---

Chapter 117: Their Healing

“Just called up fifty Griffin Knights, but with the Adventurers Nia pulled some strings for, the knights under White Harbor’s banner have enough extraordinary power to stop them.”

Each Griffin Knight is a fine low-tier power.

In just three days, bringing so many people from the kingdom to White Harbor is quite extraordinary; it’s almost drained the Griffin Knights from the southern border of the kingdom.

Unlike extraordinary powers, low-tier forces don’t raise much concern. This is White Harbor’s territory; even one or two thousand ordinary soldiers won’t stir much of a storm.

Charlotte changed her position and continued, “The South Sea and Gold Sands folks are ready too; they’ve sealed off the nearby seas of White Harbor, so they won’t let them escape that easily.”

“Those two are unexpectedly useful.” Even Leanna, who had grievances with the two princes, could not help but praise them.

With a lead in intelligence, logistics fully prepared, and middle-low tier troops already in place, the preparation was complete.

Roy felt a bit relieved but then noticed Xue Nuo suddenly looking over.

“Tomorrow, I will join your father on the front lines and assist the Dean in holding off the Sword Saint.”

“Teacher Xue Nuo?”

Roy frowned, but before he could protest, Xue Nuo preemptively put a finger to his lips.

Xue Nuo’s expression was calm and gentle, but her words contained an unshakeable determination like that of an imperial fortress.

“At that time, you said you would carry your fate with Alice, which is true, but did you forget something?”

“There has never been just Alice who can bear your fate.”

Xue Nuo lowered her gaze slightly, a bit unwilling: “Unfortunately, the power at the imperial border is limited; I can’t help you too much.”

“So, the debts owed by the imperial border will be personally supplemented by your master.”

Her cool fingers gently brushed up and landed lightly on his forehead as Xue Nuo slightly curved her lips: “This is a decision from your teacher, and the apprentice is not allowed to argue.”

Not just Xue Nuo, they all contributed whatever power they could muster, taking their stand against the church.

Just like Alice did, they were also accompanying him forward.

Carl said the cruelest suffering is loneliness, but at this moment, having them by his side, Roy truly felt that the burdens of fate were no longer heavy.

Roy took a deep breath and looked at the girls before him: “Thank you all.”

“Thank you, everyone.”

“Hmph, no need for thanks between ruler and subjects.”

“Hmm? Is the junior going to cry from being moved?”

“No need. Between us, there’s no distinction. Rather, what I’ve done for you is far less than what you’ve done for me.”

Nia interjected among the crowd: “Hey, why are we being all melodramatic?”

She hugged Roy’s neck and patted her chest, beaming with a radiant smile: “We’re all family, right?”

“In Alice’s words, isn’t it natural for family to help each other?”

Nia clapped her hands: “Alright, it’s getting late; let’s get some rest. We have serious business tomorrow!”

“Yeah, you all should head back…?”

Roy noticed that none of the girls seemed inclined to leave.

“Weren’t we just saying to get some rest?”

“Right.” Nia replied, looking as if it was a matter of course.

“So we’re here to keep you company while you rest.”

“???”

A few minutes later.

Lying in bed, staring at the four girls crowding around him, Roy looked utterly bewildered.

What used to be a spacious bed for just him and Alice became a tad cozy now.

Leanna and Xue Nuo were snugly on either side, while Charlotte and Nia rested like little animals on top of Roy.

Whether delicate or fair skin, it all pressed closely against him, and even the smallest movement would lead to all sorts of delightful encounters. The scents swirling around made his mind swirl too.

With such sweet softness around, loneliness in every sense of the word had vanished.

Oh, so this is what your companionship means, huh?

Doing this kind of thing in a sacred church, isn’t it going to provoke the Holy Light Goddess?

“I’m not some little kid who can’t sleep; I don’t need you all to keep me company, okay?!” Roy couldn’t help but complain.

“Oh, are you being ungrateful after getting the benefits?” Leanna raised an eyebrow, her long fingers playfully wandering over Roy.

“Yeah, don’t think there’s gonna be this good of an opportunity again! If not for worrying Alice would make you too lonely, why would we all come here to keep you company?” Charlotte huffed, pouting as she tugged at his face.

She looked just like a cat playing with a scratching post, all too affectionate.

The recently intimate Xue Nuo was clearly still not used to this scene.

They were merely shoulder to shoulder, but her fair cheeks were slightly flushed, just like snow tinged with the glow of evening light.

“Um, if you don’t like it, we won’t force you…”

The elven girl resting on Roy’s chest couldn’t help but chuckle: “Thinking too much. Your apprentice? He’s already happy as a clam, alright?”

Curling her legs, with a delicate foot swinging, Nia rested her chin on her hand, casting a charming glance at Roy: “Am I wrong?”

Roy, trying to be tough, turned his head away: “Wrong!”

“Don’t think just because you’re close, I’m going to lose my head over it, okay?”

“Oh, then why don’t you act tough?”

Roy’s expression twitched.

“Since we’re here, why not just go with it? No need to stress, have fun!”

“Tsk tsk, can’t hide those corners of your mouth! I just love that you’re all tough like that,” Nia laughed out loud.

These girls…

What warms the heart more than the soft fragrances are their intentions.

It was rare for the girls to be so harmonious; not just sharing a bed, even being close to each other could stir up half a day’s quarrel.

Charlotte never hid her concern, Leanna teasingly eased the mood, Xue Nuo openly showered him with affection, and Nia put on a sweet smile to ease his heart.

Even though he never revealed the anguish of losing Alice, they had already sensed it and were doing all they could to share the burdens he carried, healing his emotional wounds.

On the eve of the decisive battle, loneliness and unease—the long night that even starlight couldn’t dispel—was brought to brightness and warmth by their company.

Roy didn’t want to put on a brave face nor did he know how to do so.

Relaxing his body, immersed in the fragrances of gardenias and jasmine, blue roses and bellflowers, Roy closed his eyes, letting the repressed emotions of these past few days rise to the surface, releasing a heavy breath.

Then, slowly dissipated under their healing.

Noticing the slight moisture in the boy’s eyes, no one spoke to interrupt.

Until Roy suddenly said, “Everyone, having you here is truly wonderful.”

“But you shouldn’t be satisfied with just this, right?” Nia smiled.

Charlotte pouted: “I’ll allow you one more at most.”

Leanna covered the corner of her mouth: “Is that so? Might have to see if Alice will allow you then~”

“White Harbor can’t be without the Saint; you can’t either, right?” Xue Nuo smiled knowingly, stating the facts.

“Yeah.” Roy nodded vigorously.

All this time, he had already changed the fates of Charlotte, Nia, Leanna, and Xue Nuo.

What remained was to save Alice.

It was time to finish the perfect ending for “Angel’s Dance.”

 

---