Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

Yera's golden eyes met hers silently, seemingly surprised, but quickly regained their composure. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

Enya's gaze then fell upon Enshia in her arms and Jian, who was still holding Su Rui.

“We,” Enya’s voice carried an almost resolute gentleness as her gaze slowly swept over everyone present—Yela, Ensia, Jian, and finally, it landed on Suri’s sleeping face, “and we shouldn’t tell him either.”

“This past month,” she said, emphasizing each word as if making a solemn promise, or as if convincing herself, “we will pretend we know nothing. We will stay by his side.”

“Enjoy...these last moments.”

Her words echoed in the silent bedchamber. Sorrow still lingered, but it seemed to be mixed with a deeper, more complex emotion—cherishing, reluctance to part, and an almost tragic desire to pour out all tenderness in the limited time available.

Enxia lifted her head from her sister's arms, her eyes blurry with tears as she looked at her sister, then at the sleeping Suri. Finally, she nodded firmly, though tears continued to stream down her face. She understood her sister's meaning. Since they couldn't change the outcome, they didn't want Suri to carry that heavy, soon-to-dissipate fear for the rest of his life. They wanted him to have a happy, warm, and loving last month.

She nodded almost imperceptibly. The subtle ripple in her icy blue eyes seemed to subside into a deeper, calmer stillness. She would protect her mistress, and she would also… protect these last months.

Yera's golden eyes silently observed everything: the mixture of sorrow and determination in Enya's eyes, Enshia's tearful yet determined nod, and Jian's silent agreement. Her face remained expressionless, as if all of humanity's joys and sorrows were irrelevant to her.

In the end, she simply nodded almost imperceptibly again, tacitly agreeing to Enya's suggestion.

And so, a heavy and secret agreement was quietly made in this warm bedchamber. The truth about Su Rui having only one month left to "exist" would be hidden by them together. They would spend these last moments with the most ordinary, the gentlest, and even... the most "excessive" attitude.

Enxia wiped away her tears. Although her eyes were still red, a smile had returned to her face, but this smile held a new, carefully cherished quality that she hadn't shown before. She walked to Jian's side, looked at the sleeping Su Rui, and whispered, "Sister Jian, let's put Brother Su Rui in bed and let him sleep well."

Jian nodded, picked up Su Rui, and headed towards the bedroom.

Enya watched their retreating figures, then glanced at Yela standing quietly beside her, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Sadness still lingered, but now, there was a stronger urgency to seize the moment.

She walked to the window and looked out at the silent sacred mountain covered in thick snow. The snowstorm had stopped, and sunlight struggled to pierce through the clouds, casting a thin ray of light.

One month.

There's only one month left.

Enya closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the cold, fresh air. When she opened her eyes again, all that remained was a gentle, almost devout, unwavering determination.

She will cherish these last moments. With all her tenderness, all her companionship, and even... all her "indulgence".

Enshia and Jian also stayed behind. They did not return to Shivaish Manor. Enshia, in her capacity as a saintess, sent a message to Manjusaka, saying only that her younger sister missed her older sister and would be staying on the Holy Mountain for a while, accompanied and protected by the head guard, Jian. Manjusaka, on the other hand, had never dared to interfere too much in the area where Yeragand was located, and perhaps SilverAsh had also received some kind of "tacit approval" (from Yeragand? or SilverAsh's own considerations?), so they did not raise any objections.

Thus, the once quiet temple, which belonged only to Enya (and the occasional Yera), suddenly became "lively".

Enshia flew around the temple like a happy little bird, sometimes pestering her sister to talk, sometimes curiously observing Yera (although most of the time she only dared to look from afar), and sometimes running over to "bother" the still sleeping Suri, pinching his cheeks, or gently stroking his soft silver hair and animal ears.

Jian was like a silent shadow, spending most of his time guarding Enshia's vicinity, either quietly staying in a corner, wiping her short blade, or simply watching everything in the hall with his icy blue eyes, especially... that large bed that held the sleeping boy.

Yera seemed unconcerned about the two extra people (and the sleeping person) in the temple. She still spent most of her time in the inner chamber, or in some unknown corner deep within the temple, only appearing silently during mealtimes or between the Enya sisters' quiet conversations, to quietly watch the sleeping Suri for a while, or to scan the faces of everyone in the temple with her calm and unwavering gaze.

Suri, however, remained fast asleep. Perhaps it was due to the "overexertion" of the previous night, perhaps it was because the effects of Yera's "forced sleep" had not completely worn off, or perhaps it was because his own peculiar "mode of existence" was undergoing some unknown adjustment or depletion... His sleep was exceptionally long and exceptionally deep.

It wasn't until the warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the window and fell on his face, causing a slight tickle, that he barely moved his eyelashes.

It seems she's about to wake up.

Volume 18, Chapter 1259: The Last Time

Inside the bedchamber, silence fell instantly at Su Rui's subtle movement. Enya stopped her needlework (she was mending a garment for Su Rui), Enshia also stopped her chattering, her hand pausing slightly as she wiped her short blade, and even Yela's calm, unwavering gaze seemed to shift almost imperceptibly towards the bed.

Their gazes fell silently on the silver-haired boy who was about to wake up.

Sadness was carefully hidden. Cherishing was transformed into a silent tenderness in her eyes.

This final month has begun.

The afternoon sun, like melting honey, lazily streamed through the enormous stained-glass windows, adorned with intricate icicle patterns, casting its slant into the warm chambers of the temple. In the beams of light, tiny dust motes, like miniature sprites, swirled and danced slowly in the tranquil air. Only the dark red embers remained in the fireplace, radiating their last warmth, intertwining with the sun's glow to create a peaceful and serene atmosphere throughout the space.

Su Rui's long, silvery-white eyelashes, like butterfly wings, trembled slightly. Her eyelids, gently bathed in sunlight, seemed to sense the call from the outside world, and slowly, with a hint of heaviness and confusion as if just waking up, they opened.

The first thing that catches the eye is the familiar yet unfamiliar bed canopy, and the sunlight, softened and hazy, filtering through the curtains. Consciousness, like a beach slowly revealed after the tide recedes, gradually emerges from deep sleep. The sensations of the body return first—an extreme languor and weakness, as if every bone and muscle has been completely relaxed and stretched, mixed with some indescribable, subtle, hidden sensation, like being scratched by a feather, leaving a lingering tingling.

Memory, like a shattered mirror, flickers with chaotic and ambiguous fragments. Last night at Shivaish Manor, in Ensia's room, on the soft bed, that "storm" triggered by his innocent stubbornness, leaving him ashamed and powerless; the warm, curious exploration, the cold, stable confinement, the soft lips, the delicate nibbling, and finally, the overwhelming, tidal wave of exhaustion that mixed extreme stimulation with emptiness...

Su Rui's cheeks flushed slightly again, uncontrollably. He instinctively tried to raise his hand to cover his face, but found his arm was so weak that he felt as if all his strength had been drained away.

How could he... have fallen asleep again? And it seems he's been asleep for a long time? This is... the Holy Mountain Temple? How did he get back?

His chaotic thoughts, like tangled threads, were impossible to untangle. He tried to move his body and sit up, but his whole body ached, especially his lower back and a certain embarrassing spot, where a slight, uncomfortable ache made him gasp and let out a barely audible groan of pain.

This subtle movement immediately alerted the others in the bedchamber.

"Brother Su Rui, you're awake!"

A clear, melodious voice, filled with undisguised joy and affection, flowed over first, like a cheerful stream. Immediately afterward, a small face with a radiant smile and sparkling blue eyes appeared above Su Rui's line of sight.

It was Enxia. She seemed to have been by the bedside the whole time, and now she was lying on the edge of the bed, her hands supporting her chin, her eyes fixed on Suri, her face filled with pure, untroubled happiness, as if she had been waiting for a long time and had finally waited for her beloved doll to wake up.

Looking at Encia's face, so close to his, a face that seemed to say, "I did something bad, but I'm not afraid, and I'm happy," the chaotic and shameful fragments of memories from last night suddenly became even clearer. His cheeks burned even hotter, and he instinctively wanted to turn his head away, avoiding Encia's overly bright gaze, which seemed to see right through his embarrassment.

"Hmm..." Su Rui responded vaguely, his voice hoarse from just waking up and some unspeakable "exhaustion." He struggled, using his sore arms to support himself, trying to sit up.

A cool, soft hand reached out just in time, gently supporting his shoulder and helping him sit up straight. It was Enya.

Enya had come over at some point and was standing by the bed. She had changed out of her elegant saintly robes and was now wearing a softer, more homely, pale yellow dress. Her long, silvery-white hair was loosely tied back, with a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks, making her face appear even more gentle and beautiful. A gentle smile graced her face, and her eyes were clear and accepting, as if everything that had happened at the Shivaish Manor the previous night was nothing more than an insignificant, childish game.

"Slow down, you just woke up, don't rush to get up." Enya's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart. She helped Su Rui up, placed a soft cushion behind his back, and carefully tucked him in. Her movements were natural and smooth, full of care. "You've been sleeping for so long, are you hungry? I cooked some meat porridge, and it's been keeping it warm on the stove. It's perfect to drink now."

Suri felt a little embarrassed by Enya's meticulous care, but the shame and unease he felt from last night's "encounter" seemed to have dissipated considerably in Enya's gentle gaze and words. He nodded and whispered, "...A little."

"I'll go get it!" Encia immediately volunteered, skipping and hopping like a happy little deer towards the small kitchen in the outer room.

Su Rui's gaze followed Enxia's back, and then subconsciously scanned the bedroom.

Then, he saw Jian, leaning against the shadows by the inner room door, like a silent statue. She was still wearing that dark, practical outfit, the short blade at her waist reflecting a cold, icy light in the light filtering through the window. Her icy blue eyes were calmly looking at him, her face expressionless, as if she were not the one who had imprisoned him with cold, steady force last night, and even participated in that "chaos."

Su Rui's gaze briefly met Jian's, and he immediately looked away as if burned, his ears beginning to burn again. Last night... Jian also...

And... what about Yela?

For some reason, Su Rui's heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously looked towards the deeper part of the bedchamber, in the direction where Yela usually resided.

Yera wasn't there.

He felt a slight sense of relief, but then a complex, indescribable emotion welled up within him. What Yera had done to him last night at the temple… that undeniable kiss on his lips, those seemingly magical touches on his neck and collarbone, and the subsequent, uncontrollably drowsiness…

Volume 18, Chapter 1260: Yela definitely tampered with it.

Suri's cheeks flushed even more deeply once again, uncontrollably. He forced himself to stop thinking about those chaotic images and focus his attention on what was in front of him.

Enxia quickly returned with a steaming bowl of fragrant meat porridge. She carefully carried the bowl to the bedside and handed it to Suya: "Sister, give this to Brother Surui."

Enya took the bowl, stirred it gently with a spoon, blew on it to cool it down, then scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Su Rui's lips, her movements as natural as if she had done it a thousand times before.

Suri looked at the porridge being offered to her lips, then at Eun-ah's gentle, smiling eyes, and at Eun-hee's bright, expectant gaze beside her. After hesitating for a moment, she finally opened her mouth slightly and accepted Eun-ah's feeding.

The warm porridge slid down his throat, bringing a sense of comfort and soothing his empty stomach. It tasted excellent, perfectly seasoned, and had a rich meaty aroma; it was clearly carefully cooked.

Eun-ya patiently fed Su Rui spoonful by spoonful. Eun-siya, meanwhile, lay by the bedside, chin in hand, watching intently, occasionally whispering, "Is it too hot?" "Is it tasty?", as if taking care of Su Rui's meals was such a fun and important thing.

Jian stood silently by the door, like the most loyal guard. Only occasionally would his icy blue eyes sweep over the warm scene by the bed. His gaze would linger for a very brief moment on Su Rui's Adam's apple, which was slightly moving as she ate, and her pale lips, which were slightly moistened by the porridge, before quickly moving away.

The bowl of porridge was quickly emptied. Enya gently wiped Suri's mouth with a soft cloth, her movements as tender as if she were handling a fragile porcelain doll.

"Do you want more?" Enya asked softly.

Su Rui shook his head. He was full, and his body felt some strength returning, though he was still a little sore. He leaned back on the soft cushions, his gaze sweeping over the people in the bedchamber once more.

Eunsia is still here, Jian is still here, Eunsia is still here... They don't seem to have any intention of leaving.

A question finally surfaced in Su Rui's mind.

“Encia,” Suri’s voice was still a little hoarse. He looked at the blonde girl lying by the bed and asked, “Don’t you… need to go back to the manor? And Mace, don’t you… need to go back to protect SilverAsh, or handle other matters?”

Logically, Encia sneaking up to the Holy Mountain to see her sister and staying overnight would be the limit. Now that it's already broad daylight (or even past noon), she should immediately return to Shiva's Manor to avoid causing unnecessary trouble and worry. As for Jian, the head of the Shiva's guards and one of SilverAsh's most trusted right-hand men, he shouldn't be away from his post for so long, staying in this secluded Holy Mountain temple.

Upon hearing Suri's question, Enxia blinked her blue eyes, a sweet, slightly mischievous smile appearing on her face. She didn't answer immediately, but instead turned her head towards the doorway of the inner room.

Su Rui followed her gaze.

At the doorway to the inner chamber, Yera had already silently appeared. She was still wearing that simple white robe, barefoot, her long silver hair flowing like moonlight down her back. Her exquisite face was expressionless, her golden eyes calm and still, as if she had just awakened from an ancient slumber, or as if she had always been there, quietly watching everything.

Yera's gaze met Suri's questioning eyes. Her golden eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.

Then, under Suri's gaze, Yera took a step and silently walked to the bedside. She didn't look at Ensia, nor at Enya; her gaze simply rested calmly on Suri's face.

She reached out, not to take the bowl, nor for anything else. Instead, with utmost naturalness, she gently pinched the tip of one of Suri's furry animal ears, which was trembling slightly from just waking up and from confusion, with her cool, slender fingers.

A slightly cool touch, like a tiny electric current, instantly coursed through Su Rui's sensitive nerves. His body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and his ears instinctively tried to pull back, avoiding the annoying touch. But Yela's fingers, with an undeniable, gentle strength, lightly massaged the soft tip of his ear, even using her fingertips to scratch the most sensitive downy hairs on the inside of his earlobe.

"Mmm..." A soft, trembling groan escaped from Suri's throat, his cheeks flushing uncontrollably once more. He wanted to turn his head away, but Yera's calm gaze and the strangely soothing touch of her fingertips made him unable to move.

“Don’t worry.” Yera’s voice rang out calmly, like a stream melting from ice and snow, clear and cool, yet carrying a strange, reassuring power. Her fingers continued to gently massage Su Rui’s sensitive ear, her golden eyes calmly watching Su Rui’s eyes, which were slightly reddened with embarrassment.

"They can stay."

Her words were simple, not explanations, but statements. It was as if her words were the laws of this sacred mountain, which no one could disobey.

Suri was stunned. He looked at Yera's calm, beautiful face, as if she were simply saying, "The weather's nice today," then at Ensia beside her, whose eyes had brightened and whose smile had become even sweeter because of Yera's words, and at Ensia, who still smiled gently and seemed completely unsurprised, and at the silent nod by the door, as if she had simply accepted the most ordinary command...

Can they...stay? Stay at the Holy Mountain Temple? With Yera? And him?

This realization left Suri momentarily stunned. The young lady of the Shivaesh family and the head guard, staying at the Holy Mountain Temple of Manju Academy for an extended period? Was this... in accordance with the rules? Would SilverAsh agree? Would those old fogies of Manju Academy have no objections?

But looking into Yeragand's calm and unwavering gaze, Suri suddenly realized that before this ancient being, Yeragand, the so-called "rules," the so-called "family," and the so-called "Manju Academy" were perhaps as insignificant as dust in the wind. She said she could stay, so she could stay.

As for the reason... Su Rui looked at Yela's cool fingers that were still kneading her ears, feeling the touch with a strange soothing power, and the doubt in her heart seemed to be dispelled by the peaceful atmosphere and the comfort of her body.

Never mind. Since Yera said it's okay, then probably... it'll be fine. Besides, for some reason, after last night's chaotic "sharing" and "exploration" at Shivaish Manor, and the unspeakable "intimacy" with Yera and Enya earlier, the barrier that Su Rui had built up in her heart due to unfamiliarity, wariness, and differences in status seemed to have quietly collapsed a lot.

At least, when faced with Enya's gentle care, Enshia's innocent intimacy, or even Yela's controlling touch that didn't truly disgust him (but rather made him feel embarrassed), he was no longer as resistant and wary as he had been at the beginning.

Volume 18, Chapter 1261: Their Little Thoughts

A strange feeling, akin to resignation or relaxation, quietly took root. Since they couldn't change it, since none of them seemed to intend to let him go, then... so be it. At least, the warmth and companionship they felt at that moment were real. At least, they all seemed happy.

Suri sighed softly, no longer dwelling on those complicated rules and reasons. He tilted his head slightly, letting Yella's fingers linger on his sensitive ear, and even unconsciously, he gently brushed the tip of his ear against Yella's cool palm.

This subtle, almost dependent and submissive gesture seemed to cause a barely perceptible, extremely faint glimmer to flash in the depths of Yera's golden eyes. Her kneading of Suri's ears seemed to become even gentler.

Enxia's eyes lit up like stars when she saw this, and her smile almost stretched to her ears. She even winked at her sister, as if to say: Look, Brother Suri isn't resisting anymore!

Enya also noticed Suri's subtle, compliant gesture, and the gentle smile in her eyes deepened, but deep within, there seemed to be a barely perceptible, even more profound sadness and pity. She gently stroked Suri's slightly disheveled silver hair on her forehead, her action filled with tenderness.

Jian Bing's blue eyes watched this scene quietly, his face still expressionless, but those usually sharp and cold eyes seemed to have softened slightly.

“So, Brother Su Rui,” Enxia leaned closer, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement, “Sister Jian and I can stay and keep you company! Aren’t you happy?”

Looking at Ensia's "seeking praise" expression, feeling the continuous, cool and comfortable kneading on her ears, and Ensia's gentle and tender gaze, Su Rui finally nodded almost imperceptibly.

"……Um."

Although the voice was very soft, with a hint of barely perceptible awkwardness, it was indeed an affirmative answer.

Ensia immediately smiled happily, like a kitten that had stolen candy. The corners of Ensia's mouth curved into an even gentler and more captivating smile. Even Yela's calm, golden eyes seemed to reflect a barely perceptible, soft halo.

Jian remained silent, but his posture with his arms crossed seemed to have relaxed somewhat.

A strange, unspoken, gentle, and peaceful atmosphere filled the bedchamber. They (Enya, Yera, Enshia, and Jian) ​​seemed to have reached a silent consensus—to no longer mention the heavy and sorrowful truth (Suri only had one month left), nor to dwell on the chaotic and shameful "intimacy" of the past. They simply, in this seemingly ordinary yet truly indulgent and cherished way, accompanied Suri, enjoying this stolen, unpredictable, and precious moment of warmth.

Su Rui was completely unaware of this. He only felt that his body was still a little tired and sore, his ears felt very comfortable from Yela's massage, Enya's gaze was gentle, Enxia's smile was bright, and even Jian's cold gaze seemed less oppressive.

He leaned back against the soft cushions, closed his eyes slightly, and savored this rare moment, as if enveloped in warmth and tranquility. As for why Enshia and the Sword were allowed to stay, what Yera really meant, what SilverAsh and Manjuin would think... these questions all seemed to have become unimportant.

At least for now, he is needed and treated with kindness. That's enough.

As for their shared, heavy, and sorrowful thoughts hidden beneath their gentle smiles and indulgent gazes—about the countdown that only had one month left—they clearly had no intention of telling Suri.

Let these final moments, like the afternoon sun, be warm and peaceful, as if they could last forever.

Days, like the perpetual snow on the summit of a sacred mountain, slip by quietly in seemingly eternal tranquility. Or like the occasional pause, or more often, a gentler gust of wind and snow outside a temple window, silently altering the subtle patterns of the world.

Since waking up that afternoon and confirming that Enshia and Jian could "legally" stay at the Holy Mountain Temple, Su Rui's life seemed to have entered an unprecedented and peculiar "normal state".

Enya, Yera, Enshia, and Jian. These four women, with their distinct temperaments and vastly different identities, coexist in this sacred realm of Yeragand in an almost eerie yet inexplicably harmonious way, with Suri as the invisible yet incredibly clear core among them.

This "core" status didn't stem from Suri's own will or ability, but rather seemed to be the result of some tacit, gentle "conspiracy." Ensia was always like an energetic little bird, chirping around him, sharing the fantastical adventures she'd read in Victorian storybooks, or describing the new shoots sprouting from a plant in the manor greenhouse. She would pull Suri along to look at the beautifully illustrated pages, and even if Suri showed little interest in the knight and princess stories, simply sitting quietly beside her, occasionally letting out a mumbled "hmm" when she excitedly pointed to something, it would make her happy for a long time.

Enya, on the other hand, subtly permeated every corner of Suri's life. She would carefully inquire about Suri's dietary preferences (although the temple's ingredients were limited, she could always prepare warm and delicious meals in various ways), mend and wash his clothes (even though his specially made loungewear seemed unnecessary), and silently drape a soft blanket over him when he occasionally leaned against the window, lost in thought due to exhaustion (or something else). Her gaze always followed Suri gently, and within that gentleness seemed to be something deeper that Suri couldn't understand—like pity, or perhaps… an almost devout appreciation.

The presence of the mace, like the person herself, was silent yet omnipresent. She spent most of her time in a corner of the bedchamber or in the shadows of the corridor, polishing her short blade, or simply watching quietly. But Su Rui could sense that whenever he stepped out of the bedchamber, even just a few steps away in the small corridor of the temple, the mace's icy blue gaze would fall upon him like invisible threads, ensuring he remained within her "protective" range. She rarely approached him proactively, but when Enshia's "playfulness" went a little too far (like trying to braid Su Rui's hair into strange little braids), or when Su Rui frowned slightly from a muscle aches from a certain movement, she would always, with lightning speed and precise force, "lift" Enshia away, or silently offer her a supportive cushion.

Volume 18, Chapter 1262: Su Rui also noticed something was wrong.