For the next two weeks, the elven army maintained a high-speed advance. Their march was so fast that the orc tribes were left far behind, and even the forest trolls ahead were overtaken.
Throughout the journey, Leylin constantly extended and released his magic. Two weeks of training extended Leylin's echolocation from ten kilometers to fifteen kilometers.
Now, Leylin was like a miniature radar; he would immediately detect any soldier entering his detection range.
Night fell, and the elven squad could finally rest completely for a night. This fifteen-day journey deserved a wonderful night to recuperate.
According to the dwarves' map, the elven squad was located near in a place called Skull Rock, where a river flowed through northern Hinterlands reaching out to the sea. The worries about water and food were gone.
Alleria's fishing method was quite unique, unlike Leylin's use of arcane energy to blast fish. She used a bow and arrow to shoot them.
However, Alleria's problem became more complicated. She clearly felt she might hit a fish, but every time she missed. Leylin, on the other hand, blasted one or two fish ashore with a small single arcane orb.
"I clearly see the fish, why can't I hit them?" Alleria complained to Leylin, clearly annoyed.
It seemed the elven kingdom lacked scientific knowledge. Leylin immediately transformed into a primary school physics teacher, explaining the physics of water refraction to the beautiful ranger captain.
This kind of explanation sounded novel, and unlike magical theories, it seemed more logical. Alleria was quick to grasp it; it was like in the ranger's lessons, where accurately hitting a target required considering wind direction and the trajectory of the parabola.
"Did you learn this knowledge while staying at Malden's Orchard?" Alleria threaded the fish she had caught onto an arrow and walked to the riverbank.
The other elves also paired off and began fishing in the river; this was their dinner. It was also the most relaxing dinner they had had in nearly a month.
Leylin lit four campfires, allowing the elves to gather together and start grilling the fish. Creating an opportunity for solitude, Alleria and Leylin had their own fire.
"To be honest, it makes me uneasy that we're having dinner here so leisurely." The shadows of the firelight danced on Alleria's face. The Ranger Captain was still worried about the safety of Quel'Thalas.
Leylin carefully grilled the crucian carp on the arrow for Alleria and handed her the shaft.
"I understand, but we still need to fill our stomachs first, don't we?" Leylin said.
Alleria leaned closer to Leylin's shoulder, and in the darkness, she abandoned her captain's identity and nestled in Leylin's arms.
"I know the kingdom's fighting strength. It's hard to imagine what price we'll pay if the orcs invade our land." Alleria said worriedly.
Sacrifice was inevitable. Although Leylin didn't know exactly what price the high elves had paid during this second orc war, the key was that the elven kingdom had ultimately won.
Leylin put his arm around Alleria's shoulder and said, "This isn't like the old you. The Ranger Captain wasn't afraid of sacrifice and death."
Alleria looked at Leylin with a hint of resentment and said, "I am Alleria now, I have no other identity. Like all elves, I'm afraid of loss, especially afraid, do you understand?"
Beneath her strong exterior lay a vulnerable heart. Leylin was the same.
"That's why we must be confident. Believe in ourselves that we can protect our loved ones and even our people. The elven kingdom will surely be safe and sound," Leylin said optimistically.
Her clenched fist tapped weakly against Leylin's chest as she gently said, "I don't believe your weird logic. You have to promise me you'll protect my younger sister and second sister."
Alleria knew that Leylin was no longer the weak human youth from the Malden's Orchard. His abilities were now very close to those of his mentor.
Oftentimes, Alleria would mistake Leylin for Grand Magister Belo'vir; their presence looked so alike minus the differences in races.
"Of course, I'll protect all three of you sisters." Leylin said.
Alleria suddenly pulled away from Leylin's embrace, saying, "What about Aminel? Don't think I don't know how that elf magister girl feels about you."
"Same here, same here," Leylin smiled awkwardly.
Alleria curled her shoulders and snuggled back into Leylin's arms, murmuring, "Promiscuous, lustful, annoying!"
This moment of tenderness was enjoyable for Leylin.
"How many more days until we get through here?" Alleria asked.
Based on the Hinterlands map by the Wildhammer dwarves, Leylin concluded, "In ten days at most, we'll be heading to the Northlands of Lordaeron."
"Yes, we need to return to the Elven Kingdom this morning to prepare for war," Alleria asked, then fell silent.
She disliked discussing military matters in Leylin's arms. It gave her a very uncomfortable, contradictory, and anxious feeling.
A peaceful night passed. As dawn broke, the girl in Leylin's arms stirred. Feeling the warmth, she murmured, not wanting to move.
"Silly girl, it's time to get up," Leylin whispered softly near Alleria's earlobe.
Tickled, Alleria blushed and climbed out of Leylin's arms. Seeing the elves still resting, she gave Leylin a light kiss, then said seriously, "Now I'm the Ranger Captain."
"Yes, Captain, we should set off," said Leylin.
Resuming their journey, the elves crossed the makeshift ice bridge Tyr'ganal had constructed. They successfully traversed the river in the northern part of Hinterlands.
They continued northward. Having crossed the river, the elven party once again entered a dense jungle. This forest differed from the other side of the river; it possessed a serene and relaxing atmosphere.
This place was called Seradane, and the dwarves rarely came here. Leylin surveyed the desolate landscape of Seradane, noting the sparse markings on the map.
Dwarves rarely set foot here, and the terrain seemed almost untouched by civilization. The absence of warnings or danger signs didn't reassure him, if anything, it suggested that this place was either forgotten or carefully concealed.
Yet, Leylin's heightened senses told a different story. No lurking trolls, no feral beasts, not even the distant howls of orcs along the riverbanks. His awareness was clear, no immediate threats lurked in the shadows.
He pressed his brow, trying to piece together his memories. After a moment, flashes of past knowledge surfaced—images, whispers, fragments of history. This was an area in the northeastern Hinterlands, a remote and mysterious region.
It was one of the four known entrances to the Emerald Dream, a realm of eternal green, inhabited by ancient and wise green dragons that prowled its verdant depths.
Whether green dragons would actually appear here was uncertain, and Leylin didn't want to encounter them for the time being, to avoid trouble.