Mark walked to the two senile elders, a seven-colored black light flickering in his eyes for a moment, then shook his head:
"What a pity. Even if we were to eat it, the meat would be so tough it would get stuck in our teeth, and there wouldn't be a trace of magic left. It wouldn't even be good enough to make soup. At least it saves us the trouble of preparing the ingredients."
His words sent chills down the spines of the elves.
They all looked at Mark in horror.
This person actually wants to eat two elders?!
Mark noticed the strange expressions on everyone's faces and didn't bother to explain that these were words spoken to the demons.
Of course, he himself did not realize that, in his eyes, the two elves were merely ingredients that could be used for cooking at will.
A dozen or so projections of mid-level demon gods hovered in the hall for a moment, confirming that the two "living dead" were worthless. They also felt the increasing repulsive force of the plane and let out low growls of resentment.
Their enormous eyes turned to Mark, their violent chaos tinged with an undisguised awe and fawning.
The Ice Crystal Giant Lizard lowered its massive head slightly, its soul voice trembling with caution: "Master Chef... we are incompetent, letting our most succulent prey escape... we are truly ashamed to have failed your expectations..."
Its deep blue vertical pupils swept over the ravaged Eternal Rest Palace. "It seems there are no more high-quality ingredients suitable for cooking here."
Although they are demons, they can distinguish between friend and foe, and they wouldn't go so far as to use the remaining elves as food.
It dared not offend the head chef!
The Abyss Octopus Lord's dozen or so compound eyes flickered as it hummed:
"We will return to the Demon Realm immediately and prepare the freshest and finest ingredients for Your Excellency, the Chef! The heart and flesh of the Abyss Lava Core Demon, the marrow of the Nine-Headed Shadow Sea Serpent, the Ice Soul Fish King from the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Netherworld Cold Pool... all await your esteemed presence!"
Even the withered poison ivy rustled and its vines danced: "As long as Your Excellency the Head Chef is still willing to host a feast for the Abyss, we will be your most loyal kitchen helpers and ingredient hunters! Wherever the blade points, you can take any ingredients from the Demon Realm!"
They kept a very low profile, as if afraid that Mark would lose the Abyss Feast because of this defeat.
Mark looked at the group of demons who had been fierce and menacing just a moment ago, but were now trying their best to behave well and be sensible. A slight smile appeared on his lips, and seven-colored black light flowed in his palm.
"You can never have too little food. Next time we have a feast, we'll see how much you're willing to put in." He waved his hand. "You can leave now. The plane is about to crush you into dust."
The demons felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and once again expressed their intention to prepare generous gifts. The enormous projection quickly dissipated in the surging demonic energy.
The abyss rift that had been forcibly torn open slowly closed, leaving only a faint smell of sulfur.
The demonic energy of the abyss dissipated, and sunlight shone down again, but it could not illuminate the heaviness and desolation inside and outside the Palace of Eternal Slumber.
Arielia mustered her spirits, turned to Mark's team and Ellen, and performed the most solemn elven greeting:
"My benefactors, the Elven race is spared from becoming food for demons and has been able to eradicate the parasitic race ahead of schedule, all thanks to your great help. We have no way to repay your kindness. Please follow me."
She gestured to Thranduil.
Thranduil understood and immediately led his men deep into the royal court.
Before long, several elven guards carefully brought over several jade treasure boxes that exuded a rich aura of life.
Arya opened the treasure box herself, inside which were several fruits that shone with starlight, several bottles of emerald green liquid that was full of vitality, and several bark scrolls that were engraved with ancient natural runes.
"This is a treasure from the Elven royal family's treasury. The Star Diamond Fruit can temper the spirit, the essence of the Spring of Life can bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded, and the Natural Codex records the ancient wisdom of the forest."
"Though it is far from enough to repay even a fraction of our gratitude, it is the most sincere thanks from the Elven race. Please accept it."
Aria's gaze was earnest, finally settling on Anna, filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt and pleading.
“Anna, my daughter… The royal court is in dire need of rebuilding and needs you more than ever… Please stay, okay? Your mother… needs you, and the people need you too.”
Anna Eldrinwald stood quietly at the edge of the shadows, her shadowy eyes beneath her hood sweeping over the priceless treasures before finally settling on her mother's face, which was filled with pleading and longing.
She paused for a moment, then stepped forward. Without looking Arya in the eye, she spoke to Thranduil, her voice still cold, yet undeniably authoritative:
"We accept Her Majesty's generous gift on behalf of Team Mark."
She waved her hand, signaling Enzo to put the treasure box away.
"Also, please prepare fifty bags of Elf Long-Grain Rice for us."
Elf Long-Grain Rice?
This request surprised both Aria and Thranduil slightly.
This is one of the most common staple foods of the Elven race. Although it contains a faint natural aroma and tastes excellent, it is insignificant compared to the treasures in the treasury.
"Anna?" A glimmer of hope ignited in Aria's eyes. Her daughter's request for something common in the tribe—did it mean...?
Anna's gaze finally turned to her mother. Her dark eyes were as deep as an abyss, reflecting her mother's haggard face, as well as the ruins of the Eternal Rest Palace and the wounds of the royal court.
She slowly shook her head, severing the nascent hope.
“Rice is the ingredient Mark needs.” Her voice was calm, yet carried a sense of detachment after everything had settled. “As for leaving behind… Mother, though the rotten roots are severed, the wounds are deep. This place is no longer my forest.”
She turned, the Shadow Bow in her hand transforming into a faint light and disappearing, her figure merging once more into the shadows of the ancient trees outside the hall, leaving only a final whisper carried away by the wind:
"The future of the elves is in your hands... Take care."
Arielia's outstretched hand froze in mid-air as she watched her daughter's resolute figure disappear into the shadows, tears silently streaming down her face.
Thranduil silently stepped forward and gently supported the swaying queen.
Mark patted the little M on his shoulder, the seven-colored black light in his eyes slowly receding, and said to Ellen, Enzo, and Monica:
"The matter is settled, and the materials are all ready. Let's go find a place, start a fire, and cook a meal."
Enzo shouldered the rune hammer, muttering, "That old sly bastard got off easy," and Monica silently followed.
Eileen took one last look at the grieving queen and the devastated royal court. Starlight and black gold transformed into streams of light and disappeared into her sleeve. Her figure followed Mark's team and vanished on the path leading out of the forest.
Sunlight streamed through the broken roof, illuminating a green leaf pendant—engraved with Anna's childhood smile—that had quietly slipped from the Queen's hand, reflecting a cold, lonely light.
...
Beside the stream at the edge of the Elf Forest, the broth in a pot bubbled and steamed over a campfire.
Mark was pouring the long-grain rice into the pot. The rice grains unfurled like pearls in the thick broth, and the rising steam, carrying the aroma of meat, filled the forest.
Enzo sat cross-legged on a rock, sharpening his forging hammer; Monica leaned against a tree, wiping her dagger; Anna's hood obscured her face, only her fingertips unconsciously caressing the bowstring.
"roar--!"
A sudden dragon's roar interrupted the seemingly leisurely scene.
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