Chapter 392: A Gentle Moment Amidst Choas [1]

Lyria’s falling body collided with something or rather, someone caught her in their arms.

Two strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her against a familiar chest.

Noah had caught her.

He immediately dropped to his knees, carefully cradling her in his arms as he looked down at her face. His glacier-blue eyes, usually so cold and unreadable, were filled with unmistakable worry.

Their eyes met. And that moment, Lyria forgot the pain spreading through her body.

Noah was here. He had come for her.

Only when she looked at him more closely did she realize how badly injured he was. His snow-white hair was stained with blood, countless cuts covered his body, and his clothes were torn. Even the violet cloak draped over his shoulders was splattered with crimson.

He looked even more injured than she was.

Yet despite his condition, he was holding her closely.

Meanwhile, Lyria could barely move because of the single attack that had pierced her abdomen.

"Lyria!! Are you okay?!"

Noah’s voice was unusually urgent.

"Keep your eyes open, all right? You’re safe now."

He gently cupped her cheeks between his cold palms, forcing her attention back to him.

His hands were much colder than she had expected. She had imagined that being held by someone would feel warm, but Noah’s touch was almost icy.

Strangely, however, that coldness brought her comfort.

It soothed the burning pain in her body and calmed the fear that had been threatening to overwhelm her.

"I-I... I’m okay..." she murmured weakly.

Noah was here, and somehow, that made everything feel a little less frightening.

He came for me a wave of relief washed over her, accompanied by a feeling of gratitude so overwhelming that she couldn’t put it into words.

He had arrived just in time to save her. She now owed him so much .

She had genuinely believed she was going to die. She had been unable to move, unable to fight back, and completely helpless before Vorthane.

She had been terrified. But now, nestled in Noah’s arms, she finally felt safe enough to breathe.

If she had possessed even a little more strength, she might have thrown her arms around him and hugged him tightly. It was embarrassing thought but she wanted to.

More than she cared to admit.

"Lyria!"

"Lyria!!"

Two familiar voices reached them as Damien and Instructor Brandon hurried over.

"Are you all right?!" Damien asked anxiously, dropping to his knees beside her.

Noah glanced at them before answering.

"She’s alive, but she needs immediate treatment."

Just then, someone stepped forward. It was none other than Aelyssa, the Queen of the Elves.

The queen knelt beside Lyria, and a glowing green potion bottle appeared in her hand. She quickly removed the stopper and brought it toward Lyria’s lips.

"Drink this. It should heal your internal injuries."

Lyria obediently tilted her head and swallowed the potion.

The liquid tasted slightly bitter as it passed down her throat, but a moment later, a pleasant warmth spread throughout her body.

The pain in her abdomen gradually subsided. Her breathing became easier, and the worst of her injuries began to heal.

It wasn’t enough to restore her completely, but it was sufficient to bring her out of immediate danger.

Aelyssa then produced another potion and handed it to Noah.

"Here, young man. Drink this as well. You’re terribly injured. Honestly, I don’t know how you’re still conscious."

Her gaze lingered on him, a hint of curiosity in her beautiful features.

Despite the dire situation, the queen couldn’t help wondering how someone so severely wounded could remain standing, let alone fight.

Noah accepted the potion without a word and drank it.

Aelyssa then raised her hand.

A golden magic circle materialized above her palm, releasing a gentle radiance that descended upon Lyria’s abdomen. The light seeped into her wound, accelerating its recovery and closing the remaining damage to the outer flesh.

She repeated the process on Noah, allowing the golden light to wash over his battered body.

Gradually, some color returned to his face, and his breathing became normal.

Although neither of them had fully recovered, they were finally out of danger.

Aelyssa rose to her feet.

Damien let out a long sigh of relief before turning back to Lyria.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Much better," Lyria replied.

Her voice was still weak, but at least she could speak without struggling for every word.

"Thank goodness..." Damien muttered, visibly relieved.

Then he turned toward Noah and stared at him in disbelief.

"And you! By the gods, Noah, look at yourself! You’re covered in cuts and wounds! Are you seriously telling me you’re fine?"

"I’m fine. Don’t worry about me," Noah replied in his usual calm tone.

Damien stared at him like he saw some madman. How can he say that so casually?

Brandon approached them, his expression finally relaxing.

"I’m glad you’re both safe. When I saw Lyria fall, I thought my heart was going to stop." He shook his head and released a weary sigh. "Still, at least you’re alive. That’s what matters right now."

Lyria nodded faintly.

However, her attention soon drifted toward Caelthas and Aelyssa, who were speaking nearby.

Beyond them, the World Tree continued to burn.

Her heart tightened. What should we do now?

She looked at the two powerful elves, hoping they had found another solution.

But when she heard their conversation, her hopes began to fade.

"We..." Caelthas started, only to fall silent.

Aelyssa shook her head, her gaze fixed on the burning tree. "I don’t know."

The queen’s voice carried a rare note of helplessness.

Even someone as powerful as her had no immediate answer.

Lyria clenched her fists. She couldn’t accept that. Not when she could still feel that mysterious calling deep within her heart.

She began to push herself upright.

"Hey, don’t move!" Noah immediately warned her. "Lyria, you need to rest."

"I’m fine, Noah..."

She tried to stand, but the moment she shifted her weight, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen.

Her face twisted, and she nearly collapsed.

Noah immediately tightened his hold around her waist, preventing her from falling.

"Does that look like you’re fine to you?" he asked, his voice carrying a rare hint of sternness.

Lyria lowered her gaze.

The healing potion had saved her life, but her internal injuries hadn’t completely healed. She was still weak, and her body needed proper treatment.

She knew that. But she couldn’t bring herself to sit back and do nothing.

"Girl, he’s right," Aelyssa said, turning toward her. "You need to rest. You’ve already done more than enough for us elves."

Lyria shook her head. "No... I want to try again."

Everyone turned toward her.

"Try what?" Damien asked, although he seemed to have already guessed her answer.

"Purification," Lyria replied, looking toward the World Tree.

"Lyria, no!" Damien immediately objected. "It’s already dangerou and now with such condition, you could—"

"I know." Her voice trembled, but she refused to look away from the tree.

"I know how dangerous it is. But I can’t just stand here and watch it burn!"

Noah frowned slightly.

He had arrived in the middle of the chaos and hadn’t known exactly what Lyria had been attempting before Vorthane interrupted her.

He glanced at the burning World Tree, then back at her.

"Your ability... Purification, right?" he asked. "You think it can stop those flames?"

Lyria nodded. "I believe it can do it..."

Her fingers tightened around the fabric of Noah’s clothes.

"I have to try, Noah. Even if there’s only a small chance that I can save it, I can’t turn my back on it."

Caelthas and Aelyssa exchanged a glance before looking at her.

The queen stepped closer. "Lyria, you’ve already tried helping which put your life in risk. And considering your condition, attempting something like that again would be extremely riskier than before. You might not survive it."

Her eyes shimmered with tears.

"No... I need to do... I cannot leave it like that... I believed I can do it."

She looked up at the burning tree again. "If I have the power to help it, then I can’t simply walk away."

Her legs trembled beneath her, and her balance faltered almost immediately. Noah caught her before she could fall.

"Lyria..." He sighed softly, supporting her with one arm around her waist.

She looked up at him, expecting another lecture.

Instead, he simply studied her face. There was fear in her eyes, pain in every movement, and exhaustion written across her features.

Yet beneath all of that, her determination remained unwavering.

Noah understood that expression. An expression that of someone who made up their mind, no amount of persuasion would easily change it.

"The World Tree has been calling to me since the flames first appeared," Lyria whispered. "I can feel it even now. It’s asking me to help... I know it sounds strange, but I can’t ignore it. I have to do this."

Noah closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed. "Okay."

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[A/N:... does it feel like Lyria falling for Noah??]