the cavern, the scene before her eyes made her catch her breath instinctively.
At the far end of the horizon, a glimmer of deep blue was visible.
It was the ocean. Although it was a great distance away, it was clearly discernible under the reflection of the setting sun.
Golden ripples shimmered where the sea met the sky, as if a thin layer of gold had been plated onto the distant surface.
A few wisps of clouds floated above the sea level, dyed a pinkish-purple by the sunset.
“Wasn't I just at Outpost 21 when I went to sleep?!”
Betty cried out in shock, her voice echoing along the open coastline.
“How the hell am I already about to see Blackwater Bay after just one nap?!”
A hand lightly patted the back of Betty's head.
Freya stood behind her, shaking her head helplessly.
“Be quiet, don't wake them up.”
She raised her hand and pointed toward the top of the train, her eyes flickering with ill-concealed amazement.
It wasn't just Betty being hysterical; even Freya, who had witnessed the entire process, found it unbelievable in hindsight.
Once the sun rose and the visibility improved, it was as if Lin Gui had cast off all his shackles.
Without the restrictions of having to wait for the scholars or Theia to scout the path, and with two priestesses rotating to replenish his mana behind him...
Lin Gui had completely let loose.
Freya still remembered that scene.
Lin Gui had poured all of his mana into the Levitation spell, and the train had streaked forward like an arrow released from a bow.
The speed was so breathtaking that the scenery on both sides blurred into ribbons of color.
This speed was practically on par with when he had carried them away from the demon encirclement.
With the support of such terrifying speed, a journey that would originally have taken Betty half a month...
Lin Gui had completed in just a single day.
“Once he wakes up, I expect it won't be long before we actually reach the coast,” Freya said softly, her tone carrying sincere admiration.
Betty followed her gaze and her eyes widened.
On the platform atop the train, Lin Gui was lying back casually.
That deep blue mage robe was quite old, its cuffs frayed and worn.
The sea breeze blew past, lifting a corner of the robe to reveal a lining faded white from frequent washing.
His head rested on the oak staff, and his profile in deep sleep looked exceptionally peaceful under the setting sun.
Beside him, Eve was sitting cross-legged.
Her ginkgo-golden short hair fluttered lightly in the sea breeze, shimmering with a warm luster in the evening light.
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes gazing at the distant, shimmering deep blue.
A faint, serene smile played on her lips; she seemed entirely immersed in this tranquility.
Her slender fingers rested lightly on the edge of Lin Gui's worn robe, as if she were guarding his slumber.
The final glow of the setting sun gilded this scene with a golden outline.
The distant sea level loomed behind them.
The worn robe, the peaceful sleeping face, and the quiet vigil.
They formed a truly moving portrait.
Betty stared dazed, forgetting to speak for a long time.
It wasn't until Freya lightly tugged on her sleeve that she snapped back to her senses.
“How... how did he even manage that...”
She murmured to herself, her gaze still fixed on that worn mage robe.
It was as if she could see the traces of countless days and nights of travel etched upon it.
It wasn't just Betty; the other team members who woke up one after another also fell silent for a long time when they saw the distant coastline.
Theia, on the other hand, didn't feel anything particularly special about it.
Having crossed the wilderness with Lin Gui many times, she had long since grown accustomed to this speed.
However, this time, Lin Gui seemed even faster than before.
In all likelihood, it was because the train was so heavy that the resulting inertia actually increased their traveling speed.
Atop the train, Lin Gui slept soundly.
A Clarity spell could keep him awake, but it could not alleviate the exhaustion of a whole night's travel.
For some reason, even though he was usually a light sleeper, he slept exceptionally well this time.
When Lin Gui slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a gentle shadow.
He found himself resting on something soft. Looking up, his gaze met Eve’s lowered eyes.
Her ginkgo-golden short hair caught the morning light, shimmering with a soft halo.
Her deep brown eyes held a trace of an indiscernible smile.
Lin Gui finally realized that he was resting his head on Eve's lap.
“???”
Wasn't I supposed to be leaning against the oak staff?
Moreover, if he had actually been moved, how had he not noticed it?
He looked at Eve's fingertips and understood immediately.
He knew why he had slept so comfortably.
That was... the Mid Rank Light magic: Sleep spell.
“You...”
Just as Lin Gui was about to speak, his stomach let out an untimely growl.
At that moment, Theia leaned in with a grin, her silver hair swaying lightly in the morning breeze.
“Hungry, aren't you, Lin Gui...”
She held a wooden tray in her hands, on which pieces of thawed and cut meat were neatly arranged.
“I've processed all the meat. We were just waiting for you to wake up and cook.”
She blinked, her tone carrying a hint of wheedling.
“Hurry up. Eve and I are starving.”
Eve gently withdrew her hand, the last flicker of the Sleep spell dissipating at her fingertips.
She looked down and gave Lin Gui a faint smile, offering no explanation.
Lin Gui sat up and rubbed his still somewhat heavy forehead.
Looking at the ingredients Theia had prepared and then glancing at Eve’s nonchalant expression...
He ultimately let out a soft sigh.
“Fine, I'll start the meal.”
Before that...
The members of the North Wind caravan quickly gathered to prepare their own food.
With Freya, a Mid-tier Legendary dual-element mage of wind and ice, present, handling the cooking smoke was a simple matter.
She casually cast a Windless Barrier, perfectly hiding all traces of the cooking.
They warmly invited Theia and Eve to dine with them.
Theia leaned over to the pot where the priest Silas was cooking and took a sniff.
She then shook her head in refusal without the slightest hesitation.
“No thank you.”
The members of the North Wind caravan looked puzzled.
But soon, they understood why.
The awakened Lin Gui began to prepare the meal.
He used Levitation to precisely control various kitchen utensils as they flew through the air.
He took out his self-made spices and seasonings, sprinkling them over the meat he had prepared earlier.
In an instant, an enticing aroma permeated the barrier.
The scent was layered and rich, combining the depth of the spices with the freshness of the meat.
Within the North Wind caravan, the tall beastkin Grom couldn't help but swallow hard.
Betty was the first who couldn't hold back; she grabbed the scholar Eli and hurried over.
“Um... can you spare some for us?”
She looked longingly at the sizzling roasted meat in the pot.
Immediately after, the barbarian warrior Barton also walked over while rubbing his stomach.
Even the Forest Elf Laisa, who had previously had a conflict with Theia...
Silently drew a few steps closer.
“Everyone, sit down.”
Lin Gui didn't even look up as he continued to flip the ingredients in the pot.
“There’s plenty to go around.”
The previously somewhat awkward atmosphere suddenly became lively.
The crowd sat in a circle, sharing this unexpected breakfast.
“This taste... it’s amazing!”
Betty narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.
The beastkin Grom devoured the food ravenously, nodding repeatedly.
Even the usually cold Laisa...
Took small bites, a flash of amazement crossing her eyes.
Amidst this warm atmosphere...
The members of the North Wind caravan had, without realizing it...
Completely accepted these three temporary companions.
Rate on N.U.
