“I told you, I was the first one here!”

  Arthuria rushed toward the medical tent, her face flushed from the earlier battle, remnants of the struggle still visible on her skin. She clutched a bag of spiral berries harvested from the enchanted garden. Inside the tent, Fitran leaned against the wall, coughing softly, while Irithya tended to his wounds with a shimmering ointment. In the corner, Rinoa prepared steaming herbal drinks.

  Irithya raised an eyebrow, her tone flat. “Quickness doesn’t equate to care. You even forgot to bring water, Arthuria.”

  Arthuria huffed, plopping down next to Fitran, a mischievous grin stretched across her face. “At least I brought something sweet.” She boldly fed him a berry, exuding confidence. “Give it a try; it’s the finest spiral berry there is.”

  Fitran chuckled softly, trying to mask his awkwardness. “You guys don’t have to—”

  Suddenly, Rinoa leaned over and offered a warm cup with a concerned expression. “Drink up, Fitran. This potion can help, but your body needs rest too. Don’t act recklessly just to please the princess of Britannia.”

  Arthuria smirked, her eyes narrowing as she focused on Rinoa. “Jealous, little healer?”

  Rinoa turned her gaze away, her cheeks flushing yet her voice remained firm. “If I were jealous, it’s only because I genuinely care.”

  Irithya stepped closer, her voice firm yet her eyes glimmered with understanding. “Enough, both of you. What Fitran needs tonight is tranquility. Not chaos or a battle for attention. But…” she regarded Fitran intently, “someone who truly understands the weight of being in the spotlight.”

  Irithya moved forward, her tone resolute while a glimmer of hope sparkled in her eyes. “Listen to me, both of you. I believe what Fitran truly needs this evening is peace. Not disputes or vying for his focus. However…—” she locked gazes with Fitran, “it’s about finding someone who comprehends just how challenging it is to be the center of attention in this world.”

  Arthuria nodded slowly, curiosity etched on her face. “Then, why don’t we put it to the test? Whoever can bring joy to Fitran tonight deserves to be his guardian!”

  Fitran raised both hands, his smile a mix of jest and despair. “Come on! Remember, I’m a paladin, not a prize to be won!”

  Irithya’s smile turned sardonic, “Exactly because you are a paladin. There are always those seeking a hero in this realm; the scent of ambition and betrayal is strikingly palpable.”

  Rinoa grinned wide, her face shining with courage. “If this is a challenge, I accept it. But bear in mind, the trial must be fair. It isn’t solely about strength or charm; it’s about who can genuinely connect with Fitran’s soul.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Arthuria nodded firmly, her gaze piercing as it fixed on Rinoa. “I agree. Let’s commence—one night, one wish from Fitran. Whoever fulfills that wish in the most extraordinary way shall be crowned the champion of the evening.”

  Fitran gazed skyward, a tremor of joy in his smile. “Is it permitted? All I desire is... a tranquil night, far from all the magic that haunts me. Just an ordinary night, if it’s possible.”

  The three of them exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering across their faces, yet without words, they aligned with a deeper purpose.

  Night enveloped them like a thick blanket, as Arthuria grasped Fitran’s hand, leading him away from the tent. They settled on the cool grass, beneath the soft gaze of the stars. “Look at that,” she said, pointing to the constellation of Britannia shimmering in the sky. “The tales woven here can be darker than you might imagine. And sometimes, we must trust in the unseen... like the magic dwelling in this silence.”

  Beside them, Irithya refused to be left out. She leaned in toward Fitran, her voice a whisper, “I want you to know that every time we gather, I recite a protective incantation. It’s not merely words, but rather a feeling—an emotion that binds us, healing our wounds. Only in front of you can I reveal the darkness I feel, without fear of your judgment.”

  Rinoa, awaiting her turn, perched herself on the banks of a small river. The sound of water flowing broke the silence of the night, a soothing melody that wrapped around her like a soft blanket. "I might not be as strong as all of you," she said gently, her voice barely rising above the murmur of the stream, "but here, in this quiet moment, I feel our bond. No more searching for reasons to argue or fight. Just by reaching out for your hand, Fitran, I know we are connected. Amidst all the deception surrounding us, I want you to know I have something to give—warmth."

  As the night deepened, Fitran returned to the tent, his heart feeling lighter. He looked at his three friends with bright eyes, as if seeing a new world unfold before him. "Thank you. Tonight... for the first time since this war began, I feel like I'm truly alive again—not just a character in a story, not merely a tool assigned to a task."

  Arthuria furrowed her brow, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "So, who finally managed to steal your heart?"

  Fitran shook his head, his voice strong and filled with meaning, "Tonight, I’ve come to realize one thing: you all have become an essential part of my life. This isn’t about rivalry; it’s about our courage in facing this darkened world together. There’s no winner here—just us, striving to endure."

  Fitran scratched his cheek.

  Irithya gazed at him, her presence a beacon in the dark of night, affirming, “If that is how you feel, Fitran, don’t count on us leaving. We are bound by this fate.”

  Rinoa chimed in with conviction, “We will always stand by you, no matter the choices you make. Together, we form one unity.”

  Arthuria placed a gentle hand on Fitran’s shoulder, her eyes scanning the ominous sky with unwavering hope. “Prepare yourself, Paladin. The war awaits us. Yet tonight, savor your happiness, even if only for a fleeting moment.”

  Amid the stillness of the night, from the shadows of the encroaching forest, a pair of crimson eyes watched—remnants of Mythranis’s magic, lurking for a chance to strike. While Fitran and his companions were absorbed in their emotions, a new threat silently crept into their realm, ready to challenge whether love and friendship could withstand the darkness that lingered.

  And that spiral night—seemingly serene—marked the dawn of a new chapter: where rivalry transformed into strength, and love became the reason to endure in a world perpetually at the brink of collapse.