Chapter 238: Elena’s return. Elena then stored the large coin pouches in her storage ring and prepared to set out for her return journey to Noah’s shop. Prince Adrian watched everything with concealed concern about how these enhancement items would affect the balance of power between their warring kingdoms. More fuel for the fire, he thought grimly while maintaining his loyal facade. When will this endless cycle of vengeance finally consume us all? The throne room buzzed with quiet energy as Elena departed on her mission to secure advantages that Queen Seraphina believed would finally tip their centuries-long conflict in favour of the light elves’ righteous cause. The stage was set for escalation rather than resolution, with enhancement items serving as catalysts for renewed hostilities rather than opportunities for peace ... Elena arrived at the shop with substantially more financial backing this time, her storage ring now containing part of the considerable wealth of the Sunward Territories’ royal treasury. Queen Seraphina had provided her with enough resources to purchase everything within her allocated limits, ensuring no advantage would be left unclaimed. Multiple archmages from the light elf kingdom had escorted her safely to the neutral zone, their powerful magical presence serving as both protection and deterrent against potential shadow elf ambushes. While there was supposed to be a treaty of peace within the one-kilometer vicinity of Noah’s shop, significant distance remained before reaching that protected boundary. The light elves couldn’t be certain that the shadow elves wouldn’t attempt to use their newly acquired enhancement items to launch immediate attacks, potentially testing the merchant’s territorial rules or seeking to prevent Elena from completing her mission. "Maintain perimeter watch until High Mage Elena completes her transactions," commanded the lead archmage as they approached the neutral zone’s edge. "Any shadow elf movement toward the shop area should be reported immediately." They arrived safely at the protected boundary, the invisible line that marked Noah’s territorial restrictions, clearly understood by both factions despite its lack of physical markers. After escorting Elena to the safety zone, the archmages withdrew to strategic positions where they could observe the shop without violating the merchant’s proximity rules. They would wait patiently for her to finish her business before providing an escort back to their territory. From their distant positions near the western border, dark elves watched the light elf escort operation with knowing smirks on their faces. Several shadow elf scouts had been monitoring the situation since Elena’s first visit, anticipating exactly this kind of return mission. "Look at them," chuckled a shadow elf observer to his companion. "So scared that they need multiple archmages just to escort one shopping trip." "Can’t blame them," his partner replied with dark amusement. "It’s in their blood to be fearful of us, heh." The shadow elves maintained their surveillance while carefully respecting the territorial boundaries that protected the mysterious merchant’s establishment. They wouldn’t attack or take any action just yet. Until Lord Regent Darian spoke, nobody would move from their post. Elena entered the shop with confident purpose, her previous experience making the process much more efficient than her initial visit. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢 "I’ve returned with additional resources to complete my kingdom’s acquisitions," Elena announced with diplomatic formality, producing multiple heavy pouches from her dimensional storage. Noah welcomed her back with courtesy, his glinting softly, noting the money she now possessed. "Of course. You’re able to purchase the remaining half of everything as we discussed." Elena then took the items left in the inventory. "I’ll take the six protein bars for permanent strength enhancement," she declared, beginning her comprehensive acquisition. "Six packages of beef jerky for vitality improvements, six energy drinks for agility augmentation, and the five rice cakes for intelligence boosts." The protein bars, beef jerky, energy drinks, and rice cakes represented twenty-three premium items at 1,000 golden coins each, totalling 23,000 coins for permanent attribute enhancements that would create a cadre of peak light elf warriors. "Additionally, I want four mystical herbal teas," Elena continued with growing confidence. "The toxin purification and spiritual sight abilities will be invaluable for our most elite practitioners." The mystical teas added another 6,000 coins to her total at 1,500 coins each, bringing specialised capabilities that could provide decisive advantages in magical combat situations. "Finally, the last three instant coffees," Elena concluded her order. The instant coffees contributed an additional 4,500 coins at 1,500 each, completing her purchase of everything available within the shop. Elena’s total expenditure reached exactly 33,500 golden coins. A staggering sum that represented a small portion of the light elf royal treasury, but provided enhancement items that could permanently reshape their power. As Noah processed her massive transaction, Elena took the opportunity to gather additional intelligence that Queen Seraphina had specifically requested. "I have some questions about your shop’s operational schedule," Elena said with diplomatic curiosity. "When do you typically restock these items? Are there specific times when new inventory becomes available?" Noah appreciated her direct approach to gathering business intelligence rather than attempting subtle manipulation or deception. "I restock my shop completely every twenty-four hours," he explained. "The same quantities of everything become available each day, maintaining consistent supply levels for regular customers." "Are there any special requirements for maintaining purchasing privileges?" she asked with practical concern. "Specific protocols we should follow to ensure continued access?" "Simply respect the territorial boundaries and avoid combat within a one-kilometre radius," Noah replied with diplomatic firmness. "As long as both factions honour those restrictions, business can continue indefinitely." Elena nodded with understanding, filing away every detail for her report to Queen Seraphina and the strategic planning council. After completing her purchase and gathering the requested intelligence, Elena carefully stored her items in dimensional space before preparing to depart. "Thank you for your continued business," Noah said with professional courtesy. "I look forward to serving both kingdoms’ enhancement needs in the future." Elena left the shop with satisfaction radiating from her bearing, immediately met by her waiting archmage escorts who had maintained vigilant watch throughout her extended transaction. The light elf escort formation departed efficiently toward their territorial boundaries. From their distant observation posts, shadow elf scouts watched the successful completion of Elena’s mission with mixed emotions, recognizing that their enemies had just levelled the playing ground. They had wanted to take advantage of their previous powerups, but no order had come down. So all they could do was wait.